F11 or no

getting the truck detailed today and my detailer said he can add f11. The truck is black to so it shows everything is the f11 worth it? Charges an extra $20 to apply

 

Twenty bucks isn’t much, but F11 is probably the most hated product in the detailing industry. It’ll look great for maybe a week.

Honestly I would be skeptical of a pro detailer who offered it. I’m gonna bet he fell for the marketing and is trying to get rid of it.

 

He’s done my truck twice a year for the last 4 years and it’s the first time he’s offered it to me. I’ll just have him do the regular. He only charges me $75 for an exterior detail

 

Can i ask why its hated in the detailing industry? i was looking into this as i just washed and waxed my wife's and my vehicle and was looking for something that would be easy and more protection.

 

oh well i'm glad i didnt fall for the marketing and waste my money. what would you recommend for put over a freshly waxed vehicle to preserve the shine and give protection? or is wax every so often enough?

 

The stuff is great but only lasts for a couple of washes. If it held up longer it would be awesome.

 

I have never found one product that lasts more than a couple of washes. I’ve done do it yourself sealants, they work great but do wear off. I always give my truck a spray wax after washing to keep a layer on top of the sealant. That tends to prolong a full wax job. I hand wax probably once a year and then spray wax after each wash. I think the only thing that would really last would be a professional sealant job. But those are overpriced in my opinion. I Claybar once a year and hand wax. Supplement that with a spray wax and it should be good enough. Every few years I get a wild hair and do a two or three step polish after Claybar and then wax. I’d be tempted to try the F 11, then continue to use spray wax after each wash.

 

So, I’ll start by saying I have not used this myself. I’ve only read discussions online, and heard about it on detailing podcasts. I trust what I’ve heard, but want to say up front I don’t have first hand knowledge.

This is a product that is marketed heavily on social media, and seems to make outrageous claims, like removing oxidation, protecting against scratches, etc. The fact of the matter is no it won’t. No product prevents scratching, no spray on, wipe of product will remove oxidation.

This is directly from their website:

“The more applications, the easier and the better the results, while enhancing and extending the duration of the coating and its ability to protect from the elements. You will also find out that you won't have to wash your vehicle as much, if at all, as the dirt, grime, and debris won’t build up or stick as before. A heavy rain will actually wash the majority of your vehicle or bike.”

That first line is the kicker. It seems to work because you’re supposed to keep putting it on, yet you aren’t supposed to have to wash at all? Reapplying any product constantly is going to look like it’s working and lasting forever....

It’s really expensive, and apparently customer service sucks. If it never shows up, forget a refund. On their Facebook page, they allow nothing but positive comments. Anything negative, or even just a question, and your comment will be deleted and you’ll be blocked.

Bottom line is it looks great, but comes off with a wash, or just rain. They claim several months of durability, but the instructions call for repeated applications to get that durability. That’s pretty obviously a trick.
One comment I read was it was equal to just rubbing wd40 on your paint. It’s considered “snake oil” by the detailing community.

Spray sealants are cheap, and easy to apply yourself. Literally every product on the market is better than F11. I’ve read a few posts where people were asking for a better alternative to F11. Almost every answer is “anything”.

If you’re looking for something that is easy, cheap, somewhat durable, and looks great, look into Beadmaker or Meguair’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax.

 

If you’ve waxed it, then that’s it. Nothing I’m aware of will make it last longer than just more wax. Rule of thumb is if using multiple products, wax goes on last.

 

I can't say anything about it being hated, however I didn't love the product. It lasted about two weeks and then the water started to accumulate on the truck. I've actually been happier with Hydrosilex, as it lasted longer and went on easier. I just re ordered all of their stuff and the whole kit was $100.

 

Meguiar's G12718 NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, 18 fl oz

$24 Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 - 18 Oz Bottle with Foam Applicator Pad

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UQATS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uQM.CbVYRSB8B

I like this stuff. Fairly inexpensive, easy to apply and remove. Smells really nice LOL and from my experience seems to be more durable than typical carnauba wax. This stuff, while being called a wax, is more of a sealant.

 

Jescar Powerlock works a good while. It’s one of the few products I’ve not reapplied or topped with something else for more than a month. I used it exclusively on my wife’s old Sequoia, because I thought it made MGM look really good. I can definitely say it lasts for two plus months without maintenance.

 

As an FYI Jescar is the US branded Menzerna products. So the pedigree is there for products like this.

Also F11 is snake oil. Its too expensive and doesn't do what they claim.

 

I’ll be glad to do a full review if someone wants to send me a bottle.

 

You can always add a spray wax, such as Meguiars D15601, every time you wash and wax it every two months! If you’re wanting longer results, look into a ceramic coating!

 

I own a mobile detailing business and I use Cherry Silica Wax from Shine Supply. This wax has SiO2 infused in the wax which increases the longevity. Shine Supply makes great products, it’s what I use for every job. Hope this helps!

 

OK sounds good i used Meguiars wax yesterday and it seemed to do the job. ill look into that when this runs out. quick question since you do detail work. a bird pooped on the hood and was only there for a day or so before i washed and waxed yesterday but i could still see some weird outline where the poop was and the wax didn't take the paint blemish out. Did it damage the clear coat and what would you recommend to get rid of that? i just hand waxed is that a job for a DA polisher?

 

Yes, you will need to use a DA. Bird poop etches into the clear coat if left for some time. It should come up super easily!

 

last question sorry to hijack the thread. what is your view on clear or color matched wraps to protect the paint job? a buddy of mine was talking about it yesterday but i have no experience with them.

 

For clear wraps do you mean PPF? If so, PPF is awesome. It’s the only way to prevent scratches on the paint. And for color wraps, it is not nearly as thick as PPF so it will not prevent scratches as well.

 

yeah ppf. he was saying to at least get the front done to protect from cars kicking rocks up and chipping the paint. how durable is it? i have a vision in my head that its a vinyl sheet (similar to window tint sheets) that as soon as it would get damaged it would tear /bubble/ or let water underneath easily and then look like garbage from only a few defects.

 

I don’t have a ton of experience with PPF. I do know that PPF is significantly thicker than a vinyl wrap. My guess would be 4-5x thicker. I haven’t heard much about PPF tearing once it is damaged. It is super difficult to remove so I wouldn’t think it would look like garbage

 

My man. I am a huge fan of Shine Supply. I prefer the Signature Shine Wax though. I sent @jason.bird some Cherry wax a while back and he liked it.
Trim Shield and Wise Guy Tire Cleaner are miles ahead of their competition also.

 

You can get a look at some PPF in just about any parking lot. A lot of new vehicles have the front end done with it. You can look at the line across the hood and see how thick it is. My wife’s has it in the front, and it looks pretty damned formidable.

 

Same stuff I have been using with great results. Easy to use and lasts several months. I have been considering trying one of the spray on products like Bead Maker to save on time......

 

I told him no top coat just said do it like you always do well he added the top coat for no extra charge. It’s shining nicely

 

Looks awesome! What rims are you rocking?

 

Report back with how it holds up.

 

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