[Glen e]

No.....But don't use essence on Xpel, go straight to reload and/or the cocktail, a bit of overkill to do both but it'll work.

[Jersey devil]

Thanks bud, appreciate it

[torqueaddict]

I ran into an issue recently with Reload where the week long rain showers seemed to reduce it's effectiveness, similar to what another member here experienced. My only evidence of that though, is greatly reduced beading on the hood and roof. The sides where the rain didn't directly impact beaded as expected.

I changed to a higher quality microfiber and applied another coating to the affected areas and so far it's holding up to the rain, so not sure what that was. Maybe it didn't bond as well, or the rain was especially acidic. Can only guess.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by torqueaddict

I ran into an issue recently with Reload where the week long rain showers seemed to reduce it's effectiveness, similar to what another member here experienced. My only evidence of that though, is greatly reduced beading on the hood and roof. The sides where the rain didn't directly impact beaded as expected.

I changed to a higher quality microfiber and applied another coating to the affected areas and so far it's holding up to the rain, so not sure what that was. Maybe it didn't bond as well, or the rain was especially acidic. Can only guess.

Sounds like it didn't bond correctly...what was your process/materials before applying Reload the first time? My Equinox just drove through a huge rain storm the other day for quite some time, the vehicle is very clean, just the back has some dirt/road grime, quick rinseless wash tonight and it will back to awesome...it is all about the prep work with products like Reload.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by SSport16

Sounds like it didn't bond correctly...what was your process/materials before applying Reload the first time? My Equinox just drove through a huge rain storm the other day for quite some time, the vehicle is very clean, just the back has some dirt/road grime, quick rinseless wash tonight and it will back to awesome...it is all about the prep work with products like Reload.

Totally agree....heres 3 months on my HRV with reload:

[oneredry]

man I love this thread... so Glen, I know you touched base earlier on putting essence on clear bra's such as expel, your guidance is NOT to. but to do reload on it instead. Would this apply to standard carnauba wax as well? Some companies say that you can wax clear bra's, but I just had some bad stuff removed and was "yellowing" after about a year and a half. and most of its life is garage kept. Thoughts?

[Glen e]

I think it's fairly ridiculous to put anything over xpel. But Just don't use a polish, you dont polish soft plasrtic.....you can use anything else you want for a seal, but why would you want to use a carnuba ? It lasts a month in the summer....seems like a waste of time to me. Carnuba has a place in detailing, it's great for car shows when you want that extra pop, for that day. Other than that, I can't see a use for it on a DD......Other than people are old school, and want to stay in the 1980s.

[oneredry]

Originally Posted by Glen e

I think it's fairly ridiculous to put anything over xpel. But Just don't use a polish, you dont polish soft plasrtic.....you can use anything else you want for a seal, but why would you want to use a carnuba ? It lasts a month in the summer....seems like a waste of time to me. Carnuba has a place in detailing, it's great for car shows when you want that extra pop, for that day. Other than that, I can't see a use for it on a DD......Other than people are old school, and want to stay in the 1980s.

copy that.

[torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by SSport16

Sounds like it didn't bond correctly...what was your process/materials before applying Reload the first time? My Equinox just drove through a huge rain storm the other day for quite some time, the vehicle is very clean, just the back has some dirt/road grime, quick rinseless wash tonight and it will back to awesome...it is all about the prep work with products like Reload.

Since I got the car, I shampooed with Reset and applied Reload. No other prep or products. It held well for at least a month and a half or so after which I applied another coat when the beading stopped. This last coat did not hold up as well until I did the final touch-up. It now looks like Glen's pic which is what I'm used to.

I had planned on using Essence, but the paint was in such a good condition, I didn't think it was necessary yet.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by torqueaddict

Since I got the car, I shampooed with Reset and applied Reload. No other prep or products. It held well for at least a month and a half or so after which I applied another coat when the beading stopped. This last coat did not hold up as well until I did the final touch-up. It now looks like Glen's pic which is what I'm used to.

I had planned on using Essence, but the paint was in such a good condition, I didn't think it was necessary yet.

I think we're finding that essence is necessary. It seems to set up a chemical bond that locks the reload to be more effective. The same as BF TPNS and CS.......And as an aside, I believe any of these "spray and wipe" products like Crystal seal, opti seal, reload, McKees, et al. , I believe two coats are always necessary Just because they are thin microscopically. I just put on another coat of mckeys today to my HRV, the picture above. So far for me, mckees and reload are interchangeable.

[torqueaddict]

^Thanks, l'll put on a coat of Essence when it's time for the next detail and apply at least 2 coats of Reload.

[Burly]

I like using CarPro Hydrofoam when I need a full wash. Normally I just use a Ech02 rinseless wash.
For Hydrofoam wash, I’ll power washer rinse, foam with Reset and let dwell as long as possible without drying, rinse again and then panel by panel 2 bucket wash/rinse with Hydrofoam. I am too scared of scratching when reapplying Reload without clay bar’ing/polishing first.

I paint corrected/polished with Essence and Reload in April and just did my first full wash last weekend.

[Mike00]

So I've been using the BF Crystal seal and BF TPS for some time now and I probably have enough for the next application come fall but that should be about it.

I've been using Glen's rinseless guide, the griots for all that time and it's worked out perfectly. Given I'm coming to the end of the product and I've seen all the threads, like this one, one Carpro, I thought I'd jump in and get some clarification. So is the essence and reload basically replacing the TPS and the Crystal Seal?

[Glen e]

yes.....crystal seal has beed discontinued,,,,,,,.the essence reload may last a bit longer but dont think its night and day better than blackfire, its not.....a good replacement for crystal seal is ultima paint guard or mckees 10 min sealant....