Making silver pop

[gencoupe3dot8]

This is mostly pointed at the experienced detailers but I am looking for any that have experienced serious wet look with metallic flake... I have a 3.8 Silberstone Gen coupe (you can see it in my profile), and while it is "ok" I would like to step up the wet look, with looks being a higher priority (for now) than longevity.

 

1) Assume proper wash technique

2) Assume proper polish technique

3) Currently I have MSW topped with BG and Americana...

Will the QS provide a "wetter" look than MSW? Feel free to respond here or in PM with your secret(s) on how to get Silverstone to look "wet" and "deep".... I know this is where black excels, just looking to see if I am missing anything...

 

At the moment the "Silver Bullet" is in need of a wash so I don't want to post pics...

 

In an unrelated question... I seem to have SVRT streaking/running after a good heavy rain or two (I have not topped this with QS yet). Anyone have thoughts on this? I coat and wipe off excess.. look great first few days.... even with rain.... While I can continue to re-coat as needed on the coupe I am looking into getting a used CRV (which has plastic cladding on alot of the lower part) and would like to have a solution before the purchase....

 

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Hmm... that profile pic looks pretty wet... rofl... but esp in the sun or at certain angles it looks "flat". That pic was taken also just after I had finished the detail if memory serves....

[b_pappy]

Bruce,

So you are saying the wax is the depth and the glaze is the "pop".. meaning brightness (flake)? Most folks seem to suggest sealant for brightness and wax for depth... you seem to be saying that glaze adds ? (brightness or slickness?)... to me it seemed to add a little slickness (look, not touch, cuz i topped with Americana....) I'll have to try topping with glaze....

 

Anyone else confused.. rofl.. I think this will be a matter of just trying these different combos...

 

In the broader detailing world there seems to be a mix too.. some people use Sealant as LSP, Some wax, some use sealant/wax.. some sealant/glaze/wax.. and now you are suggesting sealant/wax/glaze....

 

Just to confuse you I also have a DD that is BCP.. and on that I may use a completely different process... (most likely a coating... but am trying a long durability wax as well)

 

Thanks for all the input...

 

[m]

That is exactly how I see it:

Sealant: good hard shine & protection, not warm or deep

Wax: adds warmth & depth

BG: Pops the paint, like a coat of clear

These steps are what I use and I'm pretty happy with the results. YMMV.

I know the trend now is wax on top of glaze, but use what works best for you.

Let us know what you like.

Bruce

[DP 08 GXP]

Derek,

Looks awesome bro... you guys have convinced me to try multiple coasts of BG anf APW..

 

thanks....the car is still shinning like in the pictures

[THE Mook]

Chris,

It get's washed on a regular basis... for APC it's prolly been a while... will take some APC to it and re-apply. Are you suggesting a complete strip for every application?

 

[m]

 

 

No. Don't be crazy like me. I am thinking, because of where that is on your car, that maybe once a month APC with a brush style, clean it. Car Shampoo, being PH Neutral, and not being an active cleanser, I am thinking there is some residual dirt building up that just isn't coming off with the Car Shampoo, thus SVRT being applied to technically a contaminated area, and not to the diffuser itself.

 

Did that make sense?

 

I'm just trying to help man.

Mook

[gencoupe3dot8]

Derek,

Looks awesome bro... you guys have convinced me to try multiple coasts of BG anf APW..

[gencoupe3dot8]

Chris,

It get's washed on a regular basis... for APC it's prolly been a while... will take some APC to it and re-apply. Are you suggesting a complete strip for every application?

 

[m]

[DP 08 GXP]

this is after SSR, SHR, and FMP on the Flex 3401 followed up by 3 coats of BG and 2 coats of Americana

 

 

 

 

 

[THE Mook]

Let me ask you this about the rear diffuser...

 

When was the last time you took a boar's hair brush and some APC to it?

[gencoupe3dot8]

For reference this is the victim... very bright sun, hence the hood... you can see the "wet look" I mentioned in my first post on the thread:

 

 

 

I think I might just be chasing like 2% improvement... hence my addiction...

 

SVRT on tires, rubber trim, In&Out on that grill, SVRT down below.. the issue with the SVRT happens mostly on the rear diffuser (not pictured)... alot of plastic and pretty flat... I'll make sure I am giving a good shake before applying... thanks for the suggestion Chris...

[THE Mook]

Chris,

As far as I remember, yes, but I will look at that the next time I apply SVRT... which is the new stuff and less than a year old... same goes for my tires....

 

Do you notice a BIG difference between one or two coats of the APW? I'll try that on a panel that I will notice more (like hood).

 

I'm stoked to do all this testing.... rofl.. including using my new foam cannon!

 

[m]

 

I honestly think coat #2 of APW is for me, not my truck. I am in the regimen of this....

 

3 month schedule:

 

Strip Wash, Clay, Polish

Apply QS, BG, APW (2 on the APW)

6 weeks from that point, BG

2 weeks from that point APW

 

Wait one month,

Start the process over from strip wash.

 

 

Call my paint Corn because it :lurk:s

[billawd]

I agree with Mook I detailed a silver GTR a few weeks back and it came out great I did 2 passes of fmp AQS BG then apw it came out great.

[gencoupe3dot8]

Mike/Bruce,

Will do! Glad we had some people chime in already with their experience... in my experience Silver (flake) is a fun paint to get "face melting"... but then I don't want the full time job of a black car either, esp for a DD...

 

I hope to have time enough to do an FMP polish of the coupe before the clinic.. but life is conspiring against me...

 

[m]

[XQIZT]

With the old Brilliant SPRAY Glaze, it was suggested to put the Glaze on top of the wax. With the current Brilliant Glaze, it is suggested to go below the wax.

 

The shine enhancement of the Glaze comes from filling in minor imperfections that detract from your shine.

 

There's nothing wrong with putting the Glaze on TOP of the wax, but it has been reported to lessen the longevity of the wax. But if you are just looking for face melting and not caring about longevity, then try it.

 

The reality is that no matter what order you put the products on your car, you're not going to damage anything. So try different combos and stick with with one that gives you the results you want. Then let us know what worked for you.

[gencoupe3dot8]

You guys shaking your bottles up really well before applying the SVRT? How old is the product you are using?

 

______________________

 

To get my paint where it is...2 passes of FMP on the Flex, Quick Sealant, BG, Two Coats of APW. I personally prefer QS for ease of use.

 

Chris,

As far as I remember, yes, but I will look at that the next time I apply SVRT... which is the new stuff and less than a year old... same goes for my tires....

 

Do you notice a BIG difference between one or two coats of the APW? I'll try that on a panel that I will notice more (like hood).

 

I'm stoked to do all this testing.... rofl.. including using my new foam cannon!

 

[m]

[gencoupe3dot8]

Bruce,

So you are saying the wax is the depth and the glaze is the "pop".. meaning brightness (flake)? Most folks seem to suggest sealant for brightness and wax for depth... you seem to be saying that glaze adds ? (brightness or slickness?)... to me it seemed to add a little slickness (look, not touch, cuz i topped with Americana....) I'll have to try topping with glaze.... (looks like Gary has seen the same thing.. sounds like we are building consensus...)

 

Anyone else confused.. rofl.. I think this will be a matter of just trying these different combos...

 

In the broader detailing world there seems to be a mix too.. some people use Sealant as LSP, Some wax, some use sealant/wax.. some sealant/glaze/wax.. and now you are suggesting sealant/wax/glaze....

 

Just to confuse you I also have a DD that is BCP.. and on that I may use a completely different process... (most likely a coating... but am trying a long durability wax as well)

 

Thanks for all the input...

 

[m]

[b_pappy]

I guess I go against the trend here. You are correct, correct, polish, MSS, then I put down Americana, then Brilliant Glaze. I haven't noticed much difference between QS & MSS as far as shine or depth, both are good for shine.

I have a similar (I think mine is Machine Silver) color truck as yours. Just this weekend at a car show I was being complimented on the beautiful color and paint job. I made sure they were serious, then said "It's not the paint, it's the wax."

Anyhow, I like the BG on top, and apply a coat when ever you want the extra pop.

Bruce

[THE Mook]

You guys shaking your bottles up really well before applying the SVRT? How old is the product you are using?

 

______________________

 

To get my paint where it is...2 passes of FMP on the Flex, Quick Sealant, BG, Two Coats of APW. I personally prefer QS for ease of use.

[XQIZT]

Since you originally you said you we're so worried about longevity, try this on half the hood...strip the MSS entirely, then just go with Glaze and Americana. See if that gives you the look you are after.

[gencoupe3dot8]

I did a waterless wash and noticed I have water spots... so it looks like I'll need to hit it with at least FMP... (or other fine polish). I have noticed a difference (wetness?) with BG, with everything being the same (MSW & Americana)

 

But it sounds like I'll continue with a sealant topped by a wax to get the look I am after...

 

Mike, your explanation matches others I have seen... so it looks like I need to either look at sealant topped with nuba or a 2-in-1 product (which I am less inclined to do).

 

On the SVRT I'll give that a whirl as well as try topping it with QS. I tend to use pretty thin coats as it is...

 

Thanks for helping me to keep my shine on,

Mike

[XQIZT]

My Vette is Medium Grey Metallic. The key to "pop" is perfect polishing first. Glaze (maybe even 2 coats back to back with a little longer "set" time), then Americana. That's going to be as "popped" as you can get. And remember: THIN THIN THIN coats.

 

The best way I've heard the difference in "look be described is this: Sealants give a more reflective look, like a mirror. Waxes give a wetter look, like a mirror under a few inches of water. Not sure if that is TECHNICALLY true, but I can see the difference on certain surfaces.

 

As far as your SVRT issue: some plastics just don't "take" SVRT as well as others. Only suggestion again is THIN coats. Put one on, knock it down with a foam block, then apply another coat later and knock that down as well.

[GaryW]

I Have a Tahoe that is Silver Birch Metallic. It glows like a charm. The Machine Sealant adds protection for the paint. From my understanding it is the polishing that actually gives the paint the shine. The Glaze and Americana enhance it. So with that being said,, if you get the polishing down to a art, it will glow prior to applying any type of wax or sealant. I usually apply the BG then Americana on top of that. But the last time after I had that done,, while the ole girl was in the garage, I put another coat of Glaze on top, and it seemed to make the FLake pop out really good. Maybe just my eyes......

 

I also use the Spray Sealant now for more protection. I know the heavy hitters will chime in, but if you get the polishing down really good then you should have it good already.

 

Also it seemed everytime I polished the tahoe, the better it shined. Wether it be touching up with FMP or hitting some spots with SHR. Just how I see it.