CEE DOG
New member
- Jul 12, 2009
- 7,358
- 0
Review: CarPro Reload
Introduction:
When I first heard of Reload I thought to myself, “Well, I have plenty of spray sealants and I don’t need another." Between then and now I heard plenty of things about Reload from others but never went out of my way to research it. I finally started using Reload over the past month or so and spent a little time reading up on its technology as I was writing this review.
Product Claims:
Reload Spray Sealant is a water-based, spray-on glass membrane coating. Reload Spray Sealant repels dirt and water. Use it alone for up to two months of paint protection or as a booster over Cquartz. Reload is made of a water base plus special modified Silica - the same compound found in glass. The silica gives Reload its fantastic light reflecting properties. Dirt can't stick and water beads on contact. Reload Spray Sealant forms a thick, substantial coating. In fact, a Reload coating helps prevent fine scratches on paintwork. It can also be used on rubber, plastic, and glass.
Details:
1.- Packaging: Plastic bottle / modern designed label / good trigger
2.- Directions: Simple
3.- Viscosity: Thin
4.- Color: White
5.- Scent: A little strong if you put your nose in the bottle but not noticeable otherwise
6.- Regular Price: 1.7 oz. (50ml) = $ 9.99
7.- Regular Price: 13.5 oz. (400ml) = $29.99
8.- Manufacturer: CarPro
9.- Made in: Korea
Product:
Environmental Conditions: (over the course of 4 vehicles)
85-94 Deg. F / 50-70% Humidity
Surface Temperatures:
Not measured (My apologies)
Preparation:
The first time I used reload I was working on our daily drivers. As is my weekend routine I had carted a good portion of my products out to the garage the night before. The two products selected for protection on our daily drivers were Optimum Car Wax and CarPro Reload. I was looking forward to using the Reload but having never used it before I decided to bring a reliable backup I was familiar with. I also figured (considering the price) I didn’t want to use a bunch up on 2 cars so I planned to use the Reload on one and the OCW which I have a gallon of on the other.
So after the initial wash I went over each panel one at a time with an apc and my wash mitt to remove any oils. Typically when I do this I use my apc 3:1 but this time used it straight applying it to the wet panel and instantly wiping and then rinsing. As I was rinsing I found I had somehow stained the paint with the cleaner. I tried to wash it a couple times with my UPGW and mitt I had in the bucket but it wasn’t budging. Little spray dots and streaks… So as I considered getting out the paint cleaner or Flex I decided to keep moving on the tasks at hand. I dried the vehicle and washed and dried the next as well.
After doing some other detailing I decided to put off any polishing attempts for the next time and go ahead and get to the fun part.
Application:
With the vehicle under shade I sprayed half the hood twice and immediately wiped half the hood down with my rolled edge mf towel. Then I flipped the towel over and buffed it with the fresh side of the towel. As I was moving to the next section I discovered the weird spot/stains I had were gone from the area I had applied Reload. Not sure how that works but I was very happy!
I continued my application of spray/wipe/flip/wipe and noted that it took very little product to coat each panel. I had read somewhere that application had been difficult, which was one reason I had my OCW near by as backup. I wasn’t expecting this seamless application.
Well, before I had finished the first vehicle I was so happy with the ease of use and small amount of product needed I decided I would use it on the other car as well and continue my experience.
Another vehicle and some pictures:
Here is another vehicle I worked on a couple weeks ago.
This is what it looked like when I started.
Setting up the canopy
Before
I’ll save the story that emerged over the next three days for another thread(s).
Simply put the Taurus went through its due process before getting to the Reload Step.
Video: CarPro Reload Application
As you can see application takes place in a matter of minutes. 5-10 for this size vehicle not including wheels. On this vehicle it was applied to wheels as well.
And this is what it looked like after. Note: These pictures were taken the following weekend when I took possession of the vehicle again to finish the touch up paintwork. The day of application I was so busy with the interior and other issues on top of the fear of rain clouds I was unable to get many after pictures.
Fortunately the owner had been so thrilled with the vehicle she had decided not to drive it all week and instead borrowed her husbands for work.
While I was at it I decided to make a couple beading shots.
Observations:
Ok, lets get back to the daily drivers I coated with Reload a few weeks ago. As you remember that was my first experience with the product and after application I was not impressed with the looks. Not sure if it was because of the clouds or what but a couple hours later I came back to look at them and was quite impressed with the way they looked.
I haven’t washed them since I applied the Reload, as I’ve been extremely busy. Last weekend my neighbor was chatting with me and he mentioned something about my daily drivers parked in front of his house. He said he was enjoying the cars being parked there because they just glowed at him every time he looked out the window.
These vehicles see a lot of road time and sit outside 24-7. Currently our parking lot at work is under construction and every day I leave work my car is covered in a layer of fine sand. By the time I get home and park it that sand is gone. Now, with all the rain and everything it does look dirty right up close but it still has a glow and high level of gloss to it even when its dirty.
Durability:
I haven’t tested durability beyond a month yet but here is a video and some pictures showing the beading on our dirty daily driver that hadn’t been washed in a couple weeks at the time. If you remember this hood was coated a long time ago but FYI: on the right side of the hood I removed the coating with polish a couple months ago.
Video: Raining on Dirty Car (2+ weeks since being washed)
Introduction:
When I first heard of Reload I thought to myself, “Well, I have plenty of spray sealants and I don’t need another." Between then and now I heard plenty of things about Reload from others but never went out of my way to research it. I finally started using Reload over the past month or so and spent a little time reading up on its technology as I was writing this review.
Product Claims:
Reload Spray Sealant is a water-based, spray-on glass membrane coating. Reload Spray Sealant repels dirt and water. Use it alone for up to two months of paint protection or as a booster over Cquartz. Reload is made of a water base plus special modified Silica - the same compound found in glass. The silica gives Reload its fantastic light reflecting properties. Dirt can't stick and water beads on contact. Reload Spray Sealant forms a thick, substantial coating. In fact, a Reload coating helps prevent fine scratches on paintwork. It can also be used on rubber, plastic, and glass.
Details:
1.- Packaging: Plastic bottle / modern designed label / good trigger
2.- Directions: Simple
3.- Viscosity: Thin
4.- Color: White
5.- Scent: A little strong if you put your nose in the bottle but not noticeable otherwise
6.- Regular Price: 1.7 oz. (50ml) = $ 9.99
7.- Regular Price: 13.5 oz. (400ml) = $29.99
8.- Manufacturer: CarPro
9.- Made in: Korea
Product:
Environmental Conditions: (over the course of 4 vehicles)
85-94 Deg. F / 50-70% Humidity
Surface Temperatures:
Not measured (My apologies)
Preparation:
The first time I used reload I was working on our daily drivers. As is my weekend routine I had carted a good portion of my products out to the garage the night before. The two products selected for protection on our daily drivers were Optimum Car Wax and CarPro Reload. I was looking forward to using the Reload but having never used it before I decided to bring a reliable backup I was familiar with. I also figured (considering the price) I didn’t want to use a bunch up on 2 cars so I planned to use the Reload on one and the OCW which I have a gallon of on the other.
So after the initial wash I went over each panel one at a time with an apc and my wash mitt to remove any oils. Typically when I do this I use my apc 3:1 but this time used it straight applying it to the wet panel and instantly wiping and then rinsing. As I was rinsing I found I had somehow stained the paint with the cleaner. I tried to wash it a couple times with my UPGW and mitt I had in the bucket but it wasn’t budging. Little spray dots and streaks… So as I considered getting out the paint cleaner or Flex I decided to keep moving on the tasks at hand. I dried the vehicle and washed and dried the next as well.
After doing some other detailing I decided to put off any polishing attempts for the next time and go ahead and get to the fun part.
Application:
With the vehicle under shade I sprayed half the hood twice and immediately wiped half the hood down with my rolled edge mf towel. Then I flipped the towel over and buffed it with the fresh side of the towel. As I was moving to the next section I discovered the weird spot/stains I had were gone from the area I had applied Reload. Not sure how that works but I was very happy!
I continued my application of spray/wipe/flip/wipe and noted that it took very little product to coat each panel. I had read somewhere that application had been difficult, which was one reason I had my OCW near by as backup. I wasn’t expecting this seamless application.
Well, before I had finished the first vehicle I was so happy with the ease of use and small amount of product needed I decided I would use it on the other car as well and continue my experience.
Another vehicle and some pictures:
Here is another vehicle I worked on a couple weeks ago.
This is what it looked like when I started.
Setting up the canopy
Before
I’ll save the story that emerged over the next three days for another thread(s).
Simply put the Taurus went through its due process before getting to the Reload Step.
Video: CarPro Reload Application
As you can see application takes place in a matter of minutes. 5-10 for this size vehicle not including wheels. On this vehicle it was applied to wheels as well.
And this is what it looked like after. Note: These pictures were taken the following weekend when I took possession of the vehicle again to finish the touch up paintwork. The day of application I was so busy with the interior and other issues on top of the fear of rain clouds I was unable to get many after pictures.
Fortunately the owner had been so thrilled with the vehicle she had decided not to drive it all week and instead borrowed her husbands for work.
While I was at it I decided to make a couple beading shots.
Observations:
Ok, lets get back to the daily drivers I coated with Reload a few weeks ago. As you remember that was my first experience with the product and after application I was not impressed with the looks. Not sure if it was because of the clouds or what but a couple hours later I came back to look at them and was quite impressed with the way they looked.
I haven’t washed them since I applied the Reload, as I’ve been extremely busy. Last weekend my neighbor was chatting with me and he mentioned something about my daily drivers parked in front of his house. He said he was enjoying the cars being parked there because they just glowed at him every time he looked out the window.
These vehicles see a lot of road time and sit outside 24-7. Currently our parking lot at work is under construction and every day I leave work my car is covered in a layer of fine sand. By the time I get home and park it that sand is gone. Now, with all the rain and everything it does look dirty right up close but it still has a glow and high level of gloss to it even when its dirty.
Durability:
I haven’t tested durability beyond a month yet but here is a video and some pictures showing the beading on our dirty daily driver that hadn’t been washed in a couple weeks at the time. If you remember this hood was coated a long time ago but FYI: on the right side of the hood I removed the coating with polish a couple months ago.
Video: Raining on Dirty Car (2+ weeks since being washed)
rops:
