I realize that the other 5 Star Shine thread that I have is getting a bit too long and and off topic sometimes so I thought I'd just condense some 5 Star user experiences here. Anyone else feel free to add your thoughts/experience with it.-Chad
Nico Member KCSpecv writes:
I heard there may be some skepticisim about this product. I am here to put you all at ease. I do not work for 5 star, I just loved their product sooooo much I figured I'd help them out. This thing does wonders. I went on a long road trip and my car got covered in bugs. I washed if with a hose and a mitt, one swipe of the wet mitt........bugs GONE! I have bird poop on my car for almost a week now (hoping it would rain) but when I get ready to wash it, one swipe GONE!, unless its like some potent poop, then it takes a couple swipes, but nothing to work a sweat over. Below are some pics of my car, and if any of you know, yellow cars really don't reflect and shine a lot............mine does. The first 2 pictures were pictures taken recently after close to 7 months after being applied........and i have not washed the car with more than a mitt, hose, and chamois. The others are after about 4 months. Enjoy.Here are the pics.http://gallery.thevboard.com/users/KCSp ... /u...1.jpg
Nico Member specvwannabe writes:
5 star skeptics, check this out howdy all
i use 5 star and i can tell you guys that this stuff works.
i drive a 1999 RAV4 that before 5 star, had never been waxed before. i would only wash it about once a week and maybe put some wax-as-u-dry on it. see below for a pic that was taken with the crappier of two cameras.http://gallery.thevboard.com/u...m.jpg if you look above the wheelwell, you can see some shine, which is only the result of expensive meguiar's car wash soap and wax as u dry.
that was about 5 months ago. in august i applied 5 star and about 3 weeks ago i took this pichttp://gallery.thevboard.com/u...m.jpg notice the shine in the same spot above the wheelwell. also, you can see the reflection of the trees around my house in my doors. notice that even my mirror is decently shiny, and its plastic too.
i was fiddling around with settings and what not on my camera so i took this pic, not really 5 star related but you can see the gloss in my hood.
http://gallery.thevboard.com/u...m.jpg http://gallery.thevboard.com/u...m.jpg
another settings pic, you can see the sidewalk, the street, and my mailbox in my doors.
as for protection, i don't have another wax to compare it to but i can say that nothing "dirty" sticks to my car (aka dirt, bugs, tar, etc). most everything comes off with just the water pressure from an open garden hose (no nozzle attachment) and the rest like heavy dirt or tar is taken care with a sponge. its very convenient to just rinse off your car with water every few days to keep it looking like new. water beads off very quickly so drying time is reduced as well.
if anyone is looking for a good paint protection system or something to shine their car with, or both, stop and get a bottle of 5 star. chad is a great guy and he's offering $20 off so give it a try. if 5 star can make my white car this shiny, imagine what it can do for a darker colored car. also, this would be great in the coming months to protect against salt spray and slush crap if you live in a snowy area.
Sometimes if my car is wet from the rain i'll just wipe it down and then let the rain rinse it off.
Adam Boca a member from altimas.net writes:
I have used MANY other products, and I have seen the results of your product on a friends car. Yes it was very nice when first applied, but once washed the shine deminished.
Chadster responds: I am surprised at your friend's results. I hope he took us up on our money-back guarantee. With any product out there some people won't be satisfied. All I can say is that there are far many more that are thrilled with it and those #'s continue to grow.
Nico Moderator rydwhite writes:
Hello all,
I finally applied the 5-Star this weekend. It went on real nicely and the car looks great. I washed first then clay barred, then applied the 2-step 5-Star. In all, it took about 3 hours, that includes wash and clay bar. The car looks really nice and the shine deepened a bit the next day. So far so good. We'll see how it does over the next several months. I'll keep you all posted.
Sometime Later-
I finally washed the car. It looks really good, just like I waxed it. I just sprayed it down with the hose real well and wiped off what ever was left with a microfiber wash mit. Everything came off very easily, bugs, road tar and dirt. So far I'm impressed.
Nico member harleigh writes:
Using 5 Star I have now used 5 star on all three of my vehicles (sorry I don't have any pictures). I used the clay bar first, then the ionizer liquid, then the 5 star. I have had it on the oldest vehicle for 7 months now. Literally, all I have to do is use water and a brush or rag, and it shines up just like the first time I put it on. I personally think the shine is outstanding. The best part is that I'm not using soaps, etc, just water to wash it and clean it up. I also found that it goes on really easily. I think that using the clay bar first is important, since you get all the gunk off the car rather than sealing it in.
I am generally skeptical about claims made for various products, having been burned before - but this one actually lives up to the claims. If you care about your vehicle, I can't think of a better investment in it for the long haul than 5 Star.
Nico Member golddust writes:
I purchased 5-Star Shine a month ago and am very, very pleased. My midnight green Taurus is five years old and it had been over three years since it was waxed. Before doing anything else, I had it taken to a place to have the dings removed. Then I cleaned it with some Maguire's Pre-wax and swirl reducer that I had laying around. Then I applied the 5 Star product. It was very easy to use and my car looks amazing. It is so shiny, you can't really tell what color it is. It is incredible. There are no swirl marks, not as much sticking in the crevices with a white build-up like wax and the finish is so slick. It is incredible. Now I just wash it off once a week with the hose, sqeegy most of the water off and then finish it with a towel. Before that I always paid $5+ to have my car run through the the cloth car wash because I live near the beach and what you put in the gutters, drains to the beach, so I didn't want detergent going to the ocean. But now it is just water, no soap, so I save the $5 every week and my car looks spectacular. People at work wanted to know if I got it painted that's how good it looks.
Here's a couple of blurbs from some mini-cooper owners from last July:
I applied 5starshine 7 weeks ago & it's the best car polish I've ever used. It's not like those Acylic applications that needed to be painted on, it goes on just like normal wax & comes off just like one. The process is explained above ~ won't rehash it. I actually take my Mini to the local "wash it yourself deal". I tried just rinsing it off...that only works after you wash it with soap every other time. I just wash it with a very soft brush & soap, rinse, & use a rubber squeege to remove water so I don't get water spots. The shine & beading action is outstanding.
I've also noticed that I don't get that build up of dirt on the hatch anymore.
Another Mini User:
I did the entire 5 Star process about a three weeks ago. Today I tried to rinse it with just the garden hose to see if the minimum effort would be enough to get rid of all the pollen. Ended up wiping with a cloth while rinsing with water only and then buffing with a terry cloth after drying (on only the black roof to rid it of water spots- couldn't see any on the silver.) The car looks great again, but I was a bit dissapointed that the pollen dust just doesn't get blown off when I drive. Maybe I was expecting too much. It is quite amusing to watch live insects still slip off the hood though.
A different Cooper owner long-term experience:
I will give a small update. Yesterday I drove over 100 miles on Interstate, Highway, City, and Country roads as well as up my friends gravel/dirt driveway. Keep in mind that there is still plenty of salt and grit laying around here in Michigan. The car still looks good and even the back of the car does not have a collection of dust. I splattered a few bugs on the way, but that is inevitable. I expected the boot lid to be covered in dust and grit, but it was almost completely clean. It is supposed to rain here tonight and tomorrow, so we will see how it does in those conditions.
Basically, the status has not changed at all. During the summer I did wash it with the Neutral PH soap that comes in the kit a couple time, but generally a high pressure spray followed by the garden hose with a micro-fibre towel wipe is all that is needed for a very clean car. I have just done the hi pressure rinse/spot free rinse at the local coin-op and dried the windows by hand for a quick job.
I have not used any chemicals to clean the car or wheels in the 8 months since application. Road tar wipes off the sides of the car during the garden hose and towel routine. Dead bugs come off pretty easy, about 80% with the hi pressure and the rest with the towel. If I spend about an hour cleaning/drying the car it looks really nice and the shine is great.
I guess the real test is coming soon. Winter is upon us and I will not be able to avoid the drive-thru touchless car wash for 3-4 months. This winter will be the big test and we will see how things look in the spring. I will probably re-apply the product in the spring if I am happy with how it stands up over the winter months. I know they say it last 5 years, but they also say you only need to spray the car with a garden hose to get it clean.
I have tried to remain as objective as possible. If you want to be able to wash your car without chemicals, 5 Star will do the job. Also between the 10 minutes at the coin-op using the hi-pressure rinse and another 10-15 at home with the garden hose, it is pretty easy work. As always, the wheels are the hardest thing to get clean. I use the hose in combination with a soft brush that was meant to be used as a dust brush on the wheels.
5 Star Shine User Experiences
More 5 Star reviews:
More 5 Star comments from nico site users.....
Rydwhite:
I've used 5-star on my G35 coupe and I love it. All I do, is just take my car to the self car wash and use the power sprayer and apray the car down real well. I often times take a microfiber wash mit and go over the car too just to make sure that I get everything off, but it usally isn't necessary. I then just dry with a microfiber towel and the car look like it has just been waxed. It carries a nice deep shine to it. Chad of 5-star said it will last something like 5 years. I'm still skeptical about that. But, we'll see. I've had it on my car for about 3 or 4 months, so it is really too early to tell how well it will last long term. But, so far, I am really pleased.
Ryan
gwagonlover writes:
5 Star Shine, I finally did it! My 87 300D Turbo Benz has never been painted, 17 years old. I have been having trouble with water spots, and streaks. I tried every wax that was avaliable locally. Nothing would stay on over 2 month. I am a member of the Mbenz forum: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/category-view.aspIn the Detailing and car care forums, I found out about 5 Star shine and this forum. After some investigation, I decided to bite the bullet and order 5 Star Shine. I put the 87 in the shop garage and started the process of cleaning it. I used 3M polishing compound to get it clean. I hot pressure washed it and polished it again. This time I took care to get all of it clean including the black trim. I read the 5 Star instructions and followed them to the letter. Step by step. The next morning I finished the installation. Geesh! The 87 was slick as a pealed onion. The actual process of putting on the 5 Star was so easy.I left the 87 outside for 3 weeks. Then decided to follow up on washing it. Hummm! can't see any black streaks. Some leaves and dirt on it, the weather had presented some sleet and several rains. I mixed the 5 Star one ounce wash in a gallon of water. rinsed off the 87 with a water hose and started the Mitt wash. 5 minutes later I was ready to chamious it. It was spotless. I am going to give my son a 5 Star shine on his 320 Benz for Christmas. Then I am going to do my G500. I have always tried to keep my vehicles in top shape. 5 Star shine makes my effort easier. Chad, you folks got me for sure!
back_the_pack writes:
Well, I thought I would come back here and let you guys know my experience with 5 Star Shine. I put it on about 3 months ago, and then the bad weather set in. I didn't wash it for until about a week ago, so you can imagine how nasty it was. This was my 4x4 Ford F-250 that has been through the mud and snow with regularity. I used the hose to get the big stuff off, then simply used a sponge to wipe the entire truck down. After a short rinse and dry it looked great. Water still beads and finish is still slick. So far I have been very happy. I hope it lasts as long as advertised!
Rydwhite:
I've used 5-star on my G35 coupe and I love it. All I do, is just take my car to the self car wash and use the power sprayer and apray the car down real well. I often times take a microfiber wash mit and go over the car too just to make sure that I get everything off, but it usally isn't necessary. I then just dry with a microfiber towel and the car look like it has just been waxed. It carries a nice deep shine to it. Chad of 5-star said it will last something like 5 years. I'm still skeptical about that. But, we'll see. I've had it on my car for about 3 or 4 months, so it is really too early to tell how well it will last long term. But, so far, I am really pleased.
Ryan
gwagonlover writes:
5 Star Shine, I finally did it! My 87 300D Turbo Benz has never been painted, 17 years old. I have been having trouble with water spots, and streaks. I tried every wax that was avaliable locally. Nothing would stay on over 2 month. I am a member of the Mbenz forum: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/category-view.aspIn the Detailing and car care forums, I found out about 5 Star shine and this forum. After some investigation, I decided to bite the bullet and order 5 Star Shine. I put the 87 in the shop garage and started the process of cleaning it. I used 3M polishing compound to get it clean. I hot pressure washed it and polished it again. This time I took care to get all of it clean including the black trim. I read the 5 Star instructions and followed them to the letter. Step by step. The next morning I finished the installation. Geesh! The 87 was slick as a pealed onion. The actual process of putting on the 5 Star was so easy.I left the 87 outside for 3 weeks. Then decided to follow up on washing it. Hummm! can't see any black streaks. Some leaves and dirt on it, the weather had presented some sleet and several rains. I mixed the 5 Star one ounce wash in a gallon of water. rinsed off the 87 with a water hose and started the Mitt wash. 5 minutes later I was ready to chamious it. It was spotless. I am going to give my son a 5 Star shine on his 320 Benz for Christmas. Then I am going to do my G500. I have always tried to keep my vehicles in top shape. 5 Star shine makes my effort easier. Chad, you folks got me for sure!
back_the_pack writes:
Well, I thought I would come back here and let you guys know my experience with 5 Star Shine. I put it on about 3 months ago, and then the bad weather set in. I didn't wash it for until about a week ago, so you can imagine how nasty it was. This was my 4x4 Ford F-250 that has been through the mud and snow with regularity. I used the hose to get the big stuff off, then simply used a sponge to wipe the entire truck down. After a short rinse and dry it looked great. Water still beads and finish is still slick. So far I have been very happy. I hope it lasts as long as advertised!