1 year coating for Midwest winter salt?

Whipped500

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Let me first off say that I'm sorry and will stop with all the dumb questions after this...I am just going crazy being out of work so I just keep researching which makes me go back and forth.

On to my question...I have 2 vehicles with really good finishes on them already that I would only need to prep with something like Gyeon Primer or Sonax Perfect Finish I think (GM paint/clear)? I want to do both vehicles but one will be used year round so it will see winter/salt!

My original plan was to do a complete decon, polish etc once a spring and coat with CanCoat. Then in fall, apply another coat of CanCoat...will the CanCoat make it through the winter?

I have been turned on to CanCoat because of its ease of use. I've never used a coating and I'm not going to lie, I'm still worried about screwing up with CanCoat! The year round truck is silver so hopefully not see the high spots as much if I end up with some? The other that won't see winter is gray metallic. If I'm going through the prep, I want to make sure the spring/fall application of CanCoat will make it through the winter?

If not, do I just bite the bullet and stop being a baby and move up to Cquartz lite or UK 3.0 or something else? I would prefer to go the CanCoat route if possible but if I'm going to go through all the prep, I want to make sure it will get through the winter. I should also add that at the moment I'm not looking for 2 year coating...1 year or a little more should do it.

I always over think everything so sorry for that! I would love to hear thoughts or experiences.

Thanks
 
Let me first off say that I'm sorry and will stop with all the dumb questions after this...I am just going crazy being out of work so I just keep researching which makes me go back and forth.

LOL i'm basically in your boat dude :D

I'm also looking for something to last 12-14mths and through the 2020/21 winter. I pulled the trigger on CQUK3 personally, not sure what to apply in the fall. Leaning towards tac moonlight.

Interested in the replies!
 
If I am going through the work of thoroughly prepping I want the maximum bang for buck.
Why mess around with a lite .

I picked UK3 and Gliss. This was after using Optimum Gloss Coat on 5 different cars to see the results.
I did 3 family cars with CQUK3 and 1 with last syringe of Gloss Coat this year.
We had a mild winter this year but CQUK performed better than Gloss Coat would have and did.
 
My original plan was to do a complete decon, polish etc once a spring and coat with CanCoat. Then in fall, apply another coat of CanCoat...will the CanCoat make it through the winter?

Don't mean to be unhelpful but why worry about it lasting perfectly through the winter? I'm also in the midwest so I get your concern, there's some weird gunk that can accumulate throughout the year. Just today I did a decon, wash, clay, and quick AIO and had zero problems at all.

If you're doing a light polish in the spring you'll have a clean slate regardless; I'd guess just about any coating you can buy here should be fine.
 
I've had Csl & Exo last thru 1 Michigan winter no problem. When I removed it after 1 year (because i get bored and want to change up) it was showing no signs of failure.
GTechniq EXO and CSL Kit

P.S. don't worry about all "the dumb questions". I've been here since '11 and still ask "dumb" questions. People here are patient and helpful. That's why I stick around
 
If I am going through the work of thoroughly prepping I want the maximum bang for buck.
Why mess around with a lite .

I picked UK3 and Gliss. This was after using Optimum Gloss Coat on 5 different cars to see the results.
I did 3 family cars with CQUK3 and 1 with last syringe of Gloss Coat this year.
We had a mild winter this year but CQUK performed better than Gloss Coat would have and did.

The reason I've been looking at a lite is because of ease (hopefully) of use. I've never done a coating, but just as you said about doing all the prep is why I am second guessing a lite.
 
Don't mean to be unhelpful but why worry about it lasting perfectly through the winter? I'm also in the midwest so I get your concern, there's some weird gunk that can accumulate throughout the year. Just today I did a decon, wash, clay, and quick AIO and had zero problems at all.

If you're doing a light polish in the spring you'll have a clean slate regardless; I'd guess just about any coating you can buy here should be fine.

Not unhelpful at all... your idea may have been something I never thought of. I want it to last because I want to do as little polishing or for the polishing to be as easy as possible.
 
I've had Csl & Exo last thru 1 Michigan winter no problem. When I removed it after 1 year (because i get bored and want to change up) it was showing no signs of failure.
GTechniq EXO and CSL Kit

P.S. don't worry about all "the dumb questions". I've been here since '11 and still ask "dumb" questions. People here are patient and helpful. That's why I stick around

Thanks for the PS part! I feel bad sometimes because I try to research as much as I can before I ask something because I hate it when someone asks something that they could have figured out if they took a minute to look... I've literally seen it (as I'm sure everyone has) where someone starts a thread about something and the thread before it is the same.
 
So next dumb question then!
I've looked but can't seem to find it.

High spots are what is scaring me...where do they come from?
Is it missing spots when applying?
Waiting too long before wiping off?
Not wiping off enough?

If from not wiping off enough, I wouldn't feel so bad then, I would just go overboard on the amount of towels. Rather than the recommended 2 I would use 3 or 4.
 
So next dumb question then!
I've looked but can't seem to find it.

High spots are what is scaring me...where do they come from?
Is it missing spots when applying?
Waiting too long before wiping off?
Not wiping off enough?

If from not wiping off enough, I wouldn't feel so bad then, I would just go overboard on the amount of towels. Rather than the recommended 2 I would use 3 or 4.

High spots will happen just don't worry about it. It is part of the learning process.

Installing a Ceramic Paint Coating? You MUST have a GREAT hand held light to avoid high spots!
 
Waiting too long before wiping off?
Not wiping off enough?

Basically from these two. It’s easy to push a little coating over to an adjacent panel while doing the initial wipe, and then not get it fully removed before it cures.

Good lighting is the key. Check your work with an inspection light as you go and you’ll be just fine.

No need to be intimidated just go for it.
 
High spots will happen just don't worry about it. It is part of the learning process.

Installing a Ceramic Paint Coating? You MUST have a GREAT hand held light to avoid high spots!

LOL, you've told me this a few times... maybe I should start listening!

Let me ask you this then and I know we are two different climates but do think I would be fine with the CanCoat (1 or 2) in the spring and then another in the fall before winter for the salt belt I'm in? Or would I be better with a full fledged coating?

If actual coating, which do you recommend? I have been researching CQUK 3.0 and gtech csl exo and just started looking into Kamikaze.

Again, thank you so much for your knowledge and help!
 
Basically from these two. It’s easy to push a little coating over to an adjacent panel while doing the initial wipe, and then not get it fully removed before it cures.

Good lighting is the key. Check your work with an inspection light as you go and you’ll be just fine.

No need to be intimidated just go for it.

Thanks, this makes me a little more comfortable. I was always thinking it was from the application process.
 
Basically from these two. It’s easy to push a little coating over to an adjacent panel while doing the initial wipe, and then not get it fully removed before it cures.

Good lighting is the key. Check your work with an inspection light as you go and you’ll be just fine.

No need to be intimidated just go for it.

I've been looking around for inspection lights for machine polishing. I thought i had everything i needed...

Anyhow, any suggestions on a lower end inspection light i can get at a local hardware store? Seems 100-200 lumens are best for paint correction/coating? I'll be doing everything outside.

Zero interest in throwing down another chunk of cash on a scangrip type light. This hobby is getting ridiculous lol next i'll be using treated water...
 
I'll be doing everything outside.

Hmmm, lighting would be low on my list of concerns then if you’re working outdoors. I personally would not recommend doing a coating outside.

As far as an inspection light, anything that helps to illuminate the panel so you can see if there are any darker shaded areas (i.e. “high spots”) will work.

Good luck.
 
I've been looking around for inspection lights for machine polishing. I thought i had everything i needed...

Anyhow, any suggestions on a lower end inspection light i can get at a local hardware store? Seems 100-200 lumens are best for paint correction/coating? I'll be doing everything outside.

Zero interest in throwing down another chunk of cash on a scangrip type light. This hobby is getting ridiculous lol next i'll be using treated water...

Harbor Freight has a light similar to scan grips. Google "Braun color match light", I wanna say its around $50?
 
So next dumb question then!
I've looked but can't seem to find it.

High spots are what is scaring me...where do they come from?
Is it missing spots when applying?
Waiting too long before wiping off?
Not wiping off enough?

If from not wiping off enough, I wouldn't feel so bad then, I would just go overboard on the amount of towels. Rather than the recommended 2 I would use 3 or 4.

You probably want even more towels. I swap them often because when they start to get loaded they just smear coating around and that's how you end up with a high spot. The towel touches an adjacent panel and you're left with a high spot. I think I used 12 towels while doing 2 coats of UK3.0 on my car. Then used 6 more the next day while doing 1 coat of Gliss v2.
 
I've been looking around for inspection lights for machine polishing. I thought i had everything i needed...

Anyhow, any suggestions on a lower end inspection light i can get at a local hardware store? Seems 100-200 lumens are best for paint correction/coating? I'll be doing everything outside.

Zero interest in throwing down another chunk of cash on a scangrip type light. This hobby is getting ridiculous lol next i'll be using treated water...

I sent you a PM.
 
I agree with Badger. Someone who has done lots of coating applications probably know how to deal with various, changing, and unpredictable environments. But as someone who has only installed a half dozen or so, a controlled environment I think is essential. Dust, pollen, a little rain, all would be issues to avoid if at all possible.

Everyone who ever installed a coating did it for the first time once. I'd bet most were exceptionally successful, but few were perfect the first time. A high spot on your own car shouldn't be anything to worry about. If someone is paying you, it might be a bit of a different story...
 
I have a tight fitting car cover to keep the car dry/clean. Thanks guys. Sorry whipped for the hijack lol
 
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