No truer words were ever spoken!!!
Excellent review, as always.
Corey!
-Just a few questions, though, if you don't mind Corey.
(Some things that caught my interest, that's all. I believe that most of what follows may be best addressed by Mr. West for his commentary.)
-And so that everyone will be assured...This is not a bashing of this product or any individual.
1.)a.
From: http://solutionfinish.com/about.php:
Solution Finish is an incredible new product that
restores originally black surfaces to a deep, rich black "wet look" shine that dries quickly with no greasy residue.
1.)b.
From AGO: Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, trim restorer, black plastic restorer
Solution Finish by famed car fabricator and designer Rich Evans is an incredible new product that restores originally black surfaces to a deep, rich, black finish,
without the "wet look."
My thoughts:
The: Without wet-look/To a Wet-look...May cause some confusion. IMO...Shouldn't this be addressed by the parties involved?
I think it may be error on AG's part. They also recomend on the AG page to apply in shade which is not something that matters and in fact the sun or a warm surface can only help not hurt.
Along with: (From the Q&A Section)
Corey:7. I noticed in the AG store web page they say
for best results apply to a cool surface in the shade. I know that is rather standard but I tested Solution Finish in the sun as well and found no visible ill effects. Does application in the sun not allow the surface to darken as much as it would or affect the durability in some way?
Mr. West: Actually, Solution Finish likes a warmer surface rather than cold, so application in the sun only has a positive effect on the performance and durability. We have been told that in extreme cold conditions, let's say 40 degrees and below, it's not recommended to apply Solution Finish.
My Comments:
IMO...This issue needs to be addressed, also.
See above
2.)a.
RE: Q&A session.
-Durability: ["Restores vs. Permanency"...<<
Note: My words]
Corey:1. How many months can we expect from Solution Finish in average conditions?
Mr. West: Well, believe it or not, the term "average conditions" is broader than you may think. The average conditions in California vary greatly from, let's say, North Carolina. But, without being coy, here's the answer to the question: An application of Solution Finish will last between 12-14 months. However, we've found that
the average vehicle owner usually reapplies Solution Finish in 6-8 months just to freshen and keep it at optimum appearance.
My Comments/Questions:
-Everything seems to oxidize when exposed to our Suns different rays. Does this also apply to
"Solution Finish"? -Will
"Solution Finish" also outgas/degrade, as it were, being that it has penetrated 'plastics/vinyl', at a nano-scale?
-Besides to: Freshen/optimum appearance...Are any of the above reasons I listed, or others, the cause for a reapplication within the 6-8 months time frame?
My thoughts: Solution Finish stops the formation of peroxide gas oxidation but time and the environment combined with who knows what cleaners people use I assume will cause the plastic to lose some of its pop over time. If people use extremely acidic cleaners I believe that will harm the finish.
2.)b.
Testing:
Corey asked:4.- Is Solution Finish particularly vulnerable to any specific types of cleaners people may want to avoid?
Mr. West:We are continually testing in this area and to date have found that acetone and extreme de-greasers drastically affect Solution Finish's performance and durability. Not so much in California because of strict (green) regulations, but in many states car washes are allowed to use a foam pre-soak in drive-through and full service washes which has an acid-based composition that literally cleans by melting a layer of wax or clearcoat.
My Comments/Questions:
-Here lately...I seen many products introduced to the "detailing world" without being 'fully-tested'...
-I realize that with new emerging technologies, everything-under-the-Sun can't always be tested against every product...But;
-Every vehicle owner, along with those that details these vehicles (owners/detailers), maintains those vehicles differently.
-As such: There has been no mention of how to maintain the plastics/vinyls once they have been treated with "Solution Finish".
I read this a lot lately Bob. I expect manufacturers do not want to make things sound more compex when in fact they are making them less complex. I don't think any special care must be taken except for what Chris described.
I believe that Q&A is exactly what you wanted to know as far as special care. Avoid Extreme degreasers, acetone, and extremaly acidic liquids. All the car washes we are using in our driveway are fine.
As a general comment (non related to any one company) I think manufacturers are always looking to improve or learn more about their products capabilities but once they have something they consider performs above the level of current products on the market its time to release. Otherwise they would go out of business. However the innovators may never stop changing some formula even after they release a product since newer tech and observations can always be made.
There is no such thing as perfect on our planet so something can always be improved in some way.
Examples:
a. Car wash sessions: Shampoos /water-spotting
b. Detail sprays/detail waxes
c. Waxes---can they be removed from "Solution Finish(ed)" plastics/vinyls? (Some of us may 'accidently' brush/touch a waxing applicator against black trim---smooth or textured)
The first three I think you can treat just as you do now. No special care is needed, just treat it as you did before.
d. Sealants and Coatings. Can they be applied atop "Solution Finish", with the attributes associated with Sealants/Coatings, being so manifested...Or not?
-(If so, would the time frame (6-8 months) be extended, by, for example, the "durability of sealants'/coatings' time frames, before the need to: "freshen/keep at optimum appearance...would/should take place?
Chris spoke with me about about this and you can certainly top SF. Of course he can't speak for how every product from another company works over his but I think we'll learn more about this in the future.
For now I can say I'm personally testing coatings and sealants and will let you know how it goes with updates.
-Sorry for this protracted reply...And I also apologize if some of these comments/questions of mine may have already been addressed.
-Anyway:
Thanks for allowing these musings of mine. Any additional information/comments will be appreciated.
-Thanks again, Corey, for your time and efforts for this review.
Bob
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