Synergy - can it deliver? Part II

[addysdaddy]

On 2010 Black Panamera Turbo

Procedure
Pinnacle Waterless Wash - hood only
Decontaminated surface with Nanoskin disk & Porter Cable
Sonax Paint cleanser applied by hand
Apply only one coat of Synergy. Waited 10-15 minutes for product to haze before removing
Used the Mike Phillips "Final Wipe Method" to remove

General Comments
Okay this of course is the polar opposite of the white test mule. This girl was hammered and hasn't seen the love for quite a while. Not sure what I expected but....this 2010 Panny Turbo was definitely in worse condition than anticipated. Furthermore I didn't have a lot of time and my original objective of evaluating Synergy on black Porsche paint turned into more of a polishing project than a wax evaluation-sorry for that.

Application
Since time was very limited, I waterless washed the hood to remove the top soil. Broke out the Nanoskin pad on the PC since it was very rough to the touch, (forget the plastic bag test because it felt like 60 grit sandpaper to the bare touch) and went at it. After a second waterless wash wipe down (after 4 Nanoskin section passes), I decided to hand apply paint cleanser to get the surface a bit cleaner before polishing. Not to anyone's surprise the hex pad was very dirty.

First test spot was Menzerna 2500 with a white hybrid pad. Well that was a joke and did virtually nothing except improve the gloss. So what's up with all this talk about soft Porsche paint? Next up was FG400 with a white pad - pretty good but I'm thinking better. Blue hybrid with FG400 was next and that did a better job at removing the scratches (though not perfect by any means) but left the surface requiring a second step. So because of my time constraints I stopped there and opted for the white hybrid pad w/FG400. Considering the condition of the car and the time available it was my best option.

Used a cheapie yellow foam applicator and applied the wax by hand because I could actually see how much I was laying down (black paint is great in that way) and could spread the Synergy thin enough not to require a hammer and chisel to remove. Waited 10 minutes for it to haze and then removed with ease.

Evaluation
I think the paint looks really good considering its starting condition and I was only able to performed a one step. Perhaps getting just one coat of Synergy onto the surface will provide us with a worst case scenario regarding longevity, though I realize that wasn't ideal and not the suggested application. Far from perfect but...pretty damn good. This will be an interesting test since the owner clearly neglects his car and we often get together, I'll be able to see how things hold up over time.

Observation
The Synergy looked great but I'm thinking after seeing the original condition of that swirled out mess, pretty much anything would've looked good...not disrespecting the Synergy just saying. But Synergy was/is a pleasure to use, even applying it by hand. Standing 3-5 feet away from the hood, the finish looked extremely glossy and needless to say my buddy was thrilled - but hey, he's easy to please especially for free. My wife (who is my voice of reason & chief evaluator) thought the hood looked great as well so that counts big time in my book. And let it be known that this little project serves as yet another reminder that I should never ever buy a black car.

Final Thoughts
Think a better comparison would've been to find a black car in good condition regardless of marquee. This test was skewed because I needed to polish and even then, the paint didn't have that show car finish when done. I liked using the Synergy but will probably relegate it's usage to cars in better rather than worse condition, but keep in mind I'm a hobbyist. It was a much more rewarding experience applying the wax to the white 911. Pictures are posted below so you can make your own assessment.

 

[addysdaddy]

Photos off the black Panny

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[EVOlved]

Hey for free that thing looks 200 times better then the neglected position it was in before. Great work and great review again.

 

[addysdaddy]

Thanks and I agree it's just difficult not going for 100% - 100% of the time.

 

[281]

Nothing beats free and considering time constraints, it looks great in my book! Excellent job rops:

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Wow! Night and Day difference!! Beautiful work! You are a talented artist when it comes to detailing!! IMO you can put on Turtle Wax or shoe polish....either one and it would still look incredible!!....LOL

 

[addysdaddy]

Wow! Night and Day difference!! Beautiful work! You are a talented artist when it comes to detailing!! IMO you can put on Turtle Wax or shoe polish....either one and it would still look incredible!!....LOL

I literally laughed out loud at the Turtle Wax comment. Well we all start out as newbies and if it wasn't for the good people of this forum and some very kind and talented AG Staffers, I wouldn't know beans about detailing paint. And that's no exaggeration. But thank you for those kind words.

 

[Tato]

Thanks and I agree it's just difficult not going for 100% - 100% of the time.

Great review and excellent write up again! I really enjoy your view of detailing.

Don't buy a black car. That's for customers who have a lot of money and are willing to give you a parcel to maintain their finishes.

Unfortunately, I own a black car (ordered used in excellent mechanical condition from a family member, couldn't chose the color). The paint was trashed (hehe ok, I took care of that).

However, if I could, I'd wash and polish it everyday hahahahah,

You had great results for 1-step on this car, and looks like Synergy delivered again.

Too bad hearing about the hardness of the paint, including time constraints, dealing with difficult to polish paints is really complicated. The same is true (at least for me) on 'damn' soft paints, associated with time constraint means catastrophe.

Have you read Mike (Smack) thread regarding his technique for hybrid pads, menzerna and 3401 polisher? You used the hybrids on the PC, am I right?

That technique is a great 'eye-opener' for using DAT based polishes like Menzerna.

Thanks for sharing,

Kind Regards.

 

[addysdaddy]

Hey Tato thanks for bringing up Smack's Method as I forgot to mention that I tried it out. Frankly I was disappointed since it didn't really make any difference for removing the scratches. In fact I got better results running my Flex at speed 6 for the first four passes and dialing it back to 4 for the last two section passes. Maybe it was the paint on this particular car or my technique but....it didn't work for me. I'll try it again since many have had success, but nothing extraordinary on this particular car.

 

[Tato]

You're Welcome.

The main difference I see when using Smack's method is not regarding cutting, but mainly it's finishing abilities. You're right.

I've interpreted Smack's technique as 'easing' on the last few passes, being that on pressure or on speed like you've said (and like I do, very often).

Lost the count how many times I've started on speed 6 for two passes, then 5 for two passes, and 4 for last two passes... Let's call it 6-5-4 technique? 'Tricky' paints demands detailing tricks to deal with.

I've also done the first 3-4 passes with a cutting pad, then switched to a finishing pad (just with a mist of QD) and done the last 2-3 passes. This using Menzerna and Hybrids on the Flex.

Just easing up on last few passes I tend to call Smack's technique. IMO, it's more than a 'rigid' method, it's a movement towards getting out of the grinding polish process to improve the finishing, everything related may be called Smack's in my detailing dictionary hahaah

Please, keep coming the wonderful work you do.

Kind Regards.

 

[addysdaddy]

Interesting...well if the goal of Mike's Method is to achieve a higher gloss and a better finish, than I would say I was successful. The paint though not swirl free looked terrific. Like I mentioned earlier, it did not improve the swirl removal facet to any significant degree.

 

[cardaddy]

Hey Tato thanks for bringing up Smack's Method as I forgot to mention that I tried it out. Frankly I was disappointed since it didn't really make any difference for removing the scratches. In fact I got better results running my Flex at speed 6 for the first four passes and dialing it back to 4 for the last two section passes. Maybe it was the paint on this particular car or my technique but....it didn't work for me. I'll try it again since many have had success, but nothing extraordinary on this particular car.

That's exactly the way that SI-1500 responds on Porsche black, or any other soft paint for that matter. Although now I've switched to 1000, 2000 & 4000.

I'll go 4 or 5 passes, with an orange pad, hit the pad with a spritz of distilled water, then finish it down. Not surprised that FG400 responds similarly. I'm just surprised it (FG400) finished down that well, on THAT paint. Even though.... I know that it's known for finishing down well, just surprised with Porsche paint it did. And YES that paint is freaking soft! :dunno:

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Very nice work on that black Porsche! Looking good!

Don't buy a black car. That's for customers who have a lot of money and are willing to give you a parcel to maintain their finishes.

Have you read Mike (Smack) thread regarding his technique for hybrid pads, menzerna and 3401 polisher? You used the hybrids on the PC, am I right?

That technique is a great 'eye-opener' for using DAT based polishes like Menzerna.

Thanks for sharing,

Kind Regards.

I disagree. Maybe I am in the minority but proudly displaying a perfect black vehicle truly shows your capabilites and seperates you from the rest. Sure it requires more time and efforts to keep it perfect but the results speak for themselves.

If my BMW was a light color it wouldn't gather as much attention as it does being black.

Thanks for bringing up the "Smack Technique" Rafael. rops:

Hey Tato thanks for bringing up Smack's Method as I forgot to mention that I tried it out. Frankly I was disappointed since it didn't really make any difference for removing the scratches. In fact I got better results running my Flex at speed 6 for the first four passes and dialing it back to 4 for the last two section passes. Maybe it was the paint on this particular car or my technique but....it didn't work for me. I'll try it again since many have had success, but nothing extraordinary on this particular car.

Even though you had to adjust your speed to get it to work out where you wanted it, im glad to hear of your results on this Black Porsche.

While running FG400 at speed 6, did you notice shorter working times, dusting, or being harder to wipe off?

 

[addysdaddy]

Hey Mike thanks for responding. Now that you mention it yes, there was a little dusting that started to occur once I bumped the speed up to 6 - wasn't terrible but it was noticeable. Thinking out loud, if the correction properties are the same using both methods than your way would be prefered since it reduces the dusting effect. Honestly though I think there was slightly more correction at speed 6 for four passes than at speed 3.5. On a car that is in better condition, because that becomes less of a factor. The pad also stayed cleaner around the perimeter edges at the lower speeds. Speaking of polish removal, I helped a friend the other day on his G37 and we used M205 with a PC and tangerine pad. By the fourth pass the polish literally disappeared and there was virtually nothing left behind to wipe way. With the Menzerna, the polish gradually turns translucent but never disappears. It's not difficult to buff off but it certainly took more effort than the M205. Unfortunately I don't have any of the 205 in the cabinet at the moment but I think I would like to revisit with that product.

Part of the issue in this case was lack of time and I had the Mrs. & my friend breathing down my neck. I would have tried an orange pad at speed 3.5 but that of course requires another time consuming second step. Thinking M101 with the blue hybrid pad might have been something worthwhile to try but again, most likely would require a 2nd pass. Oh well, if I get the car back...

Regarding owning a black car, I hear you and completely understand-your BMW looks amazing and IMHO nothing looks better than a black car done right. My biggest problem would be that I would always be looking for "stuff" in the paint and most likely never be disappointed with finding something. With white or silver that's not an issue. Had a flat black Mercedes once and hated it every time I looked at it under the fluorescents in the garage.

 

[addysdaddy]

That's exactly the way that SI-1500 responds on Porsche black, or any other soft paint for that matter. Although now I've switched to 1000, 2000 & 4000.

I'll go 4 or 5 passes, with an orange pad, hit the pad with a spritz of distilled water, then finish it down. Not surprised that FG400 responds similarly. I'm just surprised it (FG400) finished down that well, on THAT paint. Even though.... I know that it's known for finishing down well, just surprised with Porsche paint it did. And YES that paint is freaking soft! :dunno:

Mike Phillips demo'd the white pad/FG400 combination on one of his videos a while back and said he was surprised at how well it finished down. I figured good enough for Mike....

 

[damaged442]

Where did you find a Panamera so trashed? A friend of mine has one and treats it the same way. Might even be his car...

The owner should be very happy at the results! Looks great!

 

[addysdaddy]

Where did you find a Panamera so trashed? A friend of mine has one and treats it the same way. Might even be his car...

The owner should be very happy at the results! Looks great!

I've come to the conclusion that the price of a car doesn't matter. People either love their cars and put forth effort to keep them running & looking good or they don't.