Thank you....this was VERY helpful!Well, it depends on how deep into paint correction/protection you want to go.
The biggest complaint I see with folks who use ceramic (or any nextgen paint protection) is due to not doing proper surface prep.
Ceramic is particularly troublesome because the only way to get it off, is to polish it off. So, if you leave water spots or swirls on the surface and then ceramic over it, you have just locked those in until you polish off the ceramic, polish out the blemish and then apply ceramic again.
My new car/1st time ceramic regimen is:
Spray on ceramics are kinda a joke. You'll get 30-45 days of beading and then they will be gone.
- Decon wash (use a strip wash - somethings like Adams Polish Strip Wash or CarPro Reset or Chemical Guys Clean Slate)
- Remove metals (cars are shipped by rail, you have rail dust in your paint - Adams Iron Remover, CarPro IronX Snow)
- Wash it again
- Clay (your choice on the clay. Some are more aggressive than others. I just recently tried some of the synthetic clay mitts and like how easy they were.)
- Wash it again
- Polish
- Prep surface for ceramic - wipe down with Isopropyl Alcohol.
- Ceramic - I have used CQuartz UK and Adams Graphene. I like the Adams product. It's a little more forgiving on the application. Adams also provides a handheld UV light so you can see exactly where you applied, which is nice. The graphene also beads more than the CQuartz, IMHO.
- Every 3 months or so (depending on conditions) hit your ceramic with a Ceramic reload/booster.
Also helpful to ceramic your wheels. Really helps on brake dust/trail dust removal.
Have fun!
Your post offers very good advice for anyone wanting to use a real Ceramic Coating. With that said, what sprays have you used? Griots 3n1 lasts me 3-4 months not garaged in the Northeast. I'm sure it would fare better in a friendlier environment. The gloss is outstanding too. Between the cost, ease of use and results I'd have to strongly disagree with your statement.Spray on ceramics are kinda a joke. You'll get 30-45 days of beading and then they will be gone.
I haven't used any of the spray products on my own cars.Your post offers very good advice for anyone wanting to use a real Ceramic Coating. With that said, what sprays have you used? Griots 3n1 lasts me 3-4 months not garaged in the Northeast. I'm sure it would fare better in a friendlier environment. The gloss is outstanding too. Between the cost, ease of use and results I'd have to strongly disagree with your statement.
Nothing against your approach, just your statement. Suggesting the Ceramic Sprays last 30-45 days is blatantly false even with poor prep work. Any directions for wax or sealant will suggest strip washing and polishing. Most people don't. That doesn't mean the products won't last in less than optimal conditions.I haven't used any of the spray products on my own cars.
You may also note my opening sentence was " Well, it depends on how deep into paint correction/protection you want to go. " - I understand that my approach isn't for everyone.
I like Griots stuff, I use their 'Best In Show' car wash as my bucket soap. If you read the 3-in-1 directions, you'll see they say almost exactly what I posted. They want you to remove old wax/sealant, clay, polish, and then apply. They also note that between applications, you should remove old 3-in-1 with their 'Foaming Surface Prep'. As ceramic residue will build up.