mjlinane
My name is Mike
Review: Chemical Guys Silk Shine
Introduction:
My personal preference is for no gloss on the interior. However, not all of my customers agree with me. That, and I needed a better tire dressing. So did I kill two birds with one product?
Thanks to Corey again for providing the format.
Product Claims:
From Autopia Car Care site -
"Chemical Guys Silk Shine Dressing & Protectant
Provides durable UV protection.
Dries to the touch.
Natural looking appearance.
NEW! Silk Shine our most popular interior + exterior dry-to-the-tough super dressing with premium New-Car Scent just got even better! Newly formulated with CG technology + Weather-Tek Protectant it lasts longer and continues to protect even after numerous washes and tough weather. New long-lasting Silk Shine penetrates deep into vinyl, rubber, tires, black plastic bumpers and mirrors, trim and bumper guards, door moldings and much more delivering a deep long-lasting dark finish.
A single easy application of Silk Shine lasts weeks instead of days. Silk Shine new Weather-Tek system helps protects the surface regardless of the elements. From snow and moisture to water humidity and even high-heat, all new Silk Shine continues to protect for months.
New Dry to the touch pH balanced formula is water-based and developed to deliver a silk shine satin finish that will not attract dust. Keep interior and exterior trim, black plastic and rubber surface looking new longer with Silk Shine.
Sunlight and damaging Ultraviolet take a serious toll on vinyl and rubber surfaces deteriorating and destroying them. Silk Shine conditioner and protectant delivers a long-lasting durable UV shield to help protect against the elements.
From dashboard to door-panels all the way to exterior molding and trip, New car High Shine Dressing delivers a durable dry-to-touch new car finish that is simply amazing
The Goods:
Durable long-lasting shine
Premium New-Car Scented
Guards against UV damage
Replenishes vital nutrients with every application
Cleans normal surface dirt quickly and easily
Leaves surfaces dry, healthy, shiny, and conditioned
Also for all exterior rubber, and door seals"
Chemical Guys Silk Shine Dressing & Protectant
Details:
1.- Packaging: Plastic Bottle with Trigger Sprayer
2.- Directions: Clearly labeled
3.- Viscosity: A little thicker than water
4.- Color: Milky white
5.- Scent: Soapy
6.- Price at time of review: 16oz = $ 8.99
7.- Manufacturer: Chemical Guys
9.- Made in: California
Product
Other Products Used:
CG Nonsense
MF
Preparation:
Even though my car didn't need it, I wiped down the door card with CG Nonsense. (This is part of a dressing series so want to show different gloss levels from nothing.)
Application:
Spray a small amount on clean short nap MF and rub into vinyl or other interior surface. Follow with a light buffing with dry MF.
For tires, I spray on a polyethylene sponge plus a couple of light spritzes on the tire and then spread with sponge. If I want more gloss, repeat after 10min. After 10min, is dry to the touch but generally follow with a MF to ensure no excess.
Observations:
CG Silk nicely darkens the vinyl and leaves a reasonably glossy finish. Is dry-to-the touch and does not cement dust to the dash. It does have some cleaning properties.
Cleaned with Nonsense
CG IC, CG Silk and CG VRP
On tires, CG Silk darkens tires dramatically and is not overly glossy. It lasted me a few washes (2-3 weeks) and does not brown the tires.
(Sorry, no tire pics - will be trying a new, super long-lasting (non-ACC
) product tomorrow.)
Does it meet its claims: yes.
Comparisons:
Probably the closest product I've used to CG Silk is 303 Aerospace Protectant. I've only used 303 a couple of times and haven't really figured it out yet. My applications have come out blotchy and haven't gone back recently. Silk darkens more and (I think) has a bit more gloss.
Another product I have but haven't used that is similar is Carpro PERL, based on CEE DOG's review. Maybe I'll try it out tomorrow and post an update. (I believe that is called a tease.
)
Pros:
1.- Darkens vinyl and tires while adding gloss (if you are into that kind of thing).
2.- Protects.
3.- Cost effective
4.- Pleasant smell.
5.- Versatile: can be used on interior & exterior trim, vinyl, and tires.
6.- Dries to the touch.
7.- When used on tires, does not sling.
Cons:
1.- A bit glossy for my taste but definitely less than most OTC products. Much more "professional" looking.
Final Observations and Summary:
Like most CG products I've tried, CG Silk Shine is good stuff and meets my "professional" needs very well. Not as sexy as some of the boutique products I may use on my own vehicles but think they work quickly, without undue fuss and give a large percentage of the boutique result (& sometimes, more) at a low enough price for my "normal" customers to swallow without hurting "profit".
Comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks for viewing!
Introduction:
My personal preference is for no gloss on the interior. However, not all of my customers agree with me. That, and I needed a better tire dressing. So did I kill two birds with one product?
Thanks to Corey again for providing the format.
Product Claims:
From Autopia Car Care site -
"Chemical Guys Silk Shine Dressing & Protectant
Provides durable UV protection.
Dries to the touch.
Natural looking appearance.
NEW! Silk Shine our most popular interior + exterior dry-to-the-tough super dressing with premium New-Car Scent just got even better! Newly formulated with CG technology + Weather-Tek Protectant it lasts longer and continues to protect even after numerous washes and tough weather. New long-lasting Silk Shine penetrates deep into vinyl, rubber, tires, black plastic bumpers and mirrors, trim and bumper guards, door moldings and much more delivering a deep long-lasting dark finish.
A single easy application of Silk Shine lasts weeks instead of days. Silk Shine new Weather-Tek system helps protects the surface regardless of the elements. From snow and moisture to water humidity and even high-heat, all new Silk Shine continues to protect for months.
New Dry to the touch pH balanced formula is water-based and developed to deliver a silk shine satin finish that will not attract dust. Keep interior and exterior trim, black plastic and rubber surface looking new longer with Silk Shine.
Sunlight and damaging Ultraviolet take a serious toll on vinyl and rubber surfaces deteriorating and destroying them. Silk Shine conditioner and protectant delivers a long-lasting durable UV shield to help protect against the elements.
From dashboard to door-panels all the way to exterior molding and trip, New car High Shine Dressing delivers a durable dry-to-touch new car finish that is simply amazing
The Goods:
Durable long-lasting shine
Premium New-Car Scented
Guards against UV damage
Replenishes vital nutrients with every application
Cleans normal surface dirt quickly and easily
Leaves surfaces dry, healthy, shiny, and conditioned
Also for all exterior rubber, and door seals"
Chemical Guys Silk Shine Dressing & Protectant
Details:
1.- Packaging: Plastic Bottle with Trigger Sprayer
2.- Directions: Clearly labeled
3.- Viscosity: A little thicker than water
4.- Color: Milky white
5.- Scent: Soapy
6.- Price at time of review: 16oz = $ 8.99
7.- Manufacturer: Chemical Guys
9.- Made in: California
Product
Other Products Used:
CG Nonsense
MF
Preparation:
Even though my car didn't need it, I wiped down the door card with CG Nonsense. (This is part of a dressing series so want to show different gloss levels from nothing.)
Application:
Spray a small amount on clean short nap MF and rub into vinyl or other interior surface. Follow with a light buffing with dry MF.
For tires, I spray on a polyethylene sponge plus a couple of light spritzes on the tire and then spread with sponge. If I want more gloss, repeat after 10min. After 10min, is dry to the touch but generally follow with a MF to ensure no excess.
Observations:
CG Silk nicely darkens the vinyl and leaves a reasonably glossy finish. Is dry-to-the touch and does not cement dust to the dash. It does have some cleaning properties.
Cleaned with Nonsense
CG IC, CG Silk and CG VRP
On tires, CG Silk darkens tires dramatically and is not overly glossy. It lasted me a few washes (2-3 weeks) and does not brown the tires.
(Sorry, no tire pics - will be trying a new, super long-lasting (non-ACC

Does it meet its claims: yes.
Comparisons:
Probably the closest product I've used to CG Silk is 303 Aerospace Protectant. I've only used 303 a couple of times and haven't really figured it out yet. My applications have come out blotchy and haven't gone back recently. Silk darkens more and (I think) has a bit more gloss.
Another product I have but haven't used that is similar is Carpro PERL, based on CEE DOG's review. Maybe I'll try it out tomorrow and post an update. (I believe that is called a tease.

Pros:
1.- Darkens vinyl and tires while adding gloss (if you are into that kind of thing).
2.- Protects.
3.- Cost effective
4.- Pleasant smell.
5.- Versatile: can be used on interior & exterior trim, vinyl, and tires.
6.- Dries to the touch.
7.- When used on tires, does not sling.
Cons:
1.- A bit glossy for my taste but definitely less than most OTC products. Much more "professional" looking.
Final Observations and Summary:
Like most CG products I've tried, CG Silk Shine is good stuff and meets my "professional" needs very well. Not as sexy as some of the boutique products I may use on my own vehicles but think they work quickly, without undue fuss and give a large percentage of the boutique result (& sometimes, more) at a low enough price for my "normal" customers to swallow without hurting "profit".
Comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks for viewing!