Klasse basic instructions

C

chris0626

New member
After Jngrbrdman's stellar report and pix on using AIO to resurrect that formerly-pink/now-red truck, and David's special offer of the Klasse kit, I've finally bitten the bullet. I ordered Autopia Car Care's Klasse kit (AIO, SG, plus nifty towels and applicators), to experiment on my champagne-colored '93 Benz. (As usual, David filled the order quickly and the shipment arrived well-packaged and fast.) What threw me over the edge was that the Benz paint is lightly oxidized with minor swirls and scratches, and it's my understanding that AIO is great for treating those problems. And ... of course ... there's also just that ongoing, irresistable need to "feed the addiction."



So I have studied and printed Jimwh's Klasse Instructions. Did several searches tonight on Autopia on variations of Klasse with "basic instruction*," "tip*," etc. But no definitive threads seemed to appear beyond Jimwh's article.



Are there other essential threads I should read/study before I tackle the Benz with Klasse this weekend?



And ... how the heck do you pronounce this product? Is it pronounced "class" or "class-A"? Enquiring minds want to know. :D
 
I don't think there's a lot in the way of definitive threads or intentionally written articles about Klasse application. I had to do a TON of searching and reading to cover all the bases, including Jimwh's method.



Here are some threads I dug up that seem interesting in no particular order:

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10207&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10423&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8058&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14802&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7249&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7735&highlight=klasse+apply+thin

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16352&highlight=klasse+application

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17794&highlight=klasse+technique+thin

I found a lot of them by searching for "klasse apply thin" since applying the stuff thin is a big thing for it. Creative searching. ;)



I'm not sure if AIO would do much for swirls myself... it seems pretty mild.



Here are some places with interesting reading too:

http://www.yosteveshop.homestead.com/klasseapp.html

http://www.properautocare.com/klasse.html (several pages at bottom)



Part of the problem with reading up on Klasse application techniques is that there is no company support and a LOT of speculation about its nature and behaviour. I read until my eyes were sore and had to filter through a lot of info. There are a ton of opinions, methods, and tips in the Archives, but that's what makes it difficult... Some of the common themes though, are:

1) Apply it thin

2) Do more than one coat

3) 24 hours between coats

4) Apply it thin



Some of the Zaino techniques, believe it or not, made for interesting reading in the quest for thin application.



How do you pronounce Klasse? I'm convinced it's "klas-uh" from some of the German speaking folk. :D Check this out:

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9154&highlight=pronounce+klasse
 
4DSC, you da best! Thanks tons. Off I go to read now. (And dog-gone, I wish I had your knack for creative searching.)
 
Well, following on the heels of Lynn, I've also gone ahead and done the Dawn wash on my Black Pathfinder yesterday. All dried for this morning, I proceeded to use Mother's Cleaner Polish & Wax on it to get rid of any water drop marks and prep the surface. Hopefully, this isn't going to be a problem for the Klasse SG, although the Mother's *is* applying a layer of carnauba wax to the surface.



In any case, applying the Klasse SG after buffing the Mothers 2 hrs ago, I proceeded to remove the residue after about an hour (figured it wasn't going to hurt if I waited more than 20 mins). It looks fantastic indeed! And only one layer!!! :) I'm gonna hold on til tomorrow to layer the 2nd coat of SG but this is a really nice product.



Now, the question is, should I do a QD with Meguiar's QD before applying the 2nd layer of SG? Or should I just go ahead and layer it on first?



And to finish off after 3 layers, I'm going to top it off with S100 Detail & Wax spray...



Any flaws in this execution folks?



BTW, a big :xyxthumbs goes to everyone who contributes to the posts here, both QUESTIONS and ANSWERS!!!! I have really learned a LOT from you guys and although the wife thinks I'm insane and my brother-in-law is telling me I'm way tooooooo obsessed, I gotta say that they are all quite impressed with the shine on the Pathfinder after all the elbow grease going into it.



THANK YOU!!!! :)
 
This is creepy, do people on this forum end up doing the same things at the same time very often? Because I also ordered the Klasse kit and found and printed Jimwh's Klasse Instructions.



I haven't received the Klasse yet (I ordered some other stuff that is on back order and asked that it all be shipped at the same time)



4DSC I am going to get reading those threads you dug up. Moreover, thanks for putting in the time and effort to do the research.:bow



Hey FoundMyPath keep us updated on how the Pathfinder turns out, I am particularly interested in the results from adding the S100 topper.
 
FoundMyPath said:




Now, the question is, should I do a QD with Meguiar's QD before applying the 2nd layer of SG? Or should I just go ahead and layer it on first?



And to finish off after 3 layers, I'm going to top it off with S100 Detail & Wax spray...



Any flaws in this execution folks?
Click to expand...



You don't want to use a QD containing carnuba. Therefore, Meguiar's Final Inspection might be a better choice although the instructions at Proper Auto Care actuall reccommend spraying the applicator with Eagle 1's wet wipe and shine.



BTW: I believe it's pronounced' Classy 'just like the resulting finish:D
 
FoundMyPath, well your procedure so far is definitely "different" that's for sure. ;) There are a lot of unknowns in what you're doing. I don't think anyone's ever tried applying Klasse SG over top of a carnauba wax before.... And I'm not sure what is in the S100 Detail & Wax, but I would be worried about something in it (like solvents) being unhealthy for the Klasse SG. Just a thought. Have you thought about plain S100 paste wax instead? Great stuff. If the surface is clean there's no need to QD it first. It's not like Zaino where Z6 in between coats is supposed to help. Meguiar's regular QD should be fine since, AFAIK, it doesn't have wax in it either.



I stay up late sometimes because everything is nice and tranquil. :D
 
Nikon said:
4DSC I am going to get reading those threads you dug up. Moreover, thanks for putting in the time and effort to do the research.:bow
Click to expand...

I 2nd that! 4DSC, my printer burned up printing out all those threads! Great stuff there, and I do appreciate your taking the time and trouble to do that.
 
You are both welcome. :)



Hope your brains aren't aching yet! I read everything I could last year and felt like doing this every few hours:

:wall :wall :wall
 
4DSC, can the S100 Paste Wax be purchased at the Harley dealers too? And this is more like a typical wax where it needs to be applied by an applicator and buffed off, correct?



BTW, everyone, the 2nd layer of Klasse really picked up the shine on the Pathfinder. I always take more of a notice to black vehicles that have been detailed nicely versus other colors. I'll be applying the 3rd layer and then top off with a final layer of S100. Hopefully the S100 Detail & Wax won't strip off the Klasse (I'm assuming it won't since it's not really a polisher).



Will have some pictures up once it's complete and I get a good clear day where the wind isn't pickin up dust and throwing it on the hood of my truck!
 
FoundMyPath, you've never heard about S100 paste wax from reading posts here? ;) Use the Search feature. S100 is hugely popular and the last time I had heard someone talk about the Detail & Wax they gave it a big :down



S100 should be available at HD or other motorcycle shops, but not always. Here's one review and discussion, but don't neglect the usefulness of searching for the earlier discussions of products. http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17008&highlight=s100



It sounds like you're willing to experiment, so I hope the spray you have won't strip it either, but products don't have to be polishes to strip things..... Good luck with it!
 
4DSC and Lynn are both a couple of the last of the Autopia Insomniacs. I've popped on pretty late at night sometimes and seen them both here. ;) Brian is definitely the god of the search too. :bow Great thread choices. :bigups
 
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