Ceramic Coating?
#31
Originally Posted by Archimedes
I only started using Bead Maker on my current car, after my detailer recommended it when he was coating the car. Prior cars I just had OptiCoat Pro Plus and did a standard wash and dry. The only difference that I really notice is that the Bead Maker really makes the car shine more and feel even more slippery. I can't honestly say that it makes the car shed dirt any better; just not sure on that, but it certainly does bead up water. My detailer swears by it and he also said that using it will help the OptiCoat last longer.
I actually tried another brand of the same type of product from either Autogeek or Chemical Guys that I did not like at all. Smelled super silicone-y and didn't seem to go on as easily or leave the car feeling as nice. After using Bead Maker, the car feels like it just got a thorough waxing.
I actually tried another brand of the same type of product from either Autogeek or Chemical Guys that I did not like at all. Smelled super silicone-y and didn't seem to go on as easily or leave the car feeling as nice. After using Bead Maker, the car feels like it just got a thorough waxing.
#32
Your experience is what my expectation is. Did you notice the ceramic coating to have different durability on PPF vs. paint? I know ceramic pro has good marketing and seems to be a solid product. I was looking at using IGL Kenzo mostly for the cheaper price point. I know most of the money will go into the PPF.
#33
Your experience is what my expectation is. Did you notice the ceramic coating to have different durability on PPF vs. paint? I know ceramic pro has good marketing and seems to be a solid product. I was looking at using IGL Kenzo mostly for the cheaper price point. I know most of the money will go into the PPF.
#34
#35
I will be doing both, PPF on the front and rockers (the area around the side intakes will pick up some chips/debris) and then ceramic over the top.
I specifically found a place that doesn't cut on the car and wraps the edges, typically this requires them to edit the templates that they get from the companies.
I'm also doing ceramic coating on the wheels and interior to help protect the alcantara
I specifically found a place that doesn't cut on the car and wraps the edges, typically this requires them to edit the templates that they get from the companies.
I'm also doing ceramic coating on the wheels and interior to help protect the alcantara
#37
#38
Instructor
It kinda all stems from my time using sealants prior to 2015-2016 when the coating obsession began. Our main toy back then was a black 2004 Corvette that was primarily my wife's daily driver from May thru October, a car she drove nearly every day regardless of weather. Over the course of time, it ended up with etched waterspots, things that ate thru the sealant with ease and ended up leaving etchings in the clear coat itself. The car often got rained on in the morning then sat out in the hot summer sun for a few hours after that, enabling the beads to apparently act as little magnifying glasses and leave permanent marks in the clearcoat. Additionally, bird droppings would leave permanent marks as well if not dealt with in a timely manner. So it began as a matter of protection and morphed into some of the other benefits of coatings as I became more familiar with them.
However, the elimination of scratches and marring is NOT one of the benefits of a coating. Despite claims of "Diamond Infused 10h hardness" a coating is really softer than your fingernail and is easily marred with even the most plush cotton bath towel if used to dry a black car (a white car as well, you just won't notice them as much). I have a coating on 2 of my cars that has some 'limited self healing' characteristics and even this is limited to some light micro-marring that may occur from time to time. Coatings have a lot of benefits for me but protection from scratching, marring and rock chips ain't one of 'em.
The main benefit for me is the lessened need to worry so much about permanent damage due to weather, nature or maintenance neglect. With 4 cars and a 2 car garage, at least 2 of our cars sit outside all the time and we live on a heavily wooded lot so there's always something coming down from the heavens and landing on the outside cars and since moving to coatings, I have yet to experience and serious effects from them sitting outside for extended periods of time.
This, at the end of the day, is all that matters. Be you a fan of the somewhat "reviled in the detailing community" TopCoat F11 or the Lemon Pledge the old-timers like to put on their paint, if you're happy with what you use/do, that's all that really matters.
#39
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@BudgetPlan1 Thanks again for the info. I’m settling on installing a clear bra + ceramic coat the entire car. For the PPF, I’m still researching Kavaca and XPEL.
As for what film, it honestly comes down to the installer and his/her business as that's what you're truly buying into.
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BudgetPlan1 (06-23-2020)
#40
It is my understanding that Beadmaker is a light-duty polymer sealant. I gave it a go on top of a few coatings and in some cases it had no effect on the hydrophobic characteristics and on other coatings, those with highly hydrophobic characteristics, it diminished the performance of the coating. It sure is fun to use and smells delicious, leaves one slick surface but just doesn't fit my particular needs; no harm, no foul.
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BudgetPlan1 (06-23-2020)
#41
Rennlist Member
#42
Instructor
#43
Rennlist Member
Better than mimeograph tests from, uh, way back when?
https://youtu.be/Uu3iCvAQCHg
https://youtu.be/Uu3iCvAQCHg
#44
#45
It is my understanding that Beadmaker is a light-duty polymer sealant. I gave it a go on top of a few coatings and in some cases it had no effect on the hydrophobic characteristics and on other coatings, those with highly hydrophobic characteristics, it diminished the performance of the coating. It sure is fun to use and smells delicious, leaves one slick surface but just doesn't fit my particular needs; no harm, no foul.
I think if you're using a sealant with every wash or so, you should use one that is the same composition as a coating. I think most if not all coatings are silica based. That's why I use CarPro Reload.
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BudgetPlan1 (06-25-2020)