Bad application of CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0 ceramic coating. Advise needed! Thx

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After reading the threads here on ceramic coating I decided to take the plunge. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out the way I expected. See picture below - right side of the panel with dull/matte appearance is where I applied CQ UK 3.0.





Polishing off bad application of CQ UK 3.0 (right side of panel)
The car is brand new (<400 miles), so I didn't think it needed paint correction. The following is what I did.



  • Washed car with 2 bucket system using Mcguire Gold Class shampoo and conditioner.
  • Clayed with nanoskin fine grain sponge and nanoskin glide.
  • Powerwash nonoskin glide residual and dry with microfiber towel. Wait to dry.
  • Applied CQuartz (in the late afternoon- I know major mistake), and wiped after 1-2 mins. I think it flashed (rainbow streak) around 1-2 mins; but when I wiped it off, it felt a bit oily. I used the same suede microfiber towel for whole car.
  • Next evening (yes, I know), I applied another coat as instructed. Used 2 piece of microfiber to wipe CQuartz. Again, the surface felt a bit oily, but poor lightning in garage masked my mistakes.
  • Next day, I pulled my car out in the sunlight, and saw streaks and high spots everywhere!

I contacted Carpro for help; was advised to use some type of compound to remove the high spots, and reapply CQ.
I think my mistakes were using too much CQ, and not waiting properly for it to flash and leveling it off completely; also taking on this task without proper lighting. What else could I have done better?
I used a medium/light polish (ScratchX 2.0) , and was able to buff off the ceramic coating (see pic below - where I polished off the CQ coating).



I think I'm still interested in getting ceramic coating. What should be my next steps? Or should I just cut my loses.
Anyway, this is what I'm thinking:



  • A. Do an once over and polish off any streaks with ScratchX 2.0.
  • B. Use IPA wipe to clean off residue from ScratchX 2.0.
  • C. Wipe dry.
  • D. Apply CQ (in daylight), and level off after it flashes. Switch out microfiber after 2-3 panels.
  • E. Wait one day.
  • F. Hit it with diluted Carpro Reload, and wipe/level off.

Any advise is appreciated.
 
I would not be scared away by the experience so far - I found a few spots days later = simple light polishing and lighter reapplication over effected areas turned out just fine. I used essence prior and to re-polish - worked well.

You've already been able to clean it up - just re-apply a lighter pass of CQv3 over that one panel where you polished and be done.:buffing:

Coating really does help with keeping my car cleaner as it's DD that gets washed every 3 weeks or so.... So I think you'll find the same:props:
 
Did you use the suede cloth to remove? I have never found suede as an effective medium at removing coatings. I use at least two dedicated microfibers to remove the product. Your issue sounds like a removal problem and not like you left it on the paint too long.

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Yes, I did use the suede towel that came with CQ UK 3.0 kit. It wasn't very absorbent, but I figured I go along since it's manufacturer suggested. Corey@Carpro said it might be cause by bad towel ;), or leaving the coating on for too long.

Okay, I'll get a couple of 300-400 GSM microfiber towels ready.

Thx
 
It sounds like the coating did not have enough time to flash. Flashing of the coating is dependent on the temperature and humidity. Sometimes it may take longer for the coating to flash and be leveled.

Some key things off the top of my head.

Get yourself good lighting. It helps with avoiding things like this.

Cycle out the applicators every couple panels. I would actually look at some of the autofiber applicators and skip the suede and suede block.

I would also recommend using multiple towels. One for the initial wipe and one for the final wipe. Towels such as the rag company edgeless 300 towels are a good option. Much better than the suede towel.

I would also recommend a better polish. Scratchx is more of a light compound.

And finally IPA is ok but not the best. A prep spray would be a better option.
 
You are correct, I did use the suede towel that came with the kit. Corey@Carpro said the dullness might be cause by bad towel ;), or leaving the coating on for too long.

I'll have a couple of 300-400 GSM microfiber towels ready.

Thx
 
A-train said:
Did you use the suede cloth to remove? I have never found suede as an effective medium at removing coatings. I use at least two dedicated microfibers to remove the product. Your issue sounds like a removal problem and not like you left it on the paint too long.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

Could be?

All that's been mentioned are important guidelines. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with the Carpro Suede MF Sheets used in conjunction with the Carpro Foam Applicator to apply. After application, no, I've never used the MF Suede Sheets to level. Some do. I use regular high quality MF Towels.

Yes lighting is important, and close examination from a number of angles both as you apply and after you apply, and then begin to wipe and level-smooth.

But one critical step that appears to be missing, is no use of a panel prep product as a last step prior to applying the coating?

Each manufacturer's coating systems usually have their orthodox methods to apply. Going outside their recommendations with makeshift products or omitting a step can create problems. For CQuartz, commonly users will use Carpro Eraser. Be thorough and complete with the use of these panel prep products.

Welcome to the forum
 
Besides what's already been posted, I would hit the entire car with a light polish.

You stated that you did a clay bar, that will add some marring.
 
You mention applying it in the late afternoon. How hot and humid were the conditions? Were you in the shade?

I recently applied CQuartz in a very hot/humid garage and ended up with similar issues. Flashing was all over the place and removal was very difficult. It smeared all over the place and left the same appearence you saw. Applying it in cooler conditions has never been a problem.
 
Meguiar's Ultimate Polish is too oily to use prior to a coating in my opinion
 
@Desernate: It was pretty hot (in the 90s in temp and humidity), and I was in my garage. How did you fix your smears?

The temp has cooled to the 50-60s now. Waiting for my supplies to come in. As reminded by @Mark51 & @grovlet, I'm getting Carpro Essence as well. Thx for the advise y'all.
 
I had a small quarter sized spot that was high after my Impreza application. I decided to keep it :) Its in a lower spot. I am going to watch it and see if I can use it like a meter for when the rest of the coating is spent. Small experiment. I took a picture for future reference, I dont know if if works that way. Time will tell.
 
gsmarquis said:
I had a small quarter sized spot that was high after my Impreza application. I decided to keep it :) Its in a lower spot. I am going to watch it and see if I can use it like a meter for when the rest of the coating is spent. Small experiment. I took a picture for future reference, I dont know if if works that way. Time will tell.
Click to expand...

That is actually a brilliant idea of having a high spot to be able to visually track the coatings life.
 
On my old car. I had once left a high spot to experiment with it. To monitor it.

For this particular ceramic coating (AG does not sell it) I was told that after some time that the high spot would fade away on its own due to the elements.

This was information passed down to me from a company rep.

Eventually after a few weeks of normal driving & washing, I noticed the high spot dissipated. And as far as I was able to tell, it did not suffer from losing any hydrophobic properties.


High-End Paint Correction and Opti-Coat Ceramic Coatings * Portsmouth, NH
 
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