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Thread: Problem with Finest?

  1. #1
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    Problem with Finest?

    So I'm new to this community, and I am hoping to get some help and feedback. I had Finest installed on my new car at the end of February. It was applied on top of XPel Ultimate in the front of the car (PPF on full hood, front fenders, bumper, mirrors). The rest of the car is pure Finest (no PPF). I waited 10 days before washing my car, as instructed by both the CQuartz packet, the XPel packet, and my detailer. I have washed my car three times since the install. Frankly, the water does not seem to sheet the way I would expect it to based on the videos I have seen of Finest in action. If it would help, I can post a video. It was an expensive process, and I am just wanting to make sure that it's working as promised.

    My wash process is:
    Wheels (Sonax Full Effect)
    Pre-soak car
    Foam gun whole car (I've been using CG Mr. Pink while I wait for Reset to arrive)
    Rinse
    Foam gun one panel at a time then hand wash 2 using 2 bucket (Mr. Pink again)
    Rinse as I go
    Foam gun whole car again
    Rinse
    Sheeting method dry (not as effective as I would have expected)
    Hand dry by patting using high quality MF
    Touch up using Mother's instant detailer (I use a drying agent too when needed)
    *I have used CG Hybrid V7 twice now as a touch up and drying agent. I would think that a full wash would help to remove it, but I'm wondering if the V7 is effecting the ability of the Finest to sheet water. The most recent wash I only used Mother's instant detailer in a few spots (no V7). We'll see if next time the water sheets the way it's suppose to.
    ** I haven't done an Iron-X decon yet. It's only been about a month since Finest was applied. I also haven't applied Reload yet. Again, I'm under the impression that Reload was applied by the detailer.
    *** The car doesn't look anywhere near as wet as it did when I picked it up from the detailer. The Finest seems to have lost some of it's gloss very quickly.

    Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Certified Finest Installer C. Charles Hahn's Avatar
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    Have you followed up with the detailer who installed Finest for you? I would definitely recommend that as a first course of action before even attempting anything further yourself, as I'm certain he or she will want to make things right if there is indeed a problem with the coating itself.

    If on the other hand your wash method is leaving some sort of residue behind, your detailer should also be able to detect this and help you to fine tune your product choices and process to ensure this isn't happening going forward.
    Charlie
    Automotive Appearance Specialist - Serving Greater Lansing, Michigan
    http://www.cchautoappearance.com/

  3. #3
    Certified Finest Installer Pureshine's Avatar
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    This ^^^^^

    Todd Randich
    todd@pureshinedetailing.com
    www.pureshinedetailing.com
    Do great work and customers will come

  4. #4
    CarPro US Owner Corey's Avatar
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    The V7 will definitely affect it temporarily. You will want to start washing with CarPro Reset moving forward.

    Also great advice to follow up with your Detailer.

    You can also reach me at 386-259-0759 anytime

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Corey View Post
    The V7 will definitely affect it temporarily. You will want to start washing with CarPro Reset moving forward.

    Also great advice to follow up with your Detailer.

    You can also reach me at 386-259-0759 anytime
    Thanks, Corey! And everyone else too. I will try to get in touch with my detailer. First I'll try the wash with Reset, though... I get the feeling that my detailer doesn't have time for me anymore really and I don't want to bother him unnecessarily. I had a bunch of questions that went unanswered, so now I feel like it's not worth it to bother him. We'll see. If I need your help, I'll reach out, Corey.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    CarPro US Owner Corey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by okcookie View Post
    Thanks, Corey! And everyone else too. I will try to get in touch with my detailer. First I'll try the wash with Reset, though... I get the feeling that my detailer doesn't have time for me anymore really and I don't want to bother him unnecessarily. I had a bunch of questions that went unanswered, so now I feel like it's not worth it to bother him. We'll see. If I need your help, I'll reach out, Corey.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    You should certainly not feel that way and we will make sure you don't right away. I'll be happy to help out and get all questions answered properly. Give me a call or if you prefer I contact you then text me at that number I provided and provide yours and your proffered time for me to call.

    Best,
    Corey

  7. #7
    Certified Finest Installer Dr_Pain's Avatar
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    Sorry to hear about your experience (so far). Just know you are in the best community to get your problem resolved.

    I do install Finest and am quite familiar with the CG product line. Although I LOVE the "foam show" from CG Mr. Pink and Honeydew, I do find that they tend to "mute" the effects of Finest. Ultimately, Finest is still present and working but as you are describing, the sheeting method of drying is less than stellar. I did want to know why? so dove in some research using my biochemistry background. After a few conversations and some technical reading, I came to the conclusion that they (the soaps) in certain concentrations will leave a layer of surfactants on the paint which will resist the flooding method. BTW surfactants are the detergents used to breakdown the road grime. If you read the synopsis description of Mr. Pink you will see that they refer to it as "pH BALANCE" which means that it is still somewhat alkaline (just not in the likes of Dawn which has a pH of 9). The problem you may be encountering is that a true recommended dilution in a foam cannon/gun can't be achieved, so you may have a more concentrated product, which leads to a larger concentration of surfactant residue on the paint.

    Personally (after reading your account) I would blame the soap FIRST, since you are describing a less than stellar sheeting method of drying. I do agree with Corey that V7 will leave a residue. Actually the residue are those gloss enhancing and UV polymer (and synthetic nano-sealant technology). If you read its description, you will also note that they refer to some form of detergent action (designed to remove fingerprints, dust, road grime and debris). If you were to have a failure of Finest, you would see splotchy results, not a completely failure The more "junk" you have on the paint the less you will be able to notice the true function of Finest.

    ALRIGHT, having said that, there is also the possibility of product or workmanship failure. The only thing I can say is that this product is ROBUST and application methodology is drilled into us to avoid the workmanship failure..... but for that I will leave you in Corey's hands

    P.S. FYI, when you do get your Reset, it may take you 2 or 3 good washes to remove all the "junk". I've had an experience before where I actually had to go "full kamikaze" because Finest was not beading and sheeting. The problem was that the truck was an "oilfield truck" (major exposure and not well maintained). After the draconian technique to strip the "junk", and a couple of Reset wash, beading and sheeting was restored. One thing through the whole process (which told me Finest was there) was the gloss and depth of shine (which is unlike anything else) was still there. It was just not "working"!!

    P.P.S. I do love when my past clients come visit, shoot the breeze, or ask for an education.... and that is the norm across our Finest Installer group (Corey make sure of that). If you need help beyond Corey or if you are close to Louisiana, feel free to come visit

    https://www.facebook.com/FlawlessFinishDetailing
    Dr. Claude Tremblay, Co-owner/Senior Detailer, Certified CQuartz Finest Installer

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Corey View Post
    You should certainly not feel that way and we will make sure you don't right away. I'll be happy to help out and get all questions answered properly. Give me a call or if you prefer I contact you then text me at that number I provided and provide yours and your proffered time for me to call.

    Best,
    Corey
    Corey, I will definitely reach out to you. Thank you for being so supportive. I feel that if my original questions had been answered, I would not be in this mess. For example, I had asked if I should use V7 and Mr. Pink. Was actually told Mr. Pink is fine to use, but got no comment on V7. So, if I had gotten better initial advice, everything would probably be fine. I'm hoping that the application of Finest is actually alright, as I paid a ton of money for it. Thanks again! I'll be in touch.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Pain View Post
    Sorry to hear about your experience (so far). Just know you are in the best community to get your problem resolved.

    I do install Finest and am quite familiar with the CG product line. Although I LOVE the "foam show" from CG Mr. Pink and Honeydew, I do find that they tend to "mute" the effects of Finest. Ultimately, Finest is still present and working but as you are describing, the sheeting method of drying is less than stellar. I did want to know why? so dove in some research using my biochemistry background. After a few conversations and some technical reading, I came to the conclusion that they (the soaps) in certain concentrations will leave a layer of surfactants on the paint which will resist the flooding method. BTW surfactants are the detergents used to breakdown the road grime. If you read the synopsis description of Mr. Pink you will see that they refer to it as "pH BALANCE" which means that it is still somewhat alkaline (just not in the likes of Dawn which has a pH of 9). The problem you may be encountering is that a true recommended dilution in a foam cannon/gun can't be achieved, so you may have a more concentrated product, which leads to a larger concentration of surfactant residue on the paint.

    Personally (after reading your account) I would blame the soap FIRST, since you are describing a less than stellar sheeting method of drying. I do agree with Corey that V7 will leave a residue. Actually the residue are those gloss enhancing and UV polymer (and synthetic nano-sealant technology). If you read its description, you will also note that they refer to some form of detergent action (designed to remove fingerprints, dust, road grime and debris). If you were to have a failure of Finest, you would see splotchy results, not a completely failure The more "junk" you have on the paint the less you will be able to notice the true function of Finest.

    ALRIGHT, having said that, there is also the possibility of product or workmanship failure. The only thing I can say is that this product is ROBUST and application methodology is drilled into us to avoid the workmanship failure..... but for that I will leave you in Corey's hands

    P.S. FYI, when you do get your Reset, it may take you 2 or 3 good washes to remove all the "junk". I've had an experience before where I actually had to go "full kamikaze" because Finest was not beading and sheeting. The problem was that the truck was an "oilfield truck" (major exposure and not well maintained). After the draconian technique to strip the "junk", and a couple of Reset wash, beading and sheeting was restored. One thing through the whole process (which told me Finest was there) was the gloss and depth of shine (which is unlike anything else) was still there. It was just not "working"!!

    P.P.S. I do love when my past clients come visit, shoot the breeze, or ask for an education.... and that is the norm across our Finest Installer group (Corey make sure of that). If you need help beyond Corey or if you are close to Louisiana, feel free to come visit
    Doc, thank you so much for your thorough reply! I should have driven all the way down south and had you do the application! I am also thinking that it's likely the shampoo that is causing the problem with sheeting, as the Finest seemed to sheet relatively well the first time I washed the car. I mean, it's never sheeted as well a some of the videos I've seen, but it did bead well and it sheeted better than it does now.

    I really appreciate your advice. I will try multiple washes with Reset before I really bother my detailer. I will keep this forum posted as well.

  10. #10
    Certified Finest Installer Dr_Pain's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by okcookie View Post
    Doc, thank you so much for your thorough reply! I should have driven all the way down south and had you do the application! I am also thinking that it's likely the shampoo that is causing the problem with sheeting, as the Finest seemed to sheet relatively well the first time I washed the car. I mean, it's never sheeted as well a some of the videos I've seen, but it did bead well and it sheeted better than it does now.

    I really appreciate your advice. I will try multiple washes with Reset before I really bother my detailer. I will keep this forum posted as well.
    Awesome! ... and feel free to come visit if you are down in my neck of the woods. Here is a truth as told to me by Corey. If Finest was beading and sheeting at the 1 month mark, then it is there and it is just my job as a detailer to find the combination to revive it. Fortunately for us Reset was introduced which made what use to be more tricky (with combination of products) a LOT simpler. Keep us updated for sure, and as I've mentioned before COREY IS THE MAN! and he will get you straight

    https://www.facebook.com/FlawlessFinishDetailing
    Dr. Claude Tremblay, Co-owner/Senior Detailer, Certified CQuartz Finest Installer

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