Lifeshine anyone?

[Hudson]

[ QUOTE ]

I had my S4 lifeshined by the stealers - they make it sound sooo worthwhile. Car has lots fine scratches on the wings from parking next to bushes at work, which may just be in the lifeshine/egp layers. Tried some AG paint improver polish on some, but was knackered after 20 mins, and the scratches looked the same. Going to have to get it properly polished anyway, hopefully removing all the stuff I've put on top will remove the scratches. so MAYBE that's the point of the lifeshine???

[/ QUOTE ]

This is my point on lifeshine, it is put onto paint work which already has swirls on it, the swirls need to be removed (via a pc or rotary) then the paintwork polished and then sealed. Having the lifeshine products seal in the scratches is just plain daft, and a total waste of money. You would be better getting a pro detailer to come and de-swirl the car for the day and then put some pure polish (megs 81 hand polish) on the paintwork and seal it in with some good quality wax (Pinnacle Souveran) you would get far better and more long lasting results.

[jimbutler]

Sorry, maybe not clear enough. Car was lifeshined when new, now has scratches after 30k miles in just under 2 years. I think they are in the lifeshine/wax layers - I tend to do a proper (for me) clean with AG shampoo, SRP, then EGP: about once a month. Polishing off the remains of the layered EGP I have put on might remove the scratches. At least I assume there are layers of stuff there. Maybe I should stay away from the cleaning/detailing forums!

Jim

[BryD]

[ QUOTE ]

Sorry, maybe not clear enough. Car was lifeshined when new, now has scratches after 30k miles in just under 2 years. I think they are in the lifeshine/wax layers - I tend to do a proper (for me) clean with AG shampoo, SRP, then EGP: about once a month. Polishing off the remains of the layered EGP I have put on might remove the scratches. At least I assume there are layers of stuff there. Maybe I should stay away from the cleaning/detailing forums!

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

Think you are misunderstanding what lifeshine is.

Lifeshine is a longlife sealant, it isnt some kind of invisible layer, therefore cant get scratches in it, those scratches are in the paint! This is the problem when these type of products are mis-sold be stealers, claiming they protect against this kind of thing, they don't! Neither do they replace the need for ever washing or waxing your car, otherwise they wouldn't come with aftercare kits! I have applied many of these to customers cars, and to properly prep a car is 4 -5 hours work (hence the cost), however a lot (not all) dealership valeters are on a minimum wage and aren't always properly trained, so they just slap it on, without worrying about removing swirls etc. So for anyone thinking of having this process done, dont let the dealer do it, ask a good local valeter to apply it for you and save yourself some money, safe in the fact that it has been properly applied.

[alexc]

As mentioned above, the key to a successful application is in the preparation.

Personally, after seeing some of processes mentioned, I would always wash the car again after it has been clayed.

[steelwind101]

Souveran wont give you long lasting shine or protection.

[Hudson]

I agree that Souveran is (as most natural waxes are) only meant for a short life, by long lasting i meant the de-swirling and general claying of the car, that doing this to the car in the first place prior to any other application is the only real way to go in terms of getting the car looking it's best for the long run. I agree with the comments above regarding how much some of the dealership monkeys are paid and that most of the products within the lifeshine kit will be applied between a bacon roll and a read of the local paper ! Best to go to a pro detailer or good valeter and have it done right first time.