Top 3 Ceramic Coatings ?

[MaX PL]

I have Nanolex Si3D applied on my car for the past 3 years now and its holding up great. I did it myself and applied two coats.

Looking to do someone else's car and was wondering what the best coating available for DIYers is. I almost feel like it's all the same stuff at this point as it's likely all very similar chemistry, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Thanks.

[allinon72]

You are going to get a lot of opinions. I've used cquartz and gtechniq and I prefer gtechniq, specifically Crystal Serum Light w/Exo.

[hellokitty]

+1 for CSL Light with a couple of layers of exo v4.

[Eric S]

Modesta
Gtechnique
Supreme Detail Supply

[TheirThere]

what steps are involved to prep a car for ceramic coating?

assuming the car has never had anything done to the paint (wax, clay bar,,).

[Kev608]

Gtechniq TSP has everything you need. If you get the large kit, you will have enough at the end to do your car again in a few years. Well worth the extra $80 over the small kit imo.

[R3dliner]

+2 for the Gtechniq and EVO.
Bought the kit trying to do this myself but I'm not too confident lol.

OP whats your rates? Dm me

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by TheirThere

what steps are involved to prep a car for ceramic coating?

assuming the car has never had anything done to the paint (wax, clay bar,,).

You need to do a paint correction depending on how bad your swirls are.

[flipnkraut]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

I have Nanolex Si3D applied on my car for the past 3 years now and its holding up great. I did it myself and applied two coats.

Looking to do someone else's car and was wondering what the best coating available for DIYers is. I almost feel like it's all the same stuff at this point as it's likely all very similar chemistry, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Thanks.

Ceramic coatings are definitely a get what you pay for area of detailing. They are not all created equal. Some provide longevity, other focus on hydrophobic qualities, others hydrophilic, there's ones that focus on gloss. Some are a pain in the ass to install others super easy.

The 2 widely used DIY level are the CQuartz line (UK version is much easier to apply) and Crystal Serum from GTechniq. You won't go wrong with either.

[MaX PL]

went with Gtechniq as I read its harder, thicker, and lasts longer than CQuartz UK. it's double the price but it's not like these prices are high anyway. would have gone Nanolex if I could purchase it easily, but like last time, it's only available in europe/ebay.

when I did the application on my car using Nanolex, I bought a 50ml kit and just barely had enough to do two coats with 50ml.

for this application I purchased the 30ml kit as its mentioned that just one coat is necessary and that a secondary shows no gain. the Evo product will be applied on top as well.

I would not recommend purchasing a 50ml kit with the plan of a second coating in a few years as the product may harden over time.

[domino_z]

as a hobbiest i correct and coat my own cars

my fav to date is kamikaze zipang

no silly multiple coats or toppers needed

one coat only, wipe on wipe off, no issues around temperature or specific application techniques, literally apply like a liquid sealant

and its semi self healing which is so nice to have for soft gloss black exterior trim - you can bleed out wash induced marring with a heat gun or just over time in sun

[TheirThere]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

You need to do a paint correction depending on how bad your swirls are.

fairly easy or take it to someone?

[Kev608]

Originally Posted by TheirThere

fairly easy or take it to someone?

Very easy if you have the right tools and supplies + a bit of knowledge/practice. Using hex pads on a Porter Cable is almost dummy proof once your paint is contaminated.

[Eric S]

Originally Posted by TheirThere

fairly easy or take it to someone?

To do it, easy enough.
to do it properly, difficult

Its one thing to "polish" the car. Its another to perform a proper paint correction.

If you dont have the tools and a variety of polishes for your specific paint, then it might run you a bit of money and time.

[Nativetexan]

What's the consensus on CGs Hydroslick ceramic liquid coating?

Just ordered some and wondering what the outcome will be... I'm just looking to try & make the car very easy to clean.

[flipnkraut]

Originally Posted by Nativetexan

What's the consensus on CGs Hydroslick ceramic liquid coating?

Just ordered some and wondering what the outcome will be... I'm just looking to try & make the car very easy to clean.

If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone wanting to detail their car it would be, Never Chemical Guys. Never. Most of their crap is relabels of their other crap. They flood the market with relabeled crap, buy premium shelf space in retail stores and buy ranking on Amazon. They currently have 20 different soaps for sale. 20. Wtf for. It's overpriced mediocre crap.

Buy from any one of these guys
CarPro
Optimum
GTechniq
Gyeon
Adams

If you really want something available at autozone or Walmart, get Meguiars.

[Beemerm3]

I wasn't aware of ceramic coating until now. I have been buying the products on Amazon and just applying it on my car. Takes alot of time. But makes it all the fun.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by flipnkraut

If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone wanting to detail their car it would be, Never Chemical Guys. Never. Most of their crap is relabels of their other crap. They flood the market with relabeled crap, buy premium shelf space in retail stores and buy ranking on Amazon. They currently have 20 different soaps for sale. 20. Wtf for. It's overpriced mediocre crap.

Buy from any one of these guys
CarPro
Optimum
GTechniq
Gyeon
Adams

If you really want something available at autozone or Walmart, get Meguiars.

I second this message. The detailing sections have many people saying they are using cg products. Their marketing must be working really well.

[Brasko]

GTechniq...I have used it on 3 vehicles so far and love it! Long lasting and excellent water repellency.

[qba335i]

Originally Posted by Eric S

Modesta
Gtechnique
Supreme Detail Supply

How about CQuartz Pro and Reserve? Is the Reserve worth the extra $300 over Pro?

Modesta BC-05 or CQuartz Reserve?

[Wo-Wo]

I’ve just done the M4 with Gyeon One which was really easy to work with and the PPF has had Carpro Skin out on it which has definitely levelled the PPF off.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by qba335i

How about CQuartz Pro and Reserve? Is the Reserve worth the extra $300 over Pro?

Modesta BC-05 or CQuartz Reserve?

Speak with Chicago Auto Pros