Paint and stuff on your VT
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Ok - found a great US site with a bunch of step by step guides for mirror finishes. There's some great info on Klaas products like the All-In-One but also a glaze made by Klaas too. I haven't researched shipping costs (yet) but will check out their pricing in due course. Our dollar is currently around 1:1 with the US dollar so importing a 'kit' isn't as silly as you might think. Especially when the products last several years and from what I've read, you only need about a thimble-full to do an entire car.
Klasse Car Care Products, Klasse Detailing Products, Klasse Sealant, klasse all in one
Klasse Car Care Products, Klasse Detailing Products, Klasse Sealant, klasse all in one
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242 Posts
Everyone appears to be impressed with the Klasse products. I think I am going to give these a go rather than the somewhat overpriced paint protection.
Not available in Adelaide but found a good website (Western Australia based) that delivers for a flat $12.50. Deciding between these packages:
Sonus Klasse AIO and Clay Bundle - Paint Protection-Wax & Sealants - Exterior
Sonus Klasse Complete Kit with Polycharger
The second is like $100 more but has the polycharger and a few extra products. Anyone know if the extra stuff in this package is worth spending the extra $100 on. Sounds like the glaze is good but thats only $45 if I got it separate. This will be a xmas gift from the missus
What do others think. Is this better than paying around $550 for "Opti Coat" paint protection which is supposed to last 5+ years. I gather that over the same period I could end up spending that much on these products Klasse anyway.
Not available in Adelaide but found a good website (Western Australia based) that delivers for a flat $12.50. Deciding between these packages:
Sonus Klasse AIO and Clay Bundle - Paint Protection-Wax & Sealants - Exterior
Sonus Klasse Complete Kit with Polycharger
The second is like $100 more but has the polycharger and a few extra products. Anyone know if the extra stuff in this package is worth spending the extra $100 on. Sounds like the glaze is good but thats only $45 if I got it separate. This will be a xmas gift from the missus
What do others think. Is this better than paying around $550 for "Opti Coat" paint protection which is supposed to last 5+ years. I gather that over the same period I could end up spending that much on these products Klasse anyway.
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Hey there Tokra. Check out the blurb on the 'Klaas' kits at the autogeek site above .... what I mean is, I had a look at their 2 packages (most of the products can be sourced here in Oz so the info is mostly for reference purposes).
I steered away from the packages including clay only because clay is really meant for super-fine polishing of imperfections. I hope our new VTs won't have (many) imperfections in their 'new' paint .... a pro spray-painter might beg to differ though ?
Anyways, looks as though the Klass AIO does a thorough job cleaning/prepping the existing paint in readiness for a glaze/wax of some description, like the 'high gloss sealant glaze' that Klaas also make. The autogeek crew do the 2 products in one of their 'kits' along with an instant detailing product (Crystal Mist) made by Pinnacle.
I might buy one of their kits but am waiting for them to get back to me regarding the cost of shipping one of their kits. Biggest hitch was the $100 minimum spend for International shipping.
You're definitely right about the "Opti Coat' scam .... you'd be paying a little bit for the product they use and probably 90% for the labour of the guy who applies it to your car. I had a bad incident with Arma-Glaze years back where I got 'dusty rain drops' all over a brand new car immediately after I'd chamois it ..... it didn't ever get resolved but the 'extras' industry shot itself in the foot by passing the buck. These days, I'd rather make some time and do it myself.
I steered away from the packages including clay only because clay is really meant for super-fine polishing of imperfections. I hope our new VTs won't have (many) imperfections in their 'new' paint .... a pro spray-painter might beg to differ though ?
Anyways, looks as though the Klass AIO does a thorough job cleaning/prepping the existing paint in readiness for a glaze/wax of some description, like the 'high gloss sealant glaze' that Klaas also make. The autogeek crew do the 2 products in one of their 'kits' along with an instant detailing product (Crystal Mist) made by Pinnacle.
I might buy one of their kits but am waiting for them to get back to me regarding the cost of shipping one of their kits. Biggest hitch was the $100 minimum spend for International shipping.
You're definitely right about the "Opti Coat' scam .... you'd be paying a little bit for the product they use and probably 90% for the labour of the guy who applies it to your car. I had a bad incident with Arma-Glaze years back where I got 'dusty rain drops' all over a brand new car immediately after I'd chamois it ..... it didn't ever get resolved but the 'extras' industry shot itself in the foot by passing the buck. These days, I'd rather make some time and do it myself.
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Hey Andy, there seems to be a huge cost premium on buying locally given the 1:1 exchange rate. US$25ea vs AU$45ea for the AIO and Glaze products. Guess it depends on shipping costs to import (AU$12.50 vs US$????). Please post what they quote you for shipping.
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Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing about what they put on them at factory/dealer level prior to hand-over. I had the car garaged over the weekend when we were expecting hail and on closer inspection, I could see very light swirls so I guess they get polished at least before delivery. But .... polished with what, I wonder ?
So far, I've only bought a big bottle of Meguiars NXT car wash to wash the VT with but am thinking about applying something like the Klaas 2-step system and maybe a once-over. I guess we don't really know what they've used or how long it will last ... but ... from what I've read about the Klaas AIO, it will likely take it off anyway albeit very gently. The claims on the geek site are 'once every 6 months' etc so I guess time will tell. Would be nice to look at the car 2 or 3 years from now and have paint-work that 'looks like new' though. Brings a big smile to my face now but if the claims about 'rich wet-look finishes' are even half-way right .... well .... especially if the tiny quantities bring such results - seems like great value for money.
So far, I've only bought a big bottle of Meguiars NXT car wash to wash the VT with but am thinking about applying something like the Klaas 2-step system and maybe a once-over. I guess we don't really know what they've used or how long it will last ... but ... from what I've read about the Klaas AIO, it will likely take it off anyway albeit very gently. The claims on the geek site are 'once every 6 months' etc so I guess time will tell. Would be nice to look at the car 2 or 3 years from now and have paint-work that 'looks like new' though. Brings a big smile to my face now but if the claims about 'rich wet-look finishes' are even half-way right .... well .... especially if the tiny quantities bring such results - seems like great value for money.
My VT's finish was pretty immaculate considering it had a second trip on a car carrier to get it to me. The dealer must have washed it but it didn't have any swirl marks or goop residue on the trim seams and edges.
I'm trying to see how long I can go without doing anything to the original finish because 2 months in its shine still stands out in any parking lot. For the most part I have just pressure washed it without any soap and towel dried it with a microfiber cloth and do not do any rubbing or swirling. The typical dirt and bugs come right off using just water.
It got actually dirty once while parking in the infiield at Road Atlanta for the Petit LeMans. I went to a hand wash place and told them that I wanted to protect the original finish and take it easy on the soap, no wax and no excess rubbing. It came back looking like new.
Once the original finish fades I will look at using Meguiars products to put a new shine on it.
There is an episode of Fifth Gear where they take a brand new Rolls Royce to a high end detailer to give it a professional finish. The detailer showed how the majority of damage done to a finish is done by washing and waxing it. The finish is damaged when it is rubbed by brushes and cloths and there is any dirt present. The dirt, no matter how little is present, destroys the original smooth glossy finish of the clearcoat. He used clay in a much different way than I understood its use. I always assumed clay was used like jeweler's rouge and was a buffing compound to polish the dulled clearcoat. He used it to remove the final bits of dirt left after washing - more like a tack cloth. Only when the clay came back clean would he apply a "wax" finish product and do any rubbing or buffing.
I'm trying to see how long I can go without doing anything to the original finish because 2 months in its shine still stands out in any parking lot. For the most part I have just pressure washed it without any soap and towel dried it with a microfiber cloth and do not do any rubbing or swirling. The typical dirt and bugs come right off using just water.
It got actually dirty once while parking in the infiield at Road Atlanta for the Petit LeMans. I went to a hand wash place and told them that I wanted to protect the original finish and take it easy on the soap, no wax and no excess rubbing. It came back looking like new.
Once the original finish fades I will look at using Meguiars products to put a new shine on it.
There is an episode of Fifth Gear where they take a brand new Rolls Royce to a high end detailer to give it a professional finish. The detailer showed how the majority of damage done to a finish is done by washing and waxing it. The finish is damaged when it is rubbed by brushes and cloths and there is any dirt present. The dirt, no matter how little is present, destroys the original smooth glossy finish of the clearcoat. He used clay in a much different way than I understood its use. I always assumed clay was used like jeweler's rouge and was a buffing compound to polish the dulled clearcoat. He used it to remove the final bits of dirt left after washing - more like a tack cloth. Only when the clay came back clean would he apply a "wax" finish product and do any rubbing or buffing.
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looked up local suppliers for Klasse product and found the supplier was only in the next suburb so went to check out showroom and get some advise. Have only ever gone to Supercheap in the past, standard products which are ok, but I really love my VT and wanted to give a little extra TLC.
Don't think I recognised any of the products he had on display but after getting some advice walked out with Naviwax Light wax. Bit more expensive but apparently an excellent product.
Googled it when I got home and very impressed with the positive feedback.
So will hopefully spend some of the weekend washing, light clay bar and then applying the wax.
Don't think I recognised any of the products he had on display but after getting some advice walked out with Naviwax Light wax. Bit more expensive but apparently an excellent product.
Googled it when I got home and very impressed with the positive feedback.
So will hopefully spend some of the weekend washing, light clay bar and then applying the wax.
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Can't complain about the delivery time from the WA mob (Klasse All-In-One Paint Cleaner and Polish, 16 oz - Klasse - Brands) - placed my order about lunchtime on Wed and the express bag arrived at work in QLD about lunchtime Friday - flat fee of about $12 (as somebody mentioned earlier) .... happy times !
Reading the back of the Klasse (can't believe I've been mis-spelling it so often *uppercut*) bottles .... it would seem the AIO cures everything other than the common cold. Going to run a test on my partner's X-trail (also black) - lots of smeared insects etc that seem reluctant to come off with regular washing. I'll be interested to see the results - must post pics
Reading the back of the Klasse (can't believe I've been mis-spelling it so often *uppercut*) bottles .... it would seem the AIO cures everything other than the common cold. Going to run a test on my partner's X-trail (also black) - lots of smeared insects etc that seem reluctant to come off with regular washing. I'll be interested to see the results - must post pics
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Just ordered from the same place as Andy71. Ordered the kit though. Want to test it out on my current Lancer so I can practice technique and see how it performs before I dare put it on the VT when I eventually get it. Don't want to waste too much though, the Lancer might just end up with a very shiny bonnet and not much else :wink:.
Strange all their kits only come with a 10oz bottle of the AIO rather than the 16oz that is sold separately and do not even sell the 10oz as a separate item.
Strange all their kits only come with a 10oz bottle of the AIO rather than the 16oz that is sold separately and do not even sell the 10oz as a separate item.
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Hi there Tokra & fellow VT freaks - you're right about the size of their kits etc - perhaps it's a shipping thing. I ended up with the 2x 10oz (AIO and Gloss Sealant) along with a twin-pack of Sonus cloths. Then I found a 6-pack of 400mm square microfibre cloths at Autobarn on the weekend for about $16 and nearly cried .... hahahaha.
But seriously, reading the blurb on the Klasse bottles, I think from memory the AIO says to use a MAX of 2oz for 'the average car' - I dare say VTs are smaller than 'the average car' .... it then goes on to say that the finish should last between 6 and 12 months .... that makes for 5 yrs worth from a 10oz bottle ? NICE !
They also claim that red & black cars really show results (no disrespect to owners of other colours) ... but I think any VT would look great after treatment with the gear.
But seriously, reading the blurb on the Klasse bottles, I think from memory the AIO says to use a MAX of 2oz for 'the average car' - I dare say VTs are smaller than 'the average car' .... it then goes on to say that the finish should last between 6 and 12 months .... that makes for 5 yrs worth from a 10oz bottle ? NICE !
They also claim that red & black cars really show results (no disrespect to owners of other colours) ... but I think any VT would look great after treatment with the gear.
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<<< is still awaiting some nice weather to properly wash and treat the VT with Klasse ..... I'd swear I was living in Melbourne these last few weeks. Decided to wash the (very dirty) JJ 2 nights back. I'd just finished drying it - couldn't see anymore - went inside and opened a beer .... then I hear rain. Fortunately I had plenty of beers in the fridge to drown my sorrows so it wasn't a total loss :haha:
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Have anybody tried those 3M car care products? I saw a video on youtube that it looks almost like the car is water proof.
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I had Xzilon applied to my VT and its the best decision I've made. Rain beads right off and washing can be done with just spraying it with a hose and drying with a towel. I don't buy into their whole "you can wipe spray paint right off" ploy, but as far as shine and ease of cleaning, I've never seen a product work better.
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So is it Aussie product or...? How long does it last before rain water starts sticking onto your car again? Doesit work on windows? Or you use different products?
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It was applied by dealer and honestly I've never searched to find it outside the dealer. Its supposed to last 5 years minimum.
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