Polycharger Test Results - FK1 Products

[Knockwurst]

Polycharger Test - FINISH KARE FK1 Products
2004 Lexus IS 300 Graphite Gray Pearl

(A) Polycharger for Sealants

FK 216 Poly Wipe FX Wet & Slick
FK 218 Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner
FK 2180 ULTRA Poly Wipe Sealant
FK 2685 Pink Wax

(B) Polycharger H20

FK FX-100 ULTRA Spray Glaze Sealant

Ambient Test Conditions: 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 28% humidity, light to variable winds < 5 MPH. No exposure to sunlight, testing performed in the garage.

Vehicle Preparation Method: as per manufacturer recommendation, washed with Dawn dish detergent and Sonus SFX Ultra Fine Clay.

Product Preparation Method: (3) drops of Polycharger per specified product [as noted above] . . . mixed in 2 Oz. bottle and shaken vigorously for approximately 1 minute.

Product Application Method: Microfiber - Sonus ‘Der Wunder’ applicators and Sonus ‘Der Wunder’ buffing towels.

PREFACE

FK1 Test Products are approximately 1 year old – all have been maintained at constant temperature away from direct sunlight. Each product has been thoroughly mixed with Polycharger. FK 2685 Pink Wax is a poly carnauba paste wax with very high solvent content. Pink Wax was heated to melting point and thoroughly stirred, prior to the addition of Polycharger. As the product started to cool, I poured the combined solution into a clean, sample tin . . . 25 minutes later, the Pink Wax/Polycharger combo harden into it’s original form of paste wax.

DAY 1 TESTING [10/21/06]

How easy was the product to apply?

The ‘boosted’ product was very difficult to apply . . . would not apply thinly or evenly. Curing or hazing times were grossly accelerated to within 30 seconds of application to panel. Product was allowed 30 minutes total drying time prior to removal.

FK 216 was the only product which curdled within the bottle. Upon application, the product would clump and prevent the applicator from gliding.
In each instance of mixing product with Polycharger, the product became very thick. FK 2180 became rock hard within the container after 20 minutes of exposure to air. Applicator pad and 2oz. container could not be salvaged with hot water and detergent . . . both were tossed.

How easy is the product to buff off? The product was a bit more difficult to remove and required a light spritz of QD [ONR and distilled water ratio 1:3] to aid in removal.

Does product leave white residue on trim? Product did not stain trim – applied directly to side mirror trim, windshield cowl, and miscellaneous textured plastics.

What is the clarity of the finish after initial application? No hazing or streaks . . . the ‘boosted’ product yielded a clear finish, concealed minor imperfections, and negated 90% of the average-day swirl marks.

How does the finish look after initial application? The ‘boosted’ product left a dark, wet, and glossy finish.

How does the finish feel after initial application? The boosted product surface was very slick and super smooth/soft to the touch - significantly more than the product’s application without Polycharger additive.

POST APPLICATION TESTING – 1 WEEK LATER [10/28/06]

The IS300 was driven throughout the week, left in the elements for 12-14 hours per day in direct sunlight, rain showers for several days, late evening dew, and both cold and warm temperatures.

The subject was washed with FK 118 Shampoo Concentrate pH Neutralizer, dried thoroughly with Sonus Ultimate MF towel . . . no QD.

What is the clarity of the finish? The finish was perfectly clear . . . concealed fine imperfections and swirls, without hazing or streaks.

How does the finish look? Dark, wet and very glossy . . . nearly as good as Day 1 results.

How does the finish feel? Very smooth and super slick – slight degradation from Day 1, though not much.

How well did the paint bead water? Beads water like crazy on all test panels, including wheels, glass, and trim . . . very similar to Zaino, with very tight, fast-rolling water beads.

Did the clarity diminish since initial application? Not sure . . . still looked awesome and photos yield little if any change.

Is the finish as slick and smooth as it was after initial application? Slickness is about the same as time of application, slightly less.

[blkZ28Conv]

Excellent write-up and format.

[Knockwurst]

Thanks! I abbreviated my report and results for simplicity’s sake.

I also nixed the idea of attaching photos as well . . . the finish was beautiful to begin with, so there’s no objective or comparative before and after worth noting.

[sspeer]

Doesn't seem like FK plays too well with PC, but at least the end looks were good.

Curious on how the PW holds in the can. I wonder if it will harden and become unusuable

[Knockwurst]

I considered reducing the application to [2] or perhaps even [1] drop of Polycharger . . . though I intended to follow the recommended baseline to maintain consistency.

Aside from the super solvent smell of PW, the addition of Polycharger did little to change overall composition. The only significant change was color [brown] . . . and much like the other products, it was very difficult to apply as the applicator pad wouldn’t glide in the typical buttery, smooth fashion.

[Bence]

Knockwurst, what are the differences between the stock and the polycharged appearances?

[Knockwurst]

Namely color and viscosity . . . with the exception of PW and FX100, boosted products became thick and gummy. FK 216 shifted from a liquid to clumpy cheese curds and FK 2180 resembled a lavender-colored Playdough.

Color Change by Product:

FK 216 Poly Wipe FX Wet & Slick: Yellow - Neon Green
FK 218 Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner: Light Brown – Dark Purple
FK 2180 ULTRA Poly Wipe Sealant: Light Blue - Plum
FK 2685 Pink Wax: Pink - Brown
FK FX-100 ULTRA Spray Glaze Sealant: Light Brown - Pink

[Bence]

Interesting how uncooperative a product line can be with this product...

I not necessarily referred to the product appearances themselves, but fascinating! How did the Polycharger influenced the final look (vs. original product)?

[DavidB]

Knockworst,

I'd be very interested to know how well/if the product application problems will go away if you use half the recommended dose of Polycharger.

[tdekany]

Originally Posted by sspeer

Doesn't seem like FK plays too well with PC, but at least the end looks were good.

not true - the above fk1 products do very well with the pc.

[Bence]

I think he meant Polycharger, not Porter Cable...

We need a good acronym for the charger. PCH or POC??? The first one emphasizes the charging, the second one the polymers. As we have lots of polymer products but just a few charger additives, I'd suggest the first one.

[Knockwurst]

24 days since the initial test application and [7] washes with FK 118 Shampoo Concentrate pH Neutralizer. I’m still fighting the urge to QD for drying and finish rejuvenation . . . though it must remain an exercise in objectivity.

How well does the paint bead water? Nearly 1 month later and the finish continues to bead water across all test panels [no more or less for any particular test product], including wheels, glass, and trim. The water beads in particular have a slightly irregular shape, a little less tight in formation, though very fast-rolling indeed.

How does the finish look? Wet and glossy, though not the KA-POW! of the first couple weeks.

How does the finish feel? Smooth . . . though less slick from initial application.

SIDE NOTE

Oddly enough, the finish seems to repel dirt and grime accumulation very well. Mother Nature has been moody . . . temperature swings of 30 degrees, mostly sunny, several days of rain, both humid and dry. The rinse bucket wash water is significantly less dirty than usual. We’ve also realized less dust and particulate attraction than the norm [surprising given the absence of anti-static.

REVISED TEST APPLICATION
2006 Lexus IS 350 Glacier Frost Mica

Test preparation will follow the same guidelines as noted in prior test; however, products will use [1-2] drops of Polycharger. The assumption [if correct] is easier, more user-friendly application and removal.

Details to follow shortly . . . will advise.