DA Microfiber System....Honda Civic

In all my 'testing" I've found it AMAZINGLY hard to get the subtle differences between products to show up on camera. The hood looked really great to start - you clearly did your prep work. But, for example, although I can see that the Souveran gives me more of a "wet look" or "depth" than the Gold Class (which I do think gives an outstanding look) - there is no way you can see it in a photo, or looking at the surface up close. It is a subtle thing you notice standing back from the car. Can't explain it better than that.



So I'll enjoy seeing more photos, but I really want to hear what you have to SAY.



Just for yucks, stop some strangers or call some friends over and ask them what they think about both sides. Don't prejudice them by telling them which is which - ask them if they can see a difference, and ask them to describe it if they can, and finally to pick which they like the best. I did this when I did the Zaino test. The results were amusing and informative - and they guarantee we're getting our own prejudices out of the picture. When the differences are this subtle I think it is easy to "see what you want to see" to some extent.
 
Carguy, actually that does not guarantee anything. You should know better than that! :)



Intel, it's going to be very difficult to notice anything more than subtle differences in the INITIAL shine between GC and Klasse, let alone be able to pick it up on camera, IMO. This will be especially true since the entire panel was prepped in the same manner. I'm not sure what your plans are for the test, but do they include any comparisons after a few weeks? (Klasse's shine, like Zaino's, improves over time while GC's declines)
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by carguy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Just for yucks, stop some strangers or call some friends over and ask them what they think about both sides. [/b]</blockquote>
And for more yucks, do your trunk with just one wax, and ask them which side of the trunk looks better. If they say there's a difference, you can throw away their opinions about the hood too.
 
Carguy, I'm having a pain getting a picture of the hood. I just tried to take a picture but the sun makes there be sunstreaks across the camera lense. I'm going to head out about noon tomorrow when the sun is high to get a picture. Might be hard since I could be parked in a garage... :D



Right now I'm going to say that Gold Class is kicking Klasse SG's butt. Gold Class looks darker and wetter than SG. SG hardly looks any different that a non-waxed section. You have to observe it from several angles before a difference can be seen. I'll be washing it tomorrow so maybe the first wash might do something.



I'm thinking about doing the bedcover, maybe... That'll be a pain though since it gets dirty sooo fast.
 
I am not at all surprised that the SG looks better. Many people (myself included) have perceived a quality associated with all the polymers - Klasse, Zaino, others - that the finish is "shiny", "metallic", "plasticky" - compared to the carnauba-based stuff, and Gold Class - usually described as "deep" and "wet". I would be hard pressed to explain in any sort of technical terms how these are different, or why - but it seems to be true.

As for polymers on black - I acknowledge that polymers have more longevity. But from where I sit, longevity is a <strong class='bbc'>non-issue[/b] unless you don't intend to wash the car often, or don't care how it looks. In my case, despite my best intentions, I am going to go to work on swirls on my car long before ANY wax protection is gone. Further, I enjoy putting Souveran on SO MUCH - I'm doing it after almost every wash - it takes so little time, it is a pleasant experience, and it looks so good. I am interested to see how Klasse holds up on my M5's hood - and I will almost certainly put some on my wife's silver Audi if I ever detail it. But to me, it is a waste of energy on the black car.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by carguy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>In my case, despite my best intentions, I am going to go to work on swirls on my car long before ANY wax protection is gone.[/b]</blockquote>. . . just how often do you polish your car? :eek: And where do all of these swirls come from every few weeks?
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by carguy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I am not at all surprised that the SG looks better.

As for polymers on black [/b]</blockquote>
I said GC looks better :D

And my truck is blue, not black.
 
I agree with Carguy 100%. Get friends to take a look, and remember, the camera doesn't always show what you really see in person. Also, it's easier to notice differences when looking at a car as a whole, not up close and 6 inches away. Any given car in the right light can show mirror-like reflection from a foot away. Gold Class gives an awesome shine, and it improves with another layer. IMO, it looks better after a week, and it looks great after the first wash. After that, though, the shine starts to fade. Klasse looks best when layered 3 times.



Just out of curiosity, if a car had, say, 5 layers of Klasse SG, how much of it would be eaten away if you topped with Gold Class? According to the Meguiar's rep. that e-mailed me a while ago, the GC doesn't actually contain abrasives, but it contains some mild "polishes" (which in Meguiar's terms meens gloss-enhancers). So I have to wonder if GC could be effectively topped on Klasse SG without stripping too much, or even any of the SG. Any ideas?
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Chuckmotor [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I agree with Carguy 100%. Get friends to take a look, and remember, the camera doesn't always show what you really see in person. Also, it's easier to notice differences when looking at a car as a whole, not up close and 6 inches away. Any given car in the right light can show mirror-like reflection from a foot away. Gold Class gives an awesome shine, and it improves with another layer. IMO, it looks better after a week, and it looks great after the first wash. After that, though, the shine starts to fade. Klasse looks best when layered 3 times.
[/b]</blockquote>
I've already had two people look at it. Both agree the Gold Class Side looks better. I'll try to grab a few more people tomorrow and maybe even ask the mailman :D

I've discovered something really bad about having my hood polished really well like this.

The sun reflects off my hood and into my eyes when I'm driving in the morning!
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Chuckmotor [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Try layering a couple more SG layers on there and see what happens. And later, for added fun, top with a carnauba! [/b]</blockquote>
Once you top with a carnauba, what do you do "next time"? You can always put mor carnauba on, but suppose you think you're ready to put another layer of SG on? Have to strip the carnauba but not the remaining SG right? How do you do that?
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by carguy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>
Have to strip the carnauba but not the remaining SG right? How do you do that? [/b]</blockquote>Good ? how do you not strip the SG or AIO?
 
Wait til the carnauba wears off and do a VERY MILD dawn wash.



Try that?



I'm not liable though, just a thought ;).



Carguy what did you think of my questions to you above?
 
dawn doesn't strip klasse. I did a dawn wash thinking it would but it doesn't. I did it to strip 2 layers of meguiars #26. After the dawn wash the car was still beading/sheeting. I put on another layer of SG and it went fine.
 
Remember, SG is an acrylic, so it's pretty tough stuff! It offers extremely good protection, so it's hard to strip with Dawn, meaning you probably can succesfully remove a layer or two of carnauba without hurting the Klasse too much. Personally, I like the carnauba look, so that's why I suggested to top with one.



I would be intrested to see what happens if SG is topped with Meguiar's Gold Class. Has anybody tried this?? I doubt it would strip the SG layers if this is done (see my explanation in this thread for why I think this). Anybody tried this or like to try it???:)
 
I find that Dawn removed Klasse for one of my cars but didn't COMPLETELY remove it from another. However, it did do quite a number on it. I think puterbum's suggestion makes sense. THis must be one of those day's when he's thinking clearly. hehe :D
 
If you dawn wash, reapply SG, because dawn did seem to remove it.



It is no surprise that GC looks better than SG to most folk. It is loaded with oils, and a high shine like that is not that hard to accomplish. But the important thing to remember is that there is much more to a product than shine.



Wash your car once and reevaluate...........
 
I just finished washing the truck. I had a friend look at it and he thinks the Gold Class Side looks better. I seriously couldn't see a difference. I'll try to get the mailman to look today :D He should be coming in an hour :p



It is cloudy today so I wont be able to look at it in bright sunlight. Might even rain! YAY!!!! Get to test out the Rain-X some more. This stuff seriously kicks. I just got finished applying it to my friends truck.
 
Puterbum said
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

. . . just how often do you polish your car? And where do all of these swirls come from every few weeks?</blockquote>
Hard to say by weeks because I drive the BMW between 2-3 weeks at a time and then drive the Porsche for 1. I don't like to let them sit longer than 3 weeks without being connected to a charger, which I haven't bought yet.

When I have the Porsche, it gets washed very frequently - as often as every 2 or 3 days. I frequently see some area that bugs me - and I'll target that specific area and polish it. I rarely polish out the whole car at once. The swirls (and they are minor, but <font size=+2 color=red face=roman>I</font> see them :( ) come from washing, drying, QD'ing, waxing, buffing, any rubbing at all. The P-paint is soft. Each time you touch the car you run the risk. I am fairly careful with my techniques, but NOT anal -- I do NOT use two buckets, I do NOT rinse after every single panel. Shame on me, mea culpa, etc. So each time I do something, I'm likely to get a few marks. I won't notice them right away, but they do add up. Makes me crazy - but then - you already knew that. :D
 
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