ceramic metal oxide coating

[coop creek]

I am back. I got a lot of help from this forum some time ago and I can now polish my Harley without issues. After getting through the learning curve of machine polishing, I have not had an interest in learning how to do a ceramic coating.
So I have a new, gray Lexus NX, and I would like to have it professionally detailed and coated. There is a local detailing business that does ceramic coatings and plastic film, and I stopped by today to check things out. I met with the owner who suprised me when he told me he uses a proprietary ceramic metal oxide coating. The product is a collaboration between his business and Artdeshine (I think). It looks like he sells it to DIY'ers too, here's a link to it

Apex Surface Protection Metal Oxide Coating (50 ml)

I expected to hear the name of a product that I had heard before (Gyeon, Carpro), so I am a little uncertain here. Can anybody provide me with some background on how these coatings are concocted and any opinion on this product in particular?

 

[evo77]

Well its a proprietary formula so you probably won't find much about how its made other than finding its raw materials listed on its MDS sheet. Shouldn't matter how its made or what's inside - as long as the product does what it says that's all that matters.

Its a respectable coating. Popular with Brians loyalists/fans. If you lookup up a channel on Youtube called "ScottHD" you will find numerous installments of longevity tests of nearly all of the popular coatings (including Apex Metal Oxide) and much more. Though his testing isn't the be all or final word of what is considered the "best", there is solid information that can be taken from this to make reasonable considerations for certain products.

 

[The Guz]

So you actually went to Apex Detailing's shop? You will find more about it in the Apex detailing group as he has a cult following.

 

[BadgerRivFan]

I have used Artdeshine’s Ceramic Metal Oxide on several vehicles now and it is excellent.

Brian worked with Artdeshine to tweak the formula for improved water spotting performance. Acid rain and very hard water seem to be a problem in your area. It is not where I live here in Wisconsin.

Brian’s coating is “professional grade,” so in theory it should have better durability than a consumer grade coating such as something from CarPro or Gyeon. It would be more akin to CarPro’s “Finest” which you would need to be an authorized installer to obtain.

You’ll be very happy with whatever Brian recommends and I would not hesitate if you want a professional installation. Apex Detail is a highly respected shop.

 

[BadgerRivFan]

You will find more about it in the Apex detailing group as he has a cult following.

I don’t know about a “cult following” Mike , but I think he has earned a lot of respect due to his knowledge, experience, and professionalism.

He is a good example of how a pro should run his shop IMHO.

 

[coop creek]

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone. I see that he (Brian) has a following, I went here because I wanted some outside/unbiased information. Yes, we have very hard water here, I did not realize this was a particular issue with coatings. Thanks again.