Number of Coats needed of Werkstat Jet Trigger

[silvermesa]

Just completed a exhaustive detail and paint correction on my 2004 GMC Duramax Dually with 185,000 miles. I have owned this truck for 8 years and sadly just started to take better care of the paint this past 6 months. This is my second detail and paint correction on this vehicle.

I have been hoping to achieve a glossy, snappy look for my white truck. Will more coats of Werkstat Jet Trigger give me more of this look? I saw a lot of photos on the net of white vehicles who used the Werkstat line with super snappy looks. Mine just appears not as crisp and snappy as some of those.

This truck just went thru a 3 step correction with Griots GG6 dual orbital machine and Meguiars M105 with Lake Country flat orange pad, Meguiars M205 with Lake Country flat white pad then finished with a rotary Flex PE-14 and Mezerna PO85rd with Kompressor red pad. I applied one coat of Werkstat Prime Acrylic and 2 coats of Werkstat Jet Trigger.

[bert31]

I really don't know if adding additional layers of Werkstat or any other sealant will improve your look. 95% of the look comes from claying and polishing. I will add that part of that will just come with improved polishing techniques as you gain more experience. My polishing jobs today are MUCH more impressive than my first time back in 2004. Back then looked good, but I keep getting improved results due to improving my technique. To get better and better at polishing, read, read and read more on this site and watch some videos by some of the detailers on this board. In several months, when you decide to reapply Werkstat, consider doing the PO85rd one more time. I bet you do a better job and notice an improvement. Also consider using Werkstat Prime under the Werkstat Jet. Prime really compliments Jet really well.

In the mean time, you could consider using a non oil based glaze like Wet Glaze to help with the look.

[TroyScherer]

I do agree that 90%+ is in the prep. With that said, I will verify that the more coats of AJT (Acrylic Jett Trigger) you apply the glossier and more of a "hard candy coating" effect you will get. I would suggest around 3. I have found that the look gets better and glossier up to around 3-4 coats. Try it out and let us know what you think and if you agree or not.

[silvermesa]

I do agree that 90%+ is in the prep. With that said, I will verify that the more coats of AJT (Acrylic Jett Trigger) you apply the glossier and more of a "hard candy coating" effect you will get. I would suggest around 3. I have found that the look gets better and glossier up to around 3-4 coats. Try it out and let us know what you think and if you agree or not.

I will apply another coat at my next wash time and will let you know my thoughts and include a photo.

Here is one additional photo of a close up of the paint after 2 coats of Acrylic Jet Trigger. This was taken around 7:30 pm when the reflections look good instead of during the middle of the day when white gets washed out.

[Dan]

The truck looks great. For me, nothing beats Zaino Z2 on white (or silver).

[Thomas Dekany]

OP, it looks good to me as well.

Did you clean the paint after 205? You may not have the durability without it.

[silvermesa]

OP, it looks good to me as well.

Did you clean the paint after 205? You may not have the durability without it.

I cleaned with Kleen Strip Prep-All after using Mezerna PO85rd and prior to Werkstat Prime Acrylic.

[silvermesa]

Last night I washed the truck with Werkstat soap and then dried. I then applied two more coats of Werkstat Jet Trigger for a total of 4 coats and feel I could see some difference. The difference appears to be some increase in gloss and shine.

Tonight at 7:30 I photographed the vehicle in the same spot at roughly the same time hoping to easily compare. I'm not sure I accomplished that 100% due to the sun possibly being a bit more direct tonight even though it has been clear skies both nights this week when photos were taken. However here they are.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

I believe I achieved some improvement in gloss and at this point will stop my search. Atleast for awhile

Today just in driving around I noticed several vehicles with great gloss. I saw a white new ford pick up and a BMW in creamy white with exceptional gloss. I'm starting to believe all clear coats are not created equal and some just have more gloss. I just may have gotten mine about as far as I can get it. In addition the time of day you view or photograph white paint makes a big difference. At times when the sun is high it appears washed out. In the evening when the sun gets low it improves a lot. The photos I have provided show this truck in its preferred light.
I think I have come to grips with compromise and maybe accepting things as they are.

[Lowejackson]

Cannot help re Werkstat but the truck looks great