Ceramic Coatings/Wax

Thanks, time I look into ceramic...

 

Ceramic is the way to go 100%. Ive been detailing my own cars since i was 16 and all but 1 were black. Im never going back to wax/sealant. If you can do it yourself, you will save about a grand.

 

From what i understand not all ceramic treatments are equal. The professionally applied simonize glass treatment plan i had done took most the day. When finished the finish on the truck looked and felt like a thin hard coat of glass. After more than 6 months of not washing, or doing anything to the truck, it still looks the same.

 

I use these three Meguiar's products and am very please with he results.

 

Wow, that corvette.

 

I prefer ceramic coating on my cars, have used several brands. Just did paint correction on Tacoma topped with Kamikaze ISM 1.0 ceramic coating. Nice to be able to coat truck, trim an plastics all at same time. I do like a nice sealant though and have used several an keep them on hand for details, even home appliances. Sealants, Polish Angel sealant an wax, Wolfgang dgps, Conolite 845, FK1000. Spray sealants Kamikaze Over Coat, Rupes, Wolfgang dgps, Carpro reload, gyeon can coat(actually listed as coating) are just some I've used. Meguiars

$27 D15601 Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax for Car Detailing, Creates a Deep Shiny Look, Can Be Applied to Wet or Dried Paint and In Direct Sunlight, Moisture Rolls Off Waxed Paint, 1 Gallon

D15601 Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax this stuff is like Franks hot sauce.

 

I use use that mequiar's yellow snot wash/wax on the old tundra when it came out...leaves a nice clean shiny finish but doesn't last too long.

 

Cquartz UK 3.0

202 Black , When it is put on the Lexus vehicles it is called "Black Onyx"
IMHO the best Gloss Black out there for the eye in depth.
It is also THE WORST for showing ANYTHING.
I mean if a fly farts in 10 paces... you'll see a spec.

Truck is a 2017 and has been outdoors 364 days of every year.
Sees winter salt and sand, trails.
Goes through a touchless carwash regularly.

Looks BETTER than when it was on the lot brand new and this is almost 3 years later.
You'll have a tough time even finding a swirl mark.

Before I go on trails I also put a thick coat of wax on the sides of the truck.
The wax and the ceramic coating has prevented trail rash so far! But I do avoid big branches.
The harder coating and the lubrication from the wax seems to help the minor branches and twigs to slide over without digging in. (knock on wood)



I spent 2 days on paint correction to get it perfect,
then used Cquartz Elixer then Cquartz UK 3.0
5 Coats over 2 days in the spring when it was below 70degF outside in a shaded area.
Real easy to apply, just like waxing your truck.

I had tried waxes on it. Forget that they don't last and are "soft" but they did not give a look like the truck was coated in glass with a glossy "depth".

The first coat was dramatic, each coat added "depth".

Here are some tips for Cquartz UK 3.0

The cooler it is the longer you will have to work with it,
I could do half my hood or a whole fender/panel before wiping it off when the temp was 10deg C (approx 50F),
Use less on the applicator than what they tell you (1/2 - 3/4 of a line) and wipe out and area in a criss cross pattern until you feel the applicator is meeting more resistance.
That is when it is starting to flash and also wastes less on your buff cloth (which you will throw out as once it hardens it will scratch)
Buff off lightly and more than you think you should as once any haze hardens you have to polish it pack out (which is easy BTW).

It's easier than you think. Seriously.

 

It's primary a car wash, so I don't believe it's really meant to give a 'long lasting' shine. But more to clean well while supporting/protecting your waxed finish by not removing it.

 

I bought two packs. I like the union on the left side of the flag.

 

Old fashioned simonize been hard to beat on my 67 SS

 

Wow, my Dad swore by the 'yellow' can of Simoniz but I never liked using it because it was hard to work with or so I thought as a teenager. I used to use Liquid Glass alot...

I'd like to try something before winter that will last till spring but doubt there's anything for that. I have access to a heated garage at work but getting the truck clean enough to wax is my challenge during the cold months.

 

As I was waxing (poetic) after washing the truck this past weekend and using the Hybrid Ceramic made from little green turtles, I was wondering if it would make any sort of difference to apply the coating to frame parts.

For some of us that haven't gone through winter hell yet, the frames are still in decent shape and painted. If the ceramic coating is super hydrophobic, it should seal in the paint and whatever else from further oxidation.

Proper prep would be damn near impossible but could it hypothetically get you through winter. And so begins a Friday thread on humpday...