Alternative to Ceramic Coat

Hey guys,

Just curious to what alternatives area available to doing a full ceramic coat, if any.

I just bought a new black taco, and I am a neat / detail freak. Definitely want to keep this thing clean and the paint protected. This is my daily driver, and sits outside most of the time. With that being said, I clean it often and would have no problems waxing / sealing it often if need be.

I am 100% not paying to have it professionally coated, it's way over my budget. I am definitely considering doing it myself, but was just curious if anyone has an "alternative" wash / wax / sealant combo that is cheaper, easier, and provides a somewhat similar outcome to the coating.

 

Good old fashion wax.

Maybe clear bra

 

How often do you apply?

 

Look up underdog. Its a Teflon based coating , the Pro version . Way easier and better than any ceramic. Like any wax, ceramic, Teflon, Graphene it’s all in the prep work

 

What does it all do? All those products? They protect our paint from the elements and give a deeper shine, and some water beading.
What I do on my cars is prep the whole car with a compound and a polish. Apply ceramic coating and after a year, I just apply this about 3 times a year. Looks great so far.
Meguiar's G190532SP Hybrid Ceramic Wax - The Car Enthusiast's Car Wax, 32 Fluid Ounces

$23 Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax - SiO2 Hybrid Technology in an Easy-to-Use Spray Application That Delivers Long-Lasting Protection - 32 Oz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R5QH6H6?_encoding=UTF8

 

I also have a 2021 Black Tacoma, I use Griots 3-1 - inexpensive, works well. Also used it on my 2020 Ascent and still beads and I applied the first coat a year ago. I do use the cermanic speed shine as a drying aid.

 

Ceramic coat yourself with Carpro Cquartz UK or similar. Mainly because if ceramic coatings do anything they make it easier to keep the truck clean. If you've got a black truck you want to be touching it less. For me that would mean skipping products that don't last a full year or two. Less touching means less love marks which could be fine on silver or white as you wouldn't see them but you'll see them on black. Grab up some Carpro Elixir to go along with it for a drying aid after washes.

If you're worried about a learning curve for Cquartz UK then go with Cquartz Lite, it will outlast anything else out of a spray bottle and will be easier to use than a wax.

 

Excellent point, I generally use rinseless wash in a weed sprayer to "wet" the paint before washing, to reduce scratch's and swirls. Also also use a drying aid to reduce chances during drying.

 

Griots Ceramic Wash, Ceramic Detailer and Ceramic 3-1 wax. All work very well.

 

I want to try Turtle Wax Ceramic wash and wax, it’s had a lot of good reviews on TW
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3rd-gen-today.399305/page-10179#post-25720337

 

Seems like ceramic is the move then! Thanks fellas

 

How is it way easier than a ceramic? Ceramic requires little to no effort. I am not familiar with Underdog so that is why I am asking.

 

Look it up, web site & Facebook. Wipes off so much easier, flash time much easier to deal with. Water spots are way less than what u get from ceramic. Gloss and a longer looking clean truck , IMO. I’m a nut about a clean truck. Again, it’s all about the prep work before, when applying anything.

 

I looked up website. Wasn’t much info regarding longevity or contact angles. Any ceramic I have used has pretty much been a wipe on/wipe off application. So unless Underdog wipes itself off the paint, it’s not any easier.

 

I applied Meguiar's Ceramic Wax spray shortly after getting my truck a couple months ago. I have not had to yet reapply yet, still beading very well. I've just been doing maintenance washes with ONR/Garry Dean method, and the paint is still looking great. Not sure how much better this product is than other spray waxes/sealants, but for the price and ease of application, I think it's worthwhile alternative to a professionally applied ceramic coating.

I've read lots of good things about Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic spray, and Beadmaker as well. I may try those once I get through this bottle

 

Griot's garage ceramic 3 in 1 spray wax. use with their ceramic speed shine between washes, and use their ceramic wash soap. works, and lasts a long time. good product line.
Ski

 

I tend to think he is speaking about one of those professional ceramic applications.. often found at the dealer, detailing, or undercoating shop..

 

Correct. And for those that don't know it, there's a big difference between a professionally applied (and I'm leaving most dealers off of that list) ceramic coating and one that comes in a spray bottle. The stuff applied by most dealerships is part of what I generally call "the dealer greed / environmental protection package" and isn't worth a crap. Oh wait, it's the same spray bottle product. I rest my case. Carry on.

 

+1 on the Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions spray wax, tested to be the most durable by Project Farm and widely available in most big box stores:



It's what I use, super easy to use.

 

If it’s been tested by project farm and deemed a winner you know it’s good, that guys awesome, thanks for the link!