swanicyouth
01-30-2013, 04:26 PM
Picked this product up to replace the hard to find L1 by G Techniq before AG started carrying L1 just recently
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/uzy9utej.jpg
CarPro claims it can be used on leather and fabric (obviously), it provides the "ultimate UV protection", it has a "super hydrophobic effect", and it's "stain resistant".
Oddly enough, G Techniq pretty much makes the same claims regarding L1
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/epesymum.jpg
I'm pretty familiar with L1. I've been using it on the seats of my BMW since last summer. It seems to protect fairly well. The application of L1 is very easy. The tell you to just spray it on the leather and remove excess with a paper cloth. I've found, it works better if you spray it and QUICKLY spread it with a foam applicator, as you get much more even coverage that way.
The thing I noticed about L1 is how quickly it dries. I mean, you have to spread it fast because it starts to dry immediately. G Tech says L1 is dry and ready to use in 5 minutes. I pretty much agree with that. L1 gives a look that is matte and just like a clean seat with nothing on it.
Right after L1 is applied to the seat, getting in and out of the car is like luxury. It's like that "slick" feeling when you just apply a sealant. Not too slick, but your butt just moves across the seat with no friction, or so it feels. However, that new feeling doesn't last too long. Maybe for the first week or so after you apply the product. The product is still protecting the seat, as G T recommends reapplication every 4 months on "heavily used surfaces, like your driver's seat".
This comparison is solely on leather. First, I cleaned the seat well using Leather Master's Soft Cleaner & Sonus All In 1 Surface Cleaner to make sure all the L1 was gone. Then I wiped the seat down with a clean towel and distilled water. The directions on the CarPro product tell you just to spray it on the surface. I quickly realized that was not going to work well. The product needed to be spread out quite a bit.
Unlike L1, that dries super fast, F & L dries VERY slow. The temperature in the garage today is 62 degrees. When applying F & L a little goes a very long way on leather. The product goes much farther than L1. It seemed as though I had to use a LOT more L1 than F & L to cover the same seat previously. On leather at least, the 100 ml bottle of F & L should last quite a while, as very little product is required to cover the seat.
F & L spreads like there may be some sort of slow drying solvent in it. I say that because the dry time was taking such a while. CarPro mentions in the directions to let it dry in the sun or to use a heat gun. There is no sun here today, so I got out the heat gun. I went over the whole seat for about 10 minutes with a 1500 watt heat gun. While doing this, I noticed the drying product began to give off an odor that was a cross between mineral spirits and kerosene.
Even now, over an hour later, I'm not 100% sure the seat is totally dry. The seat seems dry to the touch, so why do I say this? Well, because the F & L has give the seat a very glossy finish. Almost like a "wet" or "dressed" finish. However, when I run my hand across the seat it feels dry. Maybe its not totally dry in the seams, but the flat surface is dry. It almost looks like I dressed the seat with a tire dressing, fairly glossy. This is in contrast to L1, which leaves more of a flat look like UIG+.
So, here are some pictures so I can show you what mean.
Seat about an hour after application of F & L . Dried seat about 10 minutes with a 1500 watt heat gun.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/puzu2ure.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/tudybe3e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/7ytyheja.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/uhudenat.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/udurepu6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/4adujymu.jpg
As a comparison, here is the passenger seat that was treated about a month ago with L1. While it's not a current application, rarely does anyone sit in this seat, and the look now pretty much describes L1 shortly after application.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/6u5yteby.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/ejeza7a3.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/jejajase.jpg
Hopefully here you can see a comparison between the two seats:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/vuzyne3y.jpg
So, I think the only way I can accurately give information on the product is to keep updating this thread. I may wait several hours to see if the difference is so dramatic, or maybe I will wait until tomorrow. One thing, I don't see how you could use F & L in a hurry, as it seems to take a while to dry. I used the product very sparingly, maybe 5 or 6 sprays spread out over the whole seat.
As of now, I don't think I'm too crazy about the look. It looks too glossy for my tastes. However, I'm not sure how long that will last. I should have more of an idea tomorrow.
An update will follow.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/uzy9utej.jpg
CarPro claims it can be used on leather and fabric (obviously), it provides the "ultimate UV protection", it has a "super hydrophobic effect", and it's "stain resistant".
Oddly enough, G Techniq pretty much makes the same claims regarding L1
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/epesymum.jpg
I'm pretty familiar with L1. I've been using it on the seats of my BMW since last summer. It seems to protect fairly well. The application of L1 is very easy. The tell you to just spray it on the leather and remove excess with a paper cloth. I've found, it works better if you spray it and QUICKLY spread it with a foam applicator, as you get much more even coverage that way.
The thing I noticed about L1 is how quickly it dries. I mean, you have to spread it fast because it starts to dry immediately. G Tech says L1 is dry and ready to use in 5 minutes. I pretty much agree with that. L1 gives a look that is matte and just like a clean seat with nothing on it.
Right after L1 is applied to the seat, getting in and out of the car is like luxury. It's like that "slick" feeling when you just apply a sealant. Not too slick, but your butt just moves across the seat with no friction, or so it feels. However, that new feeling doesn't last too long. Maybe for the first week or so after you apply the product. The product is still protecting the seat, as G T recommends reapplication every 4 months on "heavily used surfaces, like your driver's seat".
This comparison is solely on leather. First, I cleaned the seat well using Leather Master's Soft Cleaner & Sonus All In 1 Surface Cleaner to make sure all the L1 was gone. Then I wiped the seat down with a clean towel and distilled water. The directions on the CarPro product tell you just to spray it on the surface. I quickly realized that was not going to work well. The product needed to be spread out quite a bit.
Unlike L1, that dries super fast, F & L dries VERY slow. The temperature in the garage today is 62 degrees. When applying F & L a little goes a very long way on leather. The product goes much farther than L1. It seemed as though I had to use a LOT more L1 than F & L to cover the same seat previously. On leather at least, the 100 ml bottle of F & L should last quite a while, as very little product is required to cover the seat.
F & L spreads like there may be some sort of slow drying solvent in it. I say that because the dry time was taking such a while. CarPro mentions in the directions to let it dry in the sun or to use a heat gun. There is no sun here today, so I got out the heat gun. I went over the whole seat for about 10 minutes with a 1500 watt heat gun. While doing this, I noticed the drying product began to give off an odor that was a cross between mineral spirits and kerosene.
Even now, over an hour later, I'm not 100% sure the seat is totally dry. The seat seems dry to the touch, so why do I say this? Well, because the F & L has give the seat a very glossy finish. Almost like a "wet" or "dressed" finish. However, when I run my hand across the seat it feels dry. Maybe its not totally dry in the seams, but the flat surface is dry. It almost looks like I dressed the seat with a tire dressing, fairly glossy. This is in contrast to L1, which leaves more of a flat look like UIG+.
So, here are some pictures so I can show you what mean.
Seat about an hour after application of F & L . Dried seat about 10 minutes with a 1500 watt heat gun.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/puzu2ure.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/tudybe3e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/7ytyheja.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/uhudenat.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/udurepu6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/4adujymu.jpg
As a comparison, here is the passenger seat that was treated about a month ago with L1. While it's not a current application, rarely does anyone sit in this seat, and the look now pretty much describes L1 shortly after application.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/6u5yteby.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/ejeza7a3.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/jejajase.jpg
Hopefully here you can see a comparison between the two seats:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/31/vuzyne3y.jpg
So, I think the only way I can accurately give information on the product is to keep updating this thread. I may wait several hours to see if the difference is so dramatic, or maybe I will wait until tomorrow. One thing, I don't see how you could use F & L in a hurry, as it seems to take a while to dry. I used the product very sparingly, maybe 5 or 6 sprays spread out over the whole seat.
As of now, I don't think I'm too crazy about the look. It looks too glossy for my tastes. However, I'm not sure how long that will last. I should have more of an idea tomorrow.
An update will follow.