DIY Ceramic Coating

Anyone do their own Ceramic Coating? What did you use, how long did it take, was it worth it?

 

Check into glass coat, I love it for my truck. Very simple.

 

I did my own using Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating. Super easy/quick and it has lasted about 4 months so far, probably going to need to do it every 6 months. Went with it because of this video, great info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYxKQwZah1s

I did it when the truck was new-ish so i did not need to do any extensive prep work. Gave it a good hand wash and applied coating, buffed it off by hand after letting it dry for a few minutes. Took longer to wash the car than apply the coating.

 

Does this stuff hold up better than the traditional paint sealant method using a random orbital? I've always detailed our cars with a polisher, using wolfgangs or meguairs synthetic sealant and its lasted 6-12 months, and I usually wax or spray wax in between sealant applications. It doesn't take me more than about 60 minutes all said and done so I haven't pulled the trigger on these newer SiO2 applications. Anyone compare the 2?

 

Anybody use AvalonKing | Quality Automotive Ceramic Coating Products ?

 

I used to use menzerna sealant, applied by a black pad on a DA and then hand buffed off. For me, being garaged it usually lasts ~8 months or so in the rain but I've since switched to Turtle wax's hybrid solutions mentioned in the thread. It is REALLY easy to apply. Like using a detailing spray. So far its been 3 months in the rain on my wife's car and looks great. I think it beads water better than sealants and therefore, the car has stayed cleaner, for longer. Even if this only lasts 1/2 the time as a traditional sealant, its only a fraction of the time to apply, so I would be okay with applying every few months anyways.

 

I wonder how the UV protection is, thats one of the main reasons I keep using the old tried and true because my 1996 lexus' paint is IMMACULATE, no fading on the hood or roof or anywhere so I know its working well.

Edit: and its been parked out in the sun/weather for the past 12 years.

 

To be honest, I wouldn't know. All my vehicles have been garaged for ~12 years or so. When I commuted I parked in a parking garage as well.

 

Xpel Ultimate Plus for my 2021 TRD PRO Lunar Rock with Gtechinq Cermaic coating | Tacoma World

just did mine. with proper prep was about 20 hours total. Gtechinq last 3-5 years if you use crystal serum light. crystal serum ultra last 9 years but I think you need to go to one of the training classes they have to get and use the ultra. Def worth it. Remember prep work is key !

 

I'm no expert but from what I have read ceramic coatings offer the same if not better protection than the older sealants. The main advantage seems to be ease of application, allowing you to reapply more often.

 

i'll probably make the jump in the next year or 3 after my supply of sealant is gone or i start to run out of time/energy using the polisher, whichever comes first lol

 

I tried this stuff. I really didn't notice much difference in shine but the way it sheds water is impressive. Fairly easy to apply. It works great on the glass and is way better than rain x. The only downside is the price. Once this bottle is done I will give the Turtle Wax a try.

 

It has lasted much longer than Meguire's synthetic I used to use. I'm honestly surprised at not only how cheap the stuff is, but that the secret hasn't gotten out yet. I mean it flat out beats all the waxes I used to say were the best.

 

I used Avalon King:
15 min to Wash
45 min to clay the truck
10 min to IPA the truck
45 min to complete the Avalon King coating
All total two hours start to finish on a 10 day old truck.

The truck has been garage kept for the last three years. It is still beading like it was just installed. I drive about 100-200 miles per week, wash it and put it away.

 

I had mine professionally glass coated, it has a lifetime warranty. Imo, most of those ceramic over the counter wax's are good for a short period not lasting more than a few months to a year. So far after 2 years and not ever washing the truck it still looks great every time it rains. The water beads up like it did the day i took it home. Another big plus, no paint chips from rocks yet. My 2001 tundra didn't have this coating available back then and it was peppered with paint chips after a couple years. This glass coating is suppose to protect the paint surface from bird poop, tree sap, and other corrosive crap also.

 

There's no way these spray on coatings will last as long, but it's also a fraction of the cost of a professional ceramic coating job. I think that's what makes them that much more appealing. I don't mind the exercise once or twice a year and I don't mind the saved money either.

 

I have coated about 12-15 vehicles, car pro quartz uk or gtechniq csl is what you want. Top either with gtechniq exo. Watch lots of videos. A lot of the stuff labeled ceramic is nothing more than SIO2 spray sealants. The secret to it working is making sure the panel is 100% free of any type of wax or sealant. Clay bar, very light polish if you have the means, then 2 x ipa wipe down.

 

a lot of the cost of professional coatings is in the prep work.
I am a big fan of ceramic coatings but it IS a very powerful money maker for detail shops. Why wouldn’t you convince folks to spend $400 preparing a car to get a $200 coating. Hard to do when you are putting on $5 worth of wax.

in the end there is no reason you cannot put it over unpolished paint.
I just did mine after nothing more then a dawn wash. I certainly won’t judge the coating on its longevity if it fails early, but frankly, even the cquartz is inexpensive enough that having to recoat in a year isn’t painful

 

spot on !

 

For those that use the ceramic detail spray, how do you clean your micro fiber towels? Once you have it on your towel, it's on there for a good 8 months so it's going to repel water no matter how you wash your towel.