Gyeon Syncro

[BudgetPlan1]

When I first saw the release/introduction of Gyeon Syncro via a SEMA 2017 video, I was quite intrigued at the possibility of them introducing a kit version of the Gyeon Mohs + Gyeon Booster combo. According to Gyeon reps I had spoken with previously, the Gyeon Mohs + Booster combo is an approximation of their pro-only Durabead product, slightly less concentrated and tweaked for easier application. While Mohs itself is one of my top coating choices, the fluorine-based Booster adds longevity, a bit of gloss and superb hydrophobic/water behavior characteristics. Unfortunately, with a list price of around $200 for the 50ml Mohs + 30ml Booster combo, it’s getting up there a bit in price for a hobbyist like myself who has an unfortunate penchant for trying every coating product I can get my hands on.

After contacting Gyeon again, it appears that the Gyeon Syncro offering is actually a less concentrated, consumer approximation of their new Gyeon Duraflex product, using the ever-popular Mohs as a base and the new Skin as a top coat. The top coat of Skin included in this kit is what really stands out as it leaves one of the slickest feels to the paint of any coating I have used. It even surpasses the slickness of many, if not all, of the coating booster/maint SiO2 spray products I have used on top of coatings as well. It’s towel-sliding-off-hood, old school carnauba wax slick…and then some; at least I think the old carnauba waxes were slick…been a long time since I pulled out a tin of Rain Dance. As a bonus, it adds a glossier look to the Mohs base, which by itself is quite nice looking, a very classy kind of gloss if that makes any sense.

As for the application of Syncro, it starts with 1-3 layers of the newly tweaked, 2018 formulation of Mohs. With its near immediate bond to the paint, Mohs is pretty much a wipe on, wipe off affair, with the instructions indicating a dwell time of between 10-30 seconds after application/leveling. Indoors at about 65 degrees F, this proved to be right on the mark. Working with small areas (half of the rather smallish hood, for example), the application still went quickly on the new 2018 Race Red Ford Transit van I was using it on. Absent any IR Curing, I let it cure for about 2hrs between the 1st and 2nd layers of Mohs (Gyeon indicates a minimum of 1 hour between coats) and then let the second coat of Mohs cure for about 5hrs before reaching for the bottle of Skin (Gyeon recommends a minimum of 4hrs between Mohs and Skin). While it does have a somewhat of a chemical odor, the Mohs applied quite nicely and evenly, a bit more forgiving that the previous version but not overly so. It certainly doesn’t fall into the ‘difficult’ category regarding application but rather straightforward and consistent in its application characteristics.

The application of the Skin topcoat is more entertaining; larger sections can be covered ( the entire smallish hood of a Transit Van for instance ) and it’s really a wipe on/level/wipe off immediately proposition. The surface of an applied area takes on an incredible slickness pretty much immediately, leaving no doubt which sections it has/has not been applied to. The gloss it left on top of the Mohs was quite nice, sharper and more reflective than Mohs alone; not so much in the ‘candy-gloss’ territory but rather in the ‘brilliant’ category if one were needing to make a distinction. It’s an easier and more ‘apparent’ application than Gyeon Booster, which flashes so quickly it sometimes leads to questions of “Did I do that section or not?” in one’s mind.

While Gyeon includes a bottle of Cure in the kit, the instructions indicate that its initial use is optional (after 12hrs of curing following Skin application), specifically stating “There is no necessity to apply Q2M Cure although it remains an excellent maintenance product”. I skipped the Cure as this vehicle will likely not see the outdoors for 2 weeks yet and I didn’t want Cure to interfere with the delightful slickness of the Skin topcoat.

After curing indoors for about 60hrs over the weekend, I poured and then spritzed some water on the hood; the pouring water sheeted off very nicely and quickly and the spritzed water beaded quite well before gravity took over and the larger beads began sliding off the hood. It looks like it will be an entertaining one to watch once rain returns to our area this Spring and freeway driving in the rain will likely be something to see as well. Overall, I have high hopes for this product. The slickness and feel to the surface is incredible and if longevity proves worthy, it’s going to be a real winner with its relatively straightforward (albeit a bit more time consuming) application, great gloss, amazing slick final feel and what appears to be great water behavior.

Specifics of the application were:
Temperature: 65 degrees F, low humidity inside heated warehouse
Application:
- Mohs applied with Gyeon block and Esoteric microfiber applicator cloths, Skin applied with Gyeon block and Gyeon microsuede cloths.

- 1st wipe on coating/topcoat removal done with Gyeon PolishWipe towel, 2nd wipe/buff done with Rag Company Wizard edgeless microfiber towel (both for Mohs and Skin)

The vehicle I applied it to was a Race Red 2018 Ford Transit 130” wheelbase panel van; applying to all areas of paintwork aside from roof (used another product there as I was not sure how far 50ml of Mohs would stretch) I ended up with 2 coats of Mohs, using about 40ml in all and 1 coat of Skin, using about 20ml; guess I coulda done the roof after all…live and learn.

As it was new, vehicle got standard wash, chemical, mechanical decon, Gyen Prep wipedown, light polish, Gyeon Prep wipedown (twice) and then coating application.

Very pleased with the outcome, it still left me with the question of Mohs + Booster or Syncro; in what situations might one prefer one over the other. Not able to come up with an suitable (and credible) answer of my own, I contacted Gyeon again and got the following response from Jeremy @ Gyeon:

Thank you for your interest in Gyeon products.

As you have probably noticed, the Gyeon range is divided in 3 levels: Enthusiast, Professional and Gyeon Certified Detailer.

The top of the range are 3 coatings designed to be used by Certified Detailers, all coming with warranties and demanding certain conditions to be applied correctly.

As a enthusiast willing to come as close as possible to the Certified range, you have in fact 2 options:

Q2 Mohs with Q2 Booster on top - which does not directly equal Q2 DuraBead as the Q2 Bead top coat has more concentration than the widely available Q2 Booster. Although this combo comes close.

Q2 Syncro, so Q2 Mohs topped with the Q2 Skin top coat. It does differ from Q2 DuraFlex mainly because of the base coating (in case of the DuraFlex, it’s a Certified-only base coating, Q2 Base) and the concentration as well.

Which to choose? Not an easy question, as both have their specifics and advantages. I’d say they are equally good, but different.

As both combinations have the same base coat, we should focus on the top ups:

Q2 Skin
- is a silicone-based top coat
- designed to be used on top of Q2 Mohs
- builds a layer on top of Q2 Mohs and doesn`t react like Q2 Bead
- repellency: very hydrophobic, repels water instantly
- slickness: beyond anything else!
- resistance: full chemical resistance
- gloss: similar to Q2 Mohs+, so very, very glossy!

Q2 Booster
- is a fluorine-based top coat
- designed to be used on top of Q2 Mohs
- reacts with the base coat (Mohs) changing its surface tension and repellency
- repellency: super hydrophobic
- slickness: lower than Q2 Skin, but still very high.
- resistance: full chemical resistance
- gloss: more shine than gloss.

Hope this comparison helps you making the right choice.

For a more in-depth and specific review of Syncro, see The Guz review here: https://www.autopia.org/forums/click...mohs-skin.html

[Mike lambert]

I think they are getting to complicated in order to add more products for purchase. Reminds me of several others we’ve offered as well that just offered to many levels of products.

[The Guz]

The drawback being that Skin is only available as part of the Syncro kit. So one would have to buy the entire kit just to get skin. At least the consumer line is not as complicated as their pro line up.

Curious to see if Skin can be applied over Pure similar to Mohs.

[glfnaz]

Thanks for the review Budget. Curious, whats the difference between a silicone-based top coat and a fluorine-based top coat?

[BudgetPlan1]

Thanks for the review Budget. Curious, whats the difference between a silicone-based top coat and a fluorine-based top coat?

Er...uh...I dunno, aside from the obvious chemical makeup. Perhaps a question for Gyeon but I`d guess the answer would fly waaaay above my head. Whatever the case, the silicone toppoer is exponentially slicker than the fluorine based one.

Side note: I`m gonna switch the Overcoat/VS1/Hydrosilex topper comparo to the hood of our Project Managers van, which I did with Gyeon Prime and CanCoat last montth. Will compound/polish the hood to remove the Gyeon stuff, apply 1 coat of McKees V2 then split into 1/3`s and top with Overcoat, VS1 and HydroSilex Recharge. Figure he`s in the office daily so I`ll get to see his van hood quite often and can even rinseless wash it quickly on occasion if needed or wanted. Gonna be a lot easier to keep track of that as opposed to the roof of the Syncro vehicle. Hope to get to that this Friday.

[glfnaz]

Great idea, I like it. Thanks.
I used the HydroSilex last Sunday on one of our cars. It was probably one of the easiest SIO2 maintenance toppers I`ve ever tested. I couldn`t streak it. It was as easy as D156. Seemed to melt into the paint. I have no idea how it will hold up. But your test will prove it out.

[atgonzales]

Budget as always professionally done and of course nicely done