haha, tricoats usually are just "meh." The layer they put between the basecoat and clear usually takes away some of the paints depth--you get fairly murkey reflections with anything you put on it. It isn't easy to match perfectly either (as in paint chip fixing, otherwise paint tri isn't too difficult).

Personally I like the reds from Honda that are not clearcoated, I believe cinabar is not cleared. Details up very nicely.

Formula is just your everyday red paint. for 99% of people it is better than non-clearcoated because, well, red+no clear=fading and oxidizing disaster. This particular car looks in very good condition with only a little bit of swirling (which is fine, every car has some, and you're under a specific light source which will make any car show its problems). I wouldn't be surprised if you get it back from the dealer and there is still the same amount of swirling, or if it looks good for a week until you wash it.

And while I am on the subject, I have used 303 convertible top cleaner and it is bar none the best out there. Fairly expensive but worth it if you clean the top maybe twice or three times a year. Their protectant is also up there in my list of great vinyl protectants. Actually, it would be my first choice when doing the interior of a convertible interior because the lack of UV coated glass (other than the windshield) while the top is down. Satin finish, not shiney, not completely matte.

I haven't been able to detail a car in over a month. :sad: