Hey folks, I posted this also in another thread, but it belongs here too. I wanted to tell you that I think I have found the best product to use on the woodgrain Di-noc on your woody wagons. Since I brought my C.P. home a few weeks ago, I've been trying different vinyl products on the woodgrain. Armorall does not stand up to rain (water streaks appear to discolor the woodgrain, but it's just evidence of where the product washed right off the car - no permanent discoloration). Same goes for something called Vinylex. Both products make the woodgrain look shiny at first, but fail quickly. Then I tried Blue Magic's Leather Cream Conditioner after calling their 888 number to make sure it was safe for exterior 3M Di-Noc. It's thicker than Armorall , but applies easily without any powder residue or hazing. You let it "cure" on the woodgrain for 30 minutes. Then buff it with a soft cloth. When you go to buff it, the cloth first feels like it's sticking to the car, so keep at it until the cloth glides more easily. The results are worth it. The shine is a bit more satin than the Armorall shine, but definitely reflective and the finish you get is infinitely more durable. Just weathered two thunderstorms with no change in appearance to the woodgrain finish: it beads up like wax does on paint, but without any water spotting, steaking or anything. It has some kind of natural sun block in it as well. The company is in Conroe, Texas, 888-522-2746. (I don't know if it would bring faded woodgrain back to a darker look, because the C.P.'s was in good shape already, but I bet it's worth buying a bottle to find out.)
Thanks Tedy and Norman - it's still holding up to multiple rainstorms, bright sunny days and miserable muggy ones beautifully. I'm putting the C.P. in a local NJ show in July (July 11, White Street in Red Bank), so I'll probably do another "curing" before then, even though it won't need it. First I'll check to make sure that it's not harmful to apply it more than once a year. I'll put up pix once the wagon is detailed.
