Results of our Ceramic Coating Testing - 10 months later

[OakesDetail]

We performed a full paint correction and ceramic coating application on this Evo X over TEN months ago! (original writeup here:http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-details-before-after/133305-oakes-detailed-2010-evox-octane-blue-new-car-prep-cquartz.html) We have since used it as our test car to see the durability and how worthwhile ceramic coating truly is. Long story short, it`s a no brainer.



This process is very tedious and involves a lot of experience both in paint correction and ceramic application. There are few paint correction specialists that are fully familiar with the ceramic coating processes to offer it as a service. The down time can take up to a full business week, but to protect soft paint for years it`s worthwhile.



Over the course of the past 10 months the car has seen 4,000 more miles, and countless washes - some intentional improper washes to see how well the coating holds up. As you all know, Mitsubishi paint in general is far too soft and extremely subject to marring and swirling. This is a solution to your worries and keeping your paint perfect for years.



To keep the testing fair, we applied no more protectants to the vehicle since the coating was applied, and we mixed up the washes with proper and improper techniques to see how much resistance the ceramic coating offers. The pictures below are the results after the aforementioned testing - I will let them do the talking!



http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/093.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/094-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/095-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/096-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/099.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/100-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/105.jpg



The gloss is still just as deep and vibrant as it was 9 months ago



http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/107.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/109.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/114.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/116.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/123-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/128-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/133-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/Evo/128-1.jpg



The pros and cons of this treatment are as follows:



Pros:

* Clear bra like protection without the appearance and lines of a clear bra

* Armor like protection against all elements including light rock damage

* Sheeting/beading water protection no matter how many washes

* Practically worry free paint maintenance for years



Cons:

* Cost the same as most full front end clear bra applications

* Fewer specialists with experience using Ceramic coating technology

* Down time of 3-5 days for the process



Any and all feedback welcome! Feel free to ask questions!



-Nick Oakes

[tom p.]

Pros:

* Clear bra like protection without the appearance and lines of a clear bra

* Armor like protection against all elements including light rock damage





Nick, that`s very cool. Protection against "light rock damage", if valid, would sell me.



Are you at a point where you can quote a price on a small car like this? I`m curious to have a ball park idea.



Thanks.

[Bill D]

* Clear bra like protection without the appearance and lines of a clear bra

* Armor like protection against all elements including light rock damage



Wow! These are very powerful benefits. Only other thing I can think of is if it has the same kind of look as a rich `nuba, sounds like the ultimate LSP and an Autopian`s dream come true!

[OakesDetail]

We are working out a ballpark range at the moment yes, we didnt want to get in over our heads before we were happy or not with the testing. We have 3 test cars, the first 2 have done perfect. The 3rd suffered a rather noticeable rock chip however from a half dollar sized stone so its tough to rule it out completely as it`s a bit abnormal.



Its certainly the best available lsp short of clear wrapping an entire car at the moment

[tom p.]

$1000 ? .....

[OakesDetail]

roughly yes

[SpoolinNoMore]

Isn`t Klasse brand LSP`s a ceramic type of sealant? I may be wrong, but I`ve heard they`re supposed to be scratch resistant as well (I am always hesitant to see the scratch resistance protection of any LSP). However I am a huge fan of the way that EVO turned out, I like the carnauba look with the long-lasting protection you`re claiming. If so, $1000 would be a good ball park for that sort of treatment.

[imported_animes2k]

Thanks for posting this up, Nick. Truly exciting stuff.



Why do you say 3-5 days downtime? Does it need to cure that long?

Assuming minor correction was required (single step light polishing), couldn`t that be done in a day?



Have you compared this against other products out there? i.e. OptiCoat/Guard, Aquartz (any others?)



I`ve seen others talk about $300-600 for an OC upsell so I`m curious what makes CQuartz a different, more expensive animal. Thanks!



I need to figure out which one of these I`m putting on my own car before the end of the summer :)

[imported_sal329]

Looks great, nice update. Have you tried Optimum Opti Coat (Guard)?

[OakesDetail]

I have not worked with the Optimum opti Coat personally, we wanted to stick towards the hand application products because for some old school reason I never fully trust the sprays. Also because we were putting so much research and trial into this one after preliminary research on the others CQuartz seemed to be the better of the bunch.



So far proving so!



The 3-5 day downtime is all dependent on condition and because we perform two coatings of the CQuartz. If we`re putting this much work and investment into the job, I`m not going to exactly chance it on one coating - again bringing back to my personal but not proven doubts on the spray applications.



Also for this kind of treatment, I personally require full correction. Dont want any imperfections lying under the ceramic.

[JohnKleven]

It sound a lot like Matrix Coatings, which we have been applying for a few years now, it wears like a rock.

[john1r]

Does the $1,000 include the full correction (I assume this is the case), or is that just for the CQ?

[OakesDetail]

The price includes the correction yes, but thats all dependent on the condition and size of the vehicle as well

[imported_animes2k]

I have not worked with the Optimum opti Coat personally, we wanted to stick towards the hand application products because for some old school reason I never fully trust the sprays. Also because we were putting so much research and trial into this one after preliminary research on the others CQuartz seemed to be the better of the bunch.



Is the Aquartz a spray application? I know OC isn`t.






The 3-5 day downtime is all dependent on condition and because we perform two coatings of the CQuartz. If we`re putting this much work and investment into the job, I`m not going to exactly chance it on one coating - again bringing back to my personal but not proven doubts on the spray applications.



Also for this kind of treatment, I personally require full correction. Dont want any imperfections lying under the ceramic.



Definitely hear you on the correction. That makes sense. I just didn`t know that CQuartz (or any of these products) could be layered. Or are you just going over the car twice in quick succession to make sure you get every square millimeter?





Thanks for answering all these questions.

[RaskyR1]

CQuartz is a nice product but I don`t buy the rock chip resistance bit...even PPF pits like crazy from regular road sand blasting.