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DIY Ceramic Coating

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Airborne22, Nov 22, 2021.

  1. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #1
    Airborne22

    Airborne22 [OP] It's tough being a trophy husband

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    Anyone do their own Ceramic Coating? What did you use, how long did it take, was it worth it?
     
  2. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:11 PM
    #2
    codyjphoto

    codyjphoto Well-Known Member

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    Check into glass coat, I love it for my truck. Very simple.
     
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  3. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:12 PM
    #3
    betrayus

    betrayus Milk steak connoisseur

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    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.
     
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  4. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:15 PM
    #4
    Tacowin1013

    Tacowin1013 Well-Known Member

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    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?
     
  5. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:25 PM
    #5
    Airborne22

    Airborne22 [OP] It's tough being a trophy husband

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  6. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:25 PM
    #6
    rlx02

    rlx02 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    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.
     
  7. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:28 PM
    #7
    Tacowin1013

    Tacowin1013 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  8. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:37 PM
    #8
    rlx02

    rlx02 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    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.
     
  9. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:50 PM
    #9
    AMGTRDPRO

    AMGTRDPRO Well-Known Member

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  10. Nov 22, 2021 at 12:52 PM
    #10
    betrayus

    betrayus Milk steak connoisseur

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    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.
     
  11. Nov 22, 2021 at 1:01 PM
    #11
    Tacowin1013

    Tacowin1013 Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  12. Nov 22, 2021 at 1:44 PM
    #12
    Speedfreak

    Speedfreak Member in poor standing

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    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.
    -0-0000001-WAC22916-Front-2000x2000.png
     
  13. Nov 22, 2021 at 1:47 PM
    #13
    usmc2msu

    usmc2msu Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  14. Nov 22, 2021 at 1:57 PM
    #14
    svermilyea

    svermilyea Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  15. Nov 22, 2021 at 1:59 PM
    #15
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  16. Nov 22, 2021 at 2:02 PM
    #16
    usmc2msu

    usmc2msu Well-Known Member

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    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. :)
     
  17. Nov 22, 2021 at 2:38 PM
    #17
    Drabon74

    Drabon74 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  18. Nov 22, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #18
    Snoman002

    Snoman002 Well-Known Member

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    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
     
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  19. Nov 22, 2021 at 2:56 PM
    #19
    AMGTRDPRO

    AMGTRDPRO Well-Known Member

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    spot on !
     
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  20. Nov 22, 2021 at 2:59 PM
    #20
    ppham444

    ppham444 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    rlx02 likes this.

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