PPF and ceramic coat maintenance

[pkat696]

I did some searching, but couldn't find what I was looking for. What is the best way to safely deep clean my PPF/ceramic coated car? I think I have the maintenance washes down, but I'm starting to notice spots/stains and want to remove them. Below are more details on my PPF/ceramic coating and my washing routine.

Not long after I took delivery of my M4, I had PPF installed and ceramic coating applied. The PPF is SunTek and applied to the hood, bumper, headlights, front fenders, and side mirrors. The rest of the car is coated with GTechnique CSU. I applied Gtechnique wheel armor on my wheels myself.

My wash routine is as follows:
- Frequency: every few weeks, but have gone much longer between washes at times
- Equipment/supplies: SunJoe pressure washer, MTM foam cannon, Chemical Guys Car Wash Shampoo, 1 bucket with grit guard, Chemical Guys chenile microfiber wash mitt, Sonax wheel cleaner, speedbrush, Costco microfiber towels, Rag Company Eagle Edgeless microfiber towels, leaf blower
- Routine:
- Clean wheels
- Rinse car with pressure washer
- Foam car, let dwell for a few minutes, rinse with pressure washer
- Foam car, agitate with wash mitt, rinse with pressure washer
- Blow dry with leaf blower
- Dry remaining water with microfiber towels.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[FrankMstein]

Sounds like you watch Scott HD?

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

Sounds like you watch Scott HD?

LOL...Scott who?

[jonf49]

Anymore details on where the spots you need off are? What the spots are from?

[Sephrr]

You could try stitching from the chemical guys to CarPro Reset. My detailer told me to avoid chemical guys for reasons like this, said it can assist in the breakdown of the coating. He's a national trainer for IGL coatings so I trust what he says

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by jonf49

Anymore details on where the spots you need off are? What the spots are from?

The spots are in random places. They are mostly on horizontal surfaces. There are some on the PPF on the hood and some on the ceramic coated top. I'm not exactly sure what the spots are from, but they don't come off with my regular washes. Some look like they could be tree sap or something like that with no real color, but reduce the gloss. Others look like little black spots.

I'm trying to find a way to clean them without damaging the PPF/cermaic.

Thanks!!

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by Sephrr

You could try stitching from the chemical guys to CarPro Reset. My detailer told me to avoid chemical guys for reasons like this, said it can assist in the breakdown of the coating. He's a national trainer for IGL coatings so I trust what he says

I'm running low on the Chemical Guys soap, so I will avoid them in my next purchase. I was looking at getting the Gtechnique GWash, figuring I'd stay with the Gtechnique products. Any opinions on it?

Thanks!!

[FrankMstein]

Originally Posted by pkat696

LOL...Scott who?

Look up Scott HD on YouTube. He uses the same products.

[Sephrr]

Originally Posted by pkat696

I'm running low on the Chemical Guys soap, so I will avoid them in my next purchase. I was looking at getting the Gtechnique GWash, figuring I'd stay with the Gtechnique products. Any opinions on it?

Thanks!!

I am not familiar with any of their products. I have used the CarPro after my first supply of soap he gave me ran out and have been very satisfied. Then again, I haven't had to use a wash mitt at all during washes (doesn't get too dirty) it just runs off with the foamy soap

[louielouie]

I think you'd need to provide more photos of the stains and spots so the community has a better idea what they could be. I don't have PPF on my car but every problem has its' own solution. For tar (and gum somehow a few times), I use Stoner's Tarminator and it has worked every time. Even on my cousin's car where they couldn't get it out of months.

I've had issues with water stains after my CR spotless cartridges need replacing and I haven't done it yet. It's usually amplified by the leaf blower as you're potentially drying non-deionized water on the paint. I have no experience handling white spots on PPF though but I'd think it's similar to paint where the frequent heat cycles can bake it further under the surface as the materials shift under heat and set as they cool. I believe stubborn water spotting usually has to be buffed out but I could be wrong.

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

Look up Scott HD on YouTube. He uses the same products.

Thanks, will do.

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by Sephrr

I am not familiar with any of their products. I have used the CarPro after my first supply of soap he gave me ran out and have been very satisfied. Then again, I haven't had to use a wash mitt at all during washes (doesn't get too dirty) it just runs off with the foamy soap

Ok, thanks. If the GWash doesn't work, maybe I'll give CarPro a try.

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by louielouie

I think you'd need to provide more photos of the stains and spots so the community has a better idea what they could be. I don't have PPF on my car but every problem has its' own solution. For tar (and gum somehow a few times), I use Stoner's Tarminator and it has worked every time. Even on my cousin's car where they couldn't get it out of months.

I've had issues with water stains after my CR spotless cartridges need replacing and I haven't done it yet. It's usually amplified by the leaf blower as you're potentially drying non-deionized water on the paint. I have no experience handling white spots on PPF though but I'd think it's similar to paint where the frequent heat cycles can bake it further under the surface as the materials shift under heat and set as they cool. I believe stubborn water spotting usually has to be buffed out but I could be wrong.

Thanks!! I'll try to get out and take some pictures this weekend.

[jonf49]

How’d it go?

[RElias21]

https://youtu.be/I3AszYhWhs4

[jonf49]

Originally Posted by pkat696

The spots are in random places. They are mostly on horizontal surfaces. There are some on the PPF on the hood and some on the ceramic coated top. I'm not exactly sure what the spots are from, but they don't come off with my regular washes. Some look like they could be tree sap or something like that with no real color, but reduce the gloss. Others look like little black spots.

I'm trying to find a way to clean them without damaging the PPF/cermaic.

Thanks!!

Are you sure it’s not small air bubbles in the PPF?

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by jonf49

How’d it go?

Sorry...haven't checked here in a while and haven't had a chance to thoroughly clean the car. I have collected some Gtechniq W6 Iron and Fallout Remover as well as W7 Tar and Glue Remover. I've washed a couple of times, but just haven't had the time necessary to do a thorough cleaning with the W6 and W7. I'll update after I am able to spend enough time for a thorough cleaning.

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by RElias21

https://youtu.be/I3AszYhWhs4

Thanks for this link!! I have watched many of his videos, but haven't seen this one yet. Now I'm seriously considering applying some Halo. I'm going to try some C2V3 first and if I'm not happy, I may turn to the Halo.

[pkat696]

Originally Posted by jonf49

Are you sure it’s not small air bubbles in the PPF?

Definitely not air bubbles. I did have a bunch of those and had to go back to the installer to resolve.

[papasmurf_m3]

I do the following for my PPF & Ceramic coated car. So far been working good for me.

Pressure wash
Wash wheels and tires
Pressure wash
Ceramic boost wash, whatever it's called. Let it dwell few mins
Pressure wash
Ceramic boost wash, agitate with glove thing
Pressure wash
Air blower dry
Wipe down with towel
Ceramic boost detailer spray and microfiber
Ceramic boost spray specific for wheels
Tire shine, let sit a minute and wipe off.
Put a car cover on till I drive it.

For microfiber towels. I start with new for the outside with detailer spray. Next wash goes to wheels. Next to wiping off excess tire shine, Then trash.

Pretty much it for the outside.

[pkat696]

Sorry all...I totally lost track...got busy...etc.

I was finally able to do a thorough cleaning, including applying Gtechniq W6 Iron and General Fallout Remover between the pressure washing and the foam cannon. It did not remove the spots in question, so I tried some Gtechniq - W7 Tar and Glue Remover after washing. Still did not work. I have attached a couple of pictures of the types of spots I'm trying to clean. The first is on the ceramic coated portion and the second is on the PPF'd portion.

[pkat696]

bump