Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

Many people find it difficult to achieve an excellent finish on solid white and light metallic/pearlescent colours, no matter how well they prepare their paint. This is because the lightness of tone precludes a high degree of reflectivity, and thus makes it hard to achieve a finish with any real clarity and depth. Furthermore, this lack of reflectivity can also limit how wet the paint looks, as fewer highlights are shown up in the finish. However, these problems can be largely overcome by choosing a synthetic sealant instead of a natural carnauba wax as the last step product. This is because sealant polymer chains tend to cross-link to form an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface layer that reflects light far more efficiently than a microscopically rougher, less dense natural carnauba wax coating, and this can add a significant amount of wetness to the appearance of the paint, as more highlights are shown up in the finish. Moreover, the same smoothing and filling properties also minimise any scattering of light caused by micro-structures in the surface of the paint, meaning that reflections are afforded greater clarity and depth, and that metallic and pearlescent flakes receive more transmitted light and thus appear to stand out more from the base colour (a phenomenon commonly known as flake pop).

Out of the various synthetic sealants we stock, we favour the Werkstat Acrylic Kit for optimal results on solid white and light metallic/pearlescent colours. This is because it delivers an incredible level of reflectivity characterised by amazing clarity and depth, and makes metallic and pearlescent flakes stand out from the base colour more than any other product we have used. Indeed, on some light metallic colours we have worked on, it has literally made the flake appear to explode out of the surface of the paint when viewed in direct sunlight. Further benefits afforded by the Werkstat Acrylic Kit include terrific ease of use, even in cold and damp conditions, and excellent durability, with a single application of the three component system typically lasting for around three months on a daily driver, although this can be extended almost indefinitely if regular quick detailing is undertaken. If your budget is too small to stretch to the Werkstat Acrylic Kit, there are two alternative options worth considering. The first is Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection, which delivers an equally intense wet looking shine, albeit with a little less flake pop. The second is Poorboys EX-P Sealant, which delivers a sharp wet looking shine with good flake pop, and offers excellent value for money.

Given the above, here is the optimal routine and products we recommend for use on white and light metallic/pearlescent colours (assuming all work is to be done by hand)...

Wash (ideally every week, including wheels)

Advanced Car Wash Kit - Advanced Car Wash Kit - Polished Bliss Car Care and Detailing Kits (choosing the Werkstat shampoo)

Decontaminate (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times)

Step 1 - Autosmart Tardis & Accessories (to remove tar spots, tree sap, etc) - Autosmart Tardis - Autosmart Car Care and Detailing Products

Step 2 - Meguiars Quik Clay Kit (to remove industrial fallout, soot, etc) - Meguiars Quik Clay Kit - Meguiars Car Care and Detailing Products

Polish (after claying, thus done once or twice a year)

To correct swirl marks and other light to moderate defects (fine scratches and oxidation) on your car, we recommend using Menzerna 203S in conjunction with Lake Country German CCS Light Cut Pads. Working small areas at a time using moderate pressure should enable you to correct a reasonable amount of the defects present in just 1-2 attempts per panel. You should be aware from the outset that although this method will yield very good results, it will require a reasonable amount of elbow grease! Of course, if your paint is in excellent condition with no visible sub-surface defects, you can skip this step and go straight to the addition of the protection (see below)...

Menzerna 203S - Menzerna 203S - Menzerna Car Care and Detailing Products
Lake Country German CCS Light Cut Pads - Lake Country German CCS Pads - Lake Country Car Care and Detailing Products
Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towels - Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towel - Poorboys Car Care and Detailing Products

Protect (add fresh protection every 6-8 weeks for best results)

Werkstat Acrylic Kit - Werkstat Acrylic Kit - Werkstat Car Care and Detailing Products

This excellent value for money kit includes everything you need to achieve the Werkstat acrylic finish on your car, and works best on lighter colours and metallic/pearlescent finishes. Werkstat Prime Acrylic is a light finishing polish that lays down a tough initial coat of acrylic protection whilst deep cleansing the paint; you should use it once every six months after claying/polishing. Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger is a pure spray sealant that should be used to add more gloss and protection every 6-8 weeks; the more layers you build up, the better the finish will get, in terms of both wetness and durability. Werkstat Acrylic Glos is a quick detailing spray and can be used to help boost gloss, lubricate when drying off after washing and loosen the residues of Werkstat Prime Acrylic and Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger should you find them hard to remove. Here are full instructions for each major six-monthly detail with the products...

After washing and claying (and corrective polishing if required), start out by applying a basecoat of Werkstat Prime Acrylic using the white Meguiars Microfibre Applicator Pad. Once fully dry, buff off this residue carefully with the Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towel, using a spritz of Werkstat Acrylic Glos to help loosen the residue if needs be. To complete the process, apply a coat of Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger by spraying directly onto each panel and buffing off immediately with the Poorboys Deluxe Mega Towels, again using a spritz of Werkstat Acrylic Glos to help loosen the residue if needs be. To maintain the finish, simply quick detail with Werkstat Acrylic Glos after each wash, and add a fresh coat of Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger every 6-8 weeks until the time comes to start over by claying again.

Here are some pictures showing the finish the above products/routine gives on white and light metallic/pearlescent colours, in order to give you some idea in advance...

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Having just spent half the day cleaning and detailing my silver STi with Swisswax products (wash, dry, pre wax and 1 coat of shield wax) is it possible to then apply the Werkstat sealent over the top of the shield wax??? And would this give the same effect as you explain above???

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

I'm afraid not - sealants should not be applied over waxes, and in this case the same applies - the Werkstat system would not bond to the Swissvax finish at all well, giving a sub-standard result. I would either stick solely to the Swissvax, or make a fully fledged transition to the Werkstat; mixing and matching will not work well.

rexlee2004

[/B]Would the above be ok to use if the car has had "silver seal" protector applied? Cheers[/B]

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

As far as I understand it, Silver Seal is a sealant based system, so yes, the Acrylic Jett Trigger and Acrylic Glos will work perfectly fine over the top of it.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

New white car so just ordered some Werkstat Acrylic Jett & Werkstat Acrylic Glos from you guys.

Lets hope it comes out good

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

BUGGER!! Forgot the Werkstat Prime Acrylic!! Second order sent