Ceramic coating/wax

[cjbigcog]

That was a random guess based on what I've seen others post here. Not talking wax....just ceramic coating. The actual coating process doesn't take that much time. It's the hours of polishing to perfect the paint prior to coating.

 

[westcoastGT]

That was a random guess based on what I've seen others post here. Not talking wax....just ceramic coating. The actual coating process doesn't take that much time. It's the hours of polishing to perfect the paint prior to coating.

Polishing is the key issue , waxing ................anybody can do that

 

[cncBilly]

I am a self taught "weekend" detailer. I moved up to a Flex 3401 polisher around 10 years ago. A lot of money, but compared to paying someone ~1K to polish your car, I think it's worth the investment. Also...a lot of satisfaction from doing the work yourself.

Could not agree more. Westcoast showed me how to do it “right” the first time mine was done. The satisfaction was overwhelming. The cold beer was good too.

 

[EClapp3]

@MerlintheMad not polishing but paint correction

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thanks you guys. "Polishing" aka paint correction, that makes sense. After seeing how much work it is to rub out and polish a tiny area of scratches, I can only imagine the backbreaking work an entire car would be. No thanks!

 

[westcoastGT]

Could not agree more. Westcoast showed me how to do it “right” the first time mine was done. The satisfaction was overwhelming. The cold beer was good too.

.............err , don't tell Billy that I was using his car for practice ,I never used an orbital before .......................... .........................jk bawaaaaaaa

 

[RedCal]

.............err , don't tell Billy that I was using his car for practice ,I never used an orbital before .......................... .........................jk bawaaaaaaa

So THAT"S why you got him drunk while you did it! S-M-R-T

 

[cjbigcog]

Thanks you guys. "Polishing" aka paint correction, that makes sense. After seeing how much work it is to rub out and polish a tiny area of scratches, I can only imagine the backbreaking work an entire car would be. No thanks!

To correct an entire car by hand would be insane. An orbital polisher is most commonly used.

 

[cncBilly]

.............err , don't tell Billy that I was using his car for practice ,I never used an orbital before .......................... .........................jk bawaaaaaaa

I said “PARDON”!!

 

[ZedsGT]

Recently did mine, took about 10 hours start to finish. Wash, dry, clay, iron remover, prep spray, compound, polish, then apply the ceramic. It's really hard to burn paint, If anything you end up not getting enough heat and leaving small imperfections.

 

[5tinger]

It's really not hard.
I polished the Stinger using DA and it was easy and took only about an hour.
I used carpro essence which is very good at glossing up the paint with a soft pad.

 

[neevo]

Good process there.

I debated going with Cquartz UK 3.0 but ended up choosing Adams Graphene Ceramic coating based on reviews of how easy it was to apply and how it can be applied to everything. It only requires one coat and no topper. It was really easy to use and their UV tracer technology that I thought was a gimmick is actually pretty useful.

We'll see if the 7+year durability claim is legit but i'll be happy with 3 to 4 years. Will likely need a polish by then anyway.

That’s good to know. I’ve been using Meguirs Hybrid Ceramic wax and recently B&S Beadmaker, but just don’t get the longevity. So going ceramic coating. Was looking at CQuartz UK 3.0 but changed to the Adams due to ease of use. Waiting for it to be available as out of stock at the moment.

Cheaper second car too as will have the UV light already.

 

[ZedsGT]

That’s good to know. I’ve been using Meguirs Hybrid Ceramic wax and recently B&S Beadmaker, but just don’t get the longevity. So going ceramic coating. Was looking at CQuartz UK 3.0 but changed to the Adams due to ease of use. Waiting for it to be available as out of stock at the moment.

Cheaper second car too as will have the UV light already.

I recently applied adams graphine ceramic and its fantastic. Not quite as slick as sio2 when comparing to dust but the water beading is impressive. I use Proje on my wheels and that is also good.

 

[cjbigcog]

Glad to hear that. I plan to do a full correction followed by Adam's graphene in a few weeks. Will top it with ArtDe Shine graphene crystal wax. From what I've seen online, this should be a killer combo.

 

[Dia1Up]

That’s good to know. I’ve been using Meguirs Hybrid Ceramic wax and recently B&S Beadmaker, but just don’t get the longevity. So going ceramic coating. Was looking at CQuartz UK 3.0 but changed to the Adams due to ease of use. Waiting for it to be available as out of stock at the moment.

Cheaper second car too as will have the UV light already.

The Meguirs Hybrid isn't vey good from what I've read (never used it myself). Beadmaker is probably my absolute favorite final step, results are seriously good. However, you're right it doesn't last terribly long, but it's so easy to put on it's not a big deal.

My car was originally ceramic coated back in 2013, mostly gone now.

But my routine is clay bar when it needs it, base of Mothers CMX, let dry for at least 24 hours, wash again, then Beadmaker. My 2013 Honda Fit looks better than Factory most of the time.

All the glass has been properly steel wooled, cleaned with Alcohol and then good 'ol Rain-X. It's been on there for like 3 years now. It's crazy

 

[SKStinger]

The Meguirs Hybrid isn't vey good from what I've read (never used it myself). Beadmaker is probably my absolute favorite final step, results are seriously good. However, you're right it doesn't last terribly long, but it's so easy to put on it's not a big deal.

My car was originally ceramic coated back in 2013, mostly gone now.

But my routine is clay bar when it needs it, base of Mothers CMX, let dry for at least 24 hours, wash again, then Beadmaker. My 2013 Honda Fit looks better than Factory most of the time.

All the glass has been properly steel wooled, cleaned with Alcohol and then good 'ol Rain-X. It's been on there for like 3 years now. It's crazy

Try the Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic spray. I use that to protect my other two vehicles and it’s really good. Shine and slickness is better then bead maker and can give you up to a year of durability.

You can top it with Bead maker also for that added pop.

 

[neevo]

Try the Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic spray. I use that to protect my other two vehicles and it’s really good. Shine and slickness is better then bead maker and can give you up to a year of durability.

You can top it with Bead maker also for that added pop.

Yeah righto. I’ll grab a bottle and give it a go.

 

[5tinger]

I have coated the hood and fenders using Armour shield IX which is supposed to be a 70-80% Si02 concentration?

My question is for anyone who's got ceramic experience - when buffing off the residue should there be at least some grab? Because it came off with absolute zero effort, this was after leaving the liquid to flash for about 1.5 minutes in moderate dry weather.

 

[ZedsGT]

I have coated the hood and fenders using Armour shield IX which is supposed to be a 70-80% Si02 concentration?

My question is for anyone who's got ceramic experience - when buffing off the residue should there be at least some grab? Because it came off with absolute zero effort, this was after leaving the liquid to flash for about 1.5 minutes in moderate dry weather.

If its not an actual ceramic like a cquartz or Kenzo it's not actually bonded hard onto the paint

 

[SKStinger]

I have coated the hood and fenders using Armour shield IX which is supposed to be a 70-80% Si02 concentration?

My question is for anyone who's got ceramic experience - when buffing off the residue should there be at least some grab? Because it came off with absolute zero effort, this was after leaving the liquid to flash for about 1.5 minutes in moderate dry weather.

Not always. Every coating is different. That coating is one of the easiest to use and is known for effortless removal.

Good choice, you’re going to love it!