Topic: Alternative to Gatorback?

[MoAv]

Hey all!  I've been reading a thread on tos about what sounds like a pretty cool product for our cladding  (You nekked drivers can quit reading now... )

Anyway, this stuff is called Refinish Restorer and is made by a company in Germany.  Finding it here in the states was tough, but I finally found a retailer and ordered it:






It's a pretty big can, total cost with shipping & handling was $53, but if it works like I've read, it will be well worth the cost.

As soon as it stops raining  I'm going to try this and will post before/after pics. 

[oHIobellboy]

Where did you order it from?

[MoAv]

From here:  DITCHEK.com  I'm anxious to give this a try! 

[oHIobellboy]

From here:  DITCHEK.com  I'm anxious to give this a try! 

I'm anxious to see how well it works.    Get with it lady! 

[MoAv]

I'm anxious to see how well it works.    Get with it lady! 

 

 

[oHIobellboy]

Hey Mo, How does it say to apply this in the directions?

[MoAv]

This is the "multi-lingual" instructions:   



From what I can tell, it's clean, wipe on, let dry for 5-10 minutes, re-apply, let dry.  What the last couple things mean I don't have a clue   

It also says on the back of the can:



-Freshens the colour of faded and mat plastic surfaces
-Protects against weathering
-Silicone Free
-Protects plastic and metal surfaces
-Easily removes traces of polish

Refinish Restorer is a liquid sealer for plastic and metal surfaces exposed to weathering.  It penetrates deeply into the surface, driving out the ingrained dirt, restoring the original colour and provides a long lasting finish.  Refinish Restorer is also very effective at removing traces of polish on e.g. plastic fenders and trims.


It also says:

Keep out of reach of children.  Do not breathe vapour.  Avoid contact with skin and eyes.  If swallowed, do not induce vomiting:  seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.

Note:  To avoid SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION hang out oil saturated clothes and allow them to dry in the air before disposal.  Do Not allow surplus oil to dry!  Any surplus oil should be removed with a dry and lintfree cloth.

Hmmmm...probably shouldn't smoke around this stuff - ya think? 

[oHIobellboy]

got a light?

[MoAv]

[Fowlhunter]

I'm anxious to see how well it works.    Get with it lady! 

Me too!  At $53 a can this stuff must be gold!!

[tdybr27]

he said a light, not a fart     

[MS03]

Did they say how long the stuff last before needing another treatment.

[MoAv]

Did they say how long the stuff last before needing another treatment.

One guy on tos said he's had it on for 5+ months, through the winter (lots of snow, ice, salt, etc...) and said it still looks brand new.  The sun's out, so I'm going to go try some.  I'll post pics later today....Wish me luck!!

he said a light, not a fart     

And that's not a fart Tdy - that's me trying not to smoke....   

[MyBigToy]

You mean it's not done yet? What are you waiting on? I got my 4-fenders gatorbacked today so they now match the rest of the cladding.

[MoAv]

    OMG!!!  I am SOOOOOO impressed!!  What a major difference!!! (can you tell I'm excited??!!!

Here's before:



Can you see the zebra striping??



GOOOOOONE! 



You can see where I've done and haven't done...



LOOK AT THIS!!

[MoAv]

This is only the first coat - have to go back out and do the second.  I did all the cladding, upper and lower that I could reach and only used maybe about an eighth of a cup - that can will last forever!!  I'll be it could do at least 20 Av's...

Back in a while with the finished product...

[MoAv]

My battery quit in my camera so here are a couple cell phone pics:








 

[Freebie]

Looks interesting, definitely keep us updated on how it holds up to rain and such! 

[BlueDevil]

No cladding here 



Mo!  That looks excellent.  Very shiny and clean.     

[MoAv]

Looks interesting, definitely keep us updated on how it holds up to rain and such! 

I sure will!  (it's supposed to rain 4-6 inches here tomorrow  )

No cladding here 



Mo!  That looks excellent.  Very shiny and clean.     

Thanks BD - when the cladding shines, you just can't beat it 

[MyBigToy]

It looks pretty promising; now to see if it will hold up. Did you do anything special as far as cleaning? What did you use to put it on - a sponge or a lint-free cloth?

[oHIobellboy]

I'm liking the looks of this. may have to buy a case to get the deal and pass it on to other members.

[boilers94]

WOW!! That looks great, MoAv!!! 

[MoAv]

It looks pretty promising; now to see if it will hold up. Did you do anything special as far as cleaning? What did you use to put it on - a sponge or a lint-free cloth?

I used one of those terry cloth covered wax applicators - Didn't leave any lint.  This goes on very smooth-just like as if you were using water!

I'm liking the looks of this. may have to buy a case to get the deal and pass it on to other members.

  That'll be a chunk of change!!  But I know there were several other people wanting some of this - I don't think it would be to hard to sell the extra's. 

WOW!! That looks great, MoAv!!! 

Thanks!

[Flint 4X4]

I used Something Better and it doesn't run and lasted nearly a year with one application but couldn't find any again.

Anyone ever use www.treasurecoast-mall.com/  shopping online ? It looks like they have it on sale.

[Batman]

This sounds like it should be a group buy!  

[Batman]

Anybody else have any info on thie stuff called Something Better? Its much much cheaper, but does it really work? I really like the way Moavs cladding came out!!! Very nice Moav! 

[MoAv]

Thank's Batman! 

I've never heard of Something Better...or that treasure coast mall thing - but it lasted a year?  Can't hardly beat that, especially for the price that web site is selling it.     Hopefully I won't be needing anything else for a while    It's been raining off and on all night, so I'll be curious to see what the stuff I used yesterday did.  Hopefully it's just wet, and didn't change color like the Future wax did at first.  I'm all out of elbow grease this morning 

[MyBigToy]

You haven't heard of Something Better because it hasn't been around since about 1994. It was a foam kinda like the foamy tire shine products and I really liked it too.

I had decided to try Future but didn't because of too many complaints about application and the difficulty in removing it. I ordered a can of Black Again trim restorer product last night based on some pretty favorable reviews on CAFCNA. I couldn't find it locally. My bed panels and the sail panel cladding are all that really need anything; the lower cladding still looks fine.

I have been tempted to try a product called Plastic Restorer but haven't; it applies like the Refinish Restorer. I've seen it primarily in motorcycle/ATV stores.

[Flint 4X4]

I had a 15oz can of Something Better laying around, half a can did all my cladding. It took nicotine stains off my aluminum vinyl frame windows good too. I never heard of that treasure coast mall thingy so thought I'd ask about them. It's a discontinued product, it's a foam and doesn't drip, rain never bothered it either.

Something Better was made by No Touch and they got bought out by Permatex

[Cut2TheChase]

Nice find, Mo. I was worried for a moment that some part of the product name would translate to "snake oil", but it is really hard to argue with the proof you posted via pictures.  And if you have enough to do 50 trucks, maybe we need a GTG at your house 

Please keep us posted with how this product holds up. The Av I am picking up next week does not have the "zebra" markings on the cladding yet, but from what I have been reading, it will only be a matter of time. 

Again..... awesome results. Your truck looks great! It's the finishing touch that really makes it stand out.

c2tc

[Batman]

  Ordered my can today! Took all of my Promo decals off, kinda looks naked now... With the CLADDING back to new it should look amazing. Ill try to post some pics, should have it in two days

[MoAv]

Ordered my can today! Took all of my Promo decals off, kinda looks naked now... With the CLADDING back to new it should look amazing. Ill try to post some pics, should have it in two days

I can imagine it looks way different!  I just removed the few stock decals and it changed the whole look!!  Looking forward to the pics of the finished project 

Nice find, Mo. I was worried for a moment that some part of the product name would translate to "snake oil", but it is really hard to argue with the proof you posted via pictures.  And if you have enough to do 50 trucks, maybe we need a GTG at your house 
c2tc

GTG?  Well, I have two huge parking lots right across from my house...hmmm...Modding GTG might be an interesting idea - Let me kick that around a bit and see what I can come up with.  I live kind of the opposite direction from everybody so maybe something farther up north might be a better idea.  I'll start a separate thread and let's see what we can all come up with!! 

[oHIobellboy]

So how did the cladding hold up on Vacation with all those miles and water?

[MoAv]

It did great!  Gave her 4 carwashs (one with the foam thingy's) and bugs, mud, water, snow, and sand storms...still looks great!!

[MyBigToy]

I got my order of Black Again a couple of weeks ago and put it on last weekend. It made a major difference on the bed panels and the top between the sail panels; the body cladding still didn't look too bad. I sat the Av in the sun all day Saturday since it's supposed to be UV activated. Now to see how long it lasts. If I only have to do it once a year that won't be too bad; I can handle $7.50/application.

[MoAv]

I got my order of Black Again a couple of weeks ago and put it on last weekend. It made a major difference on the bed panels and the top between the sail panels; the body cladding still didn't look too bad. I sat the Av in the sun all day Saturday since it's supposed to be UV activated. Now to see how long it lasts. If I only have to do it once a year that won't be too bad; I can handle $7.50/application.

Cool - I get to do this this time!!   


    Love to see how the Black Again turned out! 

[MyBigToy]

Cool - I get to do this this time!!   


    Love to see how the Black Again turned out! 

How did I know that was going to happen? 

You have to remember I'm technologically challenged here - I've only been using digital cameras at work since 1994. I'll try to take some pictures this weekend if the weather cooperates.

We're going to Blue Man group in Columbia tomorrow night so it may be Sunday before I do it and I'm debating on going to the farm and working on the tractor then. I haven't been up there since January. It's time to start planting food plots and I've got some basic maintenance that needs to be done - hydraulic filter changed, rear gear oil changed, antifreeze changed, and new plug wires.

[oHIobellboy]

How did I know that was going to happen? 

You have to remember I'm technologically challenged here - I've only been using digital cameras at work since 1994. I'll try to take some pictures this weekend if the weather cooperates.

We're going to Blue Man group in Columbia tomorrow night so it may be Sunday before I do it and I'm debating on going to the farm and working on the tractor then. I haven't been up there since January. It's time to start planting food plots and I've got some basic maintenance that needs to be done - hydraulic filter changed, rear gear oil changed, antifreeze changed, and new plug wires.

Oh sure, Mod the tractor instead of the AVY      Get the work done and then it's play time. My local guy's product didn't pan out on my cladding so I'm back to following up  on the products everyone else tries.

[oHIobellboy]

Just ordered a case of this stuff today. It's like getting 2 cans free.

[oHIobellboy]

Mine's been on for about 6 months now and still looks great  , there's a few spots on the panel that were really bad before that may need touched up come spring time. Money well spent There is probably enough in this can to do 2 coats on at least 10 avy's.

[MoAv]

Mine's been on for about 6 months now and still looks great  , there's a few spots on the panel that were really bad before that may need touched up come spring time. Money well spent There is probably enough in this can to do 2 coats on at least 10 avy's.

I've had mine on since last April & mostly it's doing well.  The only parts that need to be redone are the one's I screwed up by re-coating them when it was too cool.  The dew left greyish spots in the tailgate cover, and a bit on the saddlebag covers.  But the sides and sails still look great!!

I'll have to buy some more-Phil took my can with him to do his Av when he gets back to California where it's warm...

[RonJ]

Mine's been on for about 6 months now and still looks great  , there's a few spots on the panel that were really bad before that may need touched up come spring time. Money well spent There is probably enough in this can to do 2 coats on at least 10 avy's.

pass it up to MI, I'll do mine! 


Gonna look into buying some of this! I want my cladding to shine like MoAVs! 

[MoAv]

That stuff shines even when the Av is dirty!!  You really need some of this Ron 

[RonJ]

That stuff shines even when the Av is dirty!!  You really need some of this Ron 

Ohh I'll be doing it in the spring... now only if OBB will be soo kind and give me the rest of his! 

[oHIobellboy]

Ohh I'll be doing it in the spring... now only if OBB will be soo kind and give me the rest of his! 

fixed that Ron  I've got plenty to do your Avy also  We just need to make sure the weather is good.

[RonJ]

fixed that Ron  I've got plenty to do your Avy also  We just need to make sure the weather is good.

humm might have to make a GTG! Would be a good oppertunity to do it woodward weekend. but thats late in the year :(  want it dont at 1st sunny warm day! 

[BlueDevil]

humm might have to make a GTG! Would be a good oppertunity to do it woodward weekend. but thats late in the year :(  want it dont at 1st sunny warm day! 

Its best applied under a shade.   At Bratfest 4,we had a tent in the parking lot by Donnie1.

[Sunburst05]

Just ordered a case of this stuff today. It's like getting 2 cans free.

Means you ordered a case of this stuff, why don't you sell me a can of it so I can try it out when the weather warms up.

[oHIobellboy]

Means you ordered a case of this stuff, why don't you sell me a can of it so I can try it out when the weather warms up.

That post was last July, 2 cans got donated to the charity drawing for Nationals 08 and the other 3 got sold.

[Sunburst05]

I just hate buying very much without trying it out to see if I like it.

[oHIobellboy]

I just hate buying very much without trying it out to see if I like it.

I know what you mean. I watched MoAv's thread and the results of others that tried it before I decided to buy it. When I did get the case there were enough people interested in a can that I bought the case and passed the savings on. I can't remeber if we used some of mine or MoAv's when we did Gina's avy at bratfest this year. I still have over 3/4 of a can left. We need to have a mod weekend in early summer and do a slew of avy's.

[Batman]

pass it up to MI, I'll do mine! 


Gonna look into buying some of this! I want my cladding to shine like MoAVs! 

I have some(R/R) RJ04 when I get the flags finished maybe a GTG will be in need!

[RonJ]

I have some(R/R) RJ04 when I get the flags finished maybe a GTG will be in need!

sounds good! I could use some time away from home, GTG is needed!

[tdybr27]

We could do a Memorial Day brat fest in St Louis and do R/R there.   

[oHIobellboy]

We could do a Memorial Day brat fest in St Louis and do R/R there.   

Hmmmmmm....and then Twiggy and I could take our Pocono trip in the fall next year.




Dunno Tdy, Fire & Ice is normally a nice draw and so is Bratfest, I'd hate to see the two of them that close together and not put together a big one next fall.

[dg3094]

WOW!! That looks great, MoAv!!! 

I took your advice MoAv and bought Refinish Restorer.  Unbelievable.  Anyone with cladding would be crazy not to buy this stuff for $50.  Fantastic.

[oHIobellboy]

I took your advice MoAv and bought Refinish Restorer.  Unbelievable.  Anyone with cladding would be crazy not to buy this stuff for $50.  Fantastic.

Oh yeah, that stuff is really great. I put mine on last summer and it still looks like a fresh application even after all the snow and ice we've had this year. Glad you like it.

[BlueDevil]

That looks good.  No more Zebra pattern

[Main One]

    WOW!

[Fowlhunter]

Hmmmmmm....and then Twiggy and I could take our Pocono trip in the fall next year.




Dunno Tdy, Fire & Ice is normally a nice draw and so is Bratfest, I'd hate to see the two of them that close together and not put together a big one next fall.

Going to the Poconos?!?  Very cool!!  My home state!!!

[Fowlhunter]

I need to pick up a can of this stuff!!!!  My girlfriends AV could really use it, Mine had the gatorback treatment but the stuff is flaking off.     Could I put this stuff over the top of the Gatorback?

[MoAv]

A couple of the guys over on TOS said they've put it on over some gatorback, and it makes it look great with no reactions.  They first did it on a spare/scrap piece of cladding to see what happens and left it out all winter - no problems.  Sounds like it might be a good combo...you might check the info over there though and read it all first or contact them..I'm thinking it was Tartan Terror? 

[Sunburst05]

If anyone wants to purchase some of R&R let me know I would gladly go in with someone to get it.

[oHIobellboy]

If anyone wants to purchase some of R&R let me know I would gladly go in with someone to get it.

I bought a case last year and it was like getting 2 cans free. I donated 2 cans to the nationals and other members bought the rest.

[Sinners-Inc]

Hey all. 

I just found this stuff at http://yhst-13811118617756.stores.yahoo.net/carere1l.html

for $39.95 or 6 for $216.00

Too cheap for me to pass it up for the results I've seen!!!

Thanks for the heads up guys!

[BlueDevil]

Hey all. 

I just found this stuff at http://yhst-13811118617756.stores.yahoo.net/carere1l.html

for $39.95 or 6 for $216.00

Too cheap for me to pass it up for the results I've seen!!!

Thanks for the heads up guys!

Did you try it yet?

[chevyman]

I am realy thinking of getting this stuff any of you guys have any problem with it or does it still look good

[oHIobellboy]

I am realy thinking of getting this stuff any of you guys have any problem with it or does it still look good

My cargo panels could use another coat after holding snow and ice on them most of the winter. The rest of it still looks great.

[Fowlhunter]

I'm also thinking about picking up a can of this for my girlfriends 05 (WBH).  She has the zebra look.  I would like to paint my cladding so I don't think I would use it.

[dg3094]

After the winter I shined them up again with a light coat.  I live in the Midwest and we had a brutal winter.  It held up very well.

[chevyman]

good that's what i want to here

[chevyman]

I finaly got this stuff (cause they wernt shipping web orders) and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That stuff is awsome

[oHIobellboy]

I finaly got this stuff (cause they wernt shipping web orders) and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That stuff is awsome

Glad you like it. Why weren't they shipping web orders?

[chevyman]

I'm not sure it was for like a month that they wern't shipping wb orders. My guess they were probbly slow like everyone else

[jtdchevy]

Sounds like winner got to get some . Been using Armor All on it hope that doesn't cause a problem with it sticking to the surface.

[oHIobellboy]

Sounds like winner got to get some . Been using Armor All on it hope that doesn't cause a problem with it sticking to the surface.

clean the surface real good with Dawn first to strip eveything off of it. Make sure it's dry and do it on a cool day (below 80*) and in the shade if possible.

I posted a response in the Gatorback thread you reposonded in so you may want to look at that first.

[oHIobellboy]

BUMP



For the new members 

[Llaslo]

Thanks for the info.  This stuff looks fantastic.  In researching it, I found this PDF with information on it in english if anyone is interested.  I will be placing an order next payday!

<a href="http://www.carsystem.ca/shared_files/catalog/fichiers/RefinishRestorer_gb.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.carsystem.ca/shared_files/catalog/fichiers/RefinishRestorer_gb.pdf</a>

[BlueDevil]

Thanks for the info.  This stuff looks fantastic.  In researching it, I found this PDF with information on it in english if anyone is interested.  I will be placing an order next payday!

<a href="http://www.carsystem.ca/shared_files/catalog/fichiers/RefinishRestorer_gb.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.carsystem.ca/shared_files/catalog/fichiers/RefinishRestorer_gb.pdf</a>

Good info.  Thanx