Tech

Bargain or Bollocks? Gtechniq C4

Bargain or bollocks? That is the question.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We figured it was high time we did some tech stuff, what with us now having a unit in which we can drill, hammer and weld to our heart’s content. With that in mind, we needed a snappy title, so without further adieu, welcome to…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4907″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Is that a snappy title or what? And look at that slick graphic, hastily knocked up in MS Paint as if we were year seven children or something.

So what’s it all about? Well, we’re going to buy various products that can be used on your car and review them. The key word there, is ‘buy’. These aren’t freebies, so we have no obligation to be nice. If something is bollocks, we will call it out on its bollockery. We wouldn’t lie to you.

Anyway, on with our first product review. Namely Gtechniq’s C4 Trim Restorer…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4908″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The black plastic trim on our Proton is very, very faded. We don’t like that. We like our plastics to be black like the night, much like Batman. As such, we needed a remedy. We looked up the notion of doing it with a heat gun (which we have) but decided against it, as we heard it didn’t last that long and it might, you know, melt the bumper. Then there was talk of boiled linseed oil, but again, reports came in that it didn’t last all that long.

Eventually, we stumbled up on this. Gtechniq C4 Trim Restorer promises to restore trim and last up to two years. All the reviews seemed positive, though we were warned that it’s bloody expensive. £20 actually, or thereabouts, and what you see above is what arrived. Yes, that’s a 10mm spanner for scale. We were concerned Gtechniq thought we were wanting to restore the trim on our Micro Machines.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4909″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The little instruction pamphlet in the box suggest that used sparingly, the C4 liquid goes a long way. But only if you use it right. So let’s get to it.

The above image is what we started with. The plastics were grey, they were faded and they looked horrid. The sun’s UV is a relentless bitch when it comes to the trim of cars from Malaysia, apparently.

Now it’s worth noting, it’s not just a case of slapping the Gtechniq C4 on. You first have to clean the surface with an alcohol-based cleaner. This picks up all the dirt, grease and grime. We picked up a bottle from Amazon for a couple of quid and it did the job a treat. There can be NO contaminates on the plastic prior to the application of the C4. If there are, it won’t work. So that’s on you, not the product.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4910″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With our trim cleaned, and frankly now looking even worse, it was on with the Gtechniq C4. The kit comes with some little cotton wool pads, onto when you place a couple of drops of the solution. Then it’s simply a case of massaging it into the plastic.

If you’re concerned about the tiny 15ml amount, don’t be. This stuff goes a long, long way. We did this whole corner piece with a couple of drops of the stuff. It’s deeply impressive how far it goes. And with the application, it brought a deep, luscious shine to the plastic once more. The transformation was remarkable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4911″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Once applied, you leave it to bond for a couple of minutes before going over it with a clean microfibre cloth to remove the excess. And yes, remarkably, there was excess. Once you’ve done that, it’s job jobbed.

Gtechniq C4 is more than just a polish though. The reason it appealed to us to test was due to the fact that, according to the blurb, “Gtechniq C4 utilises a covalent or chemical bond to actually become an extension of the plastic molecule it’s protecting.  Not to be confused with much weaker electrostatic bonds used by, amongst others, ptfe based polymers Gtechniq C4 actually swaps part of its molecular structure with the surface molecules of your car’s trim.”

In layman’s terms, this stuff becomes one with the plastic. It’s not merely a covering that can be washed off. And that is pretty damn impressive. What’s even more impressive is that it should last for two whole years. Though we’ll have to report back on that.

So what’s the verdict?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4912″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’re saying it’s a bargain. We were deeply impressed with the way it transformed and restored our plastic, and we have every faith it will last. There are reviews out there that are less favourable, and we don’t understand them. They simply MUST have done the prep wrong. If you follow the steps, use an alcohol-based pre-cleaner, take your time and do it properly, you’ll be laughing. Our bumper was about as bad as it gets, and yet now, it looks brilliant.

It might be £20, but £20 for for something that works is better than a fiver here and a fiver there on a load of things that don’t, right?

You can DO A BUYINGS HERE![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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