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Moe, my car was recently ceramic coated and I've heard about using a finishing or touch up product after washes. Can you recommend one or two? And how often to use? Every wash? I try not to wash my car too much, especially if it's not very dirty.
excellent question and one that I hear often
The benefits of ceramic coating, when a quality coating is applied correctly, are now proven and seen by many
the coating still need proper care and maintenance and a ceramic spray sealant after a wash will prolong the life of a coating dramatically
we use the CQuartz coatings from CarPro and my favorite post wash spray is Reload or Release
I like Reload for a stout reviving of the coating. With Reload, prep is key and making sure you take your time and apply/wipe methodically as to not induce high spots is key
Release is a user-friendly ceramic spray sealant with carnauba…such an amazing intersection of new/old
The benefits of ceramic coating, when a quality coating is applied correctly, are now proven and seen by many
the coating still need proper care and maintenance and a ceramic spray sealant after a wash will prolong the life of a coating dramatically
we use the CQuartz coatings from CarPro and my favorite post wash spray is Reload or Release
I like Reload for a stout reviving of the coating. With Reload, prep is key and making sure you take your time and apply/wipe methodically as to not induce high spots is key
Release is a user-friendly ceramic spray sealant with carnauba…such an amazing intersection of new/old
1. Great question and it’s frankly an individual choice. Some owners would think that’s small and ppf did the job and want to get some more life out of it
Knowing how meticulously you care for your Porsche, I think over time, those areas would bother you
If you were my client, I’d recommend a replacement
2. Yes, I’ve seen original paint pull, but NOT on a Porsche. Ferrari 360/430 rockers and bumpers were notorious for paint lifting
but if done properly, going slow/using steam/and pulling at correct angle, the risk can be mitigated and a successful removal achieved
3. when the risk of doing the removal will mean a repaint, it comes down to your comfort level. It’s not to say a professional won’t lift paint removing ppf, but his/her muscle memory is far better because of the experience they have as their core competency
finding the right installer is the key though. You want to “feel” their confidence and the good ones will put your mind at ease
Thanks Moe. Really appreciate the reply. My other concern was removing replacing film multiple times on a panel could have a higher likelihood of pulling paint, but after talking with a couple people, it sounds like that isn't likely. Thanks again, have a great Labor Day.
Editing on 10/7/24: I tried everything XPEL recommends including lacquer thinner and their cleaner. Didn't touch the spot. I talked with my film installer. Even though my bumper has been repainted, he said there isn't a 100% chance it pulls paint when he removes the film, although I do know it is higher on a repainted panel and even higher on a repainted front bumper with the flex that occurs. Car doesn't get dropped off at his shop for a couple of weeks so will make a decision in a week on what I'm going to do. Luckily he's willing/able to handle logistics if paint gets pulled which makes it easier for me.
Moe - I think my new question based on the edit above is on resprayed bumpers that were baked and then allowed to sit for a week prior to PPF with only year old PPF, do you frequently see paint pull?
Moe - one more for you. Took an early morning drive near the lake a couple weeks ago, it then rained heavily before I could get back home. Came back, wiped off bugs from front bumper XPEL Ultimate PPF (Fusion Coating on top) as I always do, one or two of them had started to stain the film. Two pics below. Have tried TarX, IronX, 90% IPA, it still remains. Do I step up to something stronger? I know I've seen XPEL use lacquer thinner to remove spray paint residue, but maybe this is permanently stained? Of course replacement of this piece is an option too, but on a repainted front bumper and having removed film from a repainted front bumper before, I know chance of lifting is increased which I don't want to deal with. This is a "1-2 foot problem, if I know where to look", but obviously would prefer it to not be there. Thanks again.
I’ve been using Pinnacle Crystal Mist Detail Spray for 15 years and up until today I had not found any other detail sprays that I thought worked better. My primary focus was gloss, depth and ability to lubricate the paint surface enough to prevent swirls during cleaning. Most products came up short on the appearance and or lubricity. I decided to give Carpro Release a try based upon Moe’s suggestion and I have to say that after 15 years I may be switching to Release going forward. The gloss is next level and yet it doesn’t have that artificial plastic wrap look. The lubricity is also excellent, as good or better than Crystal Mist.
I’ve been using Pinnacle Crystal Mist Detail Spray for 15 years and up until today I had not found any other detail sprays that I thought worked better. My primary focus was gloss, depth and ability to lubricate the paint surface enough to prevent swirls during cleaning. Most products came up short on the appearance and or lubricity. I decided to give Carpro Release a try based upon Moe’s suggestion and I have to say that after 15 years I may be switching to Release going forward. The gloss is next level and yet it doesn’t have that artificial plastic wrap look. The lubricity is also excellent, as good or better than Crystal Mist.
Thank you for the feedback and glad you liked Release
I love how easy it is to use and get great results
Editing on 10/7/24: I tried everything XPEL recommends including lacquer thinner and their cleaner. Didn't touch the spot. I talked with my film installer. Even though my bumper has been repainted, he said there isn't a 100% chance it pulls paint when he removes the film, although I do know it is higher on a repainted panel and even higher on a repainted front bumper with the flex that occurs. Car doesn't get dropped off at his shop for a couple of weeks so will make a decision in a week on what I'm going to do. Luckily he's willing/able to handle logistics if paint gets pulled which makes it easier for me.
Moe - I think my new question based on the edit above is on resprayed bumpers that were baked and then allowed to sit for a week prior to PPF with only year old PPF, do you frequently see paint pull?
Moe - one more for you. Took an early morning drive near the lake a couple weeks ago, it then rained heavily before I could get back home. Came back, wiped off bugs from front bumper XPEL Ultimate PPF (Fusion Coating on top) as I always do, one or two of them had started to stain the film. Two pics below. Have tried TarX, IronX, 90% IPA, it still remains. Do I step up to something stronger? I know I've seen XPEL use lacquer thinner to remove spray paint residue, but maybe this is permanently stained? Of course replacement of this piece is an option too, but on a repainted front bumper and having removed film from a repainted front bumper before, I know chance of lifting is increased which I don't want to deal with. This is a "1-2 foot problem, if I know where to look", but obviously would prefer it to not be there. Thanks again.
A little late to the party, but here it goes
Have you tried polishing that area?
dab a little polish on mf towel and give it a little rub
Regarding removing ppf on repainted panels…it’s really depends on the quality of repair
I've had paint lift and also not…when it did lift, it was obvious repair wasn’t done properly
whenever we do a repair, I make it clear to the paint shop I’ll be applying ppf, so take all the proper steps to make sure the prep is done to the best of their ability
try the polishing and let us know if that did anything 👌
one other option…just put a small touch up dab of paint on it and see if that helps make it less noticeable
front bumper ppf takes a beating after a few years, so you’ll be replacing it down the line anyway. Perhaps the small paint spot over the blemish will make it bearable
Last edited by MoeMistry; Oct 14, 2024 at 11:08 AM.
You guys should try CarPro Release for routine maintenance after a wash
I have been using Reload for quite awhile with great results and just recently purchased Release.
Have to admit I was disappointed in that it left streaks and had to use Reload to get rid of them.
Any thoughts Moe?
I have been using Reload for quite awhile with great results and just recently purchased Release.
Have to admit I was disappointed in that it left streaks and had to use Reload to get rid of them.
Any thoughts Moe?
I’ve had the same issue with Release on one of our ceramic coated cars and it was very frustrating. I learned that you need to use one half of the microfiber to remove the reload and flip the microfiber over to the other side for a quick final wipe. That did the trick for me, hope it helps.
I have been using Reload for quite awhile with great results and just recently purchased Release.
Have to admit I was disappointed in that it left streaks and had to use Reload to get rid of them.
Any thoughts Moe?
How do you have Reload mixed? Straight out of the bottle, or mixed with water?
reason why I ask, Reload is probably the most advanced spray on product in CarPro line for the post-wash care. If there was a product that would streak/leave high-spots, and requires a little learning curve, it would be Reload
Reload is amazing, and it sounds like you know what you’re doing with it
With that said, Release is a more user-friendly product, but it too has professional-grade ingredients that require good technique
Streaks usually come from variables such as towels, ambient temp/humidity, surface temp, perhaps too much product applied to towel, making sure bottle/product is shaken, etc.
Like I mentioned in beginning, if you don’t have issues with Reload, then your technique and method should be good…maybe try shaking the bottle before spraying your towel
I’ve had the same issue with Release on one of our ceramic coated cars and it was very frustrating. I learned that you need to use one half of the microfiber to remove the reload and flip the microfiber over to the other side for a quick final wipe. That did the trick for me, hope it helps.
+1…this is a great technique and it should be practiced with any detail spray wipe down 👌
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