Ceramic Coating - Hard to do yourself?
02-17-17, 05:58 PM
#2
Depends on which one.
Anybody can apply the coating. How it looks when you look at it in the sun or with a light is a different story.
Most people will say about their vehicle "my car looks perfect" but bring it to a pro and he will hit you with 10 things that are probably wrong with the detail work you did or other imperfections that common people do not see.
Anybody can apply the coating. How it looks when you look at it in the sun or with a light is a different story.
Most people will say about their vehicle "my car looks perfect" but bring it to a pro and he will hit you with 10 things that are probably wrong with the detail work you did or other imperfections that common people do not see.
02-17-17, 06:01 PM
#3
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Depends on which one.
Anybody can apply the coating. How it looks when you look at it in the sun or with a light is a different story.
Most people will say about their vehicle "my car looks perfect" but bring it to a pro and he will hit you with 10 things that are probably wrong with the detail work you did or other imperfections that common people do not see.
Anybody can apply the coating. How it looks when you look at it in the sun or with a light is a different story.
Most people will say about their vehicle "my car looks perfect" but bring it to a pro and he will hit you with 10 things that are probably wrong with the detail work you did or other imperfections that common people do not see.
02-17-17, 06:05 PM
#4
You can't purchase Ceramic Pro or Opti Coat.
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
02-17-17, 06:21 PM
#5
Pole Position
Thread Starter
You can't purchase Ceramic Pro or Opti Coat.
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
02-18-17, 08:04 AM
#6
You can't purchase Ceramic Pro or Opti Coat.
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
Even if you become authorized and buy them, they are among the most PITA coatings to work with. I personally do not see a benefit to them for a number of reasons (outrageous claims in durability, difficult application, numerous coats on the ceramic pro is a hassle and can lead to high spots, marring, etc.). Good products, they work well, but not THAT much better than similar brands that are easier to apply and still give you most of the same properties.
Much more user friendly products out there that deliver all of their claims. Look at 22PLE or GTechniq
02-18-17, 08:19 AM
#8
Some coatings will bead/sheet better and tighter than others, some have longer longevity, some go on in a thicker layer due to multiple recommended coats, some claim a harder surface upon curing.
These are all claims. I stopped believing manufacturer claims years ago after Opti Coat switched their labels from "permanent" to "5 year" durability due to so many people complaining. Even now, you're never getting 5 years of good beading out of opti coat on a vehicle that is routinely used and washed with even a mild soap solution. They will always tell you "the coating is still there" just no longer showing physical signs of it. So all you really have is their word. The coatings are not thick enough to measure and confirm any of this.
22PLE and GTechniq from my experience are as good as some of the more known products. I'll gladly put 22PLE on my car over Opti Coat any day of the week.
And realize that prep work has alot to do with it, don't just wash your car and wipe the coating on expecting miracles. You should polish the paint to remove any old polish/wax and only then install the coating. Even if you're not polishing to remove swirls/scratches, it should still be done to clean the paint and allow the coating to stick better.
02-18-17, 11:07 AM
#9
In my garage I have 6 fluorescent light fixtures that I turn on when I detail cars. I also have a few standalone LED panel lights that I use in addition to a LED flashlight. I still missed 2 spots on my car (one on the passenger trim and the other was on the rear glass). I think the entire process took about 6-8 hours for polishing/prep work. About 2 hours to apply and remove CSL, then I waited a few hours and came back to apply the EXO which took another 1 or 2 hours. After that I just left the car in the garage for a day to cure.
02-18-17, 11:46 AM
#10
I would have to pic GTECH... CSL. Applied 22PLE to a previously owned 2013 GS 350 F Sport... OB. It was ok. Although better versions were released... I applied this back in 2012... as stated, " it was ok "...
02-18-17, 11:48 AM
#11
It's a very meticulous process for application. I installed Gtechniq Crystal serum light topped with EXO v2 a few months back on my SC. It was my first time working with a coating. Work in a spacious garage with lots of lighting. You want the open space to be able to walk around and look at the car at different angles in order to see if you missed a spot. The more lighting you have the easier it is to spot residue. Do some research on the product you're working with and look up it's curing time. Use a timer and work one panel at a time, so if you mess up, then you only have to fix one panel.
In my garage I have 6 fluorescent light fixtures that I turn on when I detail cars. I also have a few standalone LED panel lights that I use in addition to a LED flashlight. I still missed 2 spots on my car (one on the passenger trim and the other was on the rear glass). I think the entire process took about 6-8 hours for polishing/prep work. About 2 hours to apply and remove CSL, then I waited a few hours and came back to apply the EXO which took another 1 or 2 hours. After that I just left the car in the garage for a day to cure.
In my garage I have 6 fluorescent light fixtures that I turn on when I detail cars. I also have a few standalone LED panel lights that I use in addition to a LED flashlight. I still missed 2 spots on my car (one on the passenger trim and the other was on the rear glass). I think the entire process took about 6-8 hours for polishing/prep work. About 2 hours to apply and remove CSL, then I waited a few hours and came back to apply the EXO which took another 1 or 2 hours. After that I just left the car in the garage for a day to cure.
02-18-17, 11:51 AM
#12
I have Kenotek Kenolon Ceramic V1 on my car and I am happy with it... use Nanolex washcoat as a maintenance upkeep twice a month and wash her with ONR and pamper her with Nanolex final finish while the car is still wet...
02-18-17, 12:03 PM
#13
Did final finish replace gyeon cure in your detailing routine?
02-19-17, 05:11 AM
#14
And realize that prep work has alot to do with it, don't just wash your car and wipe the coating on expecting miracles. You should polish the paint to remove any old polish/wax and only then install the coating. Even if you're not polishing to remove swirls/scratches, it should still be done to clean the paint and allow the coating to stick better.
Any suggestions...and thanks to all that reply.
02-19-17, 07:17 AM
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Opti Coat is a professional grade coating so difficult to work with. Opti gloss coat is a consumer grade coating that's very easy to apply. It takes a couple hours as you have to apply each panel carefully. It will last about 2 years then you'll have to re coat the car.