I’m very new to Vibram. My first set of VFFs are Treksports … in Orange.
… get ‘em on!
… trousers rolled up and ready for off:
Action shot … kind of:
Love ‘em … and I will definitely be getting some more. KSOs next, I think.
You can buy VFFs from Amazon
The name has been revealed: Supernatural Hybrid … Dodo Juice’s much anticipated “paste sealant”.
Prior to diving into a preview of this forthcoming product let’s take a moment to discuss Supernatural …
Supernatural is a peculiarly fine wax and one which I have championed as the finest wax you can use after machine polishing paintwork to perfection. Anybody who has seen perfectly machined paintwork will know what a shame it is, often, to wax that finish. Supernatural offers purity - it does not interfere with that perfection, neither dulling nor enhancing. It protects your hard work and allows that perfection to shine through. Furthermore, as a wax, it represents the absolute pinnacle of our hobby - the finest product, developed by enthusiasts FOR enthusiasts.
“Purity” is the very essence of Supernatural.
So, onto Supernatural Hybrid …
Supernatural Hybrid does not replace Supernatural, nor supplant it. Supernatural Hybrid, as far as I understand, is Supernatural which has had its DNA bonded to a synthetic backbone of enhancement and fortification. Supernatural Hybrid is not so much a “paste sealant” but an engineered version of Supernatural itself, and it is worth remembering that this product is very much related to Supernatural … and for that reason I will refer to it as a “wax”.
In the same way as Supernatural raised the bar, Supernatural Hybrid raises it again.
Let’s have a look at it:
The wax will be available in 100ml jars for the RRP of £29.99. The wax is gold in colour and has almost no scent; that deep, sugary scent present within Supernatural is almost a memory. This is a hard wax with a creamy smooth texture and just like Supernatural requires only the lightest of contact to transfer the requisite amount to a foam pad.
Let’s get it on some paintwork …
I prepared our black convertible by fine polishing over with Meguiars #205 on a 3M blue pad and then gave the surface a wipedown with a strong solution of IPA. It is worth noting that our convertible has single stage paint - no clearcoat.
I used the soft foam Supernatural applicator to apply the wax. Placing the tip of the applicator onto the surface of the wax and giving it a light twist in the pot transfered sufficient to cover the whole boot. On the applicator, the wax is almost imperceptible until touched to the paintwork. I started in the middle and moved to the right hand side and then returned to the middle to travel to the left hand side. The wax was still plyable and could be worked over again, ensuring that a whisper thin layer was evenly applied over the whole surface. Careful application and a considered approach will really benefit this wax ensuring that there are no high spots.
Buffed … Wow! The wax buffed off with incredible ease. I used a Supernatural microfibre, folded into quarters and mere gentle pressure was required to remove the haze. What I was presented with was something quite special - deliciously crisp reflections and a warm depth which reminded me that I was using an engineered wax. This wax represents astounding value for money given how little is necessary for coverage.
I moved onto my red car and wiped down the boot with 50% IPA after a simple wash. This car has a clearcoat finish.
Before …
… and after:
Subtle, but noticeable increase in clarity and not to labour the point about application, it was easy, a pleasure to do and wiped off with incredible ease … very much enjoyed.
I saw no secondary hazing or hologramming on either car. At this point I went back to the black car to make a second application which did, but the finish on the red car did not with that thin coat.
Back to the black car, I made a second application … this time, more heavily with a lot more product as an inexperienced user might. I was not overly punished for this - the thicker haze still removed easily, although a little more effort was required but nothing like the scrubbing required where cheaper waxes can literally bake on. This time I did see some secondary hazing and hologramming; nothing to worry about - this can happen with Supernatural and it is actually reassuring to see. No big deal - chilled distilled water saw it off, as would a microsuede cloth. I guess it comes down to how heavy you are with the application of product.
Second coat applied more heavily:
Secondary hazing and hologramming:
…and some “glamour shots”:
“Defined”, I think is the word that captures the nature of Supernatural Hybrid.
Glossy, glassy, liquid, shimmering, flowing … well, yes, but “defined” says it all for me and that’s a word I’ll be using to single out the nature of this wax. Yes, I love it! Yes, it’s what I’ve been looking for on my red car to give that almost plastic look that looks awesome on red, yet has the depth to match the life in the red … and on black, deep and sumptuous as expected from a wax with the same crisp reflections that first excited me about sealants.
Truly the best of both worlds.
The looks are sensational, but it is the water behaviour that is truly astounding.
When sprayed over with water the sheeting is instant leaving a practically dry surface. When misted, beads well up and seem to shake under a desire to both well up and to escape the surface. Once overcome by their own weight the beads skittered off in all directions, seemingly defying gravity or any logical route off the surface. This kind of behaviour is something I have only seen with pure nano sealants.
… on red:
… and on black:
In summary, Supernatural Hybrid is a truly excellent product and represents an entirely new breed of product from Dodo Juice. For looks it is sensational and the water behaviour, quite staggering.
It does everything … only more so!
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Copyright Paul Halliday [All Rights Reserved]
Dodo Juice Supernatural is a particularly fine wax.
Anybody who has seen perfectly machined paintwork will know what a shame it is, often, to wax that finish. Supernatural offers purity - it does not interfere with that perfection, neither dulling nor enhancing. It protects your hard work and lets the perfection shine through. Furthermore, as a wax, it represents the absolute pinnacle of our hobby - the finest product, developed by enthusiasts FOR enthusiasts … but … how to get the very best from it …The instructions are a little light, certainly on the sample pot.It is also a wax that seems to like a particular preparation and, in my opinion, a particular method of maintenance.
Here are some tips …
Firstly, prepare the paintwork … Supernatural likes to go onto very clean paintwork, so machine polish if need be and then wipe down with IPA and/or cleanse with their Lime Prime Lite.
I absolutely adore Lime Prime Lite and consider it far superior to its more abrasive original. You can polish hard plastics with the Lite version, too, so feel free to run straight over windscreen squirters, roof gutter covers, wiper housings and so on …
Now, let’s get the wax on.
Dodo Juice’s recommended three finger applicator is a fine choice.
The foam is so fine it can be used on fragile show car paint. Rub the pad gently into the top of the wax. Inspect it … you can’t see any product transference, right Good! Go with it … have faith!
… a really thin layer is all that is needed. Remember, haze is waste wax since that’s the bit you buff off.
Leave it 15 minutes and buff off with a clean, soft microfibre towel.
Again, Dodo Juice’s own Supernatural buffing towel is pretty much the softest I have ever felt and really is perfect for this task - Supernatural needs almost no pressure to wipe off.
Supernatural is designed as a really pure wax and as such is prone to a secondary hazing, or hologramming as it continues to cure after the initial haze has been wiped off.
You can see some hologramming in the next picture, which has come up after about 30 minutes:
… at this point, you could reach for the QD but … think about it!
This is a pure wax, the purest you can apply to your paintwork so why compromise or interfere with that finish by using another product?
For this, distilled water comes in as a recommendation.
You can buy distilled water from your local supermarket or you can recover your own from your aircon machine or dehumidifier. Pop the bottle in the fridge and use it chilled. Chilled? Yes, chilled … the cooling effect helps to fully cure the residual wax on the surface and the water itself will remove the secondary hazing:
Alternatively, you could use a microsude cloth folded up and gently caressed against the surface.
… after another couple of hours, the wax will really start to come into its own and the finish you’ll be looking at is one of the finest you’ll see:
The challenge now is how to maintain that …
Well, I am absolutely sold on their Supernatural Shampoo - it is absolutely perfect with the wax.
Do not be concerned about the lack of suds since this shampoo is full of lubricants which will encapsulate the dirt and wash the surfaces clean. Don’t be tight on how much liquid you lavish over the car - the shampoo is extremely concentrated and 5-6 pumps in a 20L bucket is quite sufficient.
Here’s a quick rinse down with clean water a week after the initial application on a car kept at the side of the road:
… and here’s after washing with Supernatural Shampoo and rinsed down:
Use their Supernatural wash mitten for the deepest pile, sheet rinse and pat dry.
The shampoo has excellent sheeting capabilities initially, yet does not interfere with subsequent beading enjoyment. Just don’t use any other product to assist drying - you don’t need it and you don’t want to interfere with the wax … remember?
After a couple of months, the beading will be dying down.
You could at this point make a gentle application of Lime Prime Lite and wax again … or you could switch to a couple of products that will help stretch out your application for another few weeks.
Switching to Sour Power shampoo, a wash and wax shampoo and giving the finish a spritz over with Red Mist will not quite revive that initial application, but will give you a refreshed look to enjoy.
So, to summarise …
1. Prepare the paint as you see fit, but cleanse with Lime Prime/Lite
2. Apply the wax in as thin a layer as you can achieve
3. Let it cure for 15 minutes … buff off
4. After 30 minutes … spritz with chilled distilled water and buff again
5. Stand back and enjoy!
6. Weekly, wash with Supernatural Shampoo, sheet rinse and pat dry
7. Enjoy! Repeat for a couple of months
8. Switch to Sour Power and spritz with Red Mist after drying
9. Enjoy! Repeat for a few more weeks
10. Cleanse back and start again …
Gorgeous!
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Copyright Paul Halliday [All Rights Reserved]