Decon systems. FK vs Valugard

salty

salty

Active member
Has anyone used both? Is one better than the other?



Also i guess i want to know about their sealants too. I know Valugard is more for dealerships, but maybe someone has tried it. And FK's sealant that they include with their kit.



I have a major decon coming and would like to know your thoughts.
 
Valugard only comes in gallons of three washes A, B, and C . In addition to smaller sizes offered, I think FK's other selling point is the absence of oxalic acid, unlike the ABC system. What true significance this has, :nixweiss.
 
Thanks guys. I don't have a problem with the gal. sizes of VG. But FK does push the oxalic acid thing as being bad. Also if i remember the FK kit will do more vehicles, per volume than the VG.
 
What is the FK system?



I've never had the chance to try the ABC system yet. I have some samples from Ketch but haven't found a vehicle I want to use them on yet. I've talked to others who have used the system and swear by it. AutoInt appears to do a lot of research into their products to make sure they don't damage vehicles. I'd trust any product that comes from them as the products I have tried have performed very well.
 
FK is Finish Kare. They and Autoint or ValuGard are the only decon systems that i can find.



I live in Canada and so far i only have a ValuGard distributor in Canada. After talking with their Rep on the phone she said they are OEM (Chrysler) and recommended by quite few others. She also said that VG's warrantied sealant would sheet water for 3 years (all unprotected paint sheets water). So i agreed (politely) as i could hear the pages turn, of her referral book.
 
Unless I'm mistaken, the AutoInt sealant is not available

to folks like us. The only things we can get are the

Finishing Wax, Carnuaba Creme, and OEM One Step.
 
You can get more info here:

http://www.fk1usa.com/products.htm



They have a "pro" set (more of the stuff) and a "consumer" set. Haven't tried either company's decontamination kit, though.



I have used FK's 218 sealant. Fairly easy to apply/remove. Takes a few days/week to reach its full "look," and a combo of 185, 218, pink wax lasted around 5 months of beading through a Canadian fall/winter. No qd's used either. 2180 is supposed to be able to last a year, but I haven't tried it.
 
Intel486- The FK decontamination system is their answer to AutoInt's ABC. They've claimed that it is (to borrow a phrase from across the pond), all that and a bag of chips.



Seems like whenever we've discussed these two competing products I've been slammed by FK supporters for suggesting that ABC might be OK :nervous: There are some rather, uhm, touchy people who support FK and disparage AutoInt.



I have not used FK. I have used ABC. I've used it on cars I *REALLY* care about, like my S8 with no problems at all. ABC worked fine for me, but I wouldn't mind if they made it stronger.



I read that FK has a 9.99% discount for Autopians.
 
salty said:
FK is Finish Kare. They and Autoint or ValuGard are the only decon systems that i can find.
Click to expand...



BAF/PRO has a acid product like these but it's only a two step. The acid and then the wash. Where as the ABC system has an acid, alkaline, and then a car wash. The step C is their car wash and I do have 5 gallons of that stuff. Really Really great car soap. I love the stuff.
 
usdm said:
Unless I'm mistaken, the AutoInt sealant is not available

to folks like us. The only things we can get are the

Finishing Wax, Carnuaba Creme, and OEM One Step.
Click to expand...



That my be true, but i work at a used dealership, so i have access. I mean if they say it lasts for 3 years and is warrantied for that period, then maybe it will last for 6-12 months. It would have to be marketed as such (by me) because it is $20 a treatment. Though i could probably get two treatments out of it. I mean i live in Canada and we go through many weather conditions in a year.
 
salty said:
That my be true, but i work at a used dealership, so i have access. I mean if they say it lasts for 3 years and is warrantied for that period, then maybe it will last for 6-12 months. It would have to be marketed as such (by me) because it is $20 a treatment. Though i could probably get two treatments out of it. I mean i live in Canada and we go through many weather conditions in a year.
Click to expand...



I believe the AutoInt Synthetic Sealant you buy comes with a warranty as part of the price. When you apply to a vehicle you have to call it and have it registered or something similar. Not sure if you can purchase it w/o the warranty as I don't have my price sheets right here. I remember like 5 gallons of the stuff is over $1500 though.
 
Ah I see, then that makes at least two Auto Int sealants not available to the general public.



But back to the ABC system--I assume here there's a consensus it's a product all of you would use?
 
Intel486 said:
I believe the AutoInt Synthetic Sealant you buy comes with a warranty as part of the price. When you apply to a vehicle you have to call it and have it registered or something similar. Not sure if you can purchase it w/o the warranty as I don't have my price sheets right here. I remember like 5 gallons of the stuff is over $1500 though.
Click to expand...



I was quoted that it was an extra $20 or so to register the warranty.



I am going to check into the FK a little more, but probably buy the Valugard as it is in Canada.



Also maybe someone would like to split the decon kit and sealant kit. As i don't need that much product, right now. Someone in Canada would be easier, US would be ok.
 
Unless I'm mistaken, the AutoInt sealant is not available

to folks like us. The only things we can get are the

Finishing Wax, Carnuaba Creme, and OEM One Step.
Click to expand...



I think you'll find "Finishing Wax" to be a sealant, not a wax. Quite nice actually. Compares to Meg's #20 in every aspect... fine product.



I've not tried FK products...



Jim
 
salty said:
That my be true, but i work at a used dealership, so i have access.
Click to expand...



Fair enough. But it seems very few if any of us guys here in the states

have access. Unless there are some car dealer guys willing to share

this product with us, then it's a moot issue for us.



Jimmy Buffit said:
I think you'll find "Finishing Wax" to be a sealant, not a

wax. Quite nice actually. Compares to Meg's #20 in every aspect... fine

product.
Click to expand...



I haven't tried Finishing Wax, so I'll take your word for it's quality. But I'm a little

confused. I know #20 is suppossed to have some cleaning ability. Does this Finishing

Wax have cleaning power as well? I though thst's what OEM One Step was for?
 
Bill D said:
But back to the ABC system--I assume here there's a consensus it's a product all of you would use?
Click to expand...



The vehicle that i am buying this for is an 02 or 03 Honda Odyssey white in color (of course). The real selling point was the contamination on the back plastic bumper, little rust spots. I would have taken pictures but i left my camera at home that day, it will make a nice demo pic. It is most likely cause from brake dust, as it starts from the front wheels and on back. Funny the best conditioned paint is on the roof.



Over the years i have seen some bad examples but this is the worst.



So yes i think it will become a necessary part of my arsenal



"Fair enough. But it seems very few if any of us guys here in the states

have access. Unless there are some car dealer guys willing to share

this product with us, then it's a moot issue for us."



I posted that i would split the sealant, just to give it a try.
 
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