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Claying, polishing, waxing... share your secrets in here.
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Smartbear
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Post by Smartbear » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:55 pm

Crimbo gifts to me of course :P
Polish was recommended by Mr Wilks & I can never resist the feel of new, quality microfiber cloths. Just need the weather to improve before I can try them out!
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Post by ben g » Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:12 pm

Nice gear!

Is the topaz a filler Polish, like autoglym SRP?
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Post by Smartbear » Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:15 pm

ben g wrote:Nice gear!

Is the topaz a filler Polish, like autoglym SRP?
Yes Ben, it makes several claims to greatness & that's one of them :)
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Post by mr wilks » Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:18 pm

ben g wrote:Nice gear!

Is the topaz a filler Polish, like autoglym SRP?
2 different products Ben , SRP is a cleaner or remover of whatever is already on the car so could be used first .
Topaz is a blend of many things that remain undisclosed by its maker but its the opposite of AG SRP in that it adds shine & protection plus it can be layered so the more you apply the deeper the finish
Its a great product if you already have decent paintwork
Link here to when i first tried it :thumbsup:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=77566
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Post by Ducklakeview » Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:22 pm

It was my understanding that Topaz wasn't a filler type polish? Sure I read that somewhere.

It leaves no residue on trim/glass etc, whereas the SRP does, possibly the "fillers?"

Mike

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Post by Marlon » Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:51 pm

Thanks Rob - having read Mr Wilks thread I've just ordered 1 ltr of this myself.
How do you apply it - it is with a damp sponge/cloth or a dry microfibre cloth?
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Post by mr wilks » Sat Dec 31, 2016 12:03 am

Marlon wrote:Thanks Rob - having read Mr Wilks thread I've just ordered 1 ltr of this myself.
How do you apply it - it is with a damp sponge/cloth or a dry microfibre cloth?
Wait for car to be fully dry after washing then i would use a small sponge pad to apply , minimum amount spread thinly , leave to fully dry before buffing off with soft dry cloth , from my experience Topaz isn't a product that needs a machine to get good results
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Post by Marlon » Sat Dec 31, 2016 12:20 am

mr wilks wrote:
Marlon wrote:Thanks Rob - having read Mr Wilks thread I've just ordered 1 ltr of this myself.
How do you apply it - it is with a damp sponge/cloth or a dry microfibre cloth?
Wait for car to be fully dry after washing then i would use a small sponge pad to apply , minimum amount spread thinly , leave to fully dry before buffing off with soft dry cloth , from my experience Topaz isn't a product that needs a machine to get good results
Cheers Andy :)
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Post by cj10jeeper » Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:05 am

Interesting that the products are rated. Their head office and distribution centre is on the opposite side of my village and always full of trucks refilling with products, training newbies, etc.
Core business is franchised 1 man with a truck business and selling products to traders, so I'm surprised the products are any good compared to the specialists manufacturers
Value and volume of product over quality is my perception
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Post by mr wilks » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:05 pm

cj10jeeper wrote:Interesting that the products are rated.
I'm surprised the products are any good compared to the specialists manufacturers
Value and volume of product over quality is my perception
Tbf they don't claim to have split the atom with Topaz :P its simply another product in a swollen sea of alternatives ( some cheaper but majority more expensive )
Predominantly supplying the car valeting / car sales trade ( not specialist detailers ) & by all accounts + reviews online their products do what they say & from my own experience found the Topaz simple to apply , simple to remove ,left a deep glossy shine & was extremely durable , factor in you get twice as much in volume to any similar product available on the high street & you can see why its popular
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Post by Ducklakeview » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:36 pm

Likewise, I've also found Topaz to be very good, and easy to apply - especially compared to SRP which can be a bitch to buff off!

Plus, at the £11 or so I paid for a litre, it's excellent value.

Mike

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Post by patriot66 » Sun Jan 01, 2017 11:40 pm

I worked in valeting/detailing/PDI for some 20 years from 1985 to 2005, both self-employed and and the last 11 years as departmental manager for Halliwell Jones, Warrington. During this time the Autosmart brand and products were regarded as 'cheap and cheerful' and performed well for the price but were nothing exceptional. We used to buy most of our bulk chemicals such as TFR from Autosmart and/or a local supplier and most of our sundry items such as polish, wax and dressings etc were from the local Autoglym franchise dealer because they were just better performing with consistently better results. These days in my opinion most of the best performing products originate from the USA, perhaps not the cheapest but definitely some of the best...Poorboys World, Chemical Guys etc.
Anyway, Autosmart Topaz ? If you like it then go with it....just top it off with some Collinite 845 ! :D
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Post by JAD » Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:06 am

mr wilks wrote:
ben g wrote:Nice gear!

Is the topaz a filler Polish, like autoglym SRP?
2 different products Ben , SRP is a cleaner or remover of whatever is already on the car so could be used first .
Topaz is a blend of many things that remain undisclosed by its maker but its the opposite of AG SRP in that it adds shine & protection plus it can be layered so the more you apply the deeper the finish
Its a great product if you already have decent paintwork
Link here to when i first tried it :thumbsup:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=77566
Not quite, Andy - SRP is an All In One (AIO). It has the tiniest amount of cut from abrasives, it fills well and those oils will thus add a small amount of protection (2-4 weeks depending on weather and washing). Topaz does exactly the same thing, but with optical polymers, hence the shine and increasing effect. It will not add anything like the protection of a sealant or wax, so would have to be topped... but again, life of a wax/sealant is subject to the base.

JAD

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Post by JAD » Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:08 am

Ducklakeview wrote:Likewise, I've also found Topaz to be very good, and easy to apply - especially compared to SRP which can be a bitch to buff off!

Plus, at the £11 or so I paid for a litre, it's excellent value.

Mike
Highly likely to be the older version, Mike - new formula SRP is easy (wax!) on, easy (wax!) off.

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Post by cj10jeeper » Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:23 pm

General consensus and patriots views then lead me to believe my 'Volume and value over quality' comment is probably correct, so I will continue to pass them by and stick with more expensive big brand names
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
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