Went ahead and applied the Pearl Nano Base + Topcoat (1 layer each) to a fleet vehicle I had finished prepping Friday. Was gonna use 22ple HPC on it but the Pearl sample pak arrived so I decided to use that instead.
As I was applying the Base coat it kinda reminded me of Gyeon Mohs but somehow `easier` to work with than Mohs; can`t exactly why it seemed easier but it just was. Application and removal were a breeze at about 3:30 minutes in a 60F degree warehouse. I varied that time a bit longer just to see how it worked and the Base coat was very forgiving but there certainly was a sweet spot around the 3:30 window where everything (on and off) was about as easy as any I have used previously. Was quite pleased.
Took about an hour or so to complete vehicle but...a little slow at first until I got over that initial `new product` panel application but really smooth sailing after that.
The Base coat seemed to produce somewhat of that `hard candy` look typical of some coatings.
Moving on to the Top coat it reminded me of Kamikaze ISM, but easier to apply/buff especially when stretching it near the outer edge of the 1 to 2 minute window between application and removal; timed just right, the removal was more of a process of helping the coating `melt into the paint` as opposed to actually removing anything...was quite fun and effective.
The Top coat also seemed to mute the hard candy look of the base, lending a deeper, warmer look to the surface, much like the Kamikaze ISM does.
And that`s when I realized that, with respect to application and initial appearance, Pearl Nano base/top reminded me of the Kamikaze Miyabi + ISM combo.
I have the Kamikaze combo on my wife`s daily driver, applied 6 months/approx. 5000 miles ago, driven daily thru the NE Ohio winter...it has been an incredible performer, looking great, amazing self cleaning abilities and just an overall excellent combo albeit a bit expensive Given the similarities in application and initial appearance between Miyabi/ISM and Pearl Base/Top I am REALLY looking forward to seeing how the Pearl Nano behaves once the vehicle is `released into the wild` in 2 weeks. If it`s performance mimics the application similarities to the Kami combo, given the cost of Kami vs. Pearl Nano I`d say the guys at Pearl Nano have an INCREDIBLE product. Time will tell but I have high hopes.
My sample pack of Pearl Nano contained about 25-30 ml of the Base and Top coat (in addition to the Textile and Glass coatings) and I`d guess I used about a 1/3 of that to do 1 coat of each on the vehicle. Probably went a bit heavy initially when I was getting application specifics down.
A little background for perspective:
Just a garage hobbyist here, will probably run 15-20 vehicles thru here this summer. Don`t charge anyone for anything, I just enjoy doing this and seeing friends and acquaintances see the transformation of previously average condition cars into glossy, visually appealing vehicles that are very, very easy to maintain...it`s just fun and rewarding for me. Since coatings are a big component in the `easy to maintain` aspect and I generally absorb the cost of materials, dropping a $250 coating combo on all the cars would be a little impractical...especially considering our house would also be filled with women`s shoes and jewelry when my wife realized how much $$$ I was spending on my `hobby` and tried to keep up by indulging in her hobby, shopping. It would just be a mess around here!
Last year I was using an inexpensive coating because it allowed me to give the coating experience at under $10 per application, performed adequately and was relatively easy to use. Seeing the difference between some `better` product choices that I used on some cars kinda ked to trying to find a better mix of cost/results.
Since I really couldn`t work outta my garage in NE Ohio winter I started plucking some vehicles outta the fleet where I work (heated indoor warehouse availability), spending way too much time compounding and polishing them and then trying different coatings to try to find a logical, well performing and cost effective (monitoring various coating vendor sites sales/special promos and buying when offered) coating I could use this summer without breaking the bank.
Being a somewhat seasonal business I was able to pick vehicles and get them prepped and coated prior to the season (and their daily use) which begins in April. So far I have vehicles done with:
- Carpro CQuartz
- Gtechnic Crystal Serum Light (topped with Liquid Crystal C2V3)
- Gyeon MOHS
- Pearl Nano
and can hopefully get to the products still sitting on my desk:
-McKees 37 Paint Coating, topped with Gyeon Booster
-22ple HPC
-The Gloss Shop Ceramic Coating
-Gyeon Prime
May not get to `em all in the next few weeks but gonna try. Up until using the Pearl Nano yesterday the Gtechnic Crystal Serum Light combo was my favorite in terms of application and initial appearance; Pearl Nano now resides in that top spot C quartz was kinda `Meh`...was OK but really didn`t wow me in any one area. The Gyeon Mohs applied well and looked good but when I first drove in light rain just to see sheeting/water behavior it was OK but not earth shattering; kinda dissapointed because I really like Gyeon Stuff lately, was hoping it would rise to the top.
The Gtechnic CSL performs well in the rain (yeah, any time it rained I`d snatched a vehicle and go for a ride on various roads, bring it back, park it inside and see what it looked like an hour or so later) although anecdotal evidence indicates it`s the c2v3 topper that provides CSL with `enhanced` water behavior.
Going forward the `test` vehicles will likely be maintained going forward with occasional bucket washes with Gyeon Bathe+ with maybe an occasional Gyeon Wet coat application.
Anyway...that`s where I`m at. Loved the Pearl Nano and given its application and initial appearance characteristics (and similarities to a known top performer) this certainly has the makings of an all around `home run` product. Well done, Pearl Nano!
Edit: And great thanks to the folks at Pearl Nano for giving a `little guy` access to what initially appears to be a very high level product. Now, how do I go about getting one of those spiffy green Pearl Nano shirts?
Disclaimer: All above impressions have no scientific or definable backing; it`s just what popped into my mind while using them.