Interesting! I'm in SarasotaIt may be nice, but just wait until you put a ceramic coat on instead!
Drexler Ceramic Coating Kit 30ml + 50ml / 3 to 5 Years of Gloss & Protection, Super Hydrophobic Professional Care Detailing 9H Hardness
Price: $69.90
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XY6M26W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Have you used this Drexler brand or is this just an example? I'd love to save the $1200 or what not on coating. Seems like less work than a good wax job (although you need to do that prior of course).It may be nice, but just wait until you put a ceramic coat on instead!
Drexler Ceramic Coating Kit 30ml + 50ml / 3 to 5 Years of Gloss & Protection, Super Hydrophobic Professional Care Detailing 9H Hardness
Price: $69.90
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XY6M26W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I know you were asking DonBindas but I'll chime in. I have not used the Drexler brand. I typically use CarPro products unless someone request different. The ceramic coating process is not incredibly difficult. You need to make sure it is spread evenly and allowed to cure or flash for the proper amount of time. The tricky part is determining the right amount of time and making sure you get all excess material wiped off. If it is left on the paint too long you'll most likely have to compound it off.Have you used this Drexler brand or is this just an example? I'd love to save the $1200 or what not on coating. Seems like less work than a good wax job (although you need to do that prior of course).
Thanks for this! Great details.I know you were asking DonBindas but I'll chime in. I have not used the Drexler brand. I typically use CarPro products unless someone request different. The ceramic coating process is not incredibly difficult. You need to make sure it is spread evenly and allowed to cure or flash for the proper amount of time. The tricky part is determining the right amount of time and making sure you get all excess material wiped off. If it is left on the paint too long you'll most likely have to compound it off.
The time consuming process with ceramic coating is the prep time. In order for the coating to bond properly the paint needs to be free of any contaminates or previous waxes/sealants. For best performance the paint should be washed with a decon wash, clay barred, and preferably polished. After that and before applying the coating all surfaces need to be wiped down with a coating prep. You can make your own using diluted IPA/rubbing alcohol. You want to cut it to about 25-30%.
Ha. Just wanted to make sure you didn't try coating over wax. Paint correction on a wrangler is a pain. All the corners, hinges, and plastic. It's not hard just time consuming. If you were closer I'd be glad to help you out.Thanks for this! Great details.
I totally misspoke, I was talking about doing paint correction before the ceramic coating! Woops! Don't wax then ceramic coat! Liten to SilverRubi!
I need to get paint correction done.. I don't think I have the dedication/energy to do it myself.
Ha. Just wanted to make sure you didn't try coating over wax. Paint correction on a wrangler is a pain. All the corners, hinges, and plastic. It's not hard just time consuming. If you were closer I'd be glad to help you out.
Another misconception with coatings is that they are scratch proof. Most are a little harder than clear coat but they will still scratch. That is why with my OCD I just had it wrapped in PPF, figured I'd end up polishing the paint off every time I went offroading.
Back to the original post, if you just want a good sealant or spray coating the Turtle wax products are pretty good. For the price the spray coating or the Seal n Shine will give you several months of protection and water behavior is very similar to an actual coating. Prep work isn't as important and they are really quick and easy to apply. You can even do the fenders and hard top. It'll darken up the black and keep it from fading.
As you likely already know, no amount of wax, sealants, or ceramics are going to fix the crappy factory orange peel. Best we can all do is keep her very clean and very shiny, which is sufficient for most of usI have the ceramic coating from Opti-Coat. The problem with my finish is if you look really close, the clear coat isn't perfectly smooth, but has ripples in it so doesn't reflect as good as I would like it. Also just rinsing off the Jeep doesn't get rid off all the dirt, it still looks dirty. But bugs will wash off easily. Water beads like crazy!
I won't put a number on how much harder ceramic coatings are than clearcoats, but they can be much much harder....
Another misconception with coatings is that they are scratch proof. Most are a little harder than clear coat but they will still scratch. That is why with my OCD I just had it wrapped in PPF, figured I'd end up polishing the paint off every time I went offroading.
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