Cladding

[VX KAT]

Looking over some older posts yesterday, I found I first posted about R/R starting to chip just 4 months after I applied the 1st coat. I didn't see any on the front (which I would expect would chip first), just some on the sides. If yours isn't chipping by now, it seems more likely my surface wasn't prepped properly.

[mrlarrys]

Hey everyone,
I will post some pictures of the VX with the armourdillo today - it went on easy, satin finish not collecting any dust, seemed to make it darker although mine was a bit faded. A definite improvement - it has stood up well and the only problem is I used only one small wipe to do the car and I think it would have came out better using two - more is better. Of course I can now put on a second coat to even things out.
Larry

[mrlarrys]

Just posted pics in my members photo's - did not clean the VX and it was taken on a rainy day - no drips like the armorall gave me and looks like the day I put the TS-1 on - still satiny as you can see and stood up to 3 hand washes and one car wash since using and a few rainy days.

[vt_maverick]

Looks really nice Larry, thanks for the pics. Of course it's always hard to compare cladding via pics, but I'd say it looks equally as good as my cladding with B2B. So if it doesn't run in the rain and/or attract dust, I'd say we have a winner.

When you bought the TS-1 stuff, where did you order it and what quantity did you buy? I seem to remember there being like a 4-pack and a 20-pack (or something like that). How often do you think you'll need to reapply?

[VX KAT]

Went to the pressure washer again and for 5mins worth of blasting, I got about 95% of my R/R OFF!!!!
My cladding is mostly NEKKID NOW!!!!! I LOVE NEKKID......
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CLADDING, WHAT DID YOU THINK I MEANT PK???!!!!

I'll be able to finish it off in the next few days! WOHOOO!!!!!
It's got a matte/velvet kind of look to it now...and very clearly a pale bluish-grey color.

Dug up an older post where Don Moore mentioned a friend with a Chevy Avalance used black shoe polish and it worked pretty good, anybody know more about that? LUNA- put your thinking cap on overdrive and see if you can think of a great way to darken my cladding!! We've got a blank canvas now!!

p.s....my gas tat is still there....just defies logic.....but hey, it's my signature mark now!....yeah, now it's considered artwork!

[RickOKC]

Yay! I'm glad you were able to remove the RR! Sorry it didn't work out for you, of course, but I'm happy to hear it is reversible!

[Riff Raff]

When you bought the TS-1 stuff, where did you order it and what quantity did you buy? I seem to remember there being like a 4-pack ........

VT--- Yup, see my Post #7 of this thread. My 4-pack of TS-1 (cost = $30) just arrived in the mail today.

[technocoy]

KAT,

Sorry you are having such a fiasco with your cladding. I really think there must be some magical barrier on your cladding!

I'm a good time on and still no flakes/chips. I am seeing some thinner spots where I may reapply after washing several times, but it's been by FAR the best treatment I have done with my cladding. I did however pretty much windex the entire surface before putting mine on.

I just don't want others to be completely scared off. Although, I am glad to know that were I to develop chips I can take it off completely with a powerwasher. I reality though it would probably be to just put it back on with a clean slate. I mean, I think I could go a full year or more at this point without having to treat my cladding at all!

I hope whatever you try next works out much better though Kat. I know the feeling when your baby just doesn't look her best!

Good luck!
- Technocoy

[VX KAT]

Glad the TS-1 arrived RIff....hope you get to apply it soon.
Does it give any special prep advice for the surface?? I haven't gone back to their website since the product was first mentioned a few weeks ago, so don't recall.
Let us know how it goes!!

I'm still just amazed how easy this was to blow off....guess that's cuz of that magical barrier! (Hey I'm almost starting to believe that )

[Luna X]

For now, I'm gonna bow out of this debate..... Once the weather cools off, I will be prepping my VX for a complete paint job.
That includes spraying ALL the cladding with a fresh coat of black. I figure, since the VX has seen 10 years worth of sun out in the southwest, everything needs to be renewed.
Quite often, after the plastic has turned light grey too many times, wiping it down only helps for a couple days at a time.

My "mini poll" question.....
What color cladding should I go with: true black or dark grey?

[deermagnet]

Luna, I know you're experienced and know the cladding needs lots of prep before painting, but take a look at this Isuzu bulletin. It shows what needs to be done depending on what brand products you use.

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 1

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 2

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 3

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 4

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 5

Mark

[Luna X]

Luna, I know you're experienced and know the cladding needs lots of prep before painting, but take a look at this Isuzu bulletin. It shows what needs to be done depending on what brand products you use.

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 1

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 2

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 3

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 4

Cladding Refinish Procedures-Part 5

Mark

It's impressive that Isuzu actually puts that info together... These bulletins are exactly what I was referring to when I mentioned there are numerous procedures to go along with numerous products.
Only one of these products (Spies Hecker..high end, expensive) talks about restoring texture back to a repaired piece.
I, unfortunately, had to repair the left, rear bumper cover after only owning our VX for 2 weeks...

[vt_maverick]

My "mini poll" question.....
What color cladding should I go with: true black or dark grey?

I'd go with matte black, seems like it would look uber cool.

[circmand]

My "mini poll" question.....
What color cladding should I go with: true black or dark grey?

You should go back to the original black

[Luna X]

You should go back to the original black

.... and doesn't "original black" spark up that old, what color IS the cladding debate?!?