GTechniq EXOv2 Re-Application | 2013 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Radarryan

New member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
778
Reaction score
0
Well, this all started when I got a bad scratch on my car. I was super bummed since my finger catches, but I was able to lessen the appearance (to the point where one day I couldn’t even see it without really trying to look) with Menzerna FG400 and a HydroTech Cyan cutting pad.

I previously had EXOv2 as the topcoat on top of C1, and I wanted to take this opportunity to add another layer or two of EXOv2 on top of the existing layers. I knew how to prep the area for the paint that was bare and polished, but I wasn’t sure about the area that had EXO already on it.

I posted a thread (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/77498-applying-exov2-top-previous-layers-how-prep.html) to try to get the forum’s assistance on what the best course of action would be, and came away fairly certain that I knew what to do. Time was of the essence since I didn’t want to be waiting around for days, and I had a fairly good idea of what to do even before posting.

After washing the car, I decontaminated the paint with GTechniq Panel Wipe for the painted surfaces, and undiluted IPA for the clear bra. After everything had been wiped away, I felt confident that I could apply EXOv2 on top of the entire surface. I decided to use a microfiber applicator block on recommendation from GTechniq. They have said that it allows the EXOv2 to go even further, and with my experience I agree.

I opted for two coats of EXOv2, with about 45 minutes in between the coats. Everything was very simple with application and removal. It went even smoother than the first time I worked with the product, when I had streaks. The streaks just needed a bit of extra elbow grease to be removed, but luckily this didn’t happen this time.

IMG_01907.jpg


One thing I noticed is the microfiber applicator above was thicker than the one that I used before. It is about twice as thick as the previous, and as such I believe that it absorbed more product than before. I think that I used more EXOv2 than if I were to use another, thinner microfiber applicator, makeup applicators, or suede cloth included with the EXOv2 package. I opted for the microfiber applicator based on my experience with it, and as such it proved to be an easy process, but may have contributed to using a few more mL of product than usual. That being said, with two coats of EXOv2, here’s how much product I used.

IMG_01914.jpg


And a second view of the bottle.

IMG_019211.jpg

So even with using more product than needed due to the applicator waste, there are still quite a few applications left in the bottle. I would think that out of the 30mL bottle, over 20mL remain. Now, my car is pretty small and doesn’t have a top, but if you think about the waste, I would say that an average of 5mL would be used per coat. That being said, I have heard some getting two coats on an average sized sedan out of 5mL.

To look at it per ounce, retail, it is about $1.67 per mL. So one coat of 5mL is about $8.35, making the two coats $18.70. I think it makes it a pretty economical product, especially since it lasts a long time – over two years and 600 washes, according to manufacturer tests.

So, with all that out of the way, now onto how it looks – the important stuff! Here’s the pictures.

Rear from the left.
IMG_01937.jpg


Back with the badge, looking up.
IMG_01946.jpg


Rear from the right.
IMG_01953.jpg


Left side.
IMG_01964.jpg


Front left.
IMG_01974.jpg


Front.
IMG_01985.jpg


Hood, close.
IMG_01997.jpg


Hood, with reflection.
IMG_02006.jpg


Front right.
IMG_02016.jpg


Right side.
IMG_02024.jpg


Back, eye level.
IMG_02035.jpg


Left front, stretching.
IMG_02044.jpg


Left, from afar.
IMG_02064.jpg


Front, from afar.
IMG_02056.jpg


Right, from afar.
IMG_02075.jpg


Conclusion:

I think that the pictures speak for themselves. The reflections are crisp, the shine deep, the paint is slick and the overall look, in my opinion, is out of the world! From what I’ve heard, additional coats increase the gloss, but I’ve also read that two to three is really the optimal. I think you would be better off applying additional (more than the initial two or three) coats 6 months apart, rather than upfront, to kind of “refresh” the coating. As we’ve seen here, it is quite easy to add additional coats at any time – just wash, wipe down with a panel prep (Panel Wipe, Eraser, or IPA), and apply the coating. It’s really as easy that, and the look it gives is the reason why I bought the product in the first place. That, and the hydrophobic abilities make washing, and especially drying, a breeze.

I hope you all enjoyed looking at the pictures, and if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Happy detailing!
 
Beautiful work Ryan!!! That black Porsche looks incredible! Schwartz is the only way to buy German!!!

I see that Menzerna is doing well for you. Did you one step the affected area or follow up with a second step? BTW, which machine?

Keep up the outstanding work!
 
The paint on your Porsche looks AWESOME!

I especialy like how deep, dark and defect-free it looks in this shot....

Radarryan_Porsche.jpg

(I cropped out the fluff and resized to 800 pixels wide)


Nice work! Thank you for sharing!


:dblthumb2:
 
If you were going to top the coating up every 6 months, wouldn't you have to buy a new bottle every time? Pretty sure I've read EXO v2 is only good for about 2 weeks after opening.

Here we are:

Opened EXO will last 2 weeks in room temperature. To extend life of these products please store in a refrigerator. EXO will last 2 months once refrigerated. If C1 or EXO becomes expired it will become sticky and hard to apply and should be discarded.
 
Great write-up and excellent work Ryan!

Definitely look into applying coatings with suede mf strips...
 
Beautiful work Ryan!!! That black Porsche looks incredible! Schwartz is the only way to buy German!!!

I see that Menzerna is doing well for you. Did you one step the affected area or follow up with a second step? BTW, which machine?

Keep up the outstanding work!

Thank you Mike! The Menzerna is working great! Funny enough, I didn't even have to follow up, that's how well FG400 finished out on the Cyan pad. I brought out SF4000 and SF4500 to do another step, but honestly, after checking for five minutes with my lights and getting second opinions, no one could see a difference between the side with 4500, and the side that I just finished with 400 - now that's results! And to think, I have such soft black paint and you can't really tell a difference, now that is proof of the technology in the polish. It's something else. It was all done with my Porter Cable 7424XP. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

The paint on your Porsche looks AWESOME!

I especialy like how deep, dark and defect-free it looks in this shot....

Radarryan_Porsche.jpg

(I cropped out the fluff and resized to 800 pixels wide)


Nice work! Thank you for sharing!


:dblthumb2:

Thanks Mike! You're opinion means a lot, and I can thank you for providing me with the education and tools for me to achieve that finish in the garage. Thanks for cropping out the fluff. I totally forgot to do it. I resized the pictures from original to be able to upload to the AutogeekOnline gallery, but for whatever reason I forgot to crop... Guess it was getting late or something. I need to think of an good excuse!

Thanks for the comments! :dblthumb2:

Very nice. Glad the product (EXO) is working out for you!

Thank you! I drove myself crazy a year ago when I was trying to decide whether or not I wanted to go with CarPro or GTechniq, but I really am liking EXO and think it was a good choice. Honestly, I think I would have been happy with either coating but I love the properties of EXO!

If you were going to top the coating up every 6 months, wouldn't you have to buy a new bottle every time? Pretty sure I've read EXO v2 is only good for about 2 weeks after opening.

I read that too and after coating the last time, about a month later I threw away a bottle that had even more than this time away. About a month later, I read something on the UK forums from Rob, the managing director of GTechniq, that said that out of light it will last a year, and in the fridge even longer. So this time I put it in a airtight container, within the original light-free packing, in the bottom of my refrigerator, and I expect to get well over a year of use. I will update next time I use it. I don't think I will have any issues, though.

Nice write-up Ryan and of course a beautiful ride. :dblthumb2:

Thanks Stuart! I appreciate the comments!

Looks awesome!!!! Love the depth!

Thank you, John!

Look at that depth, and shine excellent write up

Thanks James!

Great write-up and excellent work Ryan!

Definitely look into applying coatings with suede mf strips...

Thank you! I appreciate it! I have done coatings with the suede mf strips and just about every way you think, and with EXO I think this is the preferred way, but next way I will document multiple application techniques and post.

Nice work! Beautiful ride:)

Thank you! Thanks for taking the time to take a look and post!
 
Looks amazing great work. Nothing easier on the eyes than a well polished black car!
 
I read that too and after coating the last time, about a month later I threw away a bottle that had even more than this time away. About a month later, I read something on the UK forums from Rob, the managing director of GTechniq, that said that out of light it will last a year, and in the fridge even longer. So this time I put it in a airtight container, within the original light-free packing, in the bottom of my refrigerator, and I expect to get well over a year of use. I will update next time I use it. I don't think I will have any issues, though.

Excellent to know this, thanks for sharing :)
 
Excellent to know this, thanks for sharing :)

Let's put it this way, when I threw the first bottle away it has been sitting in my cabinet for about 6 months, away from light and indoors but not refrigerated, and it still looked like the day I opened the container - not cloudy or solidifying, which is how I have heard you can tell if a coating is going bad. Air, light and heat all are bad, from what I've heard.

If it's clear, you're, well in the clear, so to speak. You can always do a small test section to make sure there is nothing wrong if the coating has been sitting for an extended period of time, rather than doing the whole car and then realizing it's hazing because the coating has gone bad. When in doubt, test it out :dblthumb2:

(Don't know if anyone has come up with that "When in doubt, test it out," phrase but I rather like it lol)
 
What to say about this thread?

You've done a wonderful job, Ryan. The write up is really great, very informative and a pleasure to read. The results, well... I'm speechless!

I too am sold on FG400, and managed to finish it out LSP ready many times on a Hybrid Orange (cutting) pad. The cyan Hydro-Tech is another one I like a lot, but in fact it shreds earlier than other pads, so I haven't re-stock them (still have one or another when I want 'the magic happens').

In my opinion, Cyan HT finishes even better than tangerine, considering the fact I have to follow up tangerine pad with a finishing pad, but almost never done the same with Cyan.

'Ah!', your car is a dream for any people who lives in my country. I don't know how it's considered at the US, but (like we say here), 'Man, You're Mounted!'

I appreciate your attitude contacting me regarding this thread, since I would miss it (I'm actually on a full time job and I'm running a full time detailing business - Don't ask me how, please!, just need to inform my boss and get free from it)... coming soon!

Now I'm full of ideas (I use PBL coating), and will try do play with different applicators, and even re-applying it when it makes ~6 months, in a similar way you've done yours.

I've learned a lot on this thread, indeed enjoyed a lot reading it.

Thank you very much for taking your time sharing your experience with us.

Count on me,

Kind Regards.
 
What to say about this thread?

You've done a wonderful job, Ryan. The write up is really great, very informative and a pleasure to read. The results, well... I'm speechless!

I too am sold on FG400, and managed to finish it out LSP ready many times on a Hybrid Orange (cutting) pad. The cyan Hydro-Tech is another one I like a lot, but in fact it shreds earlier than other pads, so I haven't re-stock them (still have one or another when I want 'the magic happens').

In my opinion, Cyan HT finishes even better than tangerine, considering the fact I have to follow up tangerine pad with a finishing pad, but almost never done the same with Cyan.

'Ah!', your car is a dream for any people who lives in my country. I don't know how it's considered at the US, but (like we say here), 'Man, You're Mounted!'

I appreciate your attitude contacting me regarding this thread, since I would miss it (I'm actually on a full time job and I'm running a full time detailing business - Don't ask me how, please!, just need to inform my boss and get free from it)... coming soon!

Now I'm full of ideas (I use PBL coating), and will try do play with different applicators, and even re-applying it when it makes ~6 months, in a similar way you've done yours.

I've learned a lot on this thread, indeed enjoyed a lot reading it.

Thank you very much for taking your time sharing your experience with us.

Count on me,

Kind Regards.

Thank you for the very kind words, Tato. I'm glad it could help. Very interesting the results you get with the Cyan pad. This was the first time I had used it, and I have to say, I am very happy with it. I know that people have terrible durability, but since I am not using it often, it ins't that big of a deal. It sounds like you're getting good durability, though, so that's good.

Usually on my soft black, I have to finish with a Crimson HydroTech pad and Menzerna SF4500. I really was speechless when I found just how good FG400 finished out.

Good luck with all your endeavors, including the experimentation with the different coating applications. I know your hard work will pay off. Just keep learning and everything you could ever want in life and business will come. If you ever have any questions that you think I could be of assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. :props:
 
Sorry to bring this post back up, but I today went to apply exov2 to our shelby and i got streaks super bad! How exactly did you apply the product?When applying it do you apply super wet over the panel or can you barely see the product going on. I have been conversing back and forth with kevin from gtechniq and I followed the instructions to the T but now Im at a loss because Im not sure what Im doing wrong. Im in the process of polishing the exo off right now.. I have a bit left over to apply more, but from this post im seeing maybe I used to much???
 
Back
Top