Review: Solution Finish “Brings Black Back” (Trim Restoration Product)

[Old Tiger]

Thanks for the update buddy! I wonder how C4 over SF would do.

 

[Ted S.]

I think the side my side of the untreated area, sf treated area, and the two adjacent "topped/layered" areas have huge contrast. Makes it seem that a topping of trim sealant is the secret to preserving the extra dark look, and that, furthermore, a trim sealant is necessary.

What I would like to see now is a comparison between SF and the various trim sealants. This may shed some light on to just how much darker the SF leaves black trim vs. trim sealants.

 

[CEE DOG]

I think the side my side of the untreated area, sf treated area, and the two adjacent "topped/layered" areas have huge contrast. Makes it seem that a topping of trim sealant is the secret to preserving the extra dark look, and that, furthermore, a trim sealant is necessary.

What I would like to see now is a comparison between SF and the various trim sealants. This may shed some light on to just how much darker the SF leaves black trim vs. trim sealants.

Thanks for the post and thoughts Ted. On the van there is no additional product layered. On the test strip there's also a section that has no layer which is staying dark. if I layered SF on itself I probably would have gotten further darkening as well.

I'll add a test soon with SF next to UTTG and then 2 layers of each next to each other.

What I love is that I am able to layer something over Solution Finish if I want. You can't layer these products over the other restorers on the market in my experience. Except for C4 and Solution Finish. UTTG over Poorboys trim restore failed.

 

[TS656577]

Aww Corey, this upsets me. I was hoping this would do great because I'm in need of some good trim stuff (Perl is pretty good though) that actually lasts. This update kinda killed it for me. BTW, I has question if you could find the time to answer (maybe in PM). Keep up the great work, I love your reviews!

 

[CEE DOG]

Aww Corey, this upsets me. I was hoping this would do great because I'm in need of some good trim stuff (Perl is pretty good though) that actually lasts. This update kinda killed it for me. BTW, I has question if you could find the time to answer (maybe in PM). Keep up the great work, I love your reviews!

Hi Trent! Fire away- PM box is open

Btw: you think the fall off is that bad? Still looks great on the test peices with little to no degradation and on the van it is pretty good imo.

Heres the Before

And two months after application

Also being able to darken with Solution Finish and add UTTG over the top and have it work together seems to be working well.

 

[HellDemon]

Hmm, what about multiple coats of solution finish? Because keeping it jet black seems to be only achieved using temporary solutions like UTTG ontop of SF, but not SF alone.

 

[richy]

Corey, thanks very much for the update! I have been interested in seeing how this has held up, especially since I bought some!! It certainly appears that topping it with UTTG or C4 is the way for it to hold its appearance the longest. I am disappointed in the van's fall off as well. I guess I'm just looking for magic in a bottle. When I use it, I will definitely be topping it with UTTG and charging appropriately for both. That way, you can justify the cost as it will actually last!

 

[CEE DOG]

Hmm, what about multiple coats of solution finish? Because keeping it jet black seems to be only achieved using temporary solutions like UTTG ontop of SF, but not SF alone.

Yes, I plan to do 2 coats of SF and two cocats of UTTG right next to each other as I mentioned. I agree and Chris mentioned in the Q&A or somewhere that on extremely faded trim a second coat may be needed.

Corey, thanks very much for the update! I have been interested in seeing how this has held up, especially since I bought some!! It certainly appears that topping it with UTTG or C4 is the way for it to hold its appearance the longest. I am disappointed in the van's fall off as well. I guess I'm just looking for magic in a bottle. When I use it, I will definitely be topping it with UTTG and charging appropriately for both. That way, you can justify the cost as it will actually last!

Thanks Richy! Like you and Trent I was hoping for perfection and no fall off at all for many months as well "Magic in a bottle" but after how much I spent on C4 and it failed within 4-5 months (on really faded trim only - still lookes good on the non-faded trim..) I told myself if Solution Finish can out-do what C4 looked like on faded trim after 4-5 months I would consider it a winner for faded trim.

Ya, I'm really digging the Solution Finish with UTTG topping. Apply SF, leave on 30-45 minutes, wipe off excess, allow to cure 4 hours or more while you go about the detail, then apply UTTG.

Well, I'm going to do some more applications, double applications, comparisons, and testing and also looking forward to seeing some of you guys add your own results.

Oh also note the section that SF was applied to on the test strip by itself only one layer has not degraded at all. Different plastics and previous products used and prep before applying may make some difference as well.

FIRST APPLIED

2 WEEKS LATER

2 MONTHS LATER

 

[snellvilleauto]

@CEE DOG...I bought he SF kit based on your review. I'm returning it to AG because i'm highly disappointed on this product. Particularly the running board and the bumper on my 2003 Sequioa. I like the UTTG a lot better. I haven't tried to layer on top of the SF.

 

[fenderpicks]

I also bought the 1oz Bottle from AG.
I tried it on my somewhat messed up trim on my 2011 WRX, prior to my application i had UTTG on the trim and i used eraser to remove it.
Then i applied Solution Finish with a high quaility paint brush so i wont get any on my trim.... but it turns out that UTTG outdid this product by far....
And i barely used any from the bottle... unsure if i could return this.... but im gonna give them a call tomorrow... After all it is a 29.99$ product!!

 

[snellvilleauto]

I also bought the 1oz Bottle from AG.
I tried it on my somewhat messed up trim on my 2011 WRX, prior to my application i had UTTG on the trim and i used eraser to remove it.
Then i applied Solution Finish with a high quaility paint brush so i wont get any on my trim.... but it turns out that UTTG outdid this product by far....
And i barely used any from the bottle... unsure if i could return this.... but im gonna give them a call tomorrow... After all it is a 29.99$ product!!

I total agreed w/ you that the UTTG easily outdid the SF. SF have the satisfaction guarantee I email the AG staff and we'll see what they say tomorrow.

 

[fenderpicks]

Hey man let me know what AG respond to you in that email.
So i dont have to email them lol, if they will let us return it, i will just call them.

 

[snellvilleauto]

Hey man let me know what AG respond to you in that email.
So i dont have to email them lol, if they will let us return it, i will just call them.

hehe i'll sure will let you know. I'm the opposite. I HATE calling people on the phone. I bought my car w/o ever talking on the phone w/ the saleman. Only emails

 

[CEE DOG]

@CEE DOG...I bought he SF kit based on your review. I'm returning it to AG because i'm highly disappointed on this product. Particularly the running board and the bumper on my 2003 Sequioa. I like the UTTG a lot better. I haven't tried to layer on top of the SF.

Thanks for your honest feedback. What was it about SF you didn't like?

For decent trim I prefer UTTG as well but for faded trim I believe Solution Finish to be the best option available in it's price range.

Well, Solution Finish stands behind their product 100% so I'm sure you'll have no problem returning it.

 

[CEE DOG]

@CEE DOG...I bought he SF kit based on your review. I'm returning it to AG because i'm highly disappointed on this product. Particularly the running board and the bumper on my 2003 Sequioa. I like the UTTG a lot better. I haven't tried to layer on top of the SF.

I'll add one more thing... You didn't remove UTTG with Eraser or anything else because nothing removes it lol...

But also wanted to mention solution finish has found in testing that some cleaners leave something behind that have an affect on it. They now recommend that you use alcohol or ammonia on exterior trim before applying.

Still, nothing really removes UTTG in my experience. Of course I never used ammonia. Ron uses water spot remover to clean trim before a trim product. I've started using his method as well but never tried to remove UTTG with it. In any case if you try again use some IPA after whatever cleaner you use and before SF.

 

[fenderpicks]

Oh lol i guess i didnt remove UTTG then...
But one thing for sure is that UTTG made my trim alot more black than Finish Solution....

So even if i wash my car, UTTG will not come off ?

And also Corey... since ur a fan of Ultima
I have some question about UPGD and UPPP
Are they only applied by hand? or machine?

 

[snellvilleauto]

Thanks for your honest feedback. What was it about SF you didn't like?

For decent trim I prefer UTTG as well but for faded trim I believe Solution Finish to be the best option available in it's price range.

Well, Solution Finish stands behind their product 100% so I'm sure you'll have no problem returning it.

I didn't like it because w/ high traffic area like the running board, it wear out real quick. It looks great at first and than after cleaning the shoe prints off, the black was faded rather quickly.

I didn't use any UTTG because i didn't have any. I got the SF first. And then i read your reviews on the UTTG, i went and order it. I got both the SF and UTTG now.

Another thing i didn't like about the SF is the greasyness. I wiped it off really well and then let it cure over night. The next morning, it was still not smooth and doesn't glide like the UTTG.

Given a choice again, i'll stay w/ UTTG.

 

[fenderpicks]

i think he was referring to me when i said i wiped it with eraser... but he accidentally quoted you

 

[CEE DOG]

I didn't like it because w/ high traffic area like the running board, it wear out real quick. It looks great at first and than after cleaning the shoe prints off, the black was faded rather quickly.

I didn't use any UTTG because i didn't have any. I got the SF first. And then i read your reviews on the UTTG, i went and order it. I got both the SF and UTTG now.

Another thing I didn't like about the SF is the greasyness. I wiped it off really well and then let it cure over night. The next morning, it was still not smooth and doesn't glide like the UTTG.

Given a choice again, i'll stay w/ UTTG.

Thanks for the info on it wearing down on your running boards!

Neither UTTG or SF is are greasy but I think you meant something else. If it was greasy something isn't right.

i think he was referring to me when i said i wiped it with eraser... but he accidentally quoted you

Ya, was replying to both of you but only quoted one. Sorry bout that.

 

[snellvilleauto]

Thanks for the info on it wearing down on your running boards!

Neither UTTG or SF is are greasy but I think you meant something else. If it was greasy something isn't right.



Ya, was replying to both of you but only quoted one. Sorry bout that.

You're right. It's not greasy after a few hours. However, it was greasy when i was wiping if off and remained so for a few hours. The next more it was dry and then faded pretty quickly (3-4 days)