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Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

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  • Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

    Yesterday was beautiful, in the 70*s, light breeze and the wife slept until noon.

    I figured that now was the time to try out the Meg`s FF that I picked up last week (I know I`ve got the McKee`s 37 Coating coming, but I`ll just polish the car before applying it).

    I wanted to see how well the FF handled on its own, no base layers, no D115 drying aid after the wash, just FF and FF alone. Now you`d think that after not being touched all winter, my car would be full of swirls from the salt & grime, but just the opposite. Just goes to prove my theory: "If you can`t wash it correctly, wait until you can."

    So I did a two-bucket with Meguiar`s Deep Crystal car wash, hosed off the car and watched the water kind of bead, but mostly not from using the D115 as a drying aid on the last wash. On to drying the car, just a simple microfiber cloth, wrung out as it got loaded with water.

    With the car dried, it was time for the FF.

    The can was smaller than I originally thought it would be, but that turned out to be a complete non-issue. I used a microfiber covered applicator sponge instead of a MF cloth for better control to apply the FF and kept a clean/dry microfiber in the other hand to buff off the FF, once I completed a panel.

    One thing for sure, a little DOES go a LOOOOOONG way - a 1/2 second burst onto the sponge and it covered the whole fender (or door, quarter, half the hood etc). The atomization of the spray is excellent, no drips or splatters, just an ultra fine mist.

    I`m trying to find the words to describe how it looks once applied to the paint`s surface. In some places, there is nothing there (even though I know it was covered when I made my application pass). In others, well ... do you know the "film" on a soap bubble, multicolored & seeming to flow? That`s the best description I can give. It looks like that only a touch heavier. Or even how some oily waxes leave a "smear pattern" that requires additional buffing to remove?

    One thing`s for sure, there is NOTHING difficult about applying or removing the Fast Finish. I did notice the microfiber I used for the removal felt a little grabby and didn`t always want to slide around easily and it didn`t seem like the slickness was there ... UNTIL I took a second clean microfiber and did what Mike Phillips calls a "Final Wipe," to make sure I didn`t miss any spots. Then it was VERY slick and my paint was a deep, rich black, like I`d polished it out first. Depending on how well it holds up, this could very well be my `Go To` wax for customer`s car (inexpensive, and fast & easy to use).

    I know, it didn`t happen without pics, so here they are:





    Forgive the finger in this pic








    PS. When I got to work, a couple of the guys pulled me back outside. They know I keep my car immaculate, but they wanted to know what I did different this time, because it really stood out
    Don
    12/27/2015
    "Darth Camaro"
    2013 Camaro ... triple black
    323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

  • #2
    Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions

    **Beading Update**

    It started raining today on the way to work and after I had been here a while it down poured. The water is running off the car like crazy, the dust gathered on it since Sunday is gone and the beads that remain on the car look almost like they are floating just above the surface and that the car is actually dry. Interesting optical illusion.
    Don
    12/27/2015
    "Darth Camaro"
    2013 Camaro ... triple black
    323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions

      Great write up with great information. We are happy to hear you are enjoying Ultimate Fast Finish!

      Nick
      Nick Winn
      Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Online Forum Administrator
      Meguiar's Inc.
      Irvine, CA
      nawinn@meguiars.com

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions

        Dusty car after sitting through a downpour ... where did the dust go?











        Don
        12/27/2015
        "Darth Camaro"
        2013 Camaro ... triple black
        323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions

          Nice! Keep us updated! We are happy to hear your experience with the product.
          Nick Winn
          Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Online Forum Administrator
          Meguiar's Inc.
          Irvine, CA
          nawinn@meguiars.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions

            The first wash, 5 days after application.

            Since applied, the car has had 5 days of construction dust and road construction dust accumulated and then was rained on which 'stuck' the dust to the paint. I probably could have just as easily used a waterless wash to clean the car, but I still like doing the full thing, so a two-bucket wash it was.

            Starting with a good rinse, I noted that the dirt which was on the paint seemed to simply rinse off. Water beading was just as good as when it rained two days after application and there were no 'dead spots' where the water just pooled.

            I only used about 3 oz of Deep Crystal wash in 5 gallons of water, so the wash water wasn't overly strong. Here I noticed that when I spread the soapy water over the surface of the car, even it beaded up where on many waxes/sealants, the soapy water just lays flat until rinsed. On the FF it beaded and ran off just like the initial rinse. I did notice that the paint seemed extremely smooth under the microfiber wash mitt.

            Just like everything else so far, rinsing off the soap was anticlimactic, the soapy solution rinsed off, the water beading just as strong as before. Drying with a microfiber cloth and no drying aid was easy and straightforward and any "spotting" where the water dried before I could get to it, was easily wiped off with a light pass of the dampened microfiber.

            I wanted to post video of the beading action, but I don't know how to do that and pics are pointless because it was dark when I finished and the car looks just as good as it did in my original post immediately after application.

            I know it's been less than a week, but so far so good.
            Don
            12/27/2015
            "Darth Camaro"
            2013 Camaro ... triple black
            323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

              Thanks for the update Don. Its on my list to try soon, mostly cause it looks so easy.
              2017 Lexus RX 350 - Satin Cashmere Metallic
              2016 Honda Odyssey Touring - Crystal Black Pearl
              2010 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4 - Royal Red Metallic

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                Great review Don, looking forward to using this product on my cars soon!
                "STRIFE" aka Phil
                2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe (IP/ aka White) the Toy
                2011 Subaru Impreza (SWP/ aka White) the DD
                2017 Subaru Forester (CWP/ aka White) Wifey's

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                  Originally posted by exploreco View Post
                  Thanks for the update Don. Its on my list to try soon, mostly cause it looks so easy.
                  'Easy' is too tough of a word to describe it ... a breeze or a dream would be better. MOST of the FF flashes off BEFORE you can wipe it off.
                  Don
                  12/27/2015
                  "Darth Camaro"
                  2013 Camaro ... triple black
                  323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                    Well, I couldn't stand it any longer, after getting dusted by pollen, then rained on, *IT* (my OCD) made me put another application of Meguiar's Fast Finish on the car. This time, it went on and removed even easier than the first time and the look deepened just a little bit. I think I now have complete coverage and being that I applied the coats a week apart, I don't think the 2nd application compromised the 1st at all. NOW let's see how things progress.
                    Don
                    12/27/2015
                    "Darth Camaro"
                    2013 Camaro ... triple black
                    323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                      Yesterday made it a week since I last applied the Ultimate FF. I was able to give the car a full wash and dried it with no drying aid with no issues. The water beading was the same as it was during the rains two days after application and in the intervening days, there were a couple hundred miles of dusty road construction driving, and general construction behind the house, PLUS the trees in the area have been dumping pollen like it's going out of style ... so much so, my black paint looked like it had a LOT of gold metal flake.

                      Any water spotting from where the water dried before I could get to it wiped off easily with a damp microfiber cloth. The finish still felt very smooth, but not very slick (with a damp MF, I didn't try it with a dry one or a terry cloth towel which shows slickness better than MF).

                      Ultimate FF seems to also be an excellent self-cleaning sealant/wax/coating - whatever it is and the rains washed off all of the dust and pollen that had accumulated prior and hosing off the car before the wash got rid of all the newly accumulated dust & pollen, too after being driven in the rain, there were no "spray pattern" marks behind the tires and very little dirt on the sides of the car.

                      So far, I'm impressed with Fast Finish.
                      Don
                      12/27/2015
                      "Darth Camaro"
                      2013 Camaro ... triple black
                      323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                        Thanks for the update, Don.
                        Two of the family DD's have been wearing PP365 since late fall and are holding up well.
                        Based on your long-term testing, I'll make my decision to continue with the PP or go the Ultimate route.
                        The problem with us is that we can't leave anything untouched long enough to see true long term results.

                        Bill

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                          Originally posted by BillyJack View Post
                          The problem with us is that we can't leave anything untouched long enough to see true long term results.

                          Bill


                          So true. So far what wins me over about the Fast Finish VS PP365 is the sheer ease of application & removal. It seems that it's holding up well and if I decide to use the D115 as a drying agent again, instead of drying the car without it, it should help the FF last even longer.
                          Don
                          12/27/2015
                          "Darth Camaro"
                          2013 Camaro ... triple black
                          323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                            I picked up a can of it this weekend to try out. Wanting to try it on my truck and the wifes car. Wifes car needs the DA on it though, so finding the time to get it done. Planing on UP, the Gold Class Carnuba, then top that with FF on both of them. I have another project that will be another thread, lol. Picked up a new daily driver that is a bit rough for my liking, probably normal to some standards though (not on here though, lol) so it needs alot of correction inside and out.
                            2017 Lexus RX 350 - Satin Cashmere Metallic
                            2016 Honda Odyssey Touring - Crystal Black Pearl
                            2010 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4 - Royal Red Metallic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Meguiar's Fast Finish ... First Impressions & Updates

                              I couldn't take it anymore. Today at the 2 week mark, I reapplied Fast Finish ... I know, I'm weak ... the "I gotta wax something" gene is alive and well in me.

                              So as a last update, I'll say that during the rinsing, wash & rinse, the beading & sheeting wasn't spectacular. I blame myself for not PREPPING the car after a long abusive winter ... no claying, compounding or polishing, I just applied the Fast Finish right over any remnants of any PP365 that might have lingered from last fall. I CAN however say that the dirt/pollen and most of the road film rinsed right off with the initial spray down, so the dirt-shedding properties were still going strong.

                              To be honest, this has been the first actual "summer-like" day, with it being in the 80s, sunny and HOT. So perhaps being baked in the sun today will help the FF cure stronger.

                              Even though at 2 weeks, there wasn't 'super tight' beading (on the horizontal surfaces, the verticals shed much of the water almost as soon as it hit the paint), I'm NOT disappointed with FF, I just think I need to experiment some more with prep and application. This time I DID put it on thicker than before, and it was still a breeze to remove, wet OR flashed.

                              The car did dry well, with no water spotting even though the sides of the car dried on their own before I could get to them, a quick wipe with a damp microfiber eliminated any "spotting" - I put it in quotes because what was left, couldn't really be called spotting, it's just I have no other word for it.

                              Unfortunately, after sitting in the sun for about 6 hours, the pollen from the nearby tree is clearly visible and giving the car a yellowish tint. Oh well.

                              I would post pics, but the gloss/shine and depth are just as good as the first pics I put in this thread.
                              Don
                              12/27/2015
                              "Darth Camaro"
                              2013 Camaro ... triple black
                              323 hp V6, 6 speed manual

                              Comment

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