MarcBickham
New member
I too have been using the twins with "satisfactory" results. Is there an alternative to the Klasse that will protect as long, but not amplify my sub-par surface prep abilities?
My Klasse review
- Thread starter Buick_guy
- Start date
Accumulator
Well-known member
buckslayer- The longest lasting thing that won't amplify existing problems is a wax like Meg's #16 or Collinite. Won't last nearly as long as SG, though.
Buick_Guy- If you can only do so much prep (either because of no machine or because the products just don't get it for you), then you might have to consider a different approach, like the one 04BlackAV suggested. The Klasses twins don't really look all that great on imperfectly prepped finishes, and prepping without a machine is *not* easy.
Another, similar, approach would be to polish as best you can, then apply a glaze (maybe Meg's #81 or 3M Imperial hand Glaze), then NXT and/or #16. Notice how #16 keeps coming up? Heh heh, that's a clue
Maybe call around your town- see if any auto paint/body supply shops have Meguiar's Professional products, or 3M, or Pro brand stuff. There are a lot of ways you can go with this that won't cost a fortune.
And at the risk of sounding like a typical old fart, don't expect to get perfect results the first few times you try this stuff. Good detailing is a lot harder than most people expect it to be. Note that some of us have been at it for *decades* and are still perfecting our technique.
Buick_Guy- If you can only do so much prep (either because of no machine or because the products just don't get it for you), then you might have to consider a different approach, like the one 04BlackAV suggested. The Klasses twins don't really look all that great on imperfectly prepped finishes, and prepping without a machine is *not* easy.
Another, similar, approach would be to polish as best you can, then apply a glaze (maybe Meg's #81 or 3M Imperial hand Glaze), then NXT and/or #16. Notice how #16 keeps coming up? Heh heh, that's a clue
Maybe call around your town- see if any auto paint/body supply shops have Meguiar's Professional products, or 3M, or Pro brand stuff. There are a lot of ways you can go with this that won't cost a fortune.
And at the risk of sounding like a typical old fart, don't expect to get perfect results the first few times you try this stuff. Good detailing is a lot harder than most people expect it to be. Note that some of us have been at it for *decades* and are still perfecting our technique.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Buick_guy- Sounds like you're on the right track. Actually, I'd probably get the PC with *my* car-fund 4 if I were you. Long-term thinking and all that
Use a folded terry cloth towel/washcloth (100% cotton) instead of foam for added cut. Keep refolding as it gets loaded up.
Remember, *really* work the DACP.
Use a folded terry cloth towel/washcloth (100% cotton) instead of foam for added cut. Keep refolding as it gets loaded up.
Remember, *really* work the DACP.
Accumulator said:
:up Words to live by! BTW, DACP is the strongest product that Meguiars recommends using by hand or PC. Fine Cut #2 and more aggressive products require a rotary (and the heat they build) to work their best. Not saying you can't get them to work but you probably won't get satisfactory results without a rotary.
MarcBickham
New member
DACP - read about it everywhere, did a search, but can't come up with what the acronym stands for?!?!?!?
MarcBickham
New member
Hey, thanks - that'll be very helpful figuring all of this out!
Thank heavens!!
I thought I was the only one having problems with the Klasse twins. Did my hood and trunk with AIO on the weekend. Used my PC at 4.5. Spent 3 hours trying to get the doggon stuff off. Didn't see much improvement when I was finished either. Followed up with SG, again using my PC (what did I buy it for - right?) - big mistake. Another 3 hours to get this stuff off. On re-reading the 'comprehensive' instructions on the bottle, noticed it says to "apply a 'thin' layer". Now, when they say thin, they mean thin - like butter on church picnic sandwiches. After trying this approach, by hand this time, things started working much better. Left it stand for 24, thinking I would try x2 this AM. Unfortunately it snowed 6" last night, so I am patiently waiting for mother nature to cooperate so I can continue my work. So far haven't been impressed, given the amount of money I shelled out for the Klasse.
I thought I was the only one having problems with the Klasse twins. Did my hood and trunk with AIO on the weekend. Used my PC at 4.5. Spent 3 hours trying to get the doggon stuff off. Didn't see much improvement when I was finished either. Followed up with SG, again using my PC (what did I buy it for - right?) - big mistake. Another 3 hours to get this stuff off. On re-reading the 'comprehensive' instructions on the bottle, noticed it says to "apply a 'thin' layer". Now, when they say thin, they mean thin - like butter on church picnic sandwiches. After trying this approach, by hand this time, things started working much better. Left it stand for 24, thinking I would try x2 this AM. Unfortunately it snowed 6" last night, so I am patiently waiting for mother nature to cooperate so I can continue my work. So far haven't been impressed, given the amount of money I shelled out for the Klasse.
6cyl's_of_fury
its naturally curly......
freedre - if it took you three hours to get AIO off, then you applied WAY too much, some other anomaly has occured or you are doing something drastically wrong. AIO is super easy to use and give great results ( cleaned and prepped base for any topper you like, be it sealant or wax ). SG I agree *can* be a little finicky, but look up BillNorth for the wipe on wipe off method, its as simple a method for using Klasse as I have found. And what prep are you doing prior to the application of Klasse?
Buick_guy - There are multitudes of people on this board using Klasse and multitudes of people that love it, so saying no one seems to get good results with it is plain wrong. But at the end of the day, if you dont like it try something else. My thoughts are that you were expecting some show-car like results with minimal prep from Klasse ( probably after seeing pics on here ), and it just aint gonna happen. You have a fair list of expensive toys there, so dont look at the PC purchase as a cost, but as an investment in the future protection of these toys. The polishing and prep stages are far more important than what you throw on top......
Buick_guy - There are multitudes of people on this board using Klasse and multitudes of people that love it, so saying no one seems to get good results with it is plain wrong. But at the end of the day, if you dont like it try something else. My thoughts are that you were expecting some show-car like results with minimal prep from Klasse ( probably after seeing pics on here ), and it just aint gonna happen. You have a fair list of expensive toys there, so dont look at the PC purchase as a cost, but as an investment in the future protection of these toys. The polishing and prep stages are far more important than what you throw on top......
imported_Malachi
New member
Buick_guy said:Yup, thats so true. I got lots of snow last night. 1 and a half and counting. How come lots of people liked Klasse, then bought it and no one seems to get good results any more.I'm sad now....
I am not sure some of us are telling you that we are not getting good results but, in my earlier post, I was saying that its going to take the 3rd coat to get that :shocked look that some of us talk about.
superstring
New member
This may not qualify as a "cheapo version" @ $189.95 (I bought my PC years ago in the States), but it is the "genuine article".
http://www.carcaresmart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=DT
Incidently, I second what everyone has said about proper prep before applying Klasse. I'm a first time user as well, with a black car. I've found that, no matter how long I let it sit, I have to spritz my MF pad with water to get all the residue off (AIO or SG). Can't remember if you said what colour your car(s) is/are, but trust me, with a black car, if you leave any residue behind you WILL know it!
Good luck!
Buick guy,
There is no substitute for a PC. Either bite bullet and get one now, or wait until you have saved up some more money to buy one. Less expensive orbitals are usually only 1 speed and their motors will bog down as soon as they touch the paint, rendering them useless. Don't waste your money on something cheap, it just isn't worth it.
Bill. :up
There is no substitute for a PC. Either bite bullet and get one now, or wait until you have saved up some more money to buy one. Less expensive orbitals are usually only 1 speed and their motors will bog down as soon as they touch the paint, rendering them useless. Don't waste your money on something cheap, it just isn't worth it.
Bill. :up
imported_Blake
New member
There's no change in Klasse....The twins are very good products. Too many times the difference is "preparation".....The three most important things to an awesome finish -Preparation, Preparation and Preparation.
As with everything in life there is a learning curve. Please be patient and not expect instant gratification. Learn how the product behaves, changing your techniques just to see what happens.
The first time I applied Klasse AIO, I reread CMA's "how to" instructions a couple of times just before use. I used EOWS as recommended and didn't have a problem - except the time I tried to do the whole truck before the sun rose over my roofline then it was smear city (which was easily fixed by an EOWS spritz and wipedown with clean dry MF). I used AIO alone for 6 months topped with Souveran and thought the truck looked just fine.
Then I ordered SG because I wanted the paint protection it offered as well as a fabulous shine. First time I used SG was different - I applied with a 4" yellow foamie and had streak-city because it was applied too heavy. After 10 minutes of panic, SONUS bailed me out of that one. Second coat was better - I reread SG instructions several times and applied VERY thin with a water dampned MF - just barely wet. Eventually the SG side of the MF will get a sticky feel to it. Just refold the towel to expose a new clean and damp surface and keep on truckin'... NEVER had a problem since.
My conclusion - the K twins are great! They are not the easiest product to use but the end result is well worth the effort.
Preparation is another issue entirely, and has been well covered already. Get a PC! There are NO ALTERNATIVES for the price and performance you get. A well prepped paint surface will look fabulous if you apply lard and wipe it off. A poorly prepped surface will make the very best products look like SH--!
The first time I applied Klasse AIO, I reread CMA's "how to" instructions a couple of times just before use. I used EOWS as recommended and didn't have a problem - except the time I tried to do the whole truck before the sun rose over my roofline then it was smear city (which was easily fixed by an EOWS spritz and wipedown with clean dry MF). I used AIO alone for 6 months topped with Souveran and thought the truck looked just fine.
Then I ordered SG because I wanted the paint protection it offered as well as a fabulous shine. First time I used SG was different - I applied with a 4" yellow foamie and had streak-city because it was applied too heavy. After 10 minutes of panic, SONUS bailed me out of that one. Second coat was better - I reread SG instructions several times and applied VERY thin with a water dampned MF - just barely wet. Eventually the SG side of the MF will get a sticky feel to it. Just refold the towel to expose a new clean and damp surface and keep on truckin'... NEVER had a problem since.
My conclusion - the K twins are great! They are not the easiest product to use but the end result is well worth the effort.
Preparation is another issue entirely, and has been well covered already. Get a PC! There are NO ALTERNATIVES for the price and performance you get. A well prepped paint surface will look fabulous if you apply lard and wipe it off. A poorly prepped surface will make the very best products look like SH--!