DrSauekraut
01-08-2005, 08:53 AM
Being the detailing junkie that I am, I ordered a bottle of Poor Boyâ€â„¢s EX-P for my product collection. As some of you can relate, the enthusiasm for detailing is also shared with the enthusiasm to try new products . . . an assortment of goods can line your shelves from one end of the garage to the other. All in all, I believe this to be a very good sealant. Hereâ€â„¢s why.
The sink test. Not only do I enjoy detailing, but I also enjoy my house. Many of the products I use find their way to other areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom. I have 2 painted sinks (1 in the kitchen and 1 in the master bath) which serve as my durability test beds. These sinks have seen products come and go over the years. Generally, Iâ€â„¢ll prep the surface according to manufacturer recommendation and apply the sealant or wax by hand with a micro fiber. These sinks see daily use . . . hot and cold water, detergents, etc. How this translates to the environmental equivalent Iâ€â„¢m not sure, but itâ€â„¢s amazing to see the durability (or lack of) with some of the products we use. Example â€â€œ while HGSG and 1Z GW beaded and shined after months of repeated hot and cold temperatures and heavy duty detergents like Mr. Clean and Dawn, other products like NXT lasted only several days. So by all accounts, EX-P met my durability criteria lasting 2 months and 3 weeks with almost freshly-applied like beading.
Having become so fond of this product, I decided it was time and used EX-P on several autos â€â€œ 2 light colored metallics and 2 dark. Unlike other sealants, EX-P provided more depth and gloss than my favorites which produce a brilliant shine. I was ecstatic. Though I find that the metallic flakes did not jump from the paint as much as 1Z, there was much more noticeable deepness and luster than the usual synthetics. The 2 dark colored autos had similar results . . . green and black had an almost liquid looking shimmer which rolled from one fender to another. EX-Pâ€â„¢s visual effects seem to closely mimic a pure carnauba. Itâ€â„¢s a very nice product indeed.
I did learn something very important. In my opinion, it should not be used as an LSP. Of the 4 autos I detailed, the old ladyâ€â„¢s car was not treated with anything following the EX-P application. Following a brief stint of rain, she arrived home one evening and parked in front of the garage. Being the nut bag I am, I ran outside with great zeal to view the beading. Note to self . . . do not apply EX-P to glass. EX-P beads like a champ, but does not run or flow off the surface. The entire car was littered in tiny little beads. The bigger beads sitting atop the roof, hood, and trunk would not roll smoothly from the finish. Normally Iâ€â„¢d guess that the finish was dirty, but this garage-kept queen was detailed 2 days prior. I couldnâ€â„¢t believe it. Another problem was that EX-P created a star filter effect on the windshield. Driving at night in the rain is one thing, but when the water doesnâ€â„¢t move from the windows and additionally creates this distraction itâ€â„¢s another problem all together.
Nonetheless, it was a good learning experience. Great product, but needs an LSP. If I have to be picky, I also didnâ€â„¢t like EX-Pâ€â„¢s consistency. Perhaps Iâ€â„¢ve grown too comfortable with the watery synthetics. Another advantage was it didnâ€â„¢t stain the trim. I purposely applied EX-P to a weathered piece of plastic with no noticeable staining. Again, very good sealant . . . protects, provides depth and gloss. Not so good as a stand alone and definitely not good on glass.
PS: Itâ€â„¢s great on chrome and stainless fixtures around the house :xyxthumbs
The sink test. Not only do I enjoy detailing, but I also enjoy my house. Many of the products I use find their way to other areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom. I have 2 painted sinks (1 in the kitchen and 1 in the master bath) which serve as my durability test beds. These sinks have seen products come and go over the years. Generally, Iâ€â„¢ll prep the surface according to manufacturer recommendation and apply the sealant or wax by hand with a micro fiber. These sinks see daily use . . . hot and cold water, detergents, etc. How this translates to the environmental equivalent Iâ€â„¢m not sure, but itâ€â„¢s amazing to see the durability (or lack of) with some of the products we use. Example â€â€œ while HGSG and 1Z GW beaded and shined after months of repeated hot and cold temperatures and heavy duty detergents like Mr. Clean and Dawn, other products like NXT lasted only several days. So by all accounts, EX-P met my durability criteria lasting 2 months and 3 weeks with almost freshly-applied like beading.
Having become so fond of this product, I decided it was time and used EX-P on several autos â€â€œ 2 light colored metallics and 2 dark. Unlike other sealants, EX-P provided more depth and gloss than my favorites which produce a brilliant shine. I was ecstatic. Though I find that the metallic flakes did not jump from the paint as much as 1Z, there was much more noticeable deepness and luster than the usual synthetics. The 2 dark colored autos had similar results . . . green and black had an almost liquid looking shimmer which rolled from one fender to another. EX-Pâ€â„¢s visual effects seem to closely mimic a pure carnauba. Itâ€â„¢s a very nice product indeed.
I did learn something very important. In my opinion, it should not be used as an LSP. Of the 4 autos I detailed, the old ladyâ€â„¢s car was not treated with anything following the EX-P application. Following a brief stint of rain, she arrived home one evening and parked in front of the garage. Being the nut bag I am, I ran outside with great zeal to view the beading. Note to self . . . do not apply EX-P to glass. EX-P beads like a champ, but does not run or flow off the surface. The entire car was littered in tiny little beads. The bigger beads sitting atop the roof, hood, and trunk would not roll smoothly from the finish. Normally Iâ€â„¢d guess that the finish was dirty, but this garage-kept queen was detailed 2 days prior. I couldnâ€â„¢t believe it. Another problem was that EX-P created a star filter effect on the windshield. Driving at night in the rain is one thing, but when the water doesnâ€â„¢t move from the windows and additionally creates this distraction itâ€â„¢s another problem all together.
Nonetheless, it was a good learning experience. Great product, but needs an LSP. If I have to be picky, I also didnâ€â„¢t like EX-Pâ€â„¢s consistency. Perhaps Iâ€â„¢ve grown too comfortable with the watery synthetics. Another advantage was it didnâ€â„¢t stain the trim. I purposely applied EX-P to a weathered piece of plastic with no noticeable staining. Again, very good sealant . . . protects, provides depth and gloss. Not so good as a stand alone and definitely not good on glass.
PS: Itâ€â„¢s great on chrome and stainless fixtures around the house :xyxthumbs