FK 425 on a neglected finish

BryanH

BryanH

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I did this just for kicks. Or maybe I was just itching to use some of my new AG-supplied detail products. :)

My recently purchased '91 Z has a paint finish needing plenty of TLC. The hood is especially bad. Washing the car feels wrong because there's so much friction over the paint, even with Optimum Car Wash.

I washed the car on Friday, 2/15. After it dried I applied a bit of FK 425 to one third of the hood and half of one fender using one of my cheap thin MF towels.

Even on paint crying out for some serious claying, the treated sections were noticeably smoother to the touch. Not perfect by any means, but a definite improvement.

Today I checked out the hood and fender. I couldn't notice a difference in the amount of dust present between treated and untreated areas.

Then it started to rain...

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There was decent beading on that section of hood. [Note I did not apply tape to get a sharp 50/50 line.] Again nothing amazing but considering the state of the rest of the hood I was surprised at the difference.

I'll leave you with a shot of the beading on the treated area of the fender (which is in better shape than the hood).

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I don't know if any of this means anything but I thought it was interesting. :) Full detail on this car is happening soonish. I will be sure to get some 50/50 of that! :buffing:
 
FK425 is a top QD performer. Like many QD that are "waxy" it does offer some beading action.
 
It offers some beading and anti-static, but as offered is really not what should be used on neglected paint. Its best as a final spritz after prepping the paint and protecting properly.
 
Oh yes, I should have mentioned that my intention is to use it as a drying agent once the car is detailed and protected. :) I just thought I'd see what happened as it sat.
 
BryanH said:
Oh yes, I should have mentioned that my intention is to use it as a drying agent once the car is detailed and protected. :) I just thought I'd see what happened as it sat.
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Which is a good indicator, at least to me, of how it will perform after a fresh detail. If it adds slickness to a paint that hasn't been clayed or prepped in any way other than washing, and if it beads like that after washing with no wax applied, then I'd say that's pretty impressive. I don't have any of this product, but I've been interested in it for some time. Just piqued my interest a little further. Thanks for posting.
 
Nice Z! I love red cars. I had a 1990 300zx non turbo automatic black on black leather. 33,500 original miles! Had to trade it in to get my 3rd Gen RX-7 TT. :awman:

Please to a show n shine when you get it all cleaned up. I'd love to see some pics of it. I'm sure others would as well.
 
BryanH said:
Oh yes, I should have mentioned that my intention is to use it as a drying agent once the car is detailed and protected. :) I just thought I'd see what happened as it sat.
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Good observation Bryan. Never thought that FK425 would offer that much protection for a QD. Most will use it on good paint and never know how much protection it offers. Because of your find I will use FK more.
 
WRXINXS said:
Nice Z! I love red cars. I had a 1990 300zx non turbo automatic black on black leather. 33,500 original miles! Had to trade it in to get my 3rd Gen RX-7 TT.
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I'm an admitted three pedal elitist: I'd say that was a worthwhile trade up! :xyxthumbs:

WRXINXS said:
Please to a show n shine when you get it all cleaned up. I'd love to see some pics of it. I'm sure others would as well.
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Absolutely. :) It will never look as amazing as your RX-7 but I see plenty of potential for improvement with this Z.
 
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