Ever do a Test Section??

[galaxy]

You guys eve do a test/comparison with multiple products on a panel just to see if you like the results or to compare one product to another???

This last weekend I detailed my dads Lexus with that new ('11) pearl white color. After correction and prep, it was topped with a final of two coats of Pinnacle XMT 180 High Gloss. To say I was impressed after getting it out in the sun was an understatement. Amazing gloss and reflection & shine.

Based on that, decided to try a spot on my dark blue Lexus. Car was prepped already so I did a quick once over the hood and fender with Mothers Pre Wax Cleaner just to establish a level playing field. I then did one layer of SSII on half the the hood. I did 2/3 of the the other half and the adjoining fender section with the XMT. I did the final 1/3 of the hood and that adjoining fender section with Mothers Pure Carnuba Paste simply as a catalyst and to up the ante a bit.

I got dark, so under the normal light of fluorescent tube garage lights, I literally could tell zero difference between the three sections. I was a little disappointed. With my LED inspection light, you could slightly tell the XMT from the Mothers, with the nod going to the XMT (but barely I'll add) for richness/depth of the color. Could tell no difference between the XMT and the SSII.

Tomorrow should be the real test when I can get her out in some sun and other natural light. We'll see.

I also plan to not modify the sections to see if one noticeably hold up better and/or different from the other.

Just curious if you guys have ever done this or similar with successful results?? I know the results will be 100% personal opinion, but whatever!

 

[galaxy]

Oh yea...one point of interest just in case it's relevant in some manner...I used a clean LC black pad for all three applications to remove any variables. The Mothers by far was the most difficult to clean from the pad. The XMT was the easiest.

FWIW, BFLD is by far the most difficult product I've ever tried to clean from my pads. I have pads reserved specifically for that product now because of that. Sorry to sidetrack...

 

[Belair]

Yeah tomorrow in the sun is where you'll be able to see the difference on your blue paint. We have a Toy with that pearlized white paint & I'll have to try the XMT to see how it compares to the stuff I use now. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Jimmie]

The first section is the one I use to develop my game plan. Usually not to compare one product to another, but I do think that is a good idea. I use products/tools to see what's going to give the finish that I want. I usually know what layering/LSP I'm going to use in advance.

 

[galaxy]

WOW...Big surprise today in the sun. The XMT surprisingly provided the cleanest, deepest finish of the three. The Mothers was the worst leaving an appearance that seemed to actual lighten the blue while providing what I can best describe as a slight dulling effect to the reflection. It was also the worst as far as leaving shadows/shading/streaking (streaking used for lack of a better term) from the pad. The SSII looked great beside the Mothers, but still had some very slight pad shading/streaking left behind. You had to look for it but there were definitely trails there which revealed the buffer path similar to the Mothers. Appearance was very similar to the XMT and required investigation to find the border between the SSII and the XMT. However, the depth and deepness/wetness of the surface was the distinguishing factor between the two. There was also zero marks left behind in the XMT, which was applied with the exact same pad and technique as the other two. I have no doubts that with one wash, any streaking and marks left behind in the SSII would be gone (most likely the Mothers also) but it was still an addition to the appearance worthy of note. This only confirms my satisfaction after being completely blown away by the appearance after putting two coats of the XMT on my dads white Lexus. Slightly surprised to have equally drastic results on such extremes in color, but it was.

The XMT 180 is definitely going on my extremely underrated list and I will be ordering a tub, and I may even forego my plans to try Black Fire Midnight Sun for the time being. Even more impressive results considering the cost.

Yes, the jury is still out on durability, beading characteristics, and other similar factors but I'll report any findings worthy of note. For the record, I may be wrong but I am expecting the best durability performance from the mothers...we'll see. FWIW, my test/standards for durability will be based on water beading capabilities after X number of washes and towel sliding slickness. Each section will receive equal care through this process.