where did all the "black" stuff go? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 01-29-2004, 03:58 PM

went looking for the best black trim dressing, in all the typical places for consumer products.

ive been using mostly mequairs products for years now, but the gold class vinyl product IS NOT up to the job on exterior trim. light rain and its gone, and the grey is back.

what is THE BEST dark black product for exterior (black textured fender trim especial) that is readily available?

something that is not super glossy, sticks thru rain, isnt a dirt magnet, and most of all STAYS BLACK.

i think im going to try some meguiars tire gel i have next.

i also like the STP "low gloss" protectant for the dash surfaces, but do not even see it on the self anymore.

MTI · #2 01-29-2004, 06:21 PM

Despite the fact that it actually doesn't live up to it's name, I did find that Forever Black lasted longer than any of the other dressings I tried (Meguiars, Turtle Wax, and another I can't recall) on my bumper and door handles.

placo1 · #3 01-29-2004, 09:01 PM

Meguiars does make a trim detail designed specifically for exterior trim. It's Gold Class Trim Detailer. It's almost like a light lotion that you spread on and it darkens trim and keeps it looking nice. It will last through 2 rainfalls without streaking. It will attract some dust so it's not a perfect product. It also works well on the door handles. I'd search for it on Meguiars website if you don't find it at your store.

#4 01-29-2004, 09:37 PM

thanks for the replies guys.

afshin, didnt you go to some of the meguiars demos there in CA?

also, do you remember the name of the "detailing" forum that i think ive seen mentioned here before?

i think i might go looking for a more professional grade product.

placo1 · #5 01-29-2004, 10:08 PM

Yes I've been to all of the Meguiars events held for Mercedesshop. I'm helping plan the next one which is on February 7th, it's in the Events forum if you're curious.

The website you're looking for is http://www.autopia.org/forums/index.php . From my experience on Autopia the professional detailers and concours gals/guys are very knowledgeable and their replies are usually very accurate. A lot of opinions fly around on that forum so do a thorough search before taking anyones advice.

The Meguiars Trim Detailer is an excellent product but if you want to achieve perfection here is what I would do.

Go to an Autobody Paint Supplier which distributes Meguiars products and buy a product called Final Detail (Part # D-5101). Use this on your trim regularly and you'll see that it will build up a nice natural sheen over time. I use this product on my paint, rubber trim, plastic trim, engine bay and wheels. Cost for the product is $18/Gallon, you'll also want to purchase a professional sprayer to use with it.

#6 01-29-2004, 10:27 PM

yep, thats the site, thanks. i will try to get a sample of the FD.

you know, its strange, but i also noticed that the MG tire gel dont seem to be on the shelf at any of the consumer outlets anymore. probably is in the pro shops.

thanks again afshin for your advice.

MTi, it seems there is a 2-part kit for the FB that i have never seen at the stores, that is available online and at pro shops. contains both a cleaner, and the conditioner product.

The Godfather · #7 01-29-2004, 11:16 PM

asfhin, check your private message box foo.

#8 01-30-2004, 02:04 PM

afshin,

do you know if MG will be giving you guys a demo of the new NXT (or whatever its called) product?

if so, PLEASE share some info/details with us. thanks, - ben

placo1 · #9 01-30-2004, 02:28 PM

Hi Ben,

I've had an opportunity to test a sample of Nxt for the last few months and am very happy with the results. Here is what I've found.

The product is very easy to apply, almost as easy to remove, smells really good and looks spectacular on MB Paint. I've done side by side comparisons of this product vs S100 Carnauba, Megs #26, Gold Class and preferred the Nxt over all of them.

Nxt darkens the paint and really allows the metallic flakes to show through on my paint. It also fills very very minor swirls/cobwebs giving the car a uniform appearance. The reason I preferred it over Gold Class is that it has a superior gloss, doesn't whiten trim, doesn't whiten rock chips as much, hardly any dusting and it's slicker. Nxt looks better after it's been on the paint for 24 Hours, nothing should be done to the paint until the product has polymerized. Gloss increases during that time as does slickness.

Many on Autopia are getting mixed results. I'd imagine surface preparation and how the product is used can make a big difference in final appearance. For me it was hard to argue side by side comparisons on the hood, I know what I saw and that is how I developed my opinion. The product is scheduled to be on the shelves in most Auto storess and Walmart by next week.

I haven't tried any of the other Nxt product lineup. I'm not sure how I'll respond to them as I'm very particular about what I use. I test most products on my wifes Honda before getting it anywhere near my car.

limeyb · #10 01-30-2004, 02:36 PM

What about peanut butter

#11 02-06-2004, 10:38 AM

afshin, please post some details of the MG clinic afterwards.

NXT is not on the shelfs here (atlanta) yet, and i went to the MG website for more info, but other than a "customer raves" page, little is available there. please pass that along to MG.

a few questions on NXT, if you have the time:

1- does NXT eliminate the need for a separate "polish" step?

in other words, if i wanted to change this vehicle over to NXT, strip everything else off, and then apply only NXT?

2- would there be any advantage or sense in applying a pure wax over the NXT?

3- your mention of the 24-hour "wait" below: do you mean apply it and wait 24-hrs before buffing it off, or 24 before 2nd app or other products as a topper?

thanks in advance for any further info. - ben

placo1 · #12 02-06-2004, 04:18 PM

Ben......Some answers to your questions.......

To get better answers to Nxt questions directly from the source check out www.meguiarsonline.com. The forum opened up 3 weeks ago and I know the person who answers questions is very competent. He also assisted with testing and development of Nxt so he is very well versed on the product.

Nxt should be available by now in most auto stores and Walmart, might be worth calling them first before driving there.

1. The reason you polish your paint is to remove paint contaminants, remove swirl marks and remove other deffects in your paint. Polish smooth's the paint out for a wax or sealant. So to answer your question no Nxt does not replace a good polish. But if your paint is in excellent condition and your satisfied with it's appearance you don't need to polish. It isn't a mandatory step before applying Nxt.

2. As far as protection I seriously doubt any pure carnauba will last longer than Nxt. Carnauba is typically used for the appearance it provides rather than its protection. Some people willl apply it over a product like Nxt because they prefer the way it looks, I personally like the look of Nxt without anything over it other than Final Detail Spray.

3. What I meant with the "24 Hour Wait" is not to apply anything on the paint for 24 hours after the wax has been removed. In other words you apply Nxt, remove Nxt and then wait 24 Hours before using a detail spray or other product. The wax polymerizes in that time giving you a nicer apearance, better protection and slicker surface.

Hope that helps.