Hi guys, I have been looking it the ceramic coatings that are available now as an alternative to wax!

Does any1 have any experience of doing this or any opinions on whether it is any good?? Or am I better off just sticking to giving the car a good old wax??

I have Gtechniq crystal serum on my Superb and it knocks spots off wax ... but then it is a lot dearer also.

Edited 23 January, 20179 yr by Gizmo68

Certainly impressed with the SiRamik Ceramic paint coatings we used on Shaun's new ride last year.

Gtechniq mainstream stuff gets good reviews too; but not used it personally.

Carbon Collective platinum wheels is great value as well.

7 hours ago, stevieauld said:

Hi guys, I have been looking it the ceramic coatings that are available now as an alternative to wax!

Does any1 have any experience of doing this or any opinions on whether it is any good?? Or am I better off just sticking to giving the car a good old wax??

All sorts of factors could influence your decision of choosing a coating over a wax, such as cost, durability, application, maintenance etc.

The bottom line is ALL protectants need maintenance in order to provide maximum protection and the regularity of the maintenance will depend of the use and storage of the car.

Cost is not a major consideration as a coating can be purchased for less than top waxes, yet, if maintained will provide significant protection for longer whilst also making maintenance washes easier.

The main cost will come if you ask a detailer to apply a coating for you, particularly if accredited so they can provide the expected warranty.

In my experience, coatings are easy enough to apply but it'll take longer to complete than waxing.  Coatings need to be applied above 5 degrees C usually and left to cure overnight for best results.

On saying that, waxes also benefit from warmer temps upon application and left to cure before being exposed to water.

If you're not one for tickling your car all the time and experimenting with different waxes then I'd go for a coating.

Which coating? Well, everyone has their favourites just like waxes but all in all they're pretty much the same in what they do. 

Something like CarPro CQUK is easy to apply with the added benefit if you need to remove the coating it'll only need a machine polish whereas others may need sanding!

 Don't forget, you can remove a wax easily enough and correct the paint at any time but with a coating you'll need the paint corrected beforehand! 

I'll be applying a ceramic coating to my motor later this month given cost vs durability n ease of maintenance.

All the best

David

Thanks for the replies, my next question is what would you all suggest as being the best options??

i have always been an AG faithful whether it be the SRP, fast wax or EGP! Do AG offer a ceramic kit?? 

4 hours ago, stevieauld said:

Thanks for the replies, my next question is what would you all suggest as being the best options??

i have always been an AG faithful whether it be the SRP, fast wax or EGP! Do AG offer a ceramic kit?? 

 

AG don't offer a ceramic option as far as I know.   Other options fall under branded suppliers such as Gyeon, Gtechniq, CarPro, CeramicPro, UNC-R and Carboncollective to name a few with others coming to the market all the time. 

 

Like I say, everyone has their favourite so I'd look at individual websites or sites such as Cleanyourcar.co.uk for product info and reviews.

 

Also depends if you or a detailer will apply - there are certain products that only accredited detailers can source and apply but there are plenty of great coatings that anyone can purchase and apply. 

 

Try not to overthink it and plump for one - there's not much difference in price and the principles of application are the same given these products are often just rebranded from the original coatings.  Personally I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but I'll be buying Crystal Serum Light and Exo V3 from Gtechniq. You don't have to apply two products as one coating will offer great results.

9 hours ago, stevieauld said:

Thanks for the replies, my next question is what would you all suggest as being the best options??

i have always been an AG faithful whether it be the SRP, fast wax or EGP! Do AG offer a ceramic kit?? 

 

Hi, I opted for the CarPro CQuartz Ceramic Coating.

 

The Detailer had my car for 3 days to apply the Ceramic Coating, I didn't require a machine polish as the car was new this would have added an extra £150 to the bill. If possible have your new car done ASAP this should reduce costings.

 

This should be good for 2 years minimum with low maintenance which was one of the deciding factors as was the washing of the car it's supposed to be easier as the dirt doesn't bind to the paintwork. I've not washed the car yet since application 5 days ago as the dealer requested waiting 7 days prior to washing with chemicals, I could give it a water rinse only if I wanted though.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, S6JOK said:

 

Hi, I opted for the CarPro CQuartz Ceramic Coating.

 

The Detailer had my car for 3 days to apply the Ceramic Coating, I didn't require a machine polish as the car was new this would have added an extra £150 to the bill. If possible have your new car done ASAP this should reduce costings.

 

This should be good for 2 years minimum with low maintenance which was one of the deciding factors as was the washing of the car it's supposed to be easier as the dirt doesn't bind to the paintwork. I've not washed the car yet since application 5 days ago as the dealer requested waiting 7 days prior to washing with chemicals, I could give it a water rinse only if I wanted though.

 

 

 

 

Cracking result there!  Which detailer out of interest?  Were you offered other ceramic options or just CQuartz?

When I buy my next car I am very tempted to have it ceramic coated. I have seen vids of Ceramic Pro 9H and been very impressed. It's really the scratch resistance that I'm interested in. Is this vid true?

 

 

Do CarPro claim to make it scratch resistant?

8 hours ago, Chubbs said:

 

Cracking result there!  Which detailer out of interest?  Were you offered other ceramic options or just CQuartz?

 

Thanks Chubbs! I'm very pleased with the results, early days obviously but time will tell.

 

The Detailer is Defined Details, Cambuslang, Glasgow.

 

We had an in-depth discussion regarding the car use, mileage, type of roads driven etc..... then he recommended the product that best suited, I went along with his recommendations. 

44 minutes ago, Jim H said:

When I buy my next car I am very tempted to have it ceramic coated. I have seen vids of Ceramic Pro 9H and been very impressed. It's really the scratch resistance that I'm interested in. Is this vid true?

 

 

Do CarPro claim to make it scratch resistant?

 

Hi Jim, I don't think they claim to make it scratch resistant, here's what they say on the website : 

 Features:

• Stays clean and glossy longer than other products

• Harder surface: Resistance to fine swirls and marring

• Self cleaning affect – Dust blows off and dirt washes off easily

• Low sliding angle ensure less droplets left on surface

• Resistance to break dust and iron contaminants

• Resistance to bugs, tar, and bird bombs

• Resistance to UV and other environmental contaminants

• 2 Year Limited Warranty

 

 

 

 

Ceramic Pro 9H

+1

 

 

 

11 hours ago, S6JOK said:

 

Thanks Chubbs! I'm very pleased with the results, early days obviously but time will tell.

 

The Detailer is Defined Details, Cambuslang, Glasgow.

 

We had an in-depth discussion regarding the car use, mileage, type of roads driven etc..... then he recommended the product that best suited, I went along with his recommendations. 

 

Thanks. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the product as time passes. 

11 hours ago, S6JOK said:

 

Thanks Chubbs! I'm very pleased with the results, early days obviously but time will tell.

 

The Detailer is Defined Details, Cambuslang, Glasgow.

 

We had an in-depth discussion regarding the car use, mileage, type of roads driven etc..... then he recommended the product that best suited, I went along with his recommendations. 

 

 

A big thumbs up for Gordon at Defined Details.

 

He has provided some great info to me in the past via other detailing forums.

 

He has a great reputation in the business and good connections with CarPro and others.

This group of have been around for a long time and have a huge wealth of knowledge in the industry.

12 hours ago, Jim H said:

When I buy my next car I am very tempted to have it ceramic coated. I have seen vids of Ceramic Pro 9H and been very impressed. It's really the scratch resistance that I'm interested in. Is this vid true?

 

 

Do CarPro claim to make it scratch resistant?

 

I think the video is a great marketing one but what's the red striker made from? I think it's a tad misleading. 

 

All coatings offer better protection over alternatives but they are not this 'batfink' like material that'll withstand a meteor strike!!

 

Coatings must be maintained and can be known to fail so they're not a magical cure but are a truly great product.

 

The video reminds me of the tripe sales folk tell you when offering the likes of Autoglym Lifeshine and the likes!! 

Never used a ceramic coating before, but after a quick look on google there is a lot of info on the net about them!! Chubb's has got it all covered.

On 23/01/2017 at 10:41, Gizmo68 said:

I have Gtechniq crystal serum on my Superb and it knocks spots off wax ... but then it is a lot dearer also.

 

A couple of photos of mine:

 

 

10 hours ago, Chubbs said:

 

I think the video is a great marketing one but what's the red striker made from? I think it's a tad misleading. All coatings offer better protection over alternatives but they are not this 'batfink' like material that'll withstand a meteor strike!! Coatings must be maintained and can be known to fail so they're not a magical cure but are a truly great product.

 

 

That is what I'm afraid of, especally after looking at the Youtube comments. Is the red thing a soft wax creyon or maybe a soft outer covering? However they do claim the only way to remove the coating is by abrassion, (sand/emery paper).

 

http://ceramicpro.co.uk/ceramic-pro-9h/

1 hour ago, Gizmo68 said:

 

A couple of photos of mine:

 

 

 

Cant get much better than that....product or finish!!! Result! 

Edited 25 January, 20179 yr by Chubbs

1 hour ago, Jim H said:

 

That is what I'm afraid of, especally after looking at the Youtube comments. Is the red thing a soft wax creyon or maybe a soft outer covering? However they do claim the only way to remove the coating is by abrassion, (sand/emery paper).

 

http://ceramicpro.co.uk/ceramic-pro-9h/

 

I dare say you would need to wet sand to remove the coating but rubbing a clothing zip along it or getting a trolley dink or door dink would also probably compromise it.

 

So it's whether you look at it from a manufacturer's point of view or an individual's point of view. We don't live in a perfect world!

 

On 25/01/2017 at 19:30, Gizmo68 said:

 

A couple of photos of mine:

 

 

 

Looks SUPERB Gizmo!!!