Ceramic coating/wax

[ShannonC]

Is it a fairly simple process to apply, if your paint doesn't need correction??

Very easy, just take your time and do in small stages. Apply to all panels and trim, take wheels off and do all surfaces. You only use a few drops for each part so you should have enough product for 2 to 3 applications. Leave it overnight between applications. Important - all surfaces must be spotless prior to coating.

 

[Oryan]

The hardest part of ceramic coating is everything you do before you apply the ceramic. Some are more forgiving in their application and prep process than others, some much less so.

 

[5tinger]

Is it a fairly simple process to apply, if your paint doesn't need correction??

Preparing the surface for CC is critical. Even if you think it doesn't need any prep.
I'm sure you'd want to remove old waxes, residues etc and give the surface at the very least a light polish to create that shine you'll be "locking" in with the CC

 

[David Victor]

If you are completely happy with the current state of you paint work, being it’s not all scratched up and has swirl marks, just give the car a good wash with strip wash soap (Adams polish sell some) decontaminate the car with iron and tar remover and wipe the car down with isopropyl alcohol and apply the ceramic.
People who charge high amounts for the job are doing full paint restoration before applying the ceramic. I had this done, cost me $1200au
But now that I’m fully versed in car detailing, I’d do it myself. Did my mate new Cx5 the other day, just a thorough clean and applied CarPro Uk

Thanks for your valuable information.

 

[BUZSTINGR]

Preparing the surface for CC is critical. Even if you think it doesn't need any prep.
I'm sure you'd want to remove old waxes, residues etc and give the surface at the very least a light polish to create that shine you'll be "locking" in with the CC

Very Useful Info!

 

[HoneyBeeStinger]

If you want to do it yourself, it's pretty good - I did it on mine, and it turned out great.
In canada, I went with Carzillas Carpro CQuartz 30ml Kit with the Gliss topper - 2 coats ceramic and 1 topper.
That being said, I went fairly deep.
Thorough wash with Meguiars Gold Class, and I added a little degreaser/APC. 2 Bucket Method
Dry quickly.
Spray Iron Decontamination, wait, rinse.
Clay - used leftover soap as lubricant.
Dried, and left it overnight to fully dry everywhere just in case I missed a spot.
Single step correction with a DA polisher and Sonax Perfect Finish.
Wipe down with carpro eraser.
2 coats of Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0, waiting 12h between each
1 coat Gliss v2, 12 h after the second coat of ceramic.
Cure 48h, don't wash for the first week.

That took quite a bit of time, I was learning as I went. But it turned out pretty well, I have some old posts with pics.
But the prep is the most important part - the coating is very hard, and very thin, so it will highlight swirls, etc if they are there.

If you want to not worry about that, you can use a glaze, and that will have some filler properties, but it won't last nearly as long.

A similar package would have been about 900 I think. - I had the wheels done professionally though.

 

[SKStinger]

If you want to do it yourself, it's pretty good - I did it on mine, and it turned out great.
In canada, I went with Carzillas Carpro CQuartz 30ml Kit with the Gliss topper - 2 coats ceramic and 1 topper.
That being said, I went fairly deep.
Thorough wash with Meguiars Gold Class, and I added a little degreaser/APC. 2 Bucket Method
Dry quickly.
Spray Iron Decontamination, wait, rinse.
Clay - used leftover soap as lubricant.
Dried, and left it overnight to fully dry everywhere just in case I missed a spot.
Single step correction with a DA polisher and Sonax Perfect Finish.
Wipe down with carpro eraser.
2 coats of Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0, waiting 12h between each
1 coat Gliss v2, 12 h after the second coat of ceramic.
Cure 48h, don't wash for the first week.

That took quite a bit of time, I was learning as I went. But it turned out pretty well, I have some old posts with pics.
But the prep is the most important part - the coating is very hard, and very thin, so it will highlight swirls, etc if they are there.

If you want to not worry about that, you can use a glaze, and that will have some filler properties, but it won't last nearly as long.

A similar package would have been about 900 I think. - I had the wheels done professionally though.

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.

 

[2swoosh]

I got quoted $1k for paint correction and ceramic coating

 

[RedCal]

Do your own ceramic... It's not hard to do and WAY cheaper...
After the winter ends, and we get some warmer temps, I'll give it a good wash and see what the paint looks like then I may get a local detailer to do the polish, and I'll do the ceramic... makes it less about a third of the price

 

[2swoosh]

sounds good redcal I might do the whole thing myself it'll be a good exercise too

 

[RedCal]

For sure! If you have the time and the kit it will save a lot of $$ for other things (mods lol)
There is a lot of good videos on "How to" (like the ones futher up in this thread, and he has a discount code on the Avalon King kit)
The polishing is the only part that I am having a hard time justifying.. for myself the ROI on the polisher just doesn't work.
I might do a hand polish if it doesn't need much work

 

[2swoosh]

its basically brand new 350 miles so far but I noticed heavy scratches on the hood courtesy of dealer's prep, lol but she'll be parked outside and a DD so just for longevity

 

[westcoastGT]

For sure! If you have the time and the kit it will save a lot of $$ for other things (mods lol)
There is a lot of good videos on "How to" (like the ones futher up in this thread, and he has a discount code on the Avalon King kit)
The polishing is the only part that I am having a hard time justifying.. for myself the ROI on the polisher just doesn't work.
I might do a hand polish if it doesn't need much work

check out craigslist for used orbitals , lots of guys load up on the gear to do their own detailing then ultimately drop out when they find out how much work it is or worse screw up their paint by burning it ..........

 

[RedCal]

check out craigslist for used orbitals , lots of guys load up on the gear to do their own detailing then ultimately drop out when they find out how much work it is or worse screw up their paint by burning it ..........

Good Tip!... That's the other thing... I'm afraid I'll screw up my paint lol... but I might just take the dive if the price is right

 

[westcoastGT]

Good Tip!... That's the other thing... I'm afraid I'll screw up my paint lol... but I might just take the dive if the price is right

Just watch a few vids on Youtube and you'll be a pro , the key is to keep the machine moving ( practice on someone else's car if you're nervous , you know like the neighbors' ( at night ) bawaaaa

 

[EClapp3]

With a DA its really not that hard. I use the one from harbor freight and its just fine for the weekend warrior. Only complaint is its a little loud, but for the price I'm willing to deal with sound.

 

[RedCal]

Just watch a few vids on Youtube and you'll be a pro , the key is to keep the machine moving ( practice on someone else's car if you're nervous , you know like the neighbors' ( at night ) bawaaaa

I'll borrow my friends X6... how bad can it be lol

 

[EClapp3]

I'll borrow my friends X6... how bad can it be lol

not bad at all. its more time consuming and body pain than difficult.

 

[cjbigcog]

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.

 

[MerlintheMad]

paying someone ~1K to polish your car

Really!? That seems incredibly high. But I don't know since I've never priced a polish; isn't polish part of a wax? I know that wax isn't remotely close to a thousand dollars around here.