Top Coat F-11, Hype or Miracle?

[03hemi]

I finally broke down and ordered this product after going to their web site and never completing my order out of uncertainty.
I'm sure there's other products that work as well (maybe?) but I'm here to tell you, no matter the cost, this stuff works!
It's a miracle cure for black plastic and rubber trim, the first coat never sinks in, splotches or dissipates like most other trim restorer does.
I applied mine with an applicator pad, so once the pad was soaked I rarely had to re-wet it.
I'm on my 4th coat, letting them cure 24hrs between coats on my truck and Jeep (including wheels) and still have 3/4 of the 16oz bottle left (comes with 18oz total for $65.00+$10 for shipping=$75.00 total).
You have to wash your vehicle with pure water after because car wash will "cut" the ceramic glazing off, no big deal to me as this is the only way I washed my vehicles for years and only went with car wash that included wax over the last few years for protection (it works, somewhat).
The glazing (when applied with an applicator pad) goes on in a somewhat greasy consistency, doing it in sections you then just buff it off with a dry towel and it immediately gets as slippery as "owl feces on a wet slippery elm branch."
You must clay bar prior to using, but the product does not cover, hide or mask rain spots in any manner as advertised. Those would have to be "color corrected" prior to using if this is your intent.
The product does "stack" and is very evident when used on the black trim, not so evident on the paint if your paint is already wet looking, but the depth does get deeper with each coat.
I really noticed the difference on my Jeep when applied. The Jeep's paint was always shiny, but not wet looking like my truck until after using this product. Now it's developing a deep, wet look and the trim is looking phenomenal after 4 applications on both vehicles.
The true test to me will be the longevity after time and rain. This will determine if I buy it again, if it holds up, it's worth the money for sure.
You be the judge, here are some photos I took this morning.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

I have seen that advertised also. I have also seen a new one called NexGen.

Not sure what I am going to go with.

 

[03hemi]

I have seen that advertised also. I have also seen a new one called NexGen.

Not sure what I am going to go with.

Longevity after weathering heat and rain will be the deciding factor for me.

 

[LVSteve]

You have to wash your vehicle with pure water after because car wash will "cut" the ceramic glazing off, no big deal to me as this is the only way I washed my vehicles for years and only went with car wash that included wax over the last few years for protection (it works, somewhat).

Color me baffled about "washing with pure water".

A ceramic glaze that cannot take a run through a carwash now and again doesn't sound like a robust product to me. I would assume that this is a dress-up product for car shows rather than something that can protect my vehicles from the assault of the Vegas climate.

 

[03hemi]

Color me baffled about "washing with pure water".

A ceramic glaze that cannot take a run through a carwash now and again doesn't sound like a robust product to me. I would assume that this is a dress-up product for car shows rather than something that can protect my vehicles from the assault of the Vegas climate.

Don't know, will tell with time how it holds up to weather conditions, but that's a lot different than washing with soap too. Personally, I have no issues washing with only water if the product holds up over time. We'll see?
Besides, if you really love your car, never take it through a car wash. lol

 

[delcrossv]

Interesting. Wonder if it lasts 5 times longer than Collinite 845 (seeing how it costs 5 times as much). I can get 3-4 months using 845.

 

[03hemi]

Interesting. Wonder if it lasts 5 times longer than Collinite 845 (seeing how it costs 5 times as much). I can get 3-4 months using 845.

We'll see.
Tell me more about the 845, do you use the Collinite 845 on the trim too? Is it a ceramic glaze with "hydrophobic" properties?

 

[delcrossv]

We'll see.
Tell me more about the 845, do you use the Collinite 845 on the trim too? Is it a ceramic glaze with "hydrophallic" properties?

It's a semi-liquid wax. As a wax, it's hydrophobic (water repelling). I don't use it on trim - generally real waxes and rubber don't get along too well, for trim I use another product. The only trick to using it is the window to buff out is kinda narrow, but it's great stuff.

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax

 

[03hemi]

It's a semi-liquid wax. As a wax, it's hydrophobic (water repelling). I don't use it on trim - generally real waxes and rubber don't get along too well, for trim I use another product. The only trick to using it is the window to buff out is kinda narrow, but it's great stuff.

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax

Yes, exactly, that's the problem with wax on trim.
I haven't found anything yet that restores trim for any amount of time.
This stuff goes on everything, trim, paint, glass and all and after you wipe it clean looks amazing! Supposedly, the key is curing it 24hrs between coats. I just hope it holds up and lasts like it's supposed to.

 

[wood714]

You must clay bar prior to using,

Doing the clay bar is almost an all day job.

Wash and dry.

Clay bar.

Wash and dry.

Wax.

 

[delcrossv]

Doing the clay bar is almost an all day job.

Wash and dry.

Clay bar.

Wash and dry.

Wax.

Try that on a Suburban!

 

[wood714]

Try that on a Suburban!

No thanks!

When I bought this little Nissan it only had 8,000 miles on it, but the paint felt like sand paper. Previous owner must have lived near a factory or railroad tracks.

Slick as a ribbon after the dreaded clay bar.

 

[soFlaNative]

I miss the finish that sparkled after buffing with a rag and some gasoline.

 

[rubiranch]

Color me baffled about "washing with pure water".

A ceramic glaze that cannot take a run through a carwash now and again doesn't sound like a robust product to me. I would assume that this is a dress-up product for car shows rather than something that can protect my vehicles from the assault of the Vegas climate.

I'd have to agree.

Fortunately for me all we have here is artificial water.

 

[rubiranch]

I miss the finish that sparkled after buffing with a rag and some gasoline.

I had a '62 VW Beetle that I used to polish with 0000 steel wool.

 

[LVSteve]

Doing the clay bar is almost an all day job.

Wash and dry.

Clay bar.

Wash and dry.

Wax.

The clay bar was invented to keep detail shops in business, and I'm OK with that. Like plumbing it comes under the "pay the expert" clause for me.

 

[delcrossv]

Yes, exactly, that's the problem with wax on trim.
I haven't found anything yet that restores trim for any amount of time.
This stuff goes on everything, trim, paint, glass and all and after you wipe it clean looks amazing! Supposedly, the key is curing it 24hrs between coats. I just hope it holds up and lasts like it's supposed to.

Aah. The 'Burban doesn't have so much trim that I need the trim product to last as long as the wax.

 

[03hemi]

Doing the clay bar is almost an all day job.

Wash and dry.

Clay bar.

Wash and dry.

Wax.

Your doing it all wrong then. lol
Use the synthetic clay bar like me (clay works too, just more work) and just wipe the car down keeping a running hose on it after it's washed keeping the area wet and rinsed, squeegee off then dry.
done and done.
It takes me about 10-15 minutes to clay bar my truck and less time on my Jeep doing it this way.
get a synthetic clay bar at Auto Zone like this $25.00, they only tell you to use detail spray to sell more product. Water works just as effectively, try it this way next time and you'll be amazed and never do it the old way again.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a Wilderness brand Polyethene kayak, with a no texture surface. For 12 of 20 years I owned it stayed outside 24/7/365! I use "303" recreational and marine "Aerospace Protectant" every 3 years. I have also use this on our CRV's exterior plastic parts (also evert 3 years)

I put it on a clean surface with a folded wash cloth let dry for 2 hours and repeat. It has a nice glossy finish, but is so slick it is nearly impossible to hold onto. When on the lake, water doesn't stay on it long enough to "bead up" into droplets, and it comes out of the lake bone dry!

The 16 ounce spay bottle at the Kayak dealer was $18.95 a week later I found at the discounter's boat department for $12, A bottle lasts me 6 years (2 coats every 3 years). I think they saw you guys coming!

Ivan

 

[03hemi]

I have a Wilderness brand Polyethene kayak, with a no texture surface. For 12 of 20 years I owned it stayed outside 24/7/365! I use "303" recreational and marine "Aerospace Protectant" every 3 years. I have also use this on our CRV's exterior plastic parts (also evert 3 years)

I put it on a clean surface with a folded wash cloth let dry for 2 hours and repeat. It has a nice glossy finish, but is so slick it is nearly impossible to hold onto. When on the lake, water doesn't stay on it long enough to "bead up" into droplets, and it comes out of the lake bone dry!

The 16 ounce spay bottle at the Kayak dealer was $18.95 a week later I found at the discounter's boat department for $12, A bottle lasts me 6 years (2 coats every 3 years). I think they saw you guys coming!

Ivan

I've used the 303 Aero Space and the Detailer many times and they just didn't last either?
Now I haven't tried the "Recreational and Marine" so apparently that's a lot better.
I'm no advocate for Top Coat, so if doesn't hold up I'll move onto something else. I want something that can be used on everything, paint, trim, etc.
Thanks, I'll have to look for the R&M 303 now.