Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
I think some are questioning how good the prep work is when you did it by hand instead of a machine.
Just finished and not super pleased UPGP
- Thread starter Rebelranger
- Start date
Rebelranger
New member
I see and understand... Pics forthcoming as well as a good lesson for me and perhaps others who may venture down this path!!
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
Rebelranger said:
Yes, pics might help, especially if you can take them with the sun reflecting in the paint (or halogen lights).
What did the paint look like before you applied the UPGP? Did it look nice and glossy, deep, and wet? Did it look better, worse, or about the same after you applied UPGP?
Rebelranger
New member
The paint looked very dull and IMO uncared for. Not much gloss and honestly quite sad looking. After spending hours prepping it I think it looks much better.
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
Rebelranger said:
I don't think you understood my question.
I'm not asking what it looked like before you did your prep or whether it looked better after that.
I'm asking what the paint looked like just before you put the UPGP on it. Did it look wet, glossy, and shiny with depth?
Did the paint look better, worse, or about the same after applying UPGP?
Dan
Well-known member
Legacy99 said:This is paint preped right with UPGP in full sun.
Mine looks just like that, at the extreme angle you took the picture at. Do you have any that are at about 45 degrees? IMO, more than 45 degrees, and it looks much flatter than other sealants and worse than my bare paint after 105 and 205. I think it looks pretty flat at 90 degrees.
Rebelranger
New member
Rob Tomlin said:
Prior to the UPGP, it looked glossy but not stunningly so.....After applying the UPGP it looked much -- much better, more depth, and more gloss
Rebelranger
New member
Mine is very similar to the legacy99 photos and at angles its not too impressive. I hope I can get out of work early enough to take a few photos to post.
superchargedg
Twin Turbos
Can we at least see some pic's.
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
Rebelranger said:
In that case I have to say: I don't understand the point of this thread.
You are "not super pleased" with UPGP, but based on your comments above, you should, in fact, be EXTREMELY pleased that you saw "much better, more depth, and more gloss" following application.
In my opinion, you are expecting/asking too much from your LSP.
I would also say that if the paint did not look as glossy, wet, and deep as you wanted it to look, you need to re-evaluate your prep work, not UPGP or your LSP.
Please take this post in the spirit it was intended: to help you learn, not to criticize. :wavey
Rebelranger
New member
Thanks Rob, (and everyone)
Understand the intent and welcome the comments. The intent of this thread is to understand what and if I did something wrong in my prep and applications of UPGP.Let me get some pics up so that it can really be fairly evaluated (worked until dark tonight) . I think my expectation was a more wet and glossy look which is what I've seen posted as results of others using UPGP. My lesson so far is I need a polisher....spend time on the prep and research products that will produce the results I want and use them.... My expectations may have been out of line to begin with...
Very good thread and many lessons.
As promised pictures will be posted as soon as I can take them!
Understand the intent and welcome the comments. The intent of this thread is to understand what and if I did something wrong in my prep and applications of UPGP.Let me get some pics up so that it can really be fairly evaluated (worked until dark tonight) . I think my expectation was a more wet and glossy look which is what I've seen posted as results of others using UPGP. My lesson so far is I need a polisher....spend time on the prep and research products that will produce the results I want and use them.... My expectations may have been out of line to begin with...
Very good thread and many lessons.
As promised pictures will be posted as soon as I can take them!
Rebelranger
New member
Chicagoareanew
New member
Rebelranger said:
Are you saying that you washed the car after you applied the paint prep? Because it isn't supposed to be washed off, it should be buffed off with a towel.
Rebelranger
New member
Then There is my problem. I certainly washed after paint Prep!!!!
Argh!!! I'll start again this weekend. Well great lesson learned!!!
Thanks Chicagoareanew
Argh!!! I'll start again this weekend. Well great lesson learned!!!
Thanks Chicagoareanew
Rebelranger
New member
Legacy99 said:
Supposed to rain tomorrow here in the bay area. As soon as I have the opportunity with full sun.. I'll get more pics posted
Rebelranger
New member
Here are some in full sun photos.. Please Critique away. I was able to spend time with a friend who has a shop and got a critique. Says I did a good job for a beginner. But suggested I get a flex and put more work into this and I'll produce the wetter look I was seeking. So I was able to actually try his flex 3401 and his Porter 7424XP on my old Maxima. I could see the difference immediately in the results and more so, I can see how With time, I can get the look I was after. I have to admit I liked the flex a bit more -- but in only 15 minutes my hands were numb, even some now! :waxing:
I also had the suggestion to add S21 or Colonite 845 on top of the present UPGP .... ?
I think I may go this route as most of you have suggested. The Flex is the no brainer piece. Selecting what products to use is my next step. I'm not so concerned about cost(within reason) as much as I am about using the right stuff.... I can practice more on my Maxima while learning and not be concerned about any major problems or mistakes on my part.
Again thanks everyone for your endurance and direction and most of your firm critiques....
I also had the suggestion to add S21 or Colonite 845 on top of the present UPGP .... ?
I think I may go this route as most of you have suggested. The Flex is the no brainer piece. Selecting what products to use is my next step. I'm not so concerned about cost(within reason) as much as I am about using the right stuff.... I can practice more on my Maxima while learning and not be concerned about any major problems or mistakes on my part.
Again thanks everyone for your endurance and direction and most of your firm critiques....
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Cleaning Fool
New member
The great thing about machines is they don't get tired like a hand does 
thanks for the pix. its not bad for a hand application, but the photos appear to show remaining swirls/rids. the fact of the matter is it takes a boatload of work to get rid of that by hand! no wonder you weren't totally pleased with your results.
you're right in that the flex is the no-brainer part (and frankly, the truck needs mechanical help), but you need to be careful: you can cause more damage if you're not patient/methodical. if your temperament is not cut that way, go with the pc. also, it's not just the machine -- proper pad selection makes all the difference.
regarding products, there's as many selection variations as there are members here -- you'll hear every permutation known to mankind. i recommend you search through threads, paying careful attention to the folks that do this for a living.
you're right in that the flex is the no-brainer part (and frankly, the truck needs mechanical help), but you need to be careful: you can cause more damage if you're not patient/methodical. if your temperament is not cut that way, go with the pc. also, it's not just the machine -- proper pad selection makes all the difference.
regarding products, there's as many selection variations as there are members here -- you'll hear every permutation known to mankind. i recommend you search through threads, paying careful attention to the folks that do this for a living.