Solution Finish Review Durability in Extreme Conditions

rwright said:
Wonder how this compares to the offering by 3M Bondo for $9.99?
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I tried this stuff also. Hideous product. Messy and streaky. Just horrible. This is the only product I can remember tossing it right in the trash.

I also tried Solution Finish on some textured plastic and it didn't last very long either. I did look nice, so initially I thought it was great. However, I did a lot of wiping when I applied it, so maybe its my fault. I plan on trying again soon.
 
Hey Bob, thanks for bringing up some interesting points.

To be honest, I think you're looking far too deep into what is really a simple experiment. All of this is just to test whether or not Solution Finish will last on a unprepared surface, and if it does, for how long. No real deep meaning to it.

A lot of products say they can do something and yet underperform. If solution finish says that it can cut through wax, then I guess I am testing that claim. I did not know that Solution Finish can cut through wax until you brought it up. It doesn't say it on the AG product page so I never knew that, hence why I thought it deserved it being noted.

Again I think you are picturing me doing these things for a far more thought out purpose, because as far as putting it on the lower grill, I did that just because I didn't want to have to look at something half black and half chalky unless I was looking for it. You are correct about the UV statement, but that was not my intent for putting it on the lower grill, it was for my own aesthetic purposes.

This entire experiment is not a super serious experiment. If I wanted a true test of the value of the product, I would've had one side cleaned 100% and applied with SF, and then one side not prepped and applied with SF.
 
swanicyouth said:
I tried this stuff also. Hideous product. Messy and streaky. Just horrible. This is the only product I can remember tossing it right in the trash.

I also tried Solution Finish on some textured plastic and it didn't last very long either. I did look nice, so initially I thought it was great. However, I did a lot of wiping when I applied it, so maybe its my fault. I plan on trying again soon.
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3M really seems to make a lot of great stuff... and then really seems to make a few pretty lacking products.

Example: Their MFs are quite bad. Their adhesive and wax remover on the other hand is quite amazing.
 
ihaveacamaro said:
I think you're looking far too deep into what is really a simple experiment...

...I think you are picturing me doing these things for a far more thought out purpose...

^^^You're probably correct...A tendency of mine. :D^^^


...No real deep meaning to it.

This entire experiment is not a super serious experiment.

-^^^I understand (sort of)^^^
-And I'll be staying:
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Subscribed

:)

Bob
 
ihaveacamaro, this is a picture of the part. I went out this morning and cleaned up the gray (oxidized) and coated with Perl. Since the Sun is not as intense this time of year I will see how long this lasts.
 
ihaveacamaro said:
I'm not sure either, that's why it's extreme conditions :dblthumb2: Most people would normally prep it well, but I would like to see what the limits of this product are with no prep :) Thanks for looking!
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FWIW the first time I used C4 I was so excited I did a little spot with no prep (it was clean, i.e. the dirt was cleaned off) and I think that spot lasted just as well as the carefully prepped areas.

ihaveacamaro said:
I guess after Opticoating my car and it being permanent, everything just seems... well substandard if it doesn't last for an outrageous amount of time lol :D
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So why didn't you Opti-Coat the trim as well?
 
davidc said:
ihaveacamaro, this is a picture of the part. I went out this morning and cleaned up the gray (oxidized) and coated with Perl. Since the Sun is not as intense this time of year I will see how long this lasts.
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Considering how CEE DOG got great results with the PERL I think you may too. They do look great with the PERL on.

Interesting to note that two people have said that solution finish doesn't work well on smooth plastic...
 
ihaveacamaro said:
Can you? I thought Opticoat didn't work out well on porous surfaces? Plus I'm not sure how well opticoat would restore the black look?
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That's plastic, it's not porous (rubber would be a different story). People have had mixed results with the "restorative" power of OC on trim...there are so many different materials, textures, and differences in age and weathering it's hard to say...that's why you should try it and see how it does. I know plenty of people use it on trim.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
That's plastic, it's not porous (rubber would be a different story). People have had mixed results with the "restorative" power of OC on trim...there are so many different materials, textures, and differences in age and weathering it's hard to say...that's why you should try it and see how it does. I know plenty of people use it on trim.
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I have 2 bottles of Solution Finish. If they ever run out, I know what I will do next before buying new product. Thanks for the heads up :xyxthumbs:
 
Very cool test. it will be neat to see what it does without the proper prep. Great work! :props:
 
Dr Oldz said:
Very cool test. it will be neat to see what it does without the proper prep. Great work! :props:
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Thank you Dr Oldz :)

Update 1: I did wash my car yesterday (10/15/12) for the first time since the SF application, and as expected no change :xyxthumbs:
 
Update 2: Car has been washed 3 times so far. SF is starting to lose to the trim. If you look at the photos, you can start to see the wax stains coming back up... which to me means that the SF didn't cut through the wax, but rather just hid it. I know this because my car is opticoated and I don't use wax!



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Cool experiment. I've been curious about this product but it's not so easy to get in Canada.

Hearing the comments about smooth plastic makes me wonder if it is any good on window pillars - I suppose not.

Something to think about for another long experiment like this may be to do 3 spots, 1 with proper prep, 1 with no prep and 1 with none. That way you could see the real difference prep makes.

What products are you Pro Detailers using for trim restoration?
 
Always Learning said:
Cool experiment. I've been curious about this product but it's not so easy to get in Canada.

Hearing the comments about smooth plastic makes me wonder if it is any good on window pillars - I suppose not.

Something to think about for another long experiment like this may be to do 3 spots, 1 with proper prep, 1 with no prep and 1 with none. That way you could see the real difference prep makes.

What products are you Pro Detailers using for trim restoration?
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I think I did a proper prep with my 4 day failure test. Washed and applied in one section, removed all oxidation and did the alcohol prep in another with the same results in both sections but remember this was on the rear step for the van. A different type of rubber/plastic mix maybe ?. Either way I think it just laid on top with no penetration. No rain,no wash, no water, just oxidation again in 4 days. The latest experiment was prep and Perl undiluted. Been 2 weeks so far.

Dave
 
The Perl looks great with the Perl. I've got a sample size of that I'll give it a try on those pillars maybe next week. I wasn't happy with the durability of the PB that I have so I'm looking for something that darkens and gives me longevity.

Not asking for much, just everything!
 
My experience with SF was similar as the previous poster. I actually removed the plastic pieces and scrubbed them in a bucket of 70% isopropyl. The pieces were clean no doubt. It showed signs of failure after the first wash.

Maybe there is a trick to using this stuff or maybe it needs to be on a certain type of plastic. On some of the pieces the product seemed to not cure or dry, even after a few days.
 
It seems that the trick is to thoroughly clean with a water spot remover and, after applying and buffing off excess, top with some kind of sealant (UTTG, C4, DLux). Otherwise, it seems to wash off in a matter of weeks.
I still have to try it myself but my trim is not the least faded...I just could not resist the BOGO some weeks ago!
 
RMM said:
It seems that the trick is to thoroughly clean with a water spot remover and, after applying and buffing off excess, top with some kind of sealant (UTTG, C4, DLux). Otherwise, it seems to wash off in a matter of weeks.
I still have to try it myself but my trim is not the least faded...I just could not resist the BOGO some weeks ago!
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Well if you have to do all that, why not just skip it and go with UTTG, C4, or DLux to begin with? First I was really excited about this stuff, as it looked good when I applied it - now I'm not so sure.
 
So I think I'll wait for the final review before buying SF wich is expensive.
Johny
 
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