5 Star Shine

[Cali_Pilot]

I just bought some stuff off of eBay that is supposed to keep your car's paint protected and is supposed to be superior to waxes and silicones. The protection is supposed to last for 5 years and it's supposed to make car washes a breeze, only requiring you to hose down the car. Although I have not used it yet and cannot testify to it affectiveness, the website states that it is used by the U.S. Navy to protect their Aegis radar antennas from exhaust residue and sea spray. Has anyone tried this stuff yet and if so, how where the results? Attached is a picture of the product, before-and-after, and a chick doing the job (which is supposed to mean that anyone can do it).

[borg]

I was curious about the effectiveness of this product as well on an earlier thread, no one at that time had tried it.

Let us know how or if it works.

Thanks.

[dr427]

Let's just say for a minute it actually could last, just keep in mind it isn't going to prevent scratches and what not. You will still want to apply regular wax for the best look. Most any oem paint applied today could last 5 years without anything anyways.

I have detailed cars for many years and have yet to find a product last more than 6 months under "normal" conditions. Some may last 1 year under "optimal" conditions, but even those aren't found at your local chain store. There is ALOT of marketing HYPE out there so be careful. Use a resource such as www.gurureports.org or find a forum dedicated to detailing such as www.autopia.org. Then do a search for a product.

Scratches and swirls are going to leave the finish less than desirable and wax such as carnuaba fills those hairline voids to make the finish look better.

Of course avoiding scratches would be the best medicine!

If you drying towel falls on the ground get another, don't set your wax applicator on the ground, don't wipe a dry surface with a dry towel. Mostly common sense. An OEM finish is only mils thick.

Just my $0.02 before you spend $50 a product that comes in a 2oz. fingernail sized bottle.

[svatne]

Most of those miracle car paint protection coatings are little, if any, better than a good wax job per a friend of mine who is in the auto detailing business.
I am a new Pilot owner, but also have an '03 Honda S2000 that I have been drivng and babying for just over 2 years now. There is a very active S2000 website that discusses everything under the sun, including detailing.
The products that have proven very good for me are:
303 Aerospace Protectant for interior vinyl and exterior vinyl and rubber (including tire sidewalls, weather strips and windshield wipers) and convertable tops. Boating people use it on the vinyl on their boats, too. Good stuff
Lexol Leather conditioner for the seats and other leather bits in the car.
carnuba wax for paint, wheels and chrome (if any).
Enjoy

[dr427]

I second the 303 products. They are great. You can even get them at RV stores.