Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light

[Calendyr]

Ok guys,

right now I am using McKee's 37 Paint Coating exclusivelly for coating jobs.

I am seriously thinking about adding a longer duration coating to my menu and short of going pro coating, the best one of the consummer grade ones seems to be Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light with a durability of 3 to 5 years.

Are any of you guys using this product and can you give me some feedback on it?

My concerns are:

1. I am a mobile detailer. Can this product be applied in an uncontrolled environment without issues? Like if it's sunny or if there is a lot of wind, would it make it impossible to apply?

2. Manufacturer says 12 hours with no exposition to water. If I apply Gtechniq C2V3 on top of it would it be sufficiant protection?


So I am looking forward to read what you guys experienced with this product.

 

[Firehouse Mike]

Following.....exact same situation hererops:

Mike

 

[Duy]

Same here. I've been an avid user of CarPro Cquartz and that's all I offer. I keep hearing more about CSL and EXO so it's been peaking my interest.

 

[osiapstndp]

I've done CSL once at a customer's house, but it was in a closed garage and closely mimicked my home setup at the time. I can say from experience that installing the coating in a garage (yours or your customer's) doesn't pose a problem at all. As long as you have bright and diffused light to see the residue then you'll be just fine. I've installed McKee's paint coating version one and two, regular CQuartz and CSL on mobile jobs (just the one time with CSL) and application on all of them was never any different than when I've installed them in my home garage.

As far as ease of use is concerned, CSL wins hands down, no question or hesitation. The first time I used CSL I actually started laughing because it was so easy. EXOv3, I thought, wasn't quite as easy to install, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as the experience I've had every time with regular CQuartz. I haven't tried EXOv4 yet so I can't comment on it yet, but I'm thinking about getting the CSL/EXO kit for my Scat Pack soon.

My car has been wearing regular CQuartz on a few of its panels for about 14 months and they're still going very strong, but I'm moving away from CQuartz and sticking with GTechniq.

 

[DaveT435]

I've used a fair amount of CSL/EXO. I got a local full time detailer to switch from CQuartz to CSL/EXO and he was extremely happy. I'm not sure if he ever applied it out in the elements though.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I'll do just about coating if a customer has a specific gotta have, otherwise, I offer:

Gyeon Can Coat
McKee’s 37 v2
CarPro Cquartz UK 3.0: with CarPro Gliss as an Add On
Gyeon Syncro

 

[MrRoo]

I’ve only offered Cquartz to my customers on cars. It’s all I’ve used in my personal car also. Been using systemX with great results so far on airplanes. Their SS is awesome!!! Can be hard to apply for a first timer. It flashes immediately and need to be on top of it, and do small panels. the slickness and durability is awesome! I spray most all my airplane jobs. So gotta have a ceramic that sprays well. It’s a huge time saver on big planes. But gotta have a real clean facility/hanger to do it.


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[DaveT435]

I’ve only offered Cquartz to my customers on cars. It’s all I’ve used in my personal car also. Been using systemX with great results so far on airplanes. Their SS is awesome!!! Can be hard to apply for a first timer. It flashes immediately and need to be on top of it, and do small panels. the slickness and durability is awesome! I spray most all my airplane jobs. So gotta have a ceramic that sprays well. It’s a huge time saver on big planes. But gotta have a real clean facility/hanger to do it.


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That's interesting. The same guy I switched from CQuartz to CSL/EXO tried system X for a short period of time and went back to CSL/EXO.

What part of Michigan are you from?? I was raised in the Kalamazoo area.

 

[MrRoo]

That's interesting. The same guy I switched from CQuartz to CSL/EXO tried system X for a short period of time and went back to CSL/EXO.

What part of Michigan are you from?? I was raised in the Kalamazoo area.

I’m in St Joe. In the earlier days of systemX, it wasn’t all that great. But they have stepped it up. My airplane guys have been happy with it. I use the Renegade mostly on planes. I’m still a Cquartz Guy at heart. Might try some Gtech stuff though.


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[DaveT435]

I’m in St Joe. In the earlier days of systemX, it wasn’t all that great. But they have stepped it up. My airplane guys have been happy with it. I use the Renegade mostly on planes. I’m still a Cquartz Guy at heart. Might try some Gtech stuff though.


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Not too far from Kalamzoo. I've been through St Joe several times. Pretty sure I went to a wedding reception there.
The hydrophobic properties with EXO are incredible, along with self cleaning capabilities. I don't think it was that great with v3. It was with v2 and I would expect it to be with v4.

 

[Calendyr]

I am only interested in Crystal Serum Light. I have read people having issues with EXO because it is soft and scratch sensitive. I sell coatings on their ease of maintenance and their durability. One the key point is reduced chance of scratching during washes... so if I put EXO on top, I loose that feature. Also I don't think EXO is as durable.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I dunno, CSL/EXO seems it would take a lot of a lot longer to apply than Cquartz/Reload. You cannot go wrong with Cquartz.

 

[DaveT435]

I am only interested in Crystal Serum Light. I have read people having issues with EXO because it is soft and scratch sensitive. I sell coatings on their ease of maintenance and their durability. One the key point is reduced chance of scratching during washes... so if I put EXO on top, I loose that feature. Also I don't think EXO is as durable.

I think a lot of the issues you're hearing about were v3 related. Probably why v3 was so short lived. CSL is a good stand alone and from a business point if view a single coating of one product makes a lot more sende than one coat of one and two coats of another. Is the CSL available up there, or do you order it from the states??

 

[Pats300zx]

This is a great post as I am thinking of giving CSL a try after being an avid user of Cquartz. What is the wait time after applying CSL that you can apply EXO?

 

[osiapstndp]

This is a great post as I am thinking of giving CSL a try after being an avid user of Cquartz. What is the wait time after applying CSL that you can apply EXO?

The directions say you can start to apply EXO immediately after CSL if you start on the same panel where you initially installed CSL. I've always waited an hour or three and so far there haven't been any perceivable adverse effects.

 

[The Guz]

I dunno, CSL/EXO seems it would take a lot of a lot longer to apply than Cquartz/Reload. You cannot go wrong with Cquartz.

CSL is actually quicker to apply than CQUK (not 3.0). CSL goes on easier and wipes off easier. It is also slicker in feel. Also only one coat is needed where Cquartz recommends 2 coats. Exo V3 can be a little tricky to work with but it can be applied right after CSL. GTechniq recommends 2 coats and those 2 coats can go on right away. So it is about the same amount of time compared to CQUK (non-3.0)

This is a great post as I am thinking of giving CSL a try after being an avid user of Cquartz. What is the wait time after applying CSL that you can apply EXO?

GTechniq states right away but I gave it an hour when I used it just be safe. See my comment above with regards to Exo.

 

[Calendyr]

I dunno, CSL/EXO seems it would take a lot of a lot longer to apply than Cquartz/Reload. You cannot go wrong with Cquartz.

It's a flawed comparisson though. If you want to compare combos, you would need to compare Cquatz and Gliss vs CLS and EXO. Or you could compare Cquartz and Reload with CSL and C2V3.

CLS is actually easier to install than Cquartz and it's a longer duration product. If you are installing Cquartz right now, a move to CLS might be a good idea. I think they are at similar price points and you would get a 3 to 5 years coating instead of a 2 years coating. Also. as I said, easier to apply.

 

[Calendyr]

I think a lot of the issues you're hearing about were v3 related. Probably why v3 was so short lived. CSL is a good stand alone and from a business point if view a single coating of one product makes a lot more sende than one coat of one and two coats of another. Is the CSL available up there, or do you order it from the states??

There are canadian stores selling it. Lowest price i have seen is 88 CAN$ which is about 66 US$, I believe that is the 30 ml bottle, so it would probably do a small car. There is also a 50 ml bottle available, did not check the prices but it's probably half as much.

Gtechniq is actually a UK based company I think. They have a rep here in Canada.

 

[Powerman]

The directions say you can start to apply EXO immediately after CSL if you start on the same panel where you initially installed CSL. I've always waited an hour or three and so far there haven't been any perceivable adverse effects.

I’ve been getting the van ready for its first coating of CSL. The instructions are pretty clear that you need to garage the vehicle for 12 hours after coating.
I know that mobile detailing companies use these products do they always garage the vehicle? It’s a problem for me as the van needs a 9’ clearance to park it and I haven’t been able to find a place to park it.

I’m thinking that dust and pollen might get stuck in the coating.


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[Calendyr]

I’ve been getting the van ready for its first coating of CSL. The instructions are pretty clear that you need to garage the vehicle for 12 hours after coating.
I know that mobile detailing companies use these products do they always garage the vehicle? It’s a problem for me as the van needs a 9’ clearance to park it and I haven’t been able to find a place to park it.

I’m thinking that dust and pollen might get stuck in the coating.


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The work around for mobile detailers is follow up the CSL application with the application of a nano ceramic sealant to protect the coating during the cure period. So in this case, you apply C2V3 on top of CSL and the coating is protected from water and the elements.

I talked to the rep from Gtechniq and he told me it is better to garage the car for 12 hours but as a mobile detailer that is a perfectly acceptable way of doing things.

Also, you should not wash the car for 7 days after the application of any coating to give it time to fully cure before being exposed to cleaners and a pressurized water.