Any tips on prep or application of CSL

[Ancient_1]

Any tips on prep or application of CSL or CSL+Exo. Tomorrow I will be picking up my brothers truck to polish and plan on coating with CSL+Exo. Originally I was planning on polishing with SF 3500 and for prep with Essence with a gloss pad but just not convinced of the durability of the coating on top of Essence. The truck is parked inside and doesn`t get many miles (in the last year only got 1500) so I would guess the longevity of the coating should last him years with proper washing.

Last week I did a decon wash (WW with the Iron-X and towel then followed with a RW) on it with N-914 and medium clay towel and Iron-X. At that time I cleand the interior and finished with WG Cockpit, did the tries with Tuf Shine coating. So I do have some done already.

There is one thing I would like some suggestions on and that is removing road paint from the carpet like wheel wells which has been on for moths now. I have got pretty much all off the paint and running boards and paint but the wheel wells are being stubborn.

Here are a couple pictures I took part way through.

[Angus]

Great question! Come Spring I`m planning on coating my DD with CSL+Exo and have been debating using Essence instead of a finishing polish like SF 3500. Eager to see what others think.

[Ronkh]

Hit Guz or 512


They`ve been using it a lot.

[Ronkh]

You`re not going to get the paint off the fabric. May want to spray paint both fabrics to cover.

Paint = clay, or maybe mineral spirits or goof off.

[512detail]

Hit Guz or 512


They`ve been using it a lot.

my two cents from using both csl+exov2 and exov3 recently can be found in these threads. most of my data collected and lessons learned are in my head though

currently at 6 months....

http://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/185517-holy-sheet-exo-csl-csl-exo-longevity-test.html?highlight=holy+sheet

currently just for kicks...and because nobody had done it yet
http://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/186835-csl-exov3-water-behavior-testing-part1.html?highlight=

[donbeezy]

i`ve had good luck with strong apc and brush with the paint stuck to carpet wheel wells. strong blast of water is also helpful.

[rlmccarty2000]

There is no reason Essence shouldn`t work great with any ceramic coating.

[Ancient_1]

my two cents from using both csl+exov2 and exov3 recently can be found in these threads. most of my data collected and lessons learned are in my head though

currently at 6 months....

http://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/185517-holy-sheet-exo-csl-csl-exo-longevity-test.html?highlight=holy+sheet

currently just for kicks...and because nobody had done it yet
http://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/186835-csl-exov3-water-behavior-testing-part1.html?highlight=

I have read most all your post already and what I am curious about is the actual application process and surface prep. Would it be better to do a final polish with essence or use panel wipe as far as longevity goes if you have any thoughts on that. Also how long from application to 1st wipe.

I know you like the block and suede for application and that has not worked for me the couple times I have tried it once with WG Uber when I did my car and last a few weeks ago when I applied Cristal/Rain 9h to the windshield of my X`s car but both times the LC pad worked fine for me. The applicator that comes with the CSL and Exo looks like it may work pretty good also and will give it a try 1st I believe I have 6 of those 4 of the LC and a couple car pro blocks with many suede`s both the 4" and 12".

My plan now is to coat the paint with the CSL/Exo the windshield with Cristal/9h and all the other glass, wheels and trim with WG Uber since it has held up well on my car on those parts.

I can say one thing your posts have done I cost me a little extra money since before then I would not of topped with exo and even tho CSL nis cheaper the WG Uber once you add Exo it goes the other way.

[512detail]

I have read most all your post already and what I am curious about is the actual application process and surface prep. Would it be better to do a final polish with essence or use panel wipe as far as longevity goes if you have any thoughts on that. Also how long from application to 1st wipe.

I know you like the block and suede for application and that has not worked for me the couple times I have tried it once with WG Uber when I did my car and last a few weeks ago when I applied Cristal/Rain 9h to the windshield of my X`s car but both times the LC pad worked fine for me. The applicator that comes with the CSL and Exo looks like it may work pretty good also and will give it a try 1st I believe I have 6 of those 4 of the LC and a couple car pro blocks with many suede`s both the 4" and 12".

My plan now is to coat the paint with the CSL/Exo the windshield with Cristal/9h and all the other glass, wheels and trim with WG Uber since it has held up well on my car on those parts.

I can say one thing your posts have done I cost me a little extra money since before then I would not of topped with exo and even tho CSL nis cheaper the WG Uber once you add Exo it goes the other way.

I would remove the csl residue immediately, as far as the exo, a lot depends on humidity as to how long you`d let it sit. I found exov3 seems to flash slower than exov2 when on top of csl

as far as the applicators I would absolutely Not recommend the lc applicator sponge thing with the black grip. I tried it and it and was really hard to use. I think those are best for spray type coatings like mckees and pbl

the included circle applicator pad from the csl package will work just fine, I just personally like the feel of the carpro block with suede cloth over it- just make sure to apply to the circle pad as GTECH recommends

now as far as essence below it... that`s up to you. I have done it, others have done it. I have not heard anything bad about it.

if you`re worried, then I`d say skip the essence

[The Guz]

Another option is to do a prep wipe after essence to remove any residual residue. Then follow up with the coating.

[boomdone]

I think the jury is still out on using Essence followed by non-CarPro coatings. There have been a couple threads in the past few months I`ve read where people have talked about their coating not lasting even a year (one was McKees and I can`t recall the other). And the common product they used to polish with was Essence. I`m wondering if certain coatings don`t bond as well to it. Just something I`ve observed and would make me a bit hesitant if I was really concerned about maximizing the longevity of a coating.

[512detail]

Another option is to do a prep wipe after essence to remove any residual residue. Then follow up with the coating.

agreed, but I think the jury is still out on the longevity of essence as a base

I think the op is concerned that it may be the weakest link in a multiple year protection

I feel the concern is completely valid, and I really hope I don`t have a lot of CSL vehicles start failing prematurely, but I suppose time will tell

[512detail]

I think the jury is still out on using Essence followed by non-CarPro coatings. There have been a couple threads in the past few months I`ve read where people have talked about their coating not lasting even a year (one was McKees and I can`t recall the other). And the common product they used to polish with was Essence. I`m wondering if certain coatings don`t bond as well to it. Just something I`ve observed and would make me a bit hesitant if I was really concerned about maximizing the longevity of a coating.

do you recall any of those threads on here?

[boomdone]

This is the one I was thinking of regarding the McKees 37 coating. I`ll dig around and see if I can find the other one. May have been on AGO. I remember seeing this post and the other one within a relatively short time period (few weeks IIRC) which led me to wonder if there was something going on with bonding to Essence.

Final thoughts/good bye on McKee37 paint coating

[The Guz]

agreed, but I think the jury is still out on the longevity of essence as a base

I think the op is concerned that it may be the weakest link in a multiple year protection

I feel the concern is completely valid, and I really hope I don`t have a lot of CSL vehicles start failing prematurely, but I suppose time will tell

I understand that part. Perhaps CarPro`s chemistry is a tad different that other coatings and Essence was designed to work with that chemistry. Only the folks at carpro know that part.

I know Eldorado on Autogeek had issues with Essence and McKee`s 37.