C2v3 or Reload over Crystal Serum Light?

1953hogan

1953hogan

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About to coat my wife's new white 2017 Ford Explorer with Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light. I'm the type of guy who likes to top off the finish after most washes even though I know it isn't needed over a coating, but I can't help myself.

I love the slickness of Reload and have never used C2v3. To you CSL users out there, which would you recommend as a maintenance topper and why?

Also, which soap do you wash with? Thanks very much!
 
1953hogan said:
About to coat my wife's new white 2017 Ford Explorer with Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light. I'm the type of guy who likes to top off the finish after most washes even though I know it isn't needed over a coating, but I can't help myself.

I love the slickness of Reload and have never used C2v3. To you CSL users out there, which would you recommend as a maintenance topper and why?

Also, which soap do you wash with? Thanks very much!
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I'm the same way I have both C2v3 and reload.I don't mind mixing polishing products with different brands,however when it comes to coating I don't mix.So here is my personal opinion if you are using Serum stick with reload.I don't see a wow factor after using C2v3.As far as soap I use chemical guys citrus doesn't dull out the finish especially in the hot Florida sun.
 
For a extra 25.00 Boyds tru coating is probably the best I've used.I have it on a car that I don't maintain often.But when I do its a tunnel wash and no topper at all.The stuff doesn't degrade and there is no maintenance at all with this coating and it's been on there since they came out with it.
 
C2v3 is the best looking spray sealant I've used and really durable


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Just read the reviews on the C2v3 and it sound like it can be hard to apply. Anybody have any opinions on easy of application? How about vs Reload? The wife's Explorer is white by my Acura is black.
 
C2v3 is really nice stuff. For me it flashes pretty quick, I use it sparingly, small areas, fast with the towels.
 
1953hogan said:
Just read the reviews on the C2v3 and it sound like it can be hard to apply. Anybody have any opinions on easy of application? How about vs Reload? The wife's Explorer is white by my Acura is black.
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C2v3 hard to apply? No way. It's among the easier silica type sprays to apply comparing head-to-head with 8 other options.
 
I`m one of those weird guys who likes to stay within a company`s realm when using coating toppers as the company`s develop them for their specific coatings. So, if I was using a Gtechniq coating, I would use their topper. I top CQuartz Family of coatings with Reload, and Opti Seal over Opti Coat Pro +.

As for soap, I am a huge rinseless wash guy. Blue ONR is awesome. I actually provide my coating customers with a rinseless kit using ONR. If youre the traditional foam gun or two bucket guy, CarPro Reset is perfect!!!!
 
1953hogan said:
Just read the reviews on the C2v3 and it sound like it can be hard to apply. Anybody have any opinions on easy of application? How about vs Reload? The wife's Explorer is white by my Acura is black.
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Applied it with a blue microfiber applicator pad, buffed with towel. Did this couple of hours after applying Crystal Serum Light. No issues at all but I generally apply all these types of products by spraying it on applicator, applying to surface, buffing off. Any time I spray on surface and buff I goon it up so I've gone to above method with no issues.

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One last question: Given that C2v3 claims 8 months protection, why not just use that as your LSP and forego the Crystal Serum Light? Just a thought. Anybody out there using it as their LSP?
 
I've used it on a few customer cars, even on some single stage paint and it really makes maintenance washes easy


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I once had some difficulty applying both C2V3, and Reload on my junkbox Kia that I had done a Carpro Essence Application on.

The Reload was giving me a bit of smearing on the dark magenta color, so switched over to a brand new bottle of C2V3, and thought "oh this is easy".... until I seen zillions of little micro-spots all over the paint.

Both worked the bejesus out of me that day. In retrospect, yeah, I wish I would've tried something maybe easier, like maybe Ultima Paint Guard Plus, or Optimum Opti-Seal which I also had. Even Collinite 845 would've been easier, quick on and off. No smearing, or spots! (sprays such as these two shouldn't be so brutal to use IMO!) Hell, Colly 915 wouldn't have worked me as much.

I know others mileage may vary. I cannot comment on C2V3's longevity? I know it is a very "watery" product in comparison to Reload.
 
Personally, I've not tried the newest (2014 or 2015?) version of Reload but found the original to be problematic on black paint even if diluted. Does anybody else have trouble with G2v3 on dark paint?
 
1953hogan said:
One last question: Given that C2v3 claims 8 months protection, why not just use that as your LSP and forego the Crystal Serum Light? Just a thought. Anybody out there using it as their LSP?
Click to expand...

CSL provides scratch resistance and can last up to 5 years.
 
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