[Nvrenuf]

I don’t foresee owning the new car that long so I’m finding it hard to justify $2000. But I’d like to have the protection and ease of washing/drying.

Looking for what brand you used, tips/pointers, how big of a PITA it was, how long it took you, if you’d do it again, etc.

 

[KonaLaury]

I used Torque Detail Graphene burst and it was easy to apply and looks great. They claim it should last a year but I will have to wait and see. Took me 1/2 a day but that including washing, then using a clay bar and then the Ceramic itself.

 

[Turd McGavin]

I did mine with the Avalon king. Pain in the arse and super simple to do all at the same time. Even though my car was brand new, is in right home from the dealer, I still did a full paint correction. Clay bar (I was shocked how much garbage came out of it), compound, polish, dawn dish soap wash, rubbing alcohol wipe down. With that being said, I'm not sold on the product as of yet. Its shiny, the paint looks great, you need to be quick on the drying thing though or out come the water spots. I found the rims to be the best thing I've done. While they are not a rinse and walk, the do wash up super simple

 

[Mattm400]

Avalon King here as well. Time consuming but easy to use. I liked it & have done 2 other cars since.

 

[Rio Lobo]

I used Ethos Graphene Matrix. Just like Turd, I did the full prep. Not an expert, just a normal home garage DIY'er. It was an excuse to buy a DA and learn about buffing car paint correctly.

It was super gratifying and working on my car is always therapeutic even when busting some knuckles. You have to be quick to wipe off once product flashes. Make sure you have VERY GOOD lighting, as in get a light stand or 2 if your garage isn't set up like an inspection booth. Did 2 coats on everything but the rubber trim (yes glass, headlights, wheels)

I'm absolutely pleased with the results so much that I'm doing it again on our Civic and Ascent.

 

[saagz87]

I have done quite a few cars with different grades of CQuartz. It’s a process as others have said but easy enough if you know what your doing

I put the 303 brand graphene on my trackhawk last year not expecting much and it’s still going strong and has shine every bit as good as CQuartz has for me which isn’t saying it’s the best or anything. For being cheaper and easier than CQuartz I’m happy with it so far.

 

[Ross61]

How might this process and the results differ from clay barring a [new] car and applying a couple coats of Carnauba wax then, repeating the washing and waxing effort every two months (or so)?

 

[saagz87]

How might this process and the results differ from clay barring a [new] car and applying a couple coats of Carnauba wax then, repeating the washing and waxing effort every two months (or so)?

Not much difference to be honest except if you do ceramic or graphene your hoping to have protection last for a year or years, without having to reapply every 2-3 months like a traditional wax. A lot of people agree a good wax will look better than newer coatings, I think any coating freshly applied looks pretty dang good

 

[Rio Lobo]

Not much difference to be honest except if you do ceramic or graphene your hoping to have protection last for a year or years, without having to reapply every 2-3 months like a traditional wax. A lot of people agree a good wax will look better than newer coatings, I think any coating freshly applied looks pretty dang good

Agreed. I think Ceramic and Graphene are for those of us who are not willing to wax all the time but willing to shell out some dollars, or at least put all the work into it on the front end.

 

[Mattm400]

I have a black car, therefore ceramic coating one a year or two is less hands on the paint. Waxing often can look just as good but open up many more opportunities to scratch, scuff, or swirl paint.

 

[saagz87]

All good points here. I personally did ceramic on the black cars I owned for the same reasons as above and haven’t owned black since, so have used other simpler stuff last several years

Anyone that starts quoting how hard ceramic is and how thick it is just read the brochure or heard those facts and think it’s that impressive. Any coating will still allow scratches to happen minus PPF. That’s been my experience with them at least. It’s not bad stuff by any means, makes cleaning easier if you keep up on it, helps with brake dust, does help keep light swirls away with good washing and drying technique, but it’s also not the armor some people make it out to be either.

 

[Turd McGavin]

I'm not 100% sold on it yet. My car is a toy car...like my other toy cars that were not ceramic coated, they get a two waxes a year....one going into storage, and once coming out. This was an experiment to see if I can get away for the waxing.

 

[Dennis H]

18 months on $$$ Gtechniq here. Me thinks most of the cost was in prep. A breeze to maintain. Up front as said above and worth it IMO.

 

[Nvrenuf]

Thanks for the replies. I have Cquartz finest reserve on my current car. It has held up great. Wife’s car has Gtechniq Crystal Serum light. It didn’t “last” a year.

I’m still reading about different brands. Haven’t really made a decision.

My shoulders and elbows aren’t great from years in the gym so I’m thinking once I get past the prep, I’ll probably do a panel or two, or a wheel, caliper, whellwell, every day and just do it over a week or two.

Of course the car has to show up first 😂