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  1. #1

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    Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    So, I bought a Black Sapphire Metallic BMW and went home and did the normal prep. Clay, polish, sealant. When I washed the car the second time I noticed light marring. I am looking to now polish the car a second time this time with a more aggressive polish - M205 on Orange or White Lake Country flat pad. I want to add a ceramic coating so I do not need to worry about marring the paint as it seems extremely soft. I wanted to know what the best ceramic coating for a beginner would be. I want something that is slightly forgiving but something that will last a few years. I am willing to spend a good chunk of money on something if it is worth it! Let me know what you guys think and recommend.

    Worried about high spots and scratches in the ceramic coating. Interested to hear what everyone likes.

  2. #2
    Mike The Guz's Avatar
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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    When you say you polished, did you start off with a test spot to see if you needed to compound?

    It is possible the paint is on the hard side and the defects were not removed?

    I have seen your other thread on AGO as well and I would recommend to re-evaluate your washing technique and tools.

    Onto coatings. One thing to mention is that coatings can still swirl up. So proper washing techniques are important. They do help with wash induced marring.

    I saw some mention McKee`s 37 coating. It has been reformulated but it still seems easy enough to apply. I have never used any version of their paint coating.

    Pinnacle Black Label V2 is easy to apply.

    Optimum Gloss Coat is easy to apply. Marr resistance seems ok. If you are looking for a 1 year coating then this would be one to consider. I have had it not make the acclaimed 2 year guarantee that Optimum claims on 2 cars I applied it to. I`d consider McKee`s new formula over this.

    I am testing out CQuartz UK topped with Cquartz TiO2 (aka classic). I spoke with Corey about this and he mentioned that UK cures harder and faster and TiO2 adds a more stain resistant top coat. It does take a little more effort to apply UK.
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  3. #3
    trashmanssd's Avatar
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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Used my first coating this year on my truck and my boat and it went great. I used Gteching CSL per Brandt`s recommendation and it was very easy to use and is supposed to be a very hard coating and supposed be very scratch resistant.
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  4. #4

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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Quote Originally Posted by The Guz View Post
    When you say you polished, did you start off with a test spot to see if you needed to compound?

    It is possible the paint is on the hard side and the defects were not removed?

    I have seen your other thread on AGO as well and I would recommend to re-evaluate your washing technique and tools.

    Onto coatings. One thing to mention is that coatings can still swirl up. So proper washing techniques are important. They do help with wash induced marring.

    I saw some mention McKee`s 37 coating. It has been reformulated but it still seems easy enough to apply. I have never used any version of their paint coating.

    Pinnacle Black Label V2 is easy to apply.

    Optimum Gloss Coat is easy to apply. Marr resistance seems ok. If you are looking for a 1 year coating then this would be one to consider. I have had it not make the acclaimed 2 year guarantee that Optimum claims on 2 cars I applied it to. I`d consider McKee`s new formula over this.

    I am testing out CQuartz UK topped with Cquartz TiO2 (aka classic). I spoke with Corey about this and he mentioned that UK cures harder and faster and TiO2 adds a more stain resistant top coat. It does take a little more effort to apply UK.


    The scratches are in a pattern that I was washing the car. I inspected the car thoroughly in the sun when I was first polishing it. I am going to use m205 on an orange pad or essence to finish it down. I am looking for longevity and easy of use for the coating. I want to be able to have some forgiveness with it. Although I have been detailing cars I`ve never coated one.

  5. #5

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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Quote Originally Posted by trashmanssd View Post
    Used my first coating this year on my truck and my boat and it went great. I used Gteching CSL per Brandt`s recommendation and it was very easy to use and is supposed to be a very hard coating and supposed be very scratch resistant.

    Have you noticed the abolity to not scratch as easy?

  6. #6

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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Quote Originally Posted by trashmanssd View Post
    Used my first coating this year on my truck and my boat and it went great. I used Gteching CSL per Brandt`s recommendation and it was very easy to use and is supposed to be a very hard coating and supposed be very scratch resistant.

    Have you noticed the abolity to not scratch as easy?

  7. #7
    trashmanssd's Avatar
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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Quote Originally Posted by uhohitsstevo View Post
    Have you noticed the abolity to not scratch as easy?
    Seems to be holding up very well so far. Trucks a daily driver that i use for work and to tow my boat on weekends and plowing in winter, I put on 23K miles a year usually. I wash it with a brush (yes not very autopian but its a truck that gets used as a truck) every few weeks and or rinse it off well before I leave work then do waterless wash at home in garage. I does seem to be getting less wash induced marring, not sure if its do to the hardness of the coating or the fact that dirt has a very hard time sticking to the coating. I no longer need to scrub to get bugs off or stubborn road grime from the tires of the sides everything comes off quickly with light pressure and gentle movement of the brush.

  8. #8
    BudgetPlan1's Avatar
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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Have used a variety of products in the last year, mostly on Fleet vehicles, applied Winter 2017. Not sure where you are located, I`m looking at things from the perspective of:

    1. Has to excel in self-cleaning aspects; I like clean cars but I do not necessarily like to clean cars (live in NE Ohio)
    2. Has to give me some protection from my occasionally lazy wash routine (usually foam cannon, 1 bucket with grit guard wash, platinum pluffle with an SiO2 drying aid and the Fleet vehicles I used for testing NEVER get washed aside from Mother Nature raining on them) as well as resistance to water spots/bird bombs if I don`t get around to washing them

    Performance on the Fleet Vehicles
    1. Gyeon Mohs (left a bird bomb square on the hood baking in the sun for over a week, removed easily with no residual marks)
    2. 22ple HPC
    3. Cquartz (not UK version)
    Others used included Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light w/ Liquid Crystal C2V3, Pearl Nano, The Gloss Shop Ceramic V1, Gyeon Prime w/ Gyeon Cure

    Performance on Personal Use Vehicles (and vehicles I`ve done that I see frequently) that get relatively normal wash intervals; self-cleaning primary concern
    1. Kamikaze Miyabi + ISM + Infinity Wax + Overcoat
    2. Kamikaze Miyabi + Overcoat (tie)
    2. 22ple HPC (tie)
    2. Gyeon Mohs (tie)
    Others used included WG Uber Ceramic, McKees Paint Coating (original formula)

    With respect to the Gyeon Mohs, 22ple HPC, Kami Miyabi tie, I kinda look at them for different situations:
    - Gyeon Mohs - Appearance is more of a warmer glow as compared to hard, candy gloss. Would use for daily driven vehicles where they will be washed but not in an OCD manner
    - 22ple HPC - I like on lighter colored cars as it`s distinguishing characteristic is GLOSS of a molten glass variety
    - Kamikaze Miyabi - More of a candy gloss, great choice for any color, good coverage from 30ml bottle, very forgiving application window. Good all-around choice but perhaps a little less `hard` than the Mohs so perhaps more prone to serious abuse defects or lazy washing techniques on dark colors; have no science to back it up but just a feeling; 22ple HPC gives me the same feeling with respect to hardness.

    Ease of application, Fleet and Personal Vehicles
    1. Kamikaze Miyabi
    2. 22ple HPC
    3. Feynlab Ceramic

    This is all based on my `Hey, that`s working well it seems...` observations, other may have differing and valid opinions. There is no absolute best coating, but there is likely a best coating for YOU. I have not been doing this for long so take my observations with a grain of salt...

    Whatever coating you choose, generally take mfg longevity recommendations with a grain of salt...

    Good luck!
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  9. #9
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Ceramic Coating 1st Time User Reccomendations

    Quote Originally Posted by The Guz View Post
    When you say you polished, did you start off with a test spot to see if you needed to compound?

    It is possible the paint is on the hard side and the defects were not removed?

    I have seen your other thread on AGO as well and I would recommend to re-evaluate your washing technique and tools.
    As a fellow BMW BSM owner (E93) I have to agree with Guz. BSM is not a soft paint and is actually rather hard and what you`re seeing sound more to do with wash techique.

    If it helps, heres a review I did using Jescar Micro Finishing Polish and then topped with Gteching CSL > EXO v2 on my E93:

    Jescar Micro Finishing Polish (+ special guests) - Review
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