OP
OP
DFB5.0
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #91
Carpro Perl 101 – A Picture of Versatility.
Carpro Perl is one of those products everyone should have in their detailing arsenal. Perl is an Si02 enhanced water-based dressing for interior and exterior uses. Perl can be used to enhance the appearance of tires, rubber, plastics, vinyl and even leather. It will also provide an element of UV protection and is said to offer superior water repellence than other similar products. The finish of Perl is best described as matte to semi-gloss, depending on dilution ratio.
For interior dressing, Perl is best diluted at 1:5 in a spray bottle using distilled water. This dilution will give a milky consistency for ease of application using a towel or applicator pad. If find it does need a follow up wipe after 15-20min to level it down. In most cases, you would use Perl on plastic surfaces, however it can also be used to dress leather/leather like trim. I would probably not use it for leather myself as it makes seats too slippery. Another interior use would be to refresh rubber floor mats, I would use this sparingly to avoid a slippery surface.
For unpainted exterior trims and wheel arch liners, Perl is best diluted to 1:3, again using distilled water to limit variability. Apply the product into a towel or applicator pad and work it in. Avoid spraying Perl directly onto the surface to reduce over-application or drips. Depending on weather conditions, you will get 2 – 6 weeks out of Perl when used on exterior surfaces.
Perl can also be used to dress your engine bay plastics. For this use, dilute at 1:1 to 1:3.
Perl’s best application though is as a tire dressing, and I think this is what most tend to use it for to be honest. Carpro recommend a 1:0 (Neat/Undiluted) or 1:1 for tires, myself, I prefer it undiluted straight from the bottle. Apply evenly to the tire with the aid of a brush or foam applicator pad. After 15-20min, you can wipe off any excess if desired. Undiluted and without a final wipe, Perl will be at it’s glossiest. Diluted and wiped, you will have a matte appearance. Because Perl is water based, it is unlikely to sling onto the bodywork. Another observation, I have found Perl to be one of the best dressings for Michelin PS4S’s.
A couple of product specific notes –
-Perl undiluted is far too thick to be dispensed through a sprayer. If you want to use Perl like this, I would add a pop-top lid to make dispensing simpler. (I repurposed an old Adams one)
-If you are dumb with math like I am, finding something to make calculating dilutions is key. This website is very simple to use and will make your dilutions accurate.
Dilution Ratio Calculator (omnicalculator.com)
-Carpro Dilute bottles are a very easy way to mix up dilutions, available in 500 and 1000ml sizes. I have both but always end up using the smaller size. Simply fill the bottle with (distilled) water to the ratio line on the bottle, then fill the rest of the way with the product.
-Unless you are a pro-detailer, the 500ml bottle will be more than enough for most people.
-A microfiber pad is the best way to apply Perl to interior or exterior trim. Have a towel on hand to knock it back if desired.
-For tires when diluted to 1:1, spray the product into the head of a detailing brush and work it in. When used neat, I prefer a foam applicator.
-For engine bays, most definitely dilute Perl to the 1:3 as it allows for a more natural finish. I also find that the runnier consistency can be distributed better here. I like to mist the various black plastic surfaces with the product, then use compressed air to distribute it into all of the grooves and crevices. Hold a towel in the other hand to shield excessive splash.
It actually took me a while to fully appreciate Carpro Perl. My first bottle took me a long time to use up, but it now gets regular use. Well worth having.
Carpro Perl is one of those products everyone should have in their detailing arsenal. Perl is an Si02 enhanced water-based dressing for interior and exterior uses. Perl can be used to enhance the appearance of tires, rubber, plastics, vinyl and even leather. It will also provide an element of UV protection and is said to offer superior water repellence than other similar products. The finish of Perl is best described as matte to semi-gloss, depending on dilution ratio.
For interior dressing, Perl is best diluted at 1:5 in a spray bottle using distilled water. This dilution will give a milky consistency for ease of application using a towel or applicator pad. If find it does need a follow up wipe after 15-20min to level it down. In most cases, you would use Perl on plastic surfaces, however it can also be used to dress leather/leather like trim. I would probably not use it for leather myself as it makes seats too slippery. Another interior use would be to refresh rubber floor mats, I would use this sparingly to avoid a slippery surface.
For unpainted exterior trims and wheel arch liners, Perl is best diluted to 1:3, again using distilled water to limit variability. Apply the product into a towel or applicator pad and work it in. Avoid spraying Perl directly onto the surface to reduce over-application or drips. Depending on weather conditions, you will get 2 – 6 weeks out of Perl when used on exterior surfaces.
Perl can also be used to dress your engine bay plastics. For this use, dilute at 1:1 to 1:3.
Perl’s best application though is as a tire dressing, and I think this is what most tend to use it for to be honest. Carpro recommend a 1:0 (Neat/Undiluted) or 1:1 for tires, myself, I prefer it undiluted straight from the bottle. Apply evenly to the tire with the aid of a brush or foam applicator pad. After 15-20min, you can wipe off any excess if desired. Undiluted and without a final wipe, Perl will be at it’s glossiest. Diluted and wiped, you will have a matte appearance. Because Perl is water based, it is unlikely to sling onto the bodywork. Another observation, I have found Perl to be one of the best dressings for Michelin PS4S’s.
A couple of product specific notes –
-Perl undiluted is far too thick to be dispensed through a sprayer. If you want to use Perl like this, I would add a pop-top lid to make dispensing simpler. (I repurposed an old Adams one)
-If you are dumb with math like I am, finding something to make calculating dilutions is key. This website is very simple to use and will make your dilutions accurate.
Dilution Ratio Calculator (omnicalculator.com)
-Carpro Dilute bottles are a very easy way to mix up dilutions, available in 500 and 1000ml sizes. I have both but always end up using the smaller size. Simply fill the bottle with (distilled) water to the ratio line on the bottle, then fill the rest of the way with the product.
-Unless you are a pro-detailer, the 500ml bottle will be more than enough for most people.
-A microfiber pad is the best way to apply Perl to interior or exterior trim. Have a towel on hand to knock it back if desired.
-For tires when diluted to 1:1, spray the product into the head of a detailing brush and work it in. When used neat, I prefer a foam applicator.
-For engine bays, most definitely dilute Perl to the 1:3 as it allows for a more natural finish. I also find that the runnier consistency can be distributed better here. I like to mist the various black plastic surfaces with the product, then use compressed air to distribute it into all of the grooves and crevices. Hold a towel in the other hand to shield excessive splash.
It actually took me a while to fully appreciate Carpro Perl. My first bottle took me a long time to use up, but it now gets regular use. Well worth having.
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