Chemical Guys C9 Carbon Flex Trim Coating
I have 3 trim coatings that I am testing out. Because trim coatings are so extreme, I don't want to mix products on one area of the car for testing, so I am going to do different parts of the car with different coatings. Not perfect methodology, but I don't want the possibility of "striped" trim. So here's the first one:
Chemical Guys C9 Carbon Flex Trim Coating
I have always wondered why C9 Carbon Flex was so expensive. It is $80 for a 1 oz. bottle. The other trim coatings are half the price. I have a wholesale account with a small discount, so I decided to order a bottle and test it out.
From the Chemical Guys website:
"The advanced coating system restores the natural appearance of trim, and provides durable protection through all weather conditions. The innovative trim coating uses superhydrophobic technology to repel water and moisture from the trim surface. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating is formulated with UV protection to prevent trim from fading and discoloring. Trim pieces will look new again with Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating. The durable trim coating bonds deep into the surface for maximum protection. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating provides impenetrable protection for your trim in all weather conditions. Protect your vehicle’s trim in extreme desert heatand bitter winter cold. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating repels dirt and grime to preserve your vehicle’s appearance. The durable trim coating protects against stains and water spots. Perfect for restoring plastic mirrors, bumpers, and door trim. Works great on rubber tires for a shine that lasts for months. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating restores a factory appearance back to any interior and exterior trim. The clear protective barrier in the ultimate protection against all road conditions. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating utilizes revolutionary bonding agents forthe highest level of protection on textured plastic, rubber, and vinyl. Once trim is coated using Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating, the surface will have a like-new appearance for months. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating finishes dry to the touch, and repels dust. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating bonds at the molecular level to create a hardened coating that helps resist scratches and scuffs. Experience the next level of trim protection technology with Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating."
Typical long winded, stream of conciousness CG description.
It comes with an sponge applicator and 2 microsuede cloths. It has with one of those dispensers in the bottle that are impossible to get much product out. I removed that. I used my own applicator, an Optimum tombstone style:
I put the applicator on top of the bottle and shook the bottle to get the product on the cloth.
From the CG website:
How To Use:
Shake well.
Always use in well-ventilated area.
Surface should be washed clean of dirt, debris, and contamination before
application.
Trim should be cool to the touch and perfectly dry for best results.
Wrap Carbon Flex Durafoam Coating Applicator Block with Optical Select Micro-Suede Applicator Towel.
Hold Carbon Flex C9 bottle upright and place Micro-Suede Applicator on top of the opening. Invert bottle and applicator and move bottle around the applicator blockto spread Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating over the entire applicator face.
Spread Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating in straight lines and rub deep into plastic, rubber, and vinyl trim.
Buff off any streaks using premium microfiber towel.-I DID NOT HAVE ANY STREAKING
DO NOT wash or expose the trim to rain, snow, or moisture for 8-12 hours.
After initial cure time, vehicle can be washed and driven regularly.
First off, it smells like super glue. You definitely need ventilation. While C9 looks clear and thin, it spreads like a gel (like super glue?) It is easy to apply. I applied it to my grill trim for testing purposes. I used just a couple of milliliters! I'd say i used less than 5% of the product on grill trim. By the way, the cloth was stiff after it dried- like glue.
Here's the before pic:
And here's the immediately after pic:
It may be hard to tell in the picture, but the results are dramatic. The whitish look of the trim is gone, replaced by a shiny black!
Twelve hours later, the coating was dry to the touch and looked even better than new! I left a little section of trim untreated for a control. It is the right stancheon area of the trim that looks grayish. Again, camera phones not the best. maybe I will break out the good camera for the next one.
Makes my plastidipped bowtie look awesome!
I am extremely pleased with the way the trim looks with C9! So I will track durability of the product and report. CG claims 3 year protection. Since it is like a super glue type of coating, it may.
I'm new at writing these reviews so if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please respond. I will probably edit this so check back. Have a great day!
I have 3 trim coatings that I am testing out. Because trim coatings are so extreme, I don't want to mix products on one area of the car for testing, so I am going to do different parts of the car with different coatings. Not perfect methodology, but I don't want the possibility of "striped" trim. So here's the first one:
Chemical Guys C9 Carbon Flex Trim Coating
I have always wondered why C9 Carbon Flex was so expensive. It is $80 for a 1 oz. bottle. The other trim coatings are half the price. I have a wholesale account with a small discount, so I decided to order a bottle and test it out.
From the Chemical Guys website:
"The advanced coating system restores the natural appearance of trim, and provides durable protection through all weather conditions. The innovative trim coating uses superhydrophobic technology to repel water and moisture from the trim surface. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating is formulated with UV protection to prevent trim from fading and discoloring. Trim pieces will look new again with Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating. The durable trim coating bonds deep into the surface for maximum protection. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating provides impenetrable protection for your trim in all weather conditions. Protect your vehicle’s trim in extreme desert heatand bitter winter cold. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating repels dirt and grime to preserve your vehicle’s appearance. The durable trim coating protects against stains and water spots. Perfect for restoring plastic mirrors, bumpers, and door trim. Works great on rubber tires for a shine that lasts for months. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating restores a factory appearance back to any interior and exterior trim. The clear protective barrier in the ultimate protection against all road conditions. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating utilizes revolutionary bonding agents forthe highest level of protection on textured plastic, rubber, and vinyl. Once trim is coated using Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating, the surface will have a like-new appearance for months. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating finishes dry to the touch, and repels dust. Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating bonds at the molecular level to create a hardened coating that helps resist scratches and scuffs. Experience the next level of trim protection technology with Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating."
Typical long winded, stream of conciousness CG description.
It comes with an sponge applicator and 2 microsuede cloths. It has with one of those dispensers in the bottle that are impossible to get much product out. I removed that. I used my own applicator, an Optimum tombstone style:
I put the applicator on top of the bottle and shook the bottle to get the product on the cloth.
From the CG website:
How To Use:
Shake well.
Always use in well-ventilated area.
Surface should be washed clean of dirt, debris, and contamination before
application.
Trim should be cool to the touch and perfectly dry for best results.
Wrap Carbon Flex Durafoam Coating Applicator Block with Optical Select Micro-Suede Applicator Towel.
Hold Carbon Flex C9 bottle upright and place Micro-Suede Applicator on top of the opening. Invert bottle and applicator and move bottle around the applicator blockto spread Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating over the entire applicator face.
Spread Carbon Flex C9 Trim Coating in straight lines and rub deep into plastic, rubber, and vinyl trim.
Buff off any streaks using premium microfiber towel.-I DID NOT HAVE ANY STREAKING
DO NOT wash or expose the trim to rain, snow, or moisture for 8-12 hours.
After initial cure time, vehicle can be washed and driven regularly.
First off, it smells like super glue. You definitely need ventilation. While C9 looks clear and thin, it spreads like a gel (like super glue?) It is easy to apply. I applied it to my grill trim for testing purposes. I used just a couple of milliliters! I'd say i used less than 5% of the product on grill trim. By the way, the cloth was stiff after it dried- like glue.
Here's the before pic:
And here's the immediately after pic:
It may be hard to tell in the picture, but the results are dramatic. The whitish look of the trim is gone, replaced by a shiny black!
Twelve hours later, the coating was dry to the touch and looked even better than new! I left a little section of trim untreated for a control. It is the right stancheon area of the trim that looks grayish. Again, camera phones not the best. maybe I will break out the good camera for the next one.
Makes my plastidipped bowtie look awesome!
I am extremely pleased with the way the trim looks with C9! So I will track durability of the product and report. CG claims 3 year protection. Since it is like a super glue type of coating, it may.
I'm new at writing these reviews so if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please respond. I will probably edit this so check back. Have a great day!
