Topic: "Future" on cladding

[MoAv]

OK-here goes.  I did a LOT of reading on other AV sites, and found lots of info about using Future floor wax on the cladding.  My Av's lower cladding isn't too bad yet, but the upper stuff if BAD.  Notice in this pic the difference in color of the covers and the side trim...


I decided to give it a try this afternoon.  Here's what happened so far-



There are some strange white spots on the covers-and lots of scratches. :-\



This is panel #1 at the start.  Cleaned it and then used the Future when it was dry.



Here's panel #2 & 3 showing the before and after difference....



A small amount of the white marks show through, but according to my info they should also disappear after another coat. I'll let this one dry a day or two and then add another layer.  Here are the panels back on the Av. 



After both coats of Future, I'll let it go a while and see how it does.  If it works as well as others have said, I'll do the rest of the upper cladding. 

What do you all think?

[bluedevil]

I have to say i never heard of "future" for cladding before but obviously it does wonders.  Way to go MoAv :thumb:   Looks very very good :woot:

My cargo cladding is fading badly but im not using any of these products since im ordering a southern comfort cargo kit already painted next week.  Also im getting diamond plated inserts for the cargo covers :thumb:

[MyBigToy]

My bed panels have also started fading badly in the past year; the sail panels are also starting to go now, especially on the top. I cleaned the bed panels up a couple of weeks ago in preparation for trying the Future on them but haven't gotten around to it yet; I've just been too busy. Long term reports (like for 3 years) from those using Future have been good.

[MoAv]

Here's a link to the CAFCNA forum about the future-be prepared, it's 20 pages long, but lots of info with both good and bad results.

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,39896.0.html

  Only a couple of people have had problems, everyone else raves about it.  It also has a lot of info about preparing and such.  Mine had a few white streaks in it this morning-either I put it on too thick or maybe too late in the day and the dew last night got to it before it dried completely.  I have the name of an Armstrong floor cleaner that you are supposed to use to take those out-I'll let you know how that works w/ pics.  I'm really happy with how it looks so far-supposed to last for months even through washings and not run.  My biggest problem is I don't have a garage to do this in-just on the front porch.  I may bring them inside and work at the kitchen table today so that the humidity isn't a problem.  Water before it dries seems to be the biggest problem.

Blue-can't wait to see pics of your new cargo kit-the inserts sound sweet!!! :thumb:

[grnxnam]

without reading 20 pages of cafcna.....

pro: 

potential to last a long time
easy to apply
cheap
looks good


bad:

if it scratches, it chips off
some have a greenist tint after its applied
when it gets wet, it turns white
looks worse than fadded cladding if not maintained
needs 24 hours to dry in a covered area



these are based on what I've read.  I never applied it to mine.

[MoAv]

Ok, day 2!!  Brought one of the panels back inside and realized the white marks were actually where I appeared to have gotten it too thin.  The info I had said apply sparingly...I guess I was a little TOO light with it!  So I got the Armstrong cleaner recommended, scrubbed it down and reapplied the Future. This time I brought the panel inside to the drier air and let it dry well, then did the Future again.  you can see in the before and after pics that this time it was good and even.  The shine is SOOO much better.  I'm keeping it inside all night too so that no moisture can get to it.  The after picture actually looks a little darker than it really is-it was taken inside with a flash.  If it looks good tomorrow, I'll re-do the others.   :P



Something I thought of before I started was that years ago when I used this stuff on my floors (YEAAA for no-wax floors!!) I just poured it on and pushed it around with a mop.  While I didn't "pour" it on the panel, I did keep the rag wet and it seems to have covered better.  A word of warning-wear gloves!  This stuff is sticky when you're putting it on!!

[MoAv]

 :woot:     

Update:  after 4 days of hot sun, high humidity, two washings, and two pretty heavy thunderstorms the finish still is holding up.  I feel confident enough in this "fix" to go ahead and do the other two panels.  We'll see how they look at Bratfest... :thumb:



I just wish the panels were in better shape to start with-they were pretty scratched up & stained.  Maybe when I get around to the Gatorback it will cover up everything better!

[bluedevil]

Looking good MoAv :thumb: