imported_doug
New member
In Part 1 I described my set-up and prep. With as swirl-free and clean a hood as I could muster, I applied AIO using a polishing pad and the orbital. I used about 1/2 to 1 tsp. per half the hood. My lighting set up and color of the car made it possible to see where I applied the Klasse - in this case the orbital really helped spread it around.
I worked it (speed 6 all the way) until it practically disappeared. Then I buffed it out with an Ultimate Wipe. It buffed out beautifully and left a nice shiny finish. AIO gets an A for ease of application.
Next I tried SG. This was my first time with it, so I applied it by hand with a new foam hand pad (I use the Meguiar's ones that come 4 to a pack.) This is weird stuff. It doesn't soak in to the pad much, you can't really feel it as you apply it, and it is very hard to see - so I can understand why people might put it on way too thiick. My "seeing" conditions were pretty good, and I think I probably used 2 teaspoons or less to do the whole hood. Even then I wasn't completely sure I hit every spot, so in some cases I rubbed at 90 degrees to my initial strokes to help see. I let this dry/cure for 90 minutes.
I buffed out with a clean Ultimate wipe. I did NOT find it easy to buff out. Although I didn't feel any additional friction, when I got into the right position I could see I was rubbing right over a spot where the residue wasn't all coming off. This was more easily visible in the areas where I had rubbed at 90 degrees to the first pass - not sure if this is because I got it thicker or because it was easier to see with the strokes at that angle. I then tried using some QD, which seemed to ease the buffing a good deal. Even so, I had to carefully inspect from many angles to see where I had buffed adequately, and when I backed it out into the light I found a few more spots.
It's going to be a while before I can put another layer of SG on, but when I do I'll try applying it with a soft foam pad and the orbital - this may make it more even and thin. I will also try buffing it out by orbital with an MF bonnet. Until then, here is my take:
AIO - nice. easy. If it lasts like I expect, great stuff - as so many of you know.
SG - a bit of work. I can apply and buff out Gold Class or Souveran or (dare I say it? Zaino
) more easily. However if the layering continues to add depth, and the longevity is good, it may well be worth the effort. The hood is certainly as shiny as I have ever seen it. It looks really great. Some swirl-hiding has happened. As expected with a polymer, the "look" is a bit harder/more plasticky than I have seen with Carnauba. I know I can "top" the SG with some Souveran, but I have mixed feelings about that. I don't know of a sure-fire way to remove carnauba without removing the Klasse, so once I've added a topper I won't feel comfortable adding an SG layer.
I am impressed with how little of both AIO and SG are needed. This is very economical stuff.
There you have it!
The story will continue to unfold.
I worked it (speed 6 all the way) until it practically disappeared. Then I buffed it out with an Ultimate Wipe. It buffed out beautifully and left a nice shiny finish. AIO gets an A for ease of application.
Next I tried SG. This was my first time with it, so I applied it by hand with a new foam hand pad (I use the Meguiar's ones that come 4 to a pack.) This is weird stuff. It doesn't soak in to the pad much, you can't really feel it as you apply it, and it is very hard to see - so I can understand why people might put it on way too thiick. My "seeing" conditions were pretty good, and I think I probably used 2 teaspoons or less to do the whole hood. Even then I wasn't completely sure I hit every spot, so in some cases I rubbed at 90 degrees to my initial strokes to help see. I let this dry/cure for 90 minutes.
I buffed out with a clean Ultimate wipe. I did NOT find it easy to buff out. Although I didn't feel any additional friction, when I got into the right position I could see I was rubbing right over a spot where the residue wasn't all coming off. This was more easily visible in the areas where I had rubbed at 90 degrees to the first pass - not sure if this is because I got it thicker or because it was easier to see with the strokes at that angle. I then tried using some QD, which seemed to ease the buffing a good deal. Even so, I had to carefully inspect from many angles to see where I had buffed adequately, and when I backed it out into the light I found a few more spots.
It's going to be a while before I can put another layer of SG on, but when I do I'll try applying it with a soft foam pad and the orbital - this may make it more even and thin. I will also try buffing it out by orbital with an MF bonnet. Until then, here is my take:
AIO - nice. easy. If it lasts like I expect, great stuff - as so many of you know.
SG - a bit of work. I can apply and buff out Gold Class or Souveran or (dare I say it? Zaino
) more easily. However if the layering continues to add depth, and the longevity is good, it may well be worth the effort. The hood is certainly as shiny as I have ever seen it. It looks really great. Some swirl-hiding has happened. As expected with a polymer, the "look" is a bit harder/more plasticky than I have seen with Carnauba. I know I can "top" the SG with some Souveran, but I have mixed feelings about that. I don't know of a sure-fire way to remove carnauba without removing the Klasse, so once I've added a topper I won't feel comfortable adding an SG layer. I am impressed with how little of both AIO and SG are needed. This is very economical stuff.
There you have it!
The story will continue to unfold.
