Gloss It Online Forum - View Single Post - Review w/ PICS: Gloss it vs. Megs M105, 3M Ultrafina, Zaino and Lusso...

Smoke · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008

I wanted to see how the gloss it line compared to my regular product stack, in this case I was correcting a heavily swirled panel so I used an aggressive compund followed by a finishing polish. I compared Gloss It's Extreme cut to Megs M105 ultra cut compund, Evolution polish to 3M Ultrafina and Gloss finish to Zaino Z5pro(sealant) topped with Lusso Oro carnauba wax....

I started with a scrap panel I use to test all my products on

LEFT SIDE IS DONE ALL BY GLOSS IT PRODUCTS

RIGHT SIDE IS DONE ALL BY MEGS,3M,ZAINO AND LUSSO ORO.

The panel was corrected a few times before so to compare the 2 cutting polishes (Megs M105 and Gloss It Extreme cut) I used a stiff bristle carpet brush to induce heavy swirl marks and marring.

After inspection with an Infratech CM5300 color matching light I saw both sides were evenly "trashed" and began my prep. No clay was needed so I proceeded with a quick detail spray followed by a thorough IPA wipedown.

First up, Megs most aggressive vs. Gloss It's most aggressive.

Now I use M105 only when I need to and its probably the most aggressive compound/polish around and it is very finicky. It has a super fast working time, I usually lay a bead on the panel, pick it up quick and start working right at 1500rpm, if you spread on low rpm first it will have already flashed. Work time is about 10-12seconds I'd say per small section. Its cuts very very well and leaves a great finish especially for such a heavy compund, the finish is almost LSP ready in most cases.

So I started correction with the left side using M105 and the megs cutting pad. It worked fast as usual at 1500rpm and cut very well leaving a fine finish. I gave it an 50/50 IPA wipedown to inspect the paint. If you look closely however there are still some RIDS and fine swirls left, I'd say after just one hit with M105 the finish was about 85%.

After M105

Gloss it Extreme cut worked IMO more like a polish compared to M105. I know these products are recommended for use on a dual action or random so finding the right setting on my rotary took a little time but I used it at 1200rpm and it worked well. First I spread at 600, then up to 900 then 1200 and back down to 900 for the last few passes to refine the finish and prevent holograms. It broke down smooth overall and was very easy to use, not as finicky as M105. And well the results really shocked me...

After Gloss it Extreme Cut
(Left side w. Gloss it Right side w. Megs)

I didnt think Extreme cut would come close to Megs M105 but it did amazingly well. Removing more swirls and deeper RIDS compared to the M105 after just one hit.

Heres the back to back

Extreme Cut

Megs M105 UCC

After correction I moved onto refining the finish of both sides one with Gloss It Evolution Polish and the other with and 3M Ultrafina SE. Both were used with Lake Country white ccs foam pads (light polishing pad)

Now 3M Ultrafina SE is my absolute favorite polish/finishing product. It works well on pretty much any paint, doesnt get grabby, doesnt dust, breaks down super smooth(its a wet polish so it finishes wet) and it leaves a great finish, especially after heavy correction work where holograms or fine swirls are left. It was designed as a follow up polish for the purpose of removing holograms.

Gloss It evolution polish worked nicley as well on this panel. It cleaned up some fine swirls left after M105 but those deeper RIDS werent effected, 3M UF wouldnt have made a difference on them either. Evolution polish broke down smooth and left a great finish. Couldnt really tell the difference bewteen it and 3M UF.

Half and Half

Evolution Polish

3M Ultrafina

Now that the paint was corrected and finished on both sides it was given another IPA wipe down to make sure any polishing oils or resudue was removed and the true finish was shown with no filling.

Now for LSP prep. I used Gloss It Gloss enhancer QD spray on the left before applying Gloss Finish and Zaino Z6 gloss enhancer spray on the right before applying Zaino Z5pro sealant. I am a big Zaino fan and Z6 is a great product, ultra slick and good before and in between coats of Zaino Z5 or Z2, plus the smell is awesome. Gloss It gloss enhancer spray worked in well with a soft MF and came off clean, no streaking at all.

So both panels were prepped for LSP.

The gloss it left side got Gloss Finish applied via Flex random orbital and a blue lake country finessing pad, left to haze a bit and then buffed off followed by a final Gloss enhancer spray wipedown.

The Right side got 1 coat of Zaino Z5pro enabled with ZFX'd curing additive applied by a zaino hand applicator in side to side motions and let to cure for 35minutes, it was buffed off and given another Z6 wipe before applying Lusso Oro carnauba wax via red ccs applicator. I gave it the usual 2 thin coats only letting a few minutes to cure before buffing off each coat.

I love the look of Zaino sealants but the 30+ minute curing times between coats is annoying and usually I like to apply 2-3 coats if im not topping it with a wax so its pretty time consuming. Gloss finish takes the cake when it comes to being user friendly. Quick on, quick off no long lag time in between. BIG plus for me.

Right side, Lusso Wax curing. I recently started topping Zaino with a wax and find it adds a little more depth and glow to the paint but again its another step in the process. I really now like Gloss finish because its just to be applied, hazed and buffed off before a final GE wipedown, thats it! Where as my regular process has been Apply Zaino, let cure for 30+ mins, Z6 wipedown, apply another coat let cure for 30mins, Z6 wipe and then top with a wax which again has to be applied and buffed off.

Left side, blue LC pad and Gloss finish

Gloss finish being worked in

Now I must say the gloss it system overall was easier and faster to use(with the exeption of M105's very fast work time). As a Menzerna user who doesnt enjoy the products long working times Gloss It was a pleasure to use, fairlyy quick work times and easy on easy off. I didnt experience dusting with the Gloss It line so far and thats also a plus because Menzerna can get a little messy with dust all over the place and I usually have to re wash the car after.

FINAL RESULT...

Remember the gloss it side has only 1 coat Gloss finish and a GE wipedown for LSP and the other side has Zaino Z5pro and 2 coats of Lusso Oro wax on it.

Both sides looked great and I had a hard time telling the difference initially, which is IMO a good thing because that means Gloss It held its own with some of the top brand products available. I inspected the finish closely with halogens and in natural garage lighting to find which side looked better and I am pleased to say GLOSS IT was the winner! I looked for clarity, depth and shine and it seemed that both were very similar but one side out performed the other just by a bit and it was thanks to Gloss It products.

Now seeing the correction capability and finish achieved by gloss it in the easier and less time consuming way made me very happy with my purchase of their products.

Gloss It left Megs, 3m, Zaino,Lusso Right

Gloss it bringing out the metallic flake..

Zaino and Lusso

These are bad pics but heres some reflection shots in my garage.

I flipped the panel so Gloss it is now on the right side and the other products used is shown in the left side.

GLOSS IT right Zaino Lusso Left

You can see in this pic how I was able to get rid of the deep RIDS with Extreme Cut on the gloss it side compared to Megs compund

Gloss it side 50/50 with another uncorrected part of the panel

Dramatic difference I'd say...

Outside.

Right- Gloss IT

Left -Megs, 3M, Zaino,Lusso

Overall Im very pleased and will continue to use the gloss it line in future details. I still love my other products and am not going to throw away my Menzerna, Megs and Zaino just yet but who knows maybe gloss it will be all I need. So far I am very very happy and the results speak for themselves. Thanks for looking.