radarryan
09-10-2013, 01:49 AM
2013 Porsche 911 Cabriolet coated with GTechniq C1, EXO, and EXOv2 – What an Experience!
The following has been truly a detailing experience…
My clear bra needed to be replaced on part of the front clip, which made me decide that I wanted to try a different coating (it had Opti-Coat 2.0 on it since the day after I picked it up from the dealership.)
After a long process of deciding what I would do (CarPro CQuartz, GTechniq C1 & EXO, Optimum Opti-Coat, CQuartz UK, etc.), I came to the decision of using the GTechniq protocol. After placing my order with Autogeek, I sent an email off to GTechniq North America to see exactly what I needed to do to have the best possible results. After much correspondence with them, I knew what I had to do (I am not a professional detailer, but used to work professionally in high school and college) and was confident in my skill set to accomplish the job.
After polishing to get the Opti-Coat 2.0 off I finished my famous (or should I say infamous) black Porsche paint with the only proven combination – Menzerna SF4500 and a Lake Country HydroTech Crimson finishing pad. After this the finish looked fantastic! Better than the day she left the factory in Germany!
Despite many threads speaking the horrors of topping C1 with EXOv2, I decided that I would continue on with my plan. I figured that it was probably user error on the part of the other detailers, rather than a problem with the product. Before I went to apply the glass coating, I used the GTechniq Panel Wipe to ensure that proper bonding would happen. I was concerned about using a panel wipe on my car, especially since I have a 3M clear bra on the entire front clip. With that in mind, I emailed customer service that I had previously been in touch with. I asked, “Is GTechniq Panel Wipe compatible with 3M brand clear bras?” The reply I got was one word: “Yes. Sent from my iPhone”
With that, I started using the Panel Wipe. First I started on the door, and everything was going great. The C1 was very easy to use and I was getting the hang of using the product. Then I got to the front left quarter panel and sprayed the Panel Wipe. To my horror, it immediately started to cloud the film. I started to wipe but if felt real “grabby.” The damage had been done. I tried polishing the bra and could tell that nothing was working. I pulled the car out of the garage to check what the damage is.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9715891214_965b53c3ff_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/9712657553_b0155c5dc9_b.jpg
I called GTechniq customer service and left a message. About half an hour later I received a phone call back. I was angry, to say the least. I specifically asked if the product was compatible with the 3M clear bra, and the answer I got back was, “well, it works well with XPel.” They said they haven’t tested it with 3M clear bras, and that they were thankful for the feedback. They said that I should go out and get Plexus, on my own dime. I did NOT like that very much. I decided to finish the car, because I needed it to be protected. I went ahead and coated it with C1, then about 36 hours later I coated with EXOv2. I was happy to finish the job, and knew I would have to continue the fight to get the clear bra fixed or replaced.
I woke up to this…
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/9712622687_3392efbbbc_b.jpg
It looks like I was subject to more of the problems that they were having with the product. It looks smeared all around. It did not look like that when I wiped the product off originally. In fact, the problem appeared 12-24 hours later. What a fun surprise. I saw that another user was having issues and luckily was up in CT near the GTechniq NA offices, so they took care of it.
After a post with that picture, Rob, the managing director of GTechniq in the UK, got in touch with me via PM. He is a very, very good guy. We quickly exchanged emails in which he conveyed that his number one priority was getting everything on my 911 fixed. This was very nice to hear, and he said that he would make sure that GTechniq would take care of the price of removal of the existing glass coating and application of C1 and EXOv2. He had his guy in San Antonio (I’m in Dallas) start testing on the optimum time for C1 curing before the EXOv2 is applied.
I got in touch with Michael at Thumpers Auto Detailing Salon (all contact information will follow), who scheduled a time for him to come up from San Antonio, get a hotel, and start first thing on my car. He was also getting Plexus sent to him to try on my clear bra. I wasn’t too hopeful that it would make a difference, but we would see.
Michael already established himself as someone who would do anything for his customer. He told me that he was on the case. He would be in contact with Rob; he would get all the relevant products; he would make sure that I was happy before he left; all I would have to do was open the garage when he arrived.
Already feeling much better in Michael’s hands, we scheduled a time for him to come up with a helper and work on the car. When the morning came around, Michael came with a truck full of supplies and started setting up. I drove the car from the garage into the driveway so it could be washed.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/9715769608_5c03ff99ba_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9715769124_7c5f881fd2_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9715767916_c7ff2dd21b_b.jpg
As you can see, the car is still in great shape, sans the problems that I was having. All that was needed was to get the light dust off, but Michael was going to do everything he could to get my car perfect.
He started initially with a foam down with Chemical Guys Mr. Pink’s.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9715767390_db2802bec9_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9712508779_0057226e11_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9715766316_98f0d6d0ae_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9715765702_1e76678690_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/9715765290_2d7fa5903c_b.jpg
During this time Michael used the Nanoskin Autoscrub Wash Mitt to decontaminate (even though it wasn’t in need of decontamination, Michael goes above and beyond with everything that he does). The car was also washed with GTechniq GWash and the GTechniq Australian Long Hair Wash Mitt to ensure that everything was perfect. The wheels were cleaned with Shine Supply Cool Guy with a variety of tools, including wheel woolies.
After the wash, the car was backed up into the garage so Michael could get to work! He used Rupes Bigfoot 21 and a 3-inch Rupes air driven polisher. His weapons of choice with compounds and polishes were Menzerna FG400 and Menzerna SF4500. He uses, in my opinion, the best polishes made by choosing Menzerna. I even turned him onto crimson HydroTech pads, too!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9715764724_30b5bcd09f_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/9712531279_521255cdfd_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9715762308_f4c8d4be57_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/9715761752_c34f1aff26_b.jpg
Pure, black Porsche paint perfection!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/9715760934_1a237497b9_b.jpg[/IMG]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9715760728_d45e7dae03_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9712525057_d75db45a77_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/9712524643_5b10093bea_b.jpg
After all the polishing was done, the non-clear bra areas were prepped with GTechniq Panel Wipe. The clear bra was prepped with some other panel wipe, the name escapes me. There were no reactions with this panel wipe and the 3M clear bra.
The car was then coated with C1, then after a cure time, two coats of EXO and EXOv2.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9715755858_18438ce0f7_b.jpg
Then we got working on that darn clear bra stain. It was polished, compounded, cleaned with plastic cleaner, and polished some more to no avail. I am still in the process of trying to get this issue resolved with Rob@GTechniq. I have no reason to believe that he will anything but accommodating as we continue this process. He has asked if I will get in touch with the installer, which I have done.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/9715755068_913543849c_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/9715754592_608ed946b2_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9715754346_027f667f30_b.jpg
Unfortunately, I think it will have to be replaced, but I am still hopeful for another solution…
Back to my now perfect paint!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/9715752822_a5d3614b02_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/9715751736_3d28567403_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9715750146_f30c555e85_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9715749822_2f81d7ebda_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/9715749428_3db84d39f0_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9715748008_c298d4cc41_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9715746524_60e9078405_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9715745284_132ba462f7_b.jpg
The following has been truly a detailing experience…
My clear bra needed to be replaced on part of the front clip, which made me decide that I wanted to try a different coating (it had Opti-Coat 2.0 on it since the day after I picked it up from the dealership.)
After a long process of deciding what I would do (CarPro CQuartz, GTechniq C1 & EXO, Optimum Opti-Coat, CQuartz UK, etc.), I came to the decision of using the GTechniq protocol. After placing my order with Autogeek, I sent an email off to GTechniq North America to see exactly what I needed to do to have the best possible results. After much correspondence with them, I knew what I had to do (I am not a professional detailer, but used to work professionally in high school and college) and was confident in my skill set to accomplish the job.
After polishing to get the Opti-Coat 2.0 off I finished my famous (or should I say infamous) black Porsche paint with the only proven combination – Menzerna SF4500 and a Lake Country HydroTech Crimson finishing pad. After this the finish looked fantastic! Better than the day she left the factory in Germany!
Despite many threads speaking the horrors of topping C1 with EXOv2, I decided that I would continue on with my plan. I figured that it was probably user error on the part of the other detailers, rather than a problem with the product. Before I went to apply the glass coating, I used the GTechniq Panel Wipe to ensure that proper bonding would happen. I was concerned about using a panel wipe on my car, especially since I have a 3M clear bra on the entire front clip. With that in mind, I emailed customer service that I had previously been in touch with. I asked, “Is GTechniq Panel Wipe compatible with 3M brand clear bras?” The reply I got was one word: “Yes. Sent from my iPhone”
With that, I started using the Panel Wipe. First I started on the door, and everything was going great. The C1 was very easy to use and I was getting the hang of using the product. Then I got to the front left quarter panel and sprayed the Panel Wipe. To my horror, it immediately started to cloud the film. I started to wipe but if felt real “grabby.” The damage had been done. I tried polishing the bra and could tell that nothing was working. I pulled the car out of the garage to check what the damage is.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9715891214_965b53c3ff_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/9712657553_b0155c5dc9_b.jpg
I called GTechniq customer service and left a message. About half an hour later I received a phone call back. I was angry, to say the least. I specifically asked if the product was compatible with the 3M clear bra, and the answer I got back was, “well, it works well with XPel.” They said they haven’t tested it with 3M clear bras, and that they were thankful for the feedback. They said that I should go out and get Plexus, on my own dime. I did NOT like that very much. I decided to finish the car, because I needed it to be protected. I went ahead and coated it with C1, then about 36 hours later I coated with EXOv2. I was happy to finish the job, and knew I would have to continue the fight to get the clear bra fixed or replaced.
I woke up to this…
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/9712622687_3392efbbbc_b.jpg
It looks like I was subject to more of the problems that they were having with the product. It looks smeared all around. It did not look like that when I wiped the product off originally. In fact, the problem appeared 12-24 hours later. What a fun surprise. I saw that another user was having issues and luckily was up in CT near the GTechniq NA offices, so they took care of it.
After a post with that picture, Rob, the managing director of GTechniq in the UK, got in touch with me via PM. He is a very, very good guy. We quickly exchanged emails in which he conveyed that his number one priority was getting everything on my 911 fixed. This was very nice to hear, and he said that he would make sure that GTechniq would take care of the price of removal of the existing glass coating and application of C1 and EXOv2. He had his guy in San Antonio (I’m in Dallas) start testing on the optimum time for C1 curing before the EXOv2 is applied.
I got in touch with Michael at Thumpers Auto Detailing Salon (all contact information will follow), who scheduled a time for him to come up from San Antonio, get a hotel, and start first thing on my car. He was also getting Plexus sent to him to try on my clear bra. I wasn’t too hopeful that it would make a difference, but we would see.
Michael already established himself as someone who would do anything for his customer. He told me that he was on the case. He would be in contact with Rob; he would get all the relevant products; he would make sure that I was happy before he left; all I would have to do was open the garage when he arrived.
Already feeling much better in Michael’s hands, we scheduled a time for him to come up with a helper and work on the car. When the morning came around, Michael came with a truck full of supplies and started setting up. I drove the car from the garage into the driveway so it could be washed.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/9715769608_5c03ff99ba_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9715769124_7c5f881fd2_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9715767916_c7ff2dd21b_b.jpg
As you can see, the car is still in great shape, sans the problems that I was having. All that was needed was to get the light dust off, but Michael was going to do everything he could to get my car perfect.
He started initially with a foam down with Chemical Guys Mr. Pink’s.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9715767390_db2802bec9_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9712508779_0057226e11_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9715766316_98f0d6d0ae_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9715765702_1e76678690_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/9715765290_2d7fa5903c_b.jpg
During this time Michael used the Nanoskin Autoscrub Wash Mitt to decontaminate (even though it wasn’t in need of decontamination, Michael goes above and beyond with everything that he does). The car was also washed with GTechniq GWash and the GTechniq Australian Long Hair Wash Mitt to ensure that everything was perfect. The wheels were cleaned with Shine Supply Cool Guy with a variety of tools, including wheel woolies.
After the wash, the car was backed up into the garage so Michael could get to work! He used Rupes Bigfoot 21 and a 3-inch Rupes air driven polisher. His weapons of choice with compounds and polishes were Menzerna FG400 and Menzerna SF4500. He uses, in my opinion, the best polishes made by choosing Menzerna. I even turned him onto crimson HydroTech pads, too!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9715764724_30b5bcd09f_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/9712531279_521255cdfd_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9715762308_f4c8d4be57_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/9715761752_c34f1aff26_b.jpg
Pure, black Porsche paint perfection!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/9715760934_1a237497b9_b.jpg[/IMG]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9715760728_d45e7dae03_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9712525057_d75db45a77_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/9712524643_5b10093bea_b.jpg
After all the polishing was done, the non-clear bra areas were prepped with GTechniq Panel Wipe. The clear bra was prepped with some other panel wipe, the name escapes me. There were no reactions with this panel wipe and the 3M clear bra.
The car was then coated with C1, then after a cure time, two coats of EXO and EXOv2.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9715755858_18438ce0f7_b.jpg
Then we got working on that darn clear bra stain. It was polished, compounded, cleaned with plastic cleaner, and polished some more to no avail. I am still in the process of trying to get this issue resolved with Rob@GTechniq. I have no reason to believe that he will anything but accommodating as we continue this process. He has asked if I will get in touch with the installer, which I have done.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/9715755068_913543849c_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/9715754592_608ed946b2_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9715754346_027f667f30_b.jpg
Unfortunately, I think it will have to be replaced, but I am still hopeful for another solution…
Back to my now perfect paint!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/9715752822_a5d3614b02_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/9715751736_3d28567403_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9715750146_f30c555e85_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9715749822_2f81d7ebda_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/9715749428_3db84d39f0_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9715748008_c298d4cc41_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9715746524_60e9078405_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9715745284_132ba462f7_b.jpg