Clearkote, Finish Kare, Duragloss, Optimum Qd'ers

[killrwheels@autogeek]

Ok, I have taken the opportunity to wash the SRX twice since getting AW, and I have used all three other products on different areas multiple times. Here is my personal observations:


Clearkote Quikshine --- super easy to use, some nice added gloss, very little streaking, beading is normal and appears to enhance the intial look of some waxes and sealants. Nright and reflective ... Does not appear to have any longevity and is gone with the first wash or rain. Great product for painted wheels, doorjambs, and quick cleanups. No additional slickness noted. (no real scent)

Finish Kare 425 --- super easy to use spritz/wipe , adds alot of gloss that is more noticable after some cure time. It works extremely well over most sealants and some carnuabas and has very little tendency to streak when used heavily. It beads a little better than some gloss qd'ers and seems to offer some additional protection. Additional layers seem to add some durability but seem gone at first wash if using as just 1 coating. Product adds some slickness. Product could easily be used without wax/sealant if used weekly after each wash. Only product that seems to offer some anti-static or anti-dust attraction. It blows off quickly at high speed. (peppermint scent)

Duragloss Aquawax --- Another easy to use spritz/wipe. Adds some gloss intially and gets alot slicker after some cure time. Kinda makes you wonder if its a carnuaba product, warm and glossy. Beads extremely well at first rain, but gloss and slickness drop off quickly after water. Some light streaking on glass, but none noticed on paint. Product seems to mimic Z8 very well, but smells wierd. (vinegar/suntan oil mix) . Not sure that AW offers any real durability as seemed gone after wash. Funny, but this product seems to attrack dust. Does not blow off quickly with high speed runs on highway. It mimics a carnauba detailer well, but isnt it a synthetic design ??

Optimum Car Wax --- this product is offered as a hybrid polymer wax protectant. Looks incredibly sterile with little added gloss. Some slickness is present and beads pretty well in rain. Durability seems to be non-existant after first rain or wash, though hard to guage as doesnt look at that much better than wax/sealant under it. Some streaking is noticed on paint and glass, (rebuffing is necessary in some spots) and this product can easily be used on trim (so can all others above) without stains. Great attempt .... but missing Crystal Mists great looks, or gloss from Poorboys Spray/Gloss.

So in summary :
I am ordering another gallon of Finish Kare currently. It is the best performer of the group but there is still some room for improvement. Still will use the Quikshine on glass, doorjambs, and wheels weekly. Bright, clean, and some gloss. Aquawax was not to far away from FK in outcome, but after original sample and this purchase, it isnt exactly "new" or "fresh" or "different" compared to others. Figure in the cost and it would clearly be a replacement for Z8 if using the Z line. (think I try them back to back on Z5Pro as time permits) . Anyone tried the new Prima detailer yet ??

[FloridaNative]

Thanks for the write up Killr! Very thorough and informative. Can you still get 425 in gallons? I was on the site recently and I couldn't find the gallon size.

[dengood1]

Great review....I'm quickly becoming a QD junkie myself as it is so much easier to keep the car in tip top shape every couple of days. How often do YOU quick detail? Daily, every other day, after washing?

[FloridaNative]

Cono!! Que cabeza la mia! Que tonta soy yo a veces! Nevermind Killr, I found it. I forgot I had to go to the professional side.

[MikeyC]

Wait, wait, wait hold on here a second. Did you say you tested these QDs on a SRX? Is that the "sporty" Subaru sold during the early 90's? That was a very unusual automobile. If I recall correctly the windows were split in half and only the bottom part went down. Plus I believe it had copious amounts of faux suede in the interior.

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by MikeyC

Wait, wait, wait hold on here a second. Did you say you tested these QDs on a SRX? Is that the "sporty" Subaru sold during the early 90's? That was a very unusual automobile. If I recall correctly the windows were split in half and only the bottom part went down. Plus I believe it had copious amounts of faux suede in the interior.

Caddy SRX lol, I think the Sube your thinking of is the old SVX which was a pretty cool car at the time.

Good write up, though I still find AW to have pretty good durability with the rain we've had. Did a coating couple weeks ago and still has that wet, reflective glow from when AW was put on. How they got a sealent spray that not only bonds well over a nuba but enchances it's look, don't ask me lol.

[dengood1]

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

So in summary :
I am ordering another gallon of Finish Kare currently.

I didn't think you had permission to buy anymore detail supplies!

[killrwheels@autogeek]

Originally Posted by Surfer

Caddy SRX lol, I think the Sube your thinking of is the old SVX which was a pretty cool car at the time.

Good write up, though I still find AW to have pretty good durability with the rain we've had. Did a coating couple weeks ago and still has that wet, reflective glow from when AW was put on. How they got a sealent spray that not only bonds well over a nuba but enchances it's look, don't ask me lol.

Caddy yes ..... and try 425, you'll find two companies that have learned how to do it quite well.

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

Caddy yes ..... and try 425, you'll find two companies that have learned how to do it quite well.

With all our cars/trucks I may have to lol. Can't beat the value of 425 bought in gallon form.

[Meghan]

Originally Posted by FloridaNative

Cono!! Que cabeza la mia! Que tonta soy yo a veces! Nevermind Killr, I found it. I forgot I had to go to the professional side.

Girl gets a PC and now she wanders to the pro side!!