GTechniq C-4 Permanent Trim Restorer

MarkD51

MarkD51

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View attachment 14414Hello All, A few weeks ago, I decided to try this product on a whim, and purchased the 30ml Bottle.

It was a personal moment of insanity, and one can further understand why when they have the product in hand, and see the ridiculously small bottle.

The product simply comes in a sealed bottle, with a few Applicators which look like small Cosmetic Face Buffs.

So, I had some time today, and decided to clean up, and detail my 1997 Tahoe's Rear Step Bumper while I had my Cover off the vehicle.

Temps here were about 60 degrees, and I was outside, and in shade.

I first wiped down the entire Rear Bumper, including the Step Pads, and wrap around Vinyl Trim, and as well the Rear Tailgate Handle with full strength 70% Alcohol to strip the Bumper of any other products present.

These most like consisted of Optimum Tire Shine on the Vinyl, and Collinite 845 on the Chrome.

Once completing this step, I then simply went on to wipe the chrome clean with a MF Towel, and then masked off all Vinyl Trim with Green Painter's Tape.

The product has a somewhat strong smell, hard to describe, it's almost a smell I recognize from somewhere else? The product seems volatile as well.

Application was fairly easy, and as I applied, I did note more dirts, and black from the vinyl accumilating on the Applicator Pad. About the Pads, I used two from the Pack for this task.

The product applied similar to like one applying something like an Armor All product, coverage was relatively easy, and I only had to apply a second coat in a couple strategic areas, as it might have been soaking in a bit more in these areas.

The work time was good, meaning there was more than enough time to thoroughly spread the product, and insure evenness of product coating. As it went on it went on with a extremely high gloss, and the Trim, and Step Pads had a very nice dark restored look.


After I applied, and waited about 10-15 minutes, I touched the Trim in a couple of inconspicuous areas, and noted that not only was the product not dry, but was sticky, and was seemingly beginning to set up. As I did this, my fingers did leave small marks in the coating, and I did go back and lightly touch these areas up.

At that point, I was unsure how long a wait I was in for for the product to dry, and then was worried that it was never going to fully dry?

I left it alone for a period of about 1-1/2-2 hours time, and went to check again. The product still was showing a very nice high gloss, but at the point in time, I did not touch any of the Vinyl. At 2-1/2 hours, I checked by touch, and the product was totally dry. The gloss seemed a little less wet looking, but still very nice looking.


Now here's some bad news that I conclude at this point. Half the bottle is empty, so one could say it cost me $$32.50 to treat the Step Bumper Trim, and Rear Tailgate Handle. Absurd, I know.


I conclude that if I needed to coat all outside Vinyl Trim on my Tahoe, I'd probably be needing 2, to 2-1/2 Bottle of this product.

As for longevity, I of course cannot comment about such at this point?

As others have commented about such treatments, is it better to spend more, and have a product last longer, or spend less, and have a need to apply such a bit more frequently?

Pros: Seems to be a good product, I'm satisfied with the look, and ease of application.

Cons: An extremely expensive (IMO) product, seems to have a lengthy dry time (Might be temperature dependent), and becomes sticky as it dries.

Conclusions, and whether I would personally buy this product again? Probably not, it is prohibitively expensive for the amount of product, and I personally would most likely not consider this product again, unless maybe it was a 100ml Bottle of product, instead of the small 30ml.

The first pic shows part application of product. The others show the job complete.
Chrome was done with Optimum Opti-Seal.
Mark
 
try uttg+
unless it is truly permanently restored, thats extremely over priced. But I've never personally worked with it..
 
You used way too much product. When it's put on thin it will dry very quickly and not be sticky.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You used way too much product. When it's put on thin it will dry very quickly and not be sticky.
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Hi Setec,
Perhaps, but it seemed if I spread the product any thinner, I was not getting the results I desired, and it was then looking "thin", and the trim not being properly-fully coated.

Isn't there the possibility, that certain vinyl parts might absorb more product than others? Perhaps textured versus smooth vinyl as well?

My original intended useage for this product was going to be my Windshield Cowl, and since this is a much smoother black plastic, I think I will be able to succeed in coating this, and perhaps the 4 additional Side Door Handles.

Very doubtful, no matter how hard I try stretching it, will I be able to also do all the black Vinyl Side Cladding-Trim.

As others have suggested, UTTP, and with some future next order, I will probably get myself some of this. Mark
 
MarkD51 said:
The product applied similar to like one applying something like an Armor All product, coverage was relatively easy, and I only had to apply a second coat in a couple strategic areas, as it might have been soaking in a bit more in these areas
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Products do not soak in They bond. Gtechniq products form a chemical bond as apposed to a physical bond. To coat all of the plastics on a vehicle like this, you should have used about a quarter of the bottle. It does not create a "high-gloss." The only high gloss you would have seen was because the trim was wet with an excessive amount of product. C4 will create a dark, like-new, look. C4 does not have a cure time. It bonds instantly and forms a thin product film. All excess product can be wiped off (gently!) immediately. Any towel you use to wipe off excess product MUST be thrown away. C4 will crystallize in the towel and render it useless.

PLEASE: Read directions (posted on the Autogeek product page!!) and research your products before posting misleading reviews!!
 
Thank you for sharing.

After some consideration, I've decided against using another wipe on product for my faded rear step trim, and went with a Plasti Dip treatment. IMO, it beats reapplying products, not to mention how readily available and economical it is, plus the OEM-like, clean matte finish.
 
TrKent said:
Products do not soak in They bond. Gtechniq products form a chemical bond as apposed to a physical bond. To coat all of the plastics on a vehicle like this, you should have used about a quarter of the bottle. It does not create a "high-gloss." The only high gloss you would have seen was because the trim was wet with an excessive amount of product. C4 will create a dark, like-new, look. C4 does not have a cure time. It bonds instantly and forms a thin product film. All excess product can be wiped off (gently!) immediately. Any towel you use to wipe off excess product MUST be thrown away. C4 will crystallize in the towel and render it useless.

PLEASE: Read directions (posted on the Autogeek product page!!) and research your products before posting misleading reviews!!
Click to expand...

Well thank you for calling my review misleading. Sorry you didn't like it, and I'm not blending in well with you hoi poloi.

I've read through the very sparse application descriptions on this forum more than once. I've not seen much written about this product, and that's no doubt because of its high cost.

I am aware if the relativity of "high costs" of a product.

IMO, what's the most expensive product of all for treating vinyl?

The junk they call Armor-All.

I doubt I would've succeeded in coating all the trim on this full size SUV with 1/4 bottle. At least to achieve the gloss I wished to achieve.

So then the purpose of this product is not to create any gloss?
Then for what I intended this product to do for me, then perhaps it's failed in a way?
Mark

 
To further explain "value", at this point, it is also hard to place a "true value" on this product?

If, such a product lasts, and lasts, saves me additional monies, and work for a long time, then this product does indeed have very good value.

As I've said about the lesser protectant product I mention above, I cannot even estimate the literal hundreds of dollars, and the countless hours of time I wasted on the use of that particular product.
 
I have used the product in small areas, like the back of the CTS with great results and a permanent like solution over dressings. It aint cheap, but it does work. I think very light or thin when using any of these product types.
 
A couple of things before you use a coating that costs $60 for a little bottle...you really need to do your prep, it needs to be scrubbed with APC, perhaps an IPA wipedown. Other's have suggested an acid cleaner is best to use before C4.

All that being said, products like UTTG and WETS, while still expensive, are a little more forgiving and do seem to last a really long time, and are better suited to some (complicated) surfaces (like some windshield cowlings) because excessive overlap of C4 can give you an uneven appearance. Look for the WETS when there is a Wolfgang BOGO and you can get a good deal on that and something else.
 
MarkD51 said:
I doubt I would've succeeded in coating all the trim on this full size SUV with 1/4 bottle. At least to achieve the gloss I wished to achieve.
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I've used this product plenty of times. On a Jeep Wrangler I coated all of the plastics with less than half of a bottle. This includes the gigantic plastic fenders. Again: you cannot adjust the gloss level of this product

MarkD51 said:
So then the purpose of this product is not to create any gloss?
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From the Autogeek website: "Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer renews the color of trim, but it does not add artificial gloss. Matte surfaces will remain matte. Trim pieces will look new, not dressed, to give your vehicle an overall newer appearance."

From Gtechniq:
"Restores trim to “as new” condition without altering gloss level."


MarkD51 said:
Then for what I intended this product to do for me, then perhaps it's failed in a way?
Click to expand...

What you intended the product to do and what the product was intended to do are obviously not the same.
Gtechniq C4 is designed to make trim look new not shiny

Gtechniq C4 also creates a hydrophobic, dirt resistant layer on your trim. It won't attract dust like armor all and is much easier to clean
 
TrKent said:
: you cannot adjust the gloss level of this product

From Gtechniq:
"Restores trim to “as new” condition without altering gloss level."

Gtechniq C4 is designed to make trim look new not shiny
Click to expand...

The first time I used the product I would agree with you. However, on subsequent uses, and some of this might have to do with product aging/evaporation, I find you CAN alter the gloss and make surfaces more shiny, by overlapping or overapplying the product, which seems easier to have happen than when I first used it.

I find it mostly happens on "complicated" surfaces with a lot of ribs, where you are using something like a Q-tip and you wind up going over some parts more than once, and the overlapped areas look shinier, and then you try to even it out...and you get overapplied areas that are sticky, and you can get varying gloss, and a mucked up surface if you disturb it while it's sticky.

Of course a lot of these different observations may be because there are so many different trim types/surfaces, even on the same vehicle, and differences in weathering and cleanliness, etc.
 
Thank you gentlemen for responding again.

And an apology to all, as my ego was a little bit banged around about the bit about posting a misleading review. I did try to accurately post my findings, my particular experiences with this product.

There was no intention of coming into this forum with any axe to grind about the product, but my comments about such a small quantity, and it being an expensive product can perhaps be viewed as personal dislike.

Overall, it seems like a very good product.

What you've both said adds to a better understanding of this product, and I concur with what you've said Setec about this product, how it behaves-acts.

This product does seem a bit tricky to apply, and seems to take a bit of experience, and a good understanding of exactly how this product works, and how it is to be properly used-applied.

I'll check the rear bumper again today, to see how all looks? My Truck now sits under a NOAH Covercraft Cover, but for the past 15 years it hasn't. For the first 6-7 years of its life, it went through Chicago's winters, with salt, etc, and for the past 9-10 years, it's been beaten by a very hot summer sun, and filth, this part of NM is extremely dry, dusty most times of the year. The sun-heat beats a vehicle to death. New cars have faded-yellowed headlights-taillights in as short as a year's time.

The center Step Pad Section was replaced with new about 7 months ago, it had gotten so bad looking.

As I mentioned, I was going to use this product on the Windsheild Wiper Cowl, it is a very difficult part to maintain.

I might investigate these other products you folks mention as an alternative?

Thank you all again folks, you've been very helpful. Mark
 
I think I will just stick with using Megs tire and trim gel..as most customers of mine dont wanna pay any extra for their DD's than they have too
 
Setec Astronomy said:
because excessive overlap of C4 can give you an uneven appearance.


That's why it needs to be lightly knocked down with a mf towel. Towel needs to be thrown away because the product will crystalize and possibly scratch your paint.
Click to expand...
 
Rsurfer said:
Setec Astronomy said:
because excessive overlap of C4 can give you an uneven appearance.


That's why it needs to be lightly knocked down with a mf towel. Towel needs to be thrown away because the product will crystalize and possibly scratch your paint.
Click to expand...

is it possible to clean the towel in say some APC or something instead of trashing it?

i heard the same with OC 2.0 towels, but i found they cleaned up nice when soaked in some ONR initially after use, and then in Zep purple prior to a wash in the machine...im wondering if the same might apply to the Cquartz...
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primo spaghetti said:
Rsurfer said:
is it possible to clean the towel in say some APC or something instead of trashing it?

i heard the same with OC 2.0 towels, but i found they cleaned up nice when soaked in some ONR initially after use, and then in Zep purple prior to a wash in the machine...im wondering if the same might apply to the Cquartz...
Click to expand...

Perhaps this might work.
But why run the risk?

A better practice might be to buy some cheaper towels in bulk and use them only to remove coating residue, then toss them.

I often hear people talking about trying to cheapen the processes involved with using a coating. Like asking if they can take the car through a drive through car wash. Why buy a Bentley if you're going to eat Doritos in it?

Transmitted from the Dream Detail studio.
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