1. Will it work on your car?
Two quick checks before you commit your time. The first hints, the second tells you straight.
The Quick Simulation
Water test: Mist the faded panel with water and watch it.
- Glossy when wet: gloss is still there, worth trying.
- Dull when wet: likely too far gone.
Water flatters almost any paint, so a pass here is always a maybe.
The Real Test
Spot test: Uses the actual product on your worst patch, and wipes off before it sets.
- Pick the worst patch, out of sight if you can.
- Wipe that patch with wax and grease remover so it can bond.
- Lay a thin line over it, wait about a minute, watch it set.
Holds? Clears and stays glossy. The rest of the panel will look even better.
Soaks in? Goes patchy or dull. That is your ceiling, and a respray is the honest call.
Not for you? Wipe it off with degreaser or wax and grease remover, within about 5 minutes.
2. Before you start
What you'll need
- A clean panel, washed and fully dry.
- Wax and grease remover, to strip any last contaminants.
- Your applicator, plus a few spare microfibre cloths.
- Gloves and eye protection.
- A sheltered spot to work in.
3. Safety
Your conditions
This is a flammable liquid. Treat it like one.
- Under cover, out of direct sun and wind.
- Panel cool to the touch, 10°C to 30°C.
- Humidity below 80%.
- Good airflow, for the finish and the vapour.
- Work in a well ventilated area. No flames, sparks, or smoking nearby.
- Wear gloves and eye protection. Keep out of reach of children.
- If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Call a poison centre and keep the bottle with you.
4. Prep the panel
No prep, no bond. The resin only sticks to bare, clean paint.
- Strip wash: Wash with a strong detergent (dish soap works) to strip old wax. No wax-based soaps. Dry the panel fully.
- Decontaminate: Wipe with wax and grease remover until the surface is bare and squeaky clean.
Extra prep (scuffing and wet sanding) will be required for heavily oxidised paint.
5. Apply
Refer to the 'Spot Test' in section 1 before applying. Always start on a small inconspicuous spot.
- Unscrew and remove the cap.
- Wet the edge of your applicator. Keep the pad wet by reapplying onto the applicator roughly every two passes. A dry pad is the number one cause of streaks.
- Apply in straight lines, edge to edge, with light pressure.
- Overlap each pass by 50% so you miss nothing.
- Hands off. Let it level. Once a section is down, leave it. No touching, rubbing, or going back over it. The coating levels itself.
Extra coats: Wait 45 to 60 minutes between layers.
Made a mistake? You have up to 5 minutes to wipe it off with a degreaser or wax and grease remover. Once cured, it takes heavy solvents or wet sanding.