Cladding

[circmand]

we do appreciate it

[RickOKC]

I also wonder how it will be affecting by gasoline spilled on it when fueling.

Thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to mention the Gatorback site addresses this and I'd wondered if Mike had called them:

Anti Fuel-Staining Topcoat is a catalyzed waterborne coating that resists staining from gasoline and other fuel additives. It is intended for application over GatorBack Textured Plastic Coating in areas that may be exposed to gasoline. It is not intended for application directly over raw TPO plastic as it does not have the same adhesive qualities as GatorBack Textured Plastic Coating on raw TPO.

On those vehicles with lower body hardware, the panel below the fuel filler door needs to be treated with Anti Fuel-Staining Topcoat. Not treating that panel with Topcoat creates the risk for staining and customer comebacks. Surface preparation, mixing, and application instructions are located on the label.

NOTE: Allow for the Gatorback Textured Plastic Coating to dry before applying Anti-Fuel Staining Topcoat.

It looks like it is sold in pint cans only. They have light gray and dark gray, but black says: This color is currently unavailable. Contact Neil at 813.294.9219

[VX KAT]

If they're saying reapply TS-1 approx every 90 days, got me wondering....have you been able to/ or can you kind of wipe it off or mar it in some way? Flying V77 says it seems to just kinda die around day 90.

If it's only expected to last 90 days or so, I'm wondering how do you think it would respond to being brushed by bushes etc..?? Does it chip off (like R/R did)...I bet it does NOT chip off. It's sounding like a really long lasting "treatment", and not a coating like I believe R/R and GB to be.

I also wonder if GatorBack will scuff/chip off when abraded by bushes etc.....at least it appears GB can be "touched up" w/o looking like a patch.

Will continue to await more testing/observations!

[FlyingV77]

went to the chevy dealer yesterday to get some more of the tsr1. the guy behind the counter claimed they stoped selling it 4 years ago. i guess i have to get some online.... i hate online shoping.

[RickOKC]

Did you try a different Chevy dealer? Kind of reminds me of a couple shops I talked to here that told me, "You'll never get Isuzu parts, nobody sells them any more. Blah blah blah..."

It might be worth making a few calls if you want to avoid buying online.

[FlyingV77]

it was the same one i got it from last time. it was a long and strange conversation. he did try to sell me on gator back.

[vt_maverick]

Oh it's not that bad to shop online, just go here and buy yourself a 20-pad pack and you'll be done for a few years!

http://shop.armordillots1.com/

[Mile High VX]

a new player in the war to have nice looking cladding that last:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/blackwow1.html

Anyone used this or seen it before?

And the war goes on...

[Grif]

a new player in the war to have nice looking cladding that last:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/blackwow1.html

Anyone used this or seen it before?

And the war goes on...

Its proper application (minus the suggested pre-treat with 50% alcohol) and its properties and results are entirely consistent with R/R IMHO. Even its amber color is the same.

I venture to say its nearly the same product.

[vt_maverick]

Certainly cheaper than TS-1, but haven't had TS-1 on mine long enough to vouch for exactly how long it lasts. In any case, if this stuff is similar to Refinish Restorer count me out.

[vt_maverick]

Btw, I like the conflicting review on best application technique. The reviewer says:

There is no need to let the product dry or cure.

The instructions say:

Detailing trick: Now go back and wipe the trim with a damp cloth or sponge. This will insure a uniform, rich luster.

Damp cloths are what you use to cure this kind of product.

[Cobrajet]

a new player in the war to have nice looking cladding that last:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/blackwow1.html

Anyone used this or seen it before?

And the war goes on...

Do you apply it with a ShamWow!? Then cure it with a damp WipeWow?

I'm skeptical of anything with a name like Super~ or Mega~ or ~Wow.

I'll stick with the name brands.

[VX KAT]

Here's some more product & advice to add to the cornfusion...
For more, goog: bumper black paint...

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/forblacbumtr.html

http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraypaintd...-coatings.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/how_5143210_pain...ers-truck.html

http://www.abc-bus.com/servicebullet...20painting.pdf

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/Arti...g_plastic.aspx

http://www.urethanesupply.com/bccincompatible.php

I'll see your post on cladding treatments Dubster, and raise you a post..........

J/K!

I've done some research on the AV forum on cladding treatments.
At least 15 different products mentioned. Many familiar to us such as: TS-1, Restore/Refinish and 303. Tons of good user experience info and many pics!

Found many users have now developed problems with GatorBack...if prep isn't absolutely perfect, it begins to peel and chip off. It also scratches off when abraided, some even say it wears off over time
Many of these users have had it on for 1-3 yrs or more.

TOTAL SEARCH RESULTS FOR "GATORBACK"
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...hp?board=113.0

TSB from GM re: GatorBack:
http://www.gatorbackcoatings.com/pdf...8-111-001E.pdf

SOME OF THE MORE PERTINENT THREADS WITHIN THOSE SEARCH RESULTS:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,119244.0.html - TALKING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH GATORBACK

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,117336.0.html - Details on APPLYING GatorBack

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...c,90475.0.html - Talking about using Refinish/Restore

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,124226.0.html - Talking about both GatorBack and Refinish/Restore

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,117082.0.html - Discussing GatorBack and TS-1

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,112257.0.html - Detailed description using Krylon Fusion and Duplicolor

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,114145.0.html - Linseed oil mentioned

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...c,39494.0.html - Long detailed test by a user of 7 products: (Done in 2005)
Cladding Protectant Product Test w/pics
Products used in Alphabetical order:
1 303 Aerospace Protectant
2 Klasse Sealant Glaze
3 Pennzoil All-in-One
4 NXT Wax not used on panel #3
5 NXT Rubber/Vinyl/Plastic Protectant
6 Stoner's Trim Shine
7 Turtle Wax Tire Shine
.....and a few other products......vinyl pencil eraser, peanut butter, Future floor wax (which is an acrylic), Mop-N-Glow floor wax, and even......linseed oil...just like CrotchRocket uses.


Here's a letter from GatorBack to Av owner that had a shop apply GatorBack 4 separate times....and its still not right!!! Includes a name and contact number for the GatorBack rep.

Shane,

I am very sorry to read about the difficulties you are experiencing with GatorBack. I believe that I can provide you with information to solve your difficulties. Chipping and peeling, where the GatorBack fails to adhere to the cladding, is caused by incomplete cleaning and prep work prior to the initial application. There is a three step process that involves first cleaning with denatured alcohol, a solvent-type cleaner to remove any residual material such as silicone that will interfere with adhesion. Secondly, the cladding is lightly abraded with Scotch-Brite gray scuff pads. This abrasion promotes adhesion. Finally, cleaning with the GatorBack Cleaner removes all remaining residue and renders the surfaces ready for the GatorBack application. The detailed instructions can be found on the home page of our web-site, www.GatorBackCoatings.com and entering the Cladding Restoration portal. On the home, in the center there will be a clickable area that will offer to download a PDF file about 8 pages long with all the steps detailed. Print the file and take it to the shop where you had your truck done.
Please understand that GatorBack is manufactured in huge quantities and every production run consists of enough product to do 216 vehicles. If there were to be a defective batch, it would affect 215 other customers. After having done over 30,000 Avalanches the past five-six years, I can tell you that we have not had 25 problems in that entire time span, let alone with any one batch.
The shop will probably not like to have to re-do the application, but that is the only way to solve your problem. They will have to remove the existing GatorBack with lacquer thinner and then proceed with the application process again.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any more information, and again, please accept my apologies that you have had to experience the problem with your application.

Neil Power
GatorBack Coatings
(813) 294-9219

*****************************

Some of my impressions after reading almost all day on this:

~All agree GB looks fantastic. But, for anybody's cladding that might get scratched and abraided, GB can scratch and chip off in some incidences.

~Prep with GB must be exactly as outlined, and very very thorough or it will peel.

~TS-1 is well liked, most say it needs to be reapplied about every 2-3 months on average. No mention of scratching off as it appear to be more of a topical treatment (I know that's not exactly what the TS-1 info says), but lasts longer. States it still requires "prep" each time applied...(but I don't think Vt Mav found that necessary so far). Takes up to 9 wipes to do all cladding in an Av...ouch $$!

~Duplicolor & Fusion both will scratch off when abraided, though Fusion seemed to be a bit better. Look great when applied though.

~Many AV owners have found success with Restore/Refinish.....didn't find any real negatives posted. Interestingly, I didn't see any one mention scratching or chipping off.....makes me think (again) my prep was inadequate. One user did warn that it can be damaged/blasted off with high pressure car wash. I know!
I'd actually consider using this again if it was just a bit darker and a bit less "glossy" on the 2nd coat. Hmmmm, just gotta figger out how to dye it a bit...
At least now know what to expect and how to treat it.

~Administrator of the AV forum who did the extensive testing of products back in 2005 is sold on "Future floor wax". Who knew?

~Really clear that different products will meet different needs of different owners.

~I couldn't find any GatorBack at any of the Phoenix dealerships I called, but now after reading so many accounts of it peeling and scratching off, I don't think testing is really necessary now. It will scratch & chip off if scratched hard enough.

[vt_maverick]

~TS-1 is well liked, most say it needs to be reapplied about every 2-3 months on average. No mention of scratching off as it appear to be more of a topical treatment (I know that's not exactly what the TS-1 info says), but lasts longer. States it still requires "prep" each time applied...(but I don't think Vt Mav found that necessary so far). Takes up to 9 wipes to do all cladding in an Av...ouch $$!

It's definitely a topical treatment, no matter what the packaging says, and I didn't do any surface prep other than a simple wash with a plastic-netted sponge. I did have streaking after my first application, but that's because it started sprinkling before I could finish. A good wash and second coat later and it looks great. (Btw, the TS-1 packaging doesn't mention any such elaborate surface prep process.)

A note on price: one of the guys in the AV forum quotes a price of something like $21/towel, but that's not accurate (at least as I understand what he means by "towel"). A box of 6 pads was $40 shipped, and it takes 2 to do all of our cladding in a nice thick coat. That's not exactly cheap, but if it lasts 2-3 months as advertised I figure you get nice looking cladding with minimal maintenance for about $50 a year.

[Ldub]

Can you really look at a pic like this & tell me that you really believe that dark VX's came with cladding that was as dark originally as lighter VX's...???