QD better than FK425?

M

Mugen Power

New member
After doing a lot of research, I decided to use FK 425 as the last step in my wash. That was 2 years ago and I'm about ready to purchase another jug but wanted to know if anything better has come out in the meantime. I'm satisfied with it but the chance to use up a product and restock doesn't come too often for me and I wouldn't mind trying something else if it's better. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
My favorite QD's are Adam's Detail Spray, Surf City's Hot Rod Detailer and Pinnacle Crystal Mist (which is the best looking QD, IMO). Other notable QD's are Quik-Shine and Z-6. Of course, there are plenty of other QD's that are also very good.
 
OP, what would you like to improve in 425? For me 425 is ok, I like the slick feeling, but it is just not much of a looker. For real QD duty, ONR is it for me, it has gotten so good in the last revision. For a post wash drying aid, I'd rather use a qucik wax like OCW of UQW.
 
For goodness sakes guys :) stop spending big dollars on detail spray! Try the Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate to replace your detail spray. I tested it against 425 and many others when it first released. And it was superior to every one of them.



Cost is 18$ for concentrate that makes 5 1/2 gallons RTU.... Seriously...
 
I will keep that in mind but in the meantime my fave is Griots Speed Shine. I use Crystal Mist on special occasion.
 
Mugen Power- Welcome to Autopia!



FK425 is still my fave for after-wash/while-drying use on FK1000P.



Yeah, I prefer GG SpeedShine on waxes, and I'll sometimes use FK246 for some jobs. I use ValuGard's Fast Finish on trim and satin/matte finished items.



If I want real *cleaning* out of a QD, I'll use IUDJ, but Mugen Power asked about after-wash use.



I do plan to try Meguiar's UQW for certain jobs, but overall I have zero inclination to quit using the FK425.



Dan- Interesting that you don't think FK425 is much for looks, this sounds like the exact opposite of our usual differences on that topic! I think it gives a very glossy (if somewhat sealanty) look, and that's why I use it instead of the Fast Finish, which is really, *really* good stuff but just doesn't give me that "pop".



Cee Dog- For this application, in what way is the Ultima Waterless Wash superior to the FK425? I'm assuming an already clean surface, I'm just after lubricity and the feel/look that the FK425 leaves behind. The Ultima sounds like a replacement for, say....IUDJ, which I consider a completely different type of product for a different use. Please school me here, I'm not being :argue



Bill D- Yeah, the Crystal Mist is nice on the Jag's Söuveran.



WaxmanRonnie- I haven't stocked up on FK425 for a while....what changed?
 
Accumulator said:
Dan- Interesting that you don't think FK425 is much for looks, this sounds like the exact opposite of our usual differences on that topic! I think it gives a very glossy (if somewhat sealanty) look, and that's why I use it instead of the Fast Finish, which is really, *really* good stuff but just doesn't give me that "pop".
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Hmm, Fk425 and FF seem to have the same amount of pop for me....NONE :D Waittill you try UQW, now that has some pop, good filling ability as well!
 
CEE DOG said:
For goodness sakes guys :) stop spending big dollars on detail spray! Try the Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate to replace your detail spray. I tested it against 425 and many others when it first released. And it was superior to every one of them.



Cost is 18$ for concentrate that makes 5 1/2 gallons RTU.... Seriously...
Click to expand...



I've used ONR versions 2 & 3 and BF Rinse-less Wash at QD strength and haven't been too impressed. They clean well enough, but they don't flash-off like a regular QD, nor do they feel nearly as slick. It's most noticeable on glass, IME (e.g. the MF towel grabs much more). Is UWWC at QD strength better at these things? TIA
 
Dan said:
Hmm, Fk425 and FF seem to have the same amount of pop for me....NONE :D Waittill you try UQW, now that has some pop, good filling ability as well!
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That is just soooo weird that they look similar to you! Talk about "YMMV"!



Yeah, I sure do plan to try the UQW...does it work as well over sealants as it it does over waxes? I might be getting a little hung up over the Quick WAX name....
 
Jeez , I feel really out the loop here for a sec: IUDJ



That sounds like a Myers-Briggs psych eval result :chuckle: Can anyone clue me in on that one, thanks :o
 
Accumulator said:
That is just soooo weird that they look similar to you! Talk about "YMMV"!



Yeah, I sure do plan to try the UQW...does it work as well over sealants as it it does over waxes? I might be getting a little hung up over the Quick WAX name....
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425 and FF do look different, but overall, no pop either way. FF is very neutral. 425 is glossy, that's about it. Both are pretty lifeless compared to something like OID, Speedshine, UQW or Z6.



UQW seems to work just fine on top of anything. Actually, I don't recall if I've ever used it on top of a true wax...
 
CEE DOG said:
Try the Ultima Waterless Wash Concentrate to replace your detail spray.

..

Cost is 18$ for concentrate that makes 5 1/2 gallons RTU.... Seriously...
Click to expand...



Actually I did pick some of this up the other day, based on YOUR recommendation in my similar thread recently. Thank you.



I mixed up a batch to give it a try and so far so good. I'm still experimenting a bit to see if I like it any bettER than FK425 or OID, for example. Plus I need to find a better spray nozzle/bottle. That first 22oz batch I mixed up went into a Zep professional spray bottle (from Home Depot, just what I had lying around) and I couldn't get a satisfactory spray pattern out of it. I might try an old empty bottle of Meg's Quik Detailer (the old consumer grade QD in the burgandy bottle -- nice sprayer), or it'll be another trip back to the detail supply store to find a better spray bottle.



Dan said:
For real QD duty, ONR is it for me, it has gotten so good in the last revision.
Click to expand...

RobD said:
I've used ONR versions 2 & 3
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I've lost track. We're on three versions of ONR now? How can I tell what version I have? (I think I bought my 32oz bottle somewhere in the '08/09 timeframe.) What changed?
 
I get all my sprayers from US Plastics. They produce excellent sprayer heads with excellent spray patterns.
 
Bill D- That "IUDJ" = Garry Dean's Infinite Use Detail Juice. A variation on the ONR theme.



Dan- Maybe I'm allowing "gloss" to = "pop", could be we're just getting snarled up in the fine points of this stuff. And note that I'm working on awfully blah colors these days...how many wonderful nuances can you deal with when it comes to while and silver, ya know :nixweiss Almost just a case of something either makes it look "better", or it doesn't.
 
Certainly! I can pull up the thread but as I recall the test FK 425 and UWWP were equal in gloss. Feel was equal, safety is of course in uwwp favor. But the big one even if all those are equal to you is cost.
 
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