Wax, Clay, or Ceramic?

TL;DR: a basic shampoo, clay/decontaminate the paint, multiple layers of Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze applied as wipe on/wipe off for protection.

Everything I will say is based on my own personal experience with multiple vehicles that have all been daily driven, stored outside, in upstate NY through all 4 seasons. I have always taken good care of my vehicles but got "serious" about detailing around 2009. I have used everything from turtle wax products from the local hardware store to CarPro Cquartz UK 3.0.

Experience with Ceramic:

For the amount of time, money, effort, etc... I do not see the value in a DIY ceramic coating on these trucks. The paint is getting beat to hell by sand and stones rather than salt and sunlight. I did a full decontamination, 2 step paint correction, wipedown, and applied the Cquartz UK3.0 in a climate controlled garage using non-point lighting. after applied, I used the CarPro Reload and the truck was left in the garage for nearly a week to cure, coating was applied in May of 2022, passenger door was damaged and repainted in May as well and has not been coated. after less than 18 months the coating has either totally failed, or is completely "clogged" and holding onto a serious layer of road film, which also has given the appearance of a ton of wash induced swirls, while my passenger door still looks pristine. I routinely wash using the 2 bucket method, final rinse with RODI water and have not applied any quick detailer, spray wax, or any other last step products. To fix the issue I grabbed carpro reset and descale, (reset has not restored the coating to its former glory), if descale doesn't work I will go back to square 1 and this time apply Klasse to the paint. pretty disappointing when you consider, the time, cost of product, cost of towels which need to be thrown away, and the cost of new shampoo, detail spray, and coating maintenance products.

Experience with Klasse:

I have only ever applied Klasse per the instructions once, and I will never let it dry or haze again. Once dried, it is a nightmare to remove. However, when applied with a MF applicator dampened with luke warm water and wiped off once the panel has been coated, it is amazing and there is no difference in durability. it only needs about 8 hours of cure time before subsequent coats can be applied and 2-3 coats easily give 10-12 months of protection with routine washing. water sheets off nicely allowing use f laminar flow for rinsing/drying, and I can wash and QD with whatever products I want. I bought a 1 liter jug in 2009 and am nowhere near the bottom of the bottle, a little really does go a long way.

Experience with waxes:

I used to love waxing my cars by hand: my coworkers are always pleasantly surprised when I give the a detailing kit for free when they get a new vehicle. Don't get me wrong, waxes and sealants still have their place, just not in my garage.

 

Since is it black and new. You can take the time to protect the paint before it gets any damages. A solid decontamination and clay car of the paint, and quick 1 stage paint correction and seal with with a 1-2 year ceramic or graphene coating. This will protect the paint and any scratches (Not to the paint) will only affect the coating. I use Adams or Sonax for detailing but for coating I use Aero Detailing, which can be added to your carfax to hold value. Hope this helps.

 

Just had my car done, a shop recommended by a friend. Was quoted $1200, guy had 1 day open at the end of the week & said $1000 if you bring it in the night before. Car looks amazing.

 

WHY? I always do classic carnauba wax and ceramic spray on top. Nothing wrong with my BLACK truck, period.

 

Very nice truck!

Ceramic protection is superior to carnuba wax for pure protection of paint. Not taking shots at carnuba wax as it definitely gives a deep warm gloss that is preferred by some over ceramics cool gloss. But there’s no comparison in protection and longevity as professionally applied ceramic coatings come out on top by a long shot.

With that said, you always want to put a ceramic coating on a prepped and cleaned surface with nothing between it and the clear coat for maximum protection and gloss.

This is not something I’m spitballing but is industry standard in professional detailing.

At the end of the day any protection applied to paint is ahead of the game…

Also, do your own homework and don’t trust some guy on a forum!!

 

The amount of thought you guys put into cleaning and waxing (etc) your trucks is remarkable.

There’s guys here that would worry about contaminants and toxins on the paint, but probably wouldn’t think twice about eating a bag of Doritos and a bunch of shit from McDonalds. Start talking about a shiny trucks and we’re all scientists

trucks look great though.

 

omg so true!!!

It’s definitely a curse!!

 

Oh, I see... I forgot to mark boundary between ceramic coat and ceramic spray , sorry.
Ceramic coat need to be applied only on prepped and cleaned surface, professional application highly recommended (90% probability of screw up surface without proper training,
skills and experience) It lasts up to 5 years, and cost of application is high (over 1000 CAD in my area). Contact with glass, plastics and rubber are not recommended.
Ceramic spray can be applied like super finish on the top of most waxes and sealants, can be applied in layers, can go over plastics, rubbers and glass. Easy to work with,
nice DIY project, affordable cost (1l. bottle for 2 vehicles is 80 CAD and enough for 40 applications) But protective effect lasts only about 6 months (fully exposed to UV and elements and up to 9 months with garage use), that's why I do coat my vehicles at least 2 times a year, at fall and at spring.
On my truck's horizontal surfaces exposed to UV and elements (roof and hood) I usually applying compound paint sealant first, carnauba wax second and double or triple layer of
ceramic spray on top. The rest of the body - just ceramic spray over the cleaned surface.
To me for last 6 years it's best balance between cost, labor and finish result.
And yes, G-Technique ceramic spray - that's what I'm using.
Highly recommend!

 

Why no ceramic,because of age?

 

So everything I’ve read says ceramic coatings last 5 years. What happens after 5 years does it have to be removed?

 

That is not true. Coating life varies by product and how the paint is maintained. Coatings advertise anywhere from a year to 9 years. I doubt any coating will last 9 years on a daily driver. Depending upon coating life, I would recommend a polish (depending on your wash process) and apply a new coating of choice.

 

I have been using collinite insulator wax and double coat paste wax, it is the best on the market, last 6 months to a year depending on the weather. I first use a clay bar with Griots Speed Shine wipe off with microfiber. I also use all of Collinite products
for automotive use. All my vehicles got Collinite throughout the years.

 

I have been professionally detailing as a full timer and side business for 40 years. I have done numerous Ceramic coatings and have used some of the best and can tell you they will not last 5 years, maybe 3 at most and at that point the coating is breaking down. People are paying good money for a worthless warranty. It just isn't happening as I see cars that I have coated and they are being treated well just not last and that is using the big named brands in the coating world.

 

Well if I Do paint correction on a 12 year old vehicle is it worth it.Or just use some kind of wax myself?

 

What products do you use? I’ve been a wax guy forever and do it 3-4 times a year, and use p&s between waxes after every wash.

 

Wax it and use a spray wax between waxings. I would think your older clear/paint would be more porous. And hand washes with at minimum 2 buckets.

 

ceramic is easier to maintain. Plenty of good over the counter coatings. If not coating, get a good sealant. Several great sealants out there. Top with wax if you want pop.

 

TriCure Graphene Ceramic Super Maxx, its pricy. When I do a coating I use it, I'm retired and do about 4 cars a month

 

What coatings are you using in your business? I've been using cquartz for a few years and it seems to do alright.
Lately I've been reading that some of the spray on stuff is doing a real good job. I just bought a tacoma and they did a quick detail over the weekend before I picked it up and I was shocked by the quality of whatever they put on over the weekend. So much so, I thought of going back to see what they used.
I did see that carpro's spray on, which is recommended after ceramic, is made of silicone and siloxicane or something like that. They say it can provide up to 3 months but it's so much easier to apply then cquartz.
Basically, I'm asking what your doing on the daily and what works. Thanks.

 

This