CQuartz vs CQUK?

GreatAvalon

GreatAvalon

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
614
Reaction score
0
Hey everyone! I'm going to go ahead and get into coatings. I have done a search on this for a few days, and I have a few remaining, unanswered questions! I plan to start with the roof of my car to get the technique down, and then probably do my entire other vehicle. Something to keep in mind, if necessary, is both of the vehicles have metallic flake in them.

I think I have the coatings I'm interested in narrowed down to 2: CQuartz and CQuartz UK.

However, I am really struggling with determining which one to get! CQuartz lasts 2 years vs. CQUK's 1 year (right?), but the products are the same price. Does the CQUK have something in it that makes it worth essentially twice as much over the course of the two years due to CQUK needing to be reapplied after the first year.

In your (readers) experience, how does the finish compare between CQuartz and CQUK? Do you guys think CQUK "darkens" the paint?

Does Reload need to be used with both products? I thought coatings themselves were supposed to be hydrophobic, but it seems both of these products benefit from Reload, so all the videos, etc. of the hydrophobicity is really just the hydrophobic effect of Reload.

Whew, I think that is about all my questions! Thanks in advance everyone! :props:
 
I don't know where you read that uk is only a year but this is right from carpro's website:

Recommended working temperatures: 41F to 90F
Durability: Approximately 2 years or more
Water contact angle: 110°
Light swirl filling properties
Thick layer: 1~2 Micron each

I would go with uk again this is from the carpro site:

Once the liquid meets the open air it cures and forms a ceramic quartz hard coating on the surface with extreme hydrophobicity and gloss beyond even that of CQuartz
 
CarPro UK's site has 1 year longevity in red...Or one of their sites does...Hmm...

Maybe the 1 year longevity was an old formula and the UK site wasn't updated.

Well if CQUK lasts 2+ years, it sounds like its a no brainer to go with CQUK!

Man, thanks for posting that! I could swear I read 1 year for CQUK on some CarPro site on the internet, so thanks for the clarification!
 
GreatAvalon said:
CarPro UK's site has 1 year longevity in red...Or one of their sites does...Hmm...

Maybe the 1 year longevity was an old formula and the UK site wasn't updated.

Well if CQUK lasts 2+ years, it sounds like its a no brainer to go with CQUK!

Man, thanks for posting that! I could swear I read 1 year for CQUK on some CarPro site on the internet, so thanks for the clarification!
Click to expand...

UK was improved for 2014 with more Si02!
 
GreatAvalon said:
CarPro UK's site has 1 year longevity in red...Or one of their sites does...Hmm...

Maybe the 1 year longevity was an old formula and the UK site wasn't updated.

Well if CQUK lasts 2+ years, it sounds like its a no brainer to go with CQUK!

Man, thanks for posting that! I could swear I read 1 year for CQUK on some CarPro site on the internet, so thanks for the clarification!
Click to expand...

Np glad I could help that's what we are all here for to receive/give it.
 
:xyxthumbs: What exactly is SiO2. Silicon Oxide? That increases the hardness, right?
 
Don't get too caught up in theoretical longevity claims. Coatings require maintenance polishing just as paint does being the sacrificial barrier they are. Odds are pretty good you'll be polishing the coating off long before any theoretical expiration date to remove scratches and damaged areas just as you would paint.

What's more important than longevity claims are hardness, ease of application, and looks because the last thing you want to do is top it with...and I can hardly bring myself to say it...wax
 

CQ is obviously the original and last a little longer. (At least to this point) I ran a full 2+ years of durability testing and loved it. But I then decided to strip it off re-polish a little and apply CQUK.

CQUK is the newer version and has more & purer SiO2 content making it glossier. The original durability was 1yr+. Now that it has been out for awhile durability test are coming back in and some are getting 1.5-2+ years from the coating. CQUK is slightly easier to apply for me compared to CQ.

To me CQ & CQUK look very similar but I have not used the side-by-side yet on the same panel. I would suggest just getting CQUK from CarPro-US.


CQ Long Term Review: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-cquartz-ceramic-quartz-paint-protection.html


 
EVOlved said:
You got it!
Click to expand...
:xyxthumbs:
silverfox said:
Don't get too caught up in theoretical longevity claims. Coatings require maintenance polishing just as paint does being the sacrificial barrier they are. Odds are pretty good you'll be polishing the coating off long before any theoretical expiration date to remove scratches and damaged areas just as you would paint.

What's more important than longevity claims are hardness, ease of application, and looks because the last thing you want to do is top it with...and I can hardly bring myself to say it...wax
Click to expand...
Ah, you make a good point. For example a door ding would yield the coating gone on that area since the mark/scratches would have to be polished away. Makes sense, and I didn't think of that. Thanks!

What happens if you top it with wax? I have read not to in my research, but that is part of the reason why I am so confused as to why CQ/CQUK says to spray Reload on it. I felt like that contradicted what everybody had said not to do lol.
primo spaghetti said:
silicone dioxide.
Click to expand...
Thanks :xyxthumbs:
TroyScherer said:

CQ is obviously the original and last a little longer. (At least to this point) I ran a full 2+ years of durability testing and loved it. But I then decided to strip it off re-polish a little and apply CQUK.

CQUK is the newer version and has more & purer SiO2 content making it glossier. The original durability was 1yr+. Now that it has been out for awhile durability test are coming back in and some are getting 1.5-2+ years from the coating. CQUK is slightly easier to apply for me compared to CQ.

To me CQ & CQUK look very similar but I have not used the side-by-side yet on the same panel. I would suggest just getting CQUK from CarPro-US.


CQ Long Term Review: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-cquartz-ceramic-quartz-paint-protection.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comparison! And for the explanation on the longevity rating! So it sounds like everybody is leaning more towards CQUK over CQ.

This will be my first time doing a paint coating, so perhaps the ease of application is something not to be overlooked. I do plan on doing 2 coats, at least on the roofs (since I had messing with roofs :laughing:).

I'm curious - you said you removed CQ..how did you do that? I assume your method of removal would work to remove CQUK as well. Thanks again for all the help!



A big thank you to everyone who has lended their knowledge thus far!
 
GreatAvalon said:
What happens if you top it with wax? I have read not to in my research, but that is part of the reason why I am so confused as to why CQ/CQUK says to spray Reload on it. I felt like that contradicted what everybody had said not to do lol.
Click to expand...
GreatAvalon said:
Thanks for the comparison! And for the explanation on the longevity rating! So it sounds like everybody is leaning more towards CQUK over CQ.

This will be my first time doing a paint coating, so perhaps the ease of application is something not to be overlooked. I do plan on doing 2 coats, at least on the roofs (since I had messing with roofs :laughing:).

I'm curious - you said you removed CQ..how did you do that? I assume your method of removal would work to remove CQUK as well. Thanks again for all the help!
Click to expand...


If your choose to wax over CQ / CQUK / any coating, you will inhibit the properties of the coating as long as the wax is present on top. So you ultimately get the look and beading / sheeting properties of the wax. As some will say "Why wax over a coating" many do and enjoy it. I am one that does not and only use ReLoad or Hydro2 over my CQ/CQUK.

ReLoad and Hydro2 are made to work in conjunction with CQ/CQUK to enhance the look and protection. They are really an additional sacrificial layer and help those of us that feel we "need" to add something for looks or protection.



To remove most any coating you will need to polish. (physical aberration). Im my case I used Megs M105 to compound and HD Polish to finish it off. But this is personal preference. You basically need to replicate your prep process.
 
You'd think that with Coatings being advertised as being so hydrophobic; that having water beads form with a decent contact angle, and their subsequent slipping-off vehicle panels enhanced...being considered more the norm:
That water-spots/water-spot-etching would not become such an aberration...But they are!!

So you may wish to keep the following recommendation in mind, and keep some of this product in stock:

"Use CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover to maintain your Cquartz coated vehicle. Even though coatings like Cquartz provide a rock-hard barrier of protection, they can still degrade due to the long-term effects of calcium building up on the surface. Regular application of CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover will keep your Cquartz coated vehicle looking its best!"

Good Luck! on your Coating choice...and it's application.
Make sure to have the time set aside for it to totally cure.
Don't like reading about "Coating fails".

Bob
 
Just02896 said:
UK was improved for 2014 with more Si02!
Click to expand...

EVOlved said:
I don't know where you read that uk is only a year but this is right from carpro's website:

Recommended working temperatures: 41F to 90F
Durability: Approximately 2 years or more
Water contact angle: 110°
Light swirl filling properties
Thick layer: 1~2 Micron each

I would go with uk again this is from the carpro site:

Once the liquid meets the open air it cures and forms a ceramic quartz hard coating on the surface with extreme hydrophobicity and gloss beyond even that of CQuartz
Click to expand...

Perfect answers right there.

Oh and no, it does not darken the paint.
 
From what Robert Diterlizzi told me CQuartz finest can only be applied by a certified dealer-installer and cannot be sold outright where CQUK can be bought from CAR-PRO.
 
GenesisCoupe said:
Perfect answers right there.

Oh and no, it does not darken the paint.
Click to expand...

UK does slightly darken... or perhaps it is better to say that it creates a "richer" appearance. It is not a night and day difference that you can shine a light at and go "WOW!" but if you apply UK to half of a panel and then remove it and carefully inspect that area from various angles, you will be able to see the faint border between the coated area and the uncoated area.

I think too many people expect it to make a red into a burgandy and a grey into a black, which is not even remotely true... the difference is subtle, but definitely there.


57BORNTORUN said:
From what Robert Diterlizzi told me CQuartz finest can only be applied by a certified dealer-installer and cannot be sold outright where CQUK can be bought from CAR-PRO.
Click to expand...
Correct. CQuartz Finest is only available to authorized installers that have been approved by CarPro.

CQuartz Finest, CQuartz UK, and the original CQuartz are all completely different products with completely different formulas. All are applied differently and all have different (yet similar) properties once they have been applied.
 
allenk4 said:
The Consumer Version of CQuartz Finest:

CQuartz Ceramic Quartz Paint Protection, CQuartz nano coating, nano paint sealant
Click to expand...

I don't think I agree with that comment. CQF is in a league by itself. To say the other is just "the consumer version" undersells it greatly IMO and I started using CQ back when it was AQuartz!! (years ago) Zach's comments are more on point.

Here is the first time I tried CQUK:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/80089-cquk-2014-equinox.html

Call Corey and have a frank discussion with him. He is very honest and will not steer you wrong! IMO the UK is better.
 
richy said:
I don't think I agree with that comment. CQF is in a league by itself. To say the other is just "the consumer version" undersells it greatly IMO and I started using CQ back when it was AQuartz!! (years ago) Zach's comments are more on point.

Here is the first time I tried CQUK:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/80089-cquk-2014-equinox.html

Call Corey and have a frank discussion with him. He is very honest and will not steer you wrong! IMO the UK is better.
Click to expand...

Should have said CQuartz is a variation of CQuartz Finest that is available to Consumers and is designed to be more "Consumer Friendly" in its application process.


From CarPro website:

What is the difference between CQuartz and CQuartz Finest?
The short answer is just about everything. There are many differences between CQuartz and CQ Finest. While both are glass coatings Finest offers greater gloss, dust and dirt resistance, fine swirl resistance, a slick to the touch feel, more resistance to water spots and the environment, and FINEST is offered only through Authorized Installers who have developed their skills and take the utmost pride in their work.
 
A side question.

How long after a fresh re-paint should one wait to apply CQUK?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top