5 Star Shine.....

[elwesso]

Can I expect the paint to look better than with my regular (and cheaper) wax....??

[nuQ]

wes, 5 star and a brand new clay bar/polish/wax freshly applied very similar, IMO. It's the much longer shine and protection of the 5 star that has been the hook for me. still looks good now. applied it about 4-5 months ago. my regular wax has NEVER kept up this shine for this long. like i said, if it keeps me from re-applying for at least a year, i'm sold for good!!!jeff

[qship96]

all polish-wax will temporarily reduce the visibility of swirls and scratches,mostly by filling in,the results are short lived as with every wash the same imperfections slowly resurface.I have found it necessary to occasionally visit a professional detailer to machine buff the paint to remove,not just temporarily cover up these problems,followed by applications of glaze and wax.the results of a pro with a high speed buffer are impossible to attain by do it yourself hand applications,in my opinion.

[elwesso]

so do you think it would be a feasible option for me to take the Q and have them detail it and THEN do the 5 star process??

[chadster]

I would first do the 5 star process and see if you're satisfied with how it looks.

Not all detailers are alike. Using a cutting buffer on paint is a delicate process. Paint can easily get burned and look worse than when you took it in.

We've all seen brand new cars that when in the sunlight show horrendous swirl marks that almost make it look like a hologram. Those are really tricky to get out. Those are typical mistakes from an inexperienced detailer. New paint doesn't need that kind of treatment. We make compounds that you can use to 'fix' your clear coat but I would first clean your car up, clay it really good, apply the 5 Star and then evaluate it.

Just my 2 cents worth.-Chad

[rydwhite]

I just thought I would give a little update regarding my experience with 5-Star. The winter is finally over, had that last bit of snow a couple weeks ago and hopefully it will stay away. Looks to be a lot of rain now. But, 5-star held up well throughout the winter and is still going strong here in the spring. The car still has a real nice shine to it and is just as easy to clean as it has been in the past. A powerspray of water over the entire car and the dirt just washes right off and then a nice spot free rinse and I never even have to touch the car. So far I am very impressed. I'll see how it does through the summer and post up another update.

[nuQ]

i'll second that, so far so good. the Q still looks great after the PA winter. i'm on my way right now to the self-serve car wash. good news and bad news,,,,the good---the winter cold, snow, sleet, and salt is over,,,,,,the bad-----now that the spring is finally here, so are the birds that use my Q as a toilet target,,,and they're getting better every day!!!! LOL i'll also keep an update going.jeff

[nuQ]

took mine to the self serve today (it's going on 6 months)---used a wash mitt too---still looks incredible. there is no way a regular wax would protect and shine this long, i'm convinced!!! still don't believe it's a "forever shine",,,,but at least a year,,,,,,,i'm happy.jeff

[chadster]

Here are a couple of pics of the roof of a 5 Star treated honda.1. With the 5 Star on before removal.2. After removal.

They speak for themselves.

-Chad

http://nicoclub.com/forums/sho...62266

[lfootmatt]

Compatability of 5-star on polyester gel coat, and UV protection ability.

Contemplating on my boat, takes alot of UV abuse from the AZ Sun.

How many kits would it take to cover my boat? $$$$$OUCH

Thanks, Matt

See link for a PIChttp://classifieds.mastercraft.com/scripts/board-profile.pl?action=view_profile&profile=lfootmatt-users

[chadster]

Hey Matt, Nice boat. Here's the scoop on what it would take to do your boat.

One kit is more than enough to protect a boat under 17'. Here is a general guideline: less than 17' = 1 kit; 17-23' = 2-3 kits; 24-35' = 3-4 kits. Estimate the surface area you need to cover for a more exact estimate. Remember, each kit covers 250 square feet so you can always calculate the surface area to be covered for an exact figure.

How big is your boat? It looks like you could do it with 2 kits. I would get one deluxe so you can use a clay bar on it and then just one regular. It is a bit of an investment but you'll find that it is well worth it. Here's what a customer said regarding their boat application after a 12 month test....

Ahoy!As discussed with you last spring my 12 month test of your product is drawing to a close. I am pleased to tell you that 5 Star Shine not only met my expectations but exceeded them (no wonder the US Navy buys it!) For years I have been trying to keep the dark blue cove strip (about a foot wide) surrounding the hull from oxidizing over our hot summers and cold winters. Last year it reached 100 degrees in August and then in January dropped for several weeks to a balmy -25 F. It's now moving into late March and the hull looks great! One thing I noticed most of all was the side of the boat consistently facing the sun held it's color and showed the same quality as the shaded side. In past years to keep her looking good I had to polish 2 to 3 times a season, this year I will wash her down and apply one extra coat and I know she will shine like she did all last summer. I have boated for over 30 years and tried every product on the market. I am pleased to tell you, yours is the best! This year I will also be applying it to my top side and interior bright work...............Thanks again from the Captain & Crew P.S. From: Capt. J.W.Olive & First Mate BrendaAboard the : LA REINE BRENDA, Morgan 41 Sailing Vessel, Commissioned 1988Docked: North Shore - Great Lakes, Canada - In water year round

Hopefully seeing that someone used it for a similar application will help you in your decision.Let me know if I can help out in any other way or if you have any ?'s...-Chad

[nuQ]

question for you chad,

i have some of the product left over, can u reapply to clean paint down the road from the initial application?????? talking maybe 6 months later??? just a thought.

BTW------i'll be ordering another kit for my mothers car,,,,,,is the vip discounts still good??jeff

[nuQ]

oh yea, forgot. while prepping my paint for the 1st application (while doing the clay bar), noticed those smudges that stay in the paint. probably from all that bird crap that sits on the car all day (didn't i start a thread about a cover????? , coupled with the cement dust. i think qship mentioned something about having a pro detailer use a power buffer to remove this (then i'll get the cover!!). anyone have any experience with using a buffer on the Q paint????? the paint on the Q's is soo good, would hate to do more damage with a detailer and the buffer!!thanksjeff

[chadster]

Jeff I emailed you the info. Also, as far as the smudges, bird crap, etc, You could try using a good swirl remover to get them out. 3m makes a good one and we also make some here... http://www.5starshine.com/info....html I'd just be really careful and make sure you have seen the work of a detailer you would use first. I'd hate to see your car look like a hologram afterwards. Rotary buffing is an art in itself...

Also, the VIPDISCOUNTS will work for other kits as well....

[AlabamaDan]

I've read throught ... as good as stated.

Drew,

That's one beautiful Q45! I wouldn't mind seeing more photos of that car. Is that the original paint? How do you take care of it? Based on that photo I'd take advice from you!

[rydwhite]

Hey Chad, how big of a vehicle can 5-star cover? My dad bought an F150 extended cab a few months ago and he wants to put 5-Star on it. Will one cover the truck or should he get 2?

[Jesda]

I'm gonna order 5-Star this summer. Looks promising. Until then, my poor self is going to deplete these leftover bottles of NuFinish and TurtleWax ColorCure as quickly as possible.

[chadster]

Ryan, 1 kit should be fine. I just did my dad's nissan Titan a few weeks ago and we didn't even use a whole kit. I would convince your dad to get a clay bar kit (the deluxe kit has one). It's really awesome to get to protect a car right out of the box. It will look/feel amazing afterwards. Just use a thin coat. We used it on the chrome as well.-Chad

[chadster]

Jesda, Let me know if you have any ?'s when it comes time to protect your car. You'll have the same great experience as many others here who have applied it to their cars....-Chad

[AZ94Q]

I am interested in the 5 star shine..

Should I get my car fully washed and detailed, and then apply it? Or should I just wash it, and then use it?

[nuQ]

if you're doing it yourself,,,,,,,, wash with dawn dish detergent (to remove all old wax and dirt), then use the clay bar,,,,all the difference in the world!!!! then apply whatever product u choose...............5 star is very good!!!!

[AZ94Q]

I'm a lazy slut, so I would be having my detail shop do it.. I wonder if they know about this stuff.. What should I tell them?

[AZhitman]

Tell them to read the instructions.

It's pretty much the same process as Zaino, but I'd recommend you at least wash the car before you take it to the shop.

p.s. This stuff kicks a$$ - I never TOUCH my car now, just pressure rinse (no soap) and air dry. It's that good.

[AZ94Q]

Is it basically a protectant wax/sealent???

Sounds awesome.. I'm going to try it out.. How often do you need to reapply it.. is it like a normal wax?

[AZhitman]

Not a wax. Molecularly-bonded sealant.

I applied mine 8 months ago, and it just started "wearing out". I wash at least once a week, so for someone "lazy" it might last longer.

Almost the EXACT same product that the Infiniti dealership sells for $249 when you buy a new car - I have some of that, as well as some Zaino and some 5Star, and I can't tell the difference.

Good product, and they help support NICO - That's all i need to know!

[nuQ]

TRUE,,,,,,,, 5 star is a sponser,,,,,,check them out,,,,i'm very happy with the product!jeff

[AZ94Q]

I guess I just order it from their website, and use the vipdiscountscode, as chad instructed.

Cool deal

[AZ94Q]

Has anyone used their interior leather & vinyl cleaner?

What is the consensus on the best interior cleaner for the Q?

[AZhitman]

Leather products? Lots of threads on this subject.

My preference? Lexol leather soap and Zaino leather conditioner.

[chadster]

Another good leather product I found is called 'leatherique'. I used it to re-finish a leather couch of ours that was dried and cracked. It works great for conditioning normal leather as well. It's kind of expensive but it worked wonders for our couch.

-chad