Alternative to Gatorback - faded cladding solutions

[Whaleboy]

one of the guys on the avalanche forum recommended waiting 24 hours between coats... said it was still tacky after the first coat even after the recommended time period between coats.

this is the first I've heard of having to wipe it off after putting it on.

I'm placing an order for this stuff, hopefully we'll figure out optimal application instructions.

Yeah, and I think that was due to moisture for that long rate? Anyhoo, I'm not really sure you should be wiping it off, that's a good observation. It definitely needs to soak into the polypropylene. As far as the hood is concerned, I have doubts it would have the same lasting effect as it does with the cladding. I'm honestly not sure what the outer surface of that insert is coated with, but it's not polypropylene.

I seriously recommend reading thru the threads I posted before applying, or before someone makes a tutorial. They've been using this product for quite some time.

[twistedsymphony]

I actually read threw two whole threads on the avalanche forum and no one really spelled out the application procedure. just hinted at different things here and there..

one interesting post was a guy had stains on the bed lid of his, said he didn't know the procedure to apply it, no one helped him so he posted back a few days later with pictures of his "best guess" at application. it dulled the stains quite a bit but didn't get rid of them completely and someone chastised him for it saying that if he had "followed directions that others had posted" he would have got rid of the stains.

after reading that I even went back and skimmed through the tread, did a search there, and looked through other threads in the forum and found no real form of instruction. gotta love the mentality of forum people sometimes.

EDIT:
I found the official application instructions. they're availble in the PDF from the official website:
http://www.carsystem.ca/shared_files...estorer_gb.pdf

from the PDF:

1. Surfaces to be sealed need to be clean and free of oil and grease. Any yellowing or staining on gelcoat and
other plastic surfaces needs to be removed with a cleaner. The surface should be thoroughly rinsed with
water. Metallic surfaces should be thoroughly degreased. Application on white surfaces can result in a slight
colour change.
2. After initial treatment the surface should be thoroughly dried before the Refinish Restorer is applied.
3. Refinish Restorer cannot be applied onto very warm surfaces or in direct sunlight.
4. Refinish Restorer is applied evenly, using a soft flat brush or a lint free cloth, until the pores are filled.
5. Refinish Restorer should take effect 5 to 10 minutes after application. Any liquid Refinish Restorer can be
brushed over a more porous area.
6. After a maximum of 10 minutes any excess oil should be removed with an absorbent lint free cloth or a soft
pad, otherwise it can only be removed with a suitable stain remover. Liquid Refinish Restorer can be removed
using a turpentine substitute.
7. If necessary repeat steps 4 to 6.
8. When a high degree of shine is required, the surfaces treated with Refinish Restorer can be polished with a
non abrasive wax.
9. Metallic surfaces are not very porous and must therefore treated with a very fine wire wool soaked in Refinish
Restorer. Excess oil must be removed after about 15 minutes. The surface can be than be polished with a lint
free cloth for a greater shine.
Cleaning Tools: Use turpentine substitute

so you leave it on for 10 minutes and then remove it. use a brush... and it works on metal as well as plastic (which is probably why it works on the hood insert)

[Whaleboy]

ahhh, excellent find!

check that out, turpentine substitute to clean off the refinish restorer.. thats a good sign this stuff is tough!

Oh, btw. The label on the can does say "avoid contact with skin and eyes". So guys I would suggest you wear gloves.

[Phantom]

Those pics look nice! Looks like it really darkens things up. I am thinking about ordering this and seeing if it is less of a dust magnet than the back to black. In socal it hardly ever rains so dust accumulates at a scary rate! I use a duster on the metal bits but it streaks the cladding so I just let it get dusty till I wash it.

[Thmstec]

I combed over my can, can't find anything about no contact with skin or eyes ??? hmm, well my hands are still fine-- I'll let you guys know if that changes

Glad you found the official instructions, you guys made me nervous about wiping the extra off.

[VehiGAZ]

I bought a bottle and tried it out yesterday.. Very nice results! I think it worked best on the fanged grill and mirrors, extremely well on the cladding, and so-so on my so-far-gone hood insert - let's just say it did what it could do. Anyway, the proof will be in how long it lasts. The 1L bottle should be good for at least a dozen applications, which will be the life of my VX if it lasts even 6 months per application.

I was baffled by the picto-instructions, so I googled and found the online instructions posted above. Yes, you definitely have to "wipe off the excess" after application. The instructions said to leave it on 5-10 minute. I found that 5 minutes wasn't quite enough, so I left it on for 8 min. I set a kitchen timer for 8 minutes, started it, began applying it to panels until the timer went off, then went back and started the wiping process. Took about 4-5 of these 8 min "sessions" to get 'er done. The only thing I didn't do were my roof rails - I just forgot about them.

My wife was stunned by the results when she came home. The difference in darkness isn't huge, but the effect is remarkable. It just makes the plastic look like new.


Follow-up... Make sure you use a non-fiber-shedding towel when wiping off the excess. I used one that was still shedding a little, and some of those fibers got caught up in the finish.

[r6boater]

I found out about this product

Armordillo

from my dad, who is a service manager at a Chevy dealer. There was a TSB that came out about the Avalanches' plastics, this is the stuff that GM uses to remedy the faded cladding.

I used it on an old Porsche I owned, it turned everything back black very nicely and lasted a long time too. It's kinda spendy, but worth it, I think.

Maybe, if when I can get my hands on a VX and if it needs a treatment, I'll get some before and after pics of this stuff being used.

Just my two pennies.

[Thmstec]

After a quick look at that product, it looks like it does exactly the same thing as the "refinish restorer." Might be interesting to do a comparison though.

[Riff Raff]

[mrlegoman]

Ordering some now!!