Product Testing - Trim: Adams, Optimum, Collinite, BlackWow

I have applied it on certain plastics and by waiting a *touch* too long, it stained. I just wiped it once more with 845 and it dissappeared, but you do need to use the Wipe on, wipe off approach.
 
In my experience, 303AP will wash off in rain and leave streaks on dark paint. Light colors you may get away with it.



If you are going to use Collinite 845 (or its marine twin No. 925) its best to wash the plastic with a stronger APC (like 4:1) first to remove any contaminants that may inbed themselves in the plastic (like old wax or nasty bug guts that discolor plastic). Using an old toothbrush or a bigger brush on larger panels (like those on an Chevy Avalanche truck or Honda Element) works pretty good for this task. Hard rubber seals around the outside of windows require the same treatment. In fact, I KNOW that for many of you do-it-yourselfers/week-end warriors/OCDs (obsessive-compulsive detailers!), getting those nasty BLACK streaks on your washing medium (grout sponge,wool mitt,microfiber noodle pad) from wiping unclean black rubber trim is one of those things you HATE when washing someone else's vehicle. It's one of the FIRST things I do before washing someone else's vehicle just to avoid that problem. And , yes, it may require 2 or 3 wipes with a dedicated microfiber towel (usually one that is older) before it comes clean. I like using S100 wax for hard rubber seals. For the softer inner door seals I still use 303AP, despite its tendency to wash off and streak.
 
Thank you for the update leadfuteluke. If I had kept my 845 I would have tried it on my trim. Unfotunately it overturned and got spilt.
 
Here is another update. I took pictures on October 21st and again on October 28th, and today, but they were all very similar, so here is my 7 week update with pictures I had uploaded from October 28th.



I have driven 3200 miles, I still park outside during the days and I am garage at night. We have seen frost and below freezing temperatures as well as 70* temperatures in the last couple weeks. It has rained probably 10 days since the last update as well. I am still washing the vehicle with OCW and using OID after my washes.



Here is the Collinite and Black Wow side.



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The drivers side products have been dead since the last check in, but the Collinite 845 is going very strong. There is still a distinguishable line where the 845 and Black Wow are too. The 845 is still the strongest and almost looks like it has since day 1. I have also observed bugs being easily removed from the trim with 845 on it.
 
Great work with this testing of products.

I'm incredibly surprised by the results, both those that didn't fare so well and those that excelled.

Had I guessed from the start, I would have put Black Wow at the top of my list and would have never have put the 845 as high as it performed. It actually looks better at the 7 week mark than my fav. Black Wow.

I'm so shocked that I'm going to go down the basement tomorrow, weather permitting, and grab my bottle of 845 and do all the plastic trim on my Ford Escape. It's an older model with that black plastic stuff on most of the outside.

I'm laughing a bit because Accumulator said it was good for trim but sometimes I have to be beat over the head with a 2x4 before things actually sink in a bit.

My Ford will look good tomorrow.

Thanks again for your work. Great review.
 
Wow, Ive been using FK1000p on my daily driver but you need to avoid trim at all costs with that stuff. This is probably the best reason in my book to switch to 845, I can protect the trim at the same time. If I could get 3 months of trim and paint protection out of this stuff I would never use trim darkening products after washing again.



Anyone know if the Collonite paste waxes offer similar trim protection? Do any of them outperform 845 in terms of longevity? I usually prefer paste waxes, but If the 845 is the way to go it will be in my next order.
 
KneeDragr said:
Wow, Ive been using FK1000p on my daily driver but you need to avoid trim at all costs with that stuff. This is probably the best reason in my book to switch to 845, I can protect the trim at the same time. If I could get 3 months of trim and paint protection out of this stuff I would never use trim darkening products after washing again.



Anyone know if the Collonite paste waxes offer similar trim protection? Do any of them outperform 845 in terms of longevity? I usually prefer paste waxes, but If the 845 is the way to go it will be in my next order.
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The order of durability (according to Collinite), from most durable to least, is 476, 915, 845. However, I don't know if the paste ones would stain trim (I've only used 845). Accumulator would probably know - I recall he mentioned using 845 before topping with 476, which if I remember keeps the 476 from staining?
 
Guys.....the only thing worth a while is Gtechniq C4. I put it on the trim of my wife's Ford Expedition and WOW!



I purchased a second bottle for my Hummer and all I can say is WOW!



This stuff is outrageously expensive but it sure makes your trim look like new again. I researched the crap out of it before buying and everyone says they get 1 to 2 years out of it.



I can see why after applying it as it leaves a hardened type surface once it dries. I have since washed both my Expedition and Hummer several times since application and nothing washed off! No greasey mess at all.
 
Rob4092xx said:
Guys.....the only thing worth a while is Gtechniq C4. I put it on the trim of my wife's Ford Expedition and WOW!



I purchased a second bottle for my Hummer and all I can say is WOW!



This stuff is outrageously expensive but it sure makes your trim look like new again. I researched the crap out of it before buying and everyone says they get 1 to 2 years out of it.



I can see why after applying it as it leaves a hardened type surface once it dries. I have since washed both my Expedition and Hummer several times since application and nothing washed off! No greasey mess at all.
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That's all well and good, but let's say I use 1/25th of an ounce of 845 on an applicator and am able to coat my mirror housing in about 30 seconds and I get 3 months of durability out of it? It not greasy, not overly shiny, and looks great on stock trim. It is incredibly cost effective and effortless to use for my daily driver. G4 may be the perfect permanent solution, but to each their own. I don't mind reapplying 845 once or twice a year if needed, even if it only takes 30 seconds and I do it when it's convenient.
 
KneeDragr said:
Wow, Ive been using FK1000p on my daily driver but you need to avoid trim at all costs with that stuff....Anyone know if the Collonite paste waxes offer similar trim protection? Do any of them outperform 845 in terms of longevity? I usually prefer paste waxes, but If the 845 is the way to go it will be in my next order.
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I've actually used FK1000P on textured black plastic trim! Did it on the exterior trim of the Yukon XLD. But it's kinda tricky to avoid big problems, so...well..."don't try this at home, kids!" probably applies. But I did want to mention that it can work OK.



The same goes for using 476S on trim; I've done it (all exterior plastic and *rubber* on an old Volvo 245 wagon) and had it come out OK, but when it goes haywire it's a big PIA.



So...I'd stick with 845 if you want to do the "LSP your trim" approach, and be sure to W-O-W-O.



Others I do this with regularly that work great- KAIO (which I generally use to prep for the 845), KSG (works *GREAT*), and Souveran (only problem is durability).



Many (most?) plastic trim responds OK to Hi-Temp 357/Heavy Cut Leveler and also to 1Z Paint Polish.



To keep this kind of thing looking good/lasting, I use leaves-stuff-behind type QDs at every wash. FK425 (glossy) or FK146 (less glossy), Griot's SpeedShine (little change in appearance most of the time), or ValuGard's FastFinish (low-key, less glossy..or at least I *think* so, just started experimenting with it).



You can use the Sonus Acrylic Spritz stuff on KSG if you want to boost it but don't want to mess around with a full-blown KSG application.
 
umi000 said:
The order of durability (according to Collinite), from most durable to least, is 476, 915, 845. However, I don't know if the paste ones would stain trim (I've only used 845). Accumulator would probably know - I recall he mentioned using 845 before topping with 476, which if I remember keeps the 476 from staining?
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I've stained plastic trim with 476S in some circumstances. Just anecdotal but of course YMMV.
 
To clarify- despite my "I've done it...", I would *NOT* recommend anybody try 476S on trim. Yeah, it's more likely to turn out OK if you use KAIO, then 845 first, but seriously, I just wouldn't do it. Easier to redo 845 every now and then than to deal with 476S staining even once.
 
I am up to about 4,000 miles, dozens of washes, and now snow as a part of the elements that have sit on my car.







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And the ever telling flash shot :D

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This is probably the first time I have religiously updated a thread, but the protection is still the way it was from the start and I figured I would keep the pictures coming, even though they look about the same.
 
Leadfootluke- Glad it's working so well, and that you're updating. Reading about your experience might help convince more people to try it.



You're not even using a leaves-stuff-behind QD on it, are you?
 
Accumulator said:
Leadfootluke- Glad it's working so well, and that you're updating. Reading about your experience might help convince more people to try it.



You're not even using a leaves-stuff-behind QD on it, are you?
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I am using Optimum Instant Detailer diluted 4:1 as a drying aid. However, I use compressed air to remove water after washing and rinsing, so the OID primarily gets used on the paint, the mirror housings usually require one wipe with a dry MF and no OID.
 
Leadfootluke- Ah, OK. I'm currently using ValuGard's Fast Finish on such surfaces, trying to decide if I like it as well as/better than stuff like FK or SpeedShine.
 
This is about a week short of a 3 month update, but the weather is taking a turn for the worse, so I am taking as taking pictures while the weather cooperates.



4500 miles driven, lots of rain in the last couple weeks, and a lot of car washes with Optimum Car Wash and ONR alike.



The 845

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The 845, and a very faint tape line. You can actually see, in the right light, the tape line on both sides.

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And just for fun, on the driver's side mirror, I used Klasse AIO on the plastic to clean it, and then I laid down a tape line did 845 on the inside this time, and 476 on the outside.



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Thanks for checking in ;)



Signiture.jpg
 
Leadfootluke said:
...And just for fun, on the driver's side mirror, I used Klasse AIO on the plastic to clean it, and then I laid down a tape line did 845 on the inside this time, and 476 on the outside....
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Ooooh, brave man there, following in my footsteps with the 476S! Glad that worked out OK with no staining. Now watch and see what happens; when I did it, once the 476S died, it looked *bad*, worse than when 845 needed redone. No biggie in a way, just redo it, but it really did look awful, the dead-wax artifacts looked like a mild case of "wax staining the trim". I'll be interested to hear what happens for you, I was working on a really neglected vehicle and you're not.
 
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