Since launching Triple P, we have received a lot of questions about proper application protocol. We wanted to take a moment to break down the chemistry behind the product and provide clear guidance on how to get the most out of it.
What is Triple P?
Triple P is a water-based, oil-in-water emulsion polish. Water serves as the continuous outer phase and oil as the dispersed inner phase. The outer phase contains a precision micro-abrasive system engineered to correct minor surface defects such as light scratches and swirl marks, refining the substrate to a high-clarity mirror finish. The inner phase is a carefully balanced blend of oils, solvents, and silica resin. This formulation delivers extended working time, exceptional lubricity during machine application, and most critically, deposits a uniform silica resin film onto the substrate surface. That film is not a byproduct, it is intentional. It functions as a chemically active primer layer specifically engineered to promote adhesion and cross-linking with the ceramic coating applied over it.
When and How to Use Triple P
There are two application scenarios depending on the condition of the substrate.
For surfaces that are approximately five years old or newer and have not experienced severe oxidation, we recommend the following process. After compounding, wash the vessel with a degreasing soap such as Dawn if water access is available, followed by a thorough IPA wipe down to remove any remaining surface contamination and ensure a clean bonding surface prior to polish application. Using a polishing pad with a random orbital or forced rotation machine, work Triple P until it refines down to a light haze, then remove the residual with a clean microfiber towel.
At this stage, do not follow up with an IPA or solvent wipe. Triple P has already deposited the silica resin primer film onto the substrate and introducing a solvent at this point would partially or fully strip that film, compromising the adhesion layer and undermining the purpose of the product. Allow the resin layer to dwell for 30 to 60 minutes before applying your ceramic coating. This window gives the silica resin adequate time to partially cure and stabilize so that when the ceramic coating is applied, the solvents and resins in the coating can reactivate and cross-link with the primer film rather than disrupting it. Avoid using Triple P if you are not able to coat over it within a reasonable timeframe.
For vessels that have undergone restoration from severe oxidation, the protocol is adjusted. In this case we recommend polishing with Triple P followed by an IPA wipe prior to ceramic coating application. Heavy oxidation leaves the substrate surface in an extremely porous and irregular state. The IPA wipe in this scenario removes excess oils and residue from the restoration process, giving the ceramic coating a cleaner and more receptive surface to cross-link with.
It is worth noting that after over seven years of field testing across a wide range of substrates and conditions, our data consistently shows a marginal but repeatable improvement in coating durability when Triple P is applied first and followed by an IPA wipe before coating, regardless of the age or condition of the vessel. This has become our preferred and recommended protocol across the board.
Why Triple P Works Best Within the Starke System
Triple P is specifically formulated to work in conjunction with Repel Pro and Liquid Thor, and the reason comes down to chemistry. The silica resin deposited by Triple P is the same core constituent found in our ceramic coating formulations. This is by design. In polymer and surface chemistry, chemical compatibility between layers is a critical driver of interfacial adhesion. By engineering the same silica resin chemistry into both the polish and the coating, we allow the two products to form a cohesive, chemically bonded interface rather than two independent layers simply stacked on top of one another. The result is measurably better adhesion, film integrity, and long term durability.
That same silica resin chemistry is carried through once more into our SiO2 based maintenance spray, extending this chemical continuity from initial surface preparation all the way through the long term maintenance cycle. Every product in the Starke system is formulated around a shared chemical backbone, and that consistency is what allows each layer to reinforce the one beneath it rather than competing with it.
Introducing chemically dissimilar competitor products at any stage of this process interrupts that continuity. While Triple P has demonstrated reasonable compatibility with select outside coatings in field testing, it is not formulated with that cross-brand interaction in mind and performance outcomes will vary. To get the full benefit of what the system is designed to deliver, keeping the chemistry consistent from prep to protection to maintenance is the right call.