Since I don't deviate a great deal in what I use, I thought I would take a shot at giving Dwayne what I think he is looking for.
The products used were Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2.0, Klasse AIO, and 4 Star UPP. All were applied with the Porter-Cable random orbital polisher.
1. Packaging & Labeling. Is it well packaged? Are the labels durable?
Yes, for all products used at this time.
2. Helpful instructions on label?
Another yes for all.
3. Does product do what the manufacturer claims it does?
Again, yes.
4. Value. Is the product a good buy? If a liquid product, how much per ounce? Does a little go a long way?
None of the products were terribly expensive, but they aren't in the bargain category per container. #9=$10, about 63 cents per oz., AIO=$23, about $1.36 per oz., UPP=$15, about 94 cents per oz. To me, as a hobby detailer, the cost is not too important if the product gives me the results I want. These do. I take care of 3 cars so I buy the AIO in the 16.9 oz. size. That will last a long time and you might want to consider buying the 10 oz. bottle. :dunno
5. Easy to use? Hard to use? Did you read the directions and use as directed?
I read and follow instructions with any product I use. My experience has always been good with any product if I follow the manufacturers instructions. It seems like they should know their product better than anyone.
6. Is it safe for enthusiasts or should it be for professional use only?
IMO, These three products should work quite well for the beginner and the professional.
7. Describe the product smell, viscosity and other physical traits if any.
All are liquids. The AIO and the UPP are fairly thin and you need to pay attention when applying the product to the applicator pad. If you are careless, you may get more than you want on the pad. The #9 is slightly thicker, but still easy to work with. The odors are not particularly pleasant from any of the three, but not really noticeable in use. I wouldn't care to spend much time sniffing them, but IMO there isn't any need to.
Use
Swirl Removal
Meg's #9 was applied with the PC and a polishing pad at a speed setting of 4.5. About 3 dime sized dollops of #9 on the pad. I worked a 2' x 2' section until you could hardly see the product and removed it with a MF towel before moving on to the next section. I don't think every area of my van needed that much time spent on it, but I would rather not have to go back and do a section over.
Cleaning/Polishing
Klasse AIO was used withe PC and another polishing pad, again at a speed of 4.5. Again, 3 dime sized dollops of AIO. I did mist the pad with water before putting the AIO on the pad. With the AIO, I did a panel at a time. The hood, one door, the rear door, the top outside of the luggage rack, the top inside of the luggage rack for example. I made a couple of passes to be sure I covered the entire area and immediately wiped the AIO off with a MF towel.
The Sealant
To apply the UPP, I used a finishing pad, still at the 4.5 setting. Slower would probably work, but I didn't see any reason to change it. Worked good for me at the 4.5 setting. With e the UPP, I used 3 dime size dollops on the first application to the pad and just added a couple as I felt it was needed as I went around the vehicle. I doubt that I used 1 oz of product for the entire van. Here again, a couple of passes to be sure I covered the entire area with a very thin coat of the UPP. I let the UPP dry for an hour, but I'm sure that 15 to 30 minutes would have been sufficient. If the UPP is ready to be removed, it wipes off with a MF towel very, very easily. If it is difficult to remove, you either applied it too heavily or didn't let it dry long enough.
FWIW, in the past I have topped the UPP with S100 Carnauba and really didn't think there was a noticeable difference. I do think a second coat of UPP does add to the appearance and I will usually add that within a few days.
The #9 is only used a couple of times a year unless I have some problem during the in between times.
The AIO is usually used about every 90-120 days and followed with the UPP again.
UPP is usually applied once a month between the AIO applications.
Just one persons way of taking care of their vehicle, but it certainly works for me.
Charles
Addendum: None of the three leave white residue on the black trim on my van.
Addendum #2: When I applied a second coat of UPP today, I checked how much I used. Slightly more than 1/4 oz. Like everyone says, thin coats work really good.
The products used were Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2.0, Klasse AIO, and 4 Star UPP. All were applied with the Porter-Cable random orbital polisher.
1. Packaging & Labeling. Is it well packaged? Are the labels durable?
Yes, for all products used at this time.
2. Helpful instructions on label?
Another yes for all.
3. Does product do what the manufacturer claims it does?
Again, yes.
4. Value. Is the product a good buy? If a liquid product, how much per ounce? Does a little go a long way?
None of the products were terribly expensive, but they aren't in the bargain category per container. #9=$10, about 63 cents per oz., AIO=$23, about $1.36 per oz., UPP=$15, about 94 cents per oz. To me, as a hobby detailer, the cost is not too important if the product gives me the results I want. These do. I take care of 3 cars so I buy the AIO in the 16.9 oz. size. That will last a long time and you might want to consider buying the 10 oz. bottle. :dunno
5. Easy to use? Hard to use? Did you read the directions and use as directed?
I read and follow instructions with any product I use. My experience has always been good with any product if I follow the manufacturers instructions. It seems like they should know their product better than anyone.
6. Is it safe for enthusiasts or should it be for professional use only?
IMO, These three products should work quite well for the beginner and the professional.
7. Describe the product smell, viscosity and other physical traits if any.
All are liquids. The AIO and the UPP are fairly thin and you need to pay attention when applying the product to the applicator pad. If you are careless, you may get more than you want on the pad. The #9 is slightly thicker, but still easy to work with. The odors are not particularly pleasant from any of the three, but not really noticeable in use. I wouldn't care to spend much time sniffing them, but IMO there isn't any need to.
Use
Swirl Removal
Meg's #9 was applied with the PC and a polishing pad at a speed setting of 4.5. About 3 dime sized dollops of #9 on the pad. I worked a 2' x 2' section until you could hardly see the product and removed it with a MF towel before moving on to the next section. I don't think every area of my van needed that much time spent on it, but I would rather not have to go back and do a section over.
Cleaning/Polishing
Klasse AIO was used withe PC and another polishing pad, again at a speed of 4.5. Again, 3 dime sized dollops of AIO. I did mist the pad with water before putting the AIO on the pad. With the AIO, I did a panel at a time. The hood, one door, the rear door, the top outside of the luggage rack, the top inside of the luggage rack for example. I made a couple of passes to be sure I covered the entire area and immediately wiped the AIO off with a MF towel.
The Sealant
To apply the UPP, I used a finishing pad, still at the 4.5 setting. Slower would probably work, but I didn't see any reason to change it. Worked good for me at the 4.5 setting. With e the UPP, I used 3 dime size dollops on the first application to the pad and just added a couple as I felt it was needed as I went around the vehicle. I doubt that I used 1 oz of product for the entire van. Here again, a couple of passes to be sure I covered the entire area with a very thin coat of the UPP. I let the UPP dry for an hour, but I'm sure that 15 to 30 minutes would have been sufficient. If the UPP is ready to be removed, it wipes off with a MF towel very, very easily. If it is difficult to remove, you either applied it too heavily or didn't let it dry long enough.
FWIW, in the past I have topped the UPP with S100 Carnauba and really didn't think there was a noticeable difference. I do think a second coat of UPP does add to the appearance and I will usually add that within a few days.
The #9 is only used a couple of times a year unless I have some problem during the in between times.
The AIO is usually used about every 90-120 days and followed with the UPP again.
UPP is usually applied once a month between the AIO applications.
Just one persons way of taking care of their vehicle, but it certainly works for me.
Charles
Addendum: None of the three leave white residue on the black trim on my van.
Addendum #2: When I applied a second coat of UPP today, I checked how much I used. Slightly more than 1/4 oz. Like everyone says, thin coats work really good.
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