Hi All, Have just noticed a 'new' product (for me) used on painted surfaces - Ceramic Coatings. Generally I'm interested in keeping my car paint in its best condition and looking awesome at all times, this method seems to be a good option. (Note: My routine process once a year is: 1) the Two-bucket wash, 2) Clay bar, 3)Paint Cleaner, 4) Polish, 5)Wax. I do like the idea of this 'ceramic coat' its very glossy look and its hydrophobic ability. Here is what I'm talking about: An opinion on things to look for with this type of thing (as I noticed these ones on E-Bay): Have not been active on the forum for a bit, hence, do we have any professional detailers or experienced guys/girls here that would be able to provide their advice? Thanks for your assistance. Cheers.
this is where I chime in. Ceramic coating is a synthetic coating system, as opposed the natural coatings(waxes). durability on average is two years. this is one step short of a full glass coating. This system runs on a hardness rating, 1h, 2h, 3h and so on. most are around the 9h as a serum, or 3h as a spray application The higher the number the better. H stands for hardness, measured against glass strength., so 9 x times glass strength etc. there is various ceramic systems, spray on, wipe on etc etc. CQUARTZ is considered extremely good, aswell as OPTI COAT and KAMIKAZE range aswell. you will only get ceramic coatings from a professional detail supplier. carcareproducts, wax it, detail central to new a few. It is generally around 100ml bottle, that also comes with a paint prep bottle. You must paint correct your car before application(remove swirls/contaminates etc etc) before applying a ceramic/glass coating. The paint prep bottle is very aggressive chemical for the paint surface, so you must be committed to wanting to do a ceramic/glass coating. It is applied on in sections, and you must allow it to cure to your car, this ranges from 12hrs to 24hrs, and this also ranges from shade only to baking in direct sunlight. The actual product you use will give instructions on this. So the area your working in must be clean of ground and airborne contaminates as it will stick to the coating.... for up to 2 years. The hardest part of a ceramic coating is keeping the work space and car clean for the working duration. Once the coating is cured, you will have a hard protective layer on your paint, so its safer for washing etc etc. Though, unlike a glass coating, you do need to do maintenance washes on the coating. so it needs a ceramic based spray/wash to keep the coating hydrophobic and maintain the coatings thickness/hardness. A substrate with a ceramic coating will always out hydrophobe/bead than a natural coated substrate. This means dust/water/bird poo etc etc has a harder time sticking to the coating. Most "paint protection" systems at car dealers car washes tint shops etc are ceramic based products. PROS.. hardness rating, heat resilient, water hydrophobic, substrate flexible(allowance of movement in microns). CONS.. application process, requires maintenance washes.
I have a detailing thread on here.. https://aus300zx.com/xenforo/index.php?threads/detailing-thread.334327/
I've got some mates with fancy cars that swear by it. Their cars are always looking great! I'm a tight arse, and kind of like waxing my cars. They don't get driven much and are stored inside all the time so it's not much of a bother.
Got the Willams F1 stuff on my Landrover. Its not bad, it does make it easier to clean. I just usually pressure wash to get the big stuff off, then go over with a wool mitt, then dry. Comes up great every time. Extra niceness they did the rims , which means the brake dust doesnt stick as easy, pressure wash and 90% of it comes off.,
