Trying to choose a coating

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Mike Briggs

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I'm trying to pick a coating to put on my Cayenne Red 2013 Nissan Leaf, shown below (before I put some much nicer wheels on it):
brandnew.jpg


I currently have Black Fire Crystal Seal on it, but while it looks nice, that stuff seems to be a dust magnet. If I clean the car thoroughly, then go for a 10 minute drive, the car has a nice coating of dust and pollen stuck on it immediately afterwards.

I used Duragloss 105 topped with Collinite 845 over the winter, and it wasn't as bad with dust as the BFCS, but dust still stuck to it pretty good - and the sealants failed on the bottom half of the car before winter was over.

My kids' daycare has a dirt parking lot, which is a source of some (but not all) of the dust problems. Since I have two little kids that I like spending time with, I don't have a lot of extra time for washing, polishing, and waxing/sealing the car - so I'm hoping I can find a coating that will do a decent job of keeping the car clean longer, or at least reducing the amount of cleaning needed.

I've been reading all about a variety of coatings - OptiGloss, C.A.R. Bulletproof, CQuartz, Polish Angel Cosmic, DG Enviroshield, DP Paint Coating, etc... but I can't decide which one to go with.

In order of importance, these are the things I'm looking for:
1. Dust/dirt repellance, to reduce how frequently I need to clean the car. Most coating reviews focus on how shiny the car looks immediately after being applied, or perhaps how long the coating lasts - but to me the most important thing is how well it keeps dirt from sticking. IMO looking beautiful right after the coating is applied is of no value if dust sticks to it quickly.

2. Some scratch mar/resistance. This is partly related to item 1 above. Since my car seems to rapidly acquire dust/pollen, if I want to keep it looking shiny I need to either clean it every day with a California duster and/or a waterless wash (I have Pinnacle and ONR).

3. Longevity will mostly be important for making it through the New Hampshire winter without needing to be reapplied.

Something that can be layered is particularly appealing, since that likely helps some with mar resistance and longevity. I know Liquid Glass isn't real popular here, but that's what I used to use on my old car, a 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI, and it kept the car beautiful. This is a picture of it just before I sold it last year:
side.JPG


The ability to wash the car and then throw another layer or two of it on was one of the appeals of Liquid Glass to me. It wasn't great as far as the dust issue though, but seemed to be better than BFCS.

Currently I'm leaning towrads C.A.R. Products Bulletproof, due to the ability to be layered, and the lower cost for a greater quantity of product, which contributes to layerability. Opti-Gloss may be layerable, but since it costs ~$50 for enough product for one coat, it's not something I could put 4 or 5 coats of on.

Bulletproof supposedly repels dust, which would be perfect. Can anyone attest to that property of it? I was thinking I could put 3-5 coats of it on now in the spring, and then another couple coats in the late fall, to help it get through the long winter.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!
 
I find that the coatings don't do much in terms of pollen or dust attraction...no matter what, I think you can coat it with anything and this is unavoidable...the coating makes it much easier to spray the vehicle with x wax or a speed shine/wipe off with microfiber and get fantastic results. Hope that helps.
 
You forgot Blackfires new coating, Pinnacle Black Diamond Coating, Duragloss and the list goes on and on.

The Sonus Ion paint coating looks interesting to me. I picked some up and will try it out on my dad's car. Its not very expensive and with the positive charges, might repel dust?

Sonus ION Paint Coating
 
Jaretr1 said:
Its not very expensive and with the positive charges, might repel dust?
Click to expand...

Dust and dirt (pollen too) tend to be negatively charged, so ION would attract it. I question whether that positive charge still exists after bonding to the paint.

While some products may attract and hold dust more than others, it's predominantly a function of the charge of the car/paint.

Second best way to prevent dust is to ground your car (just bring a long metal spike, tether and sledge hammer everywhere you go).

For a more practical alternative, don't towel dry your car. Running a towel over the car can create a static charge that will attract dust. Use the sheeting method with cold water; this can actually help reduce any charge on the paint and reduce dusting. Then just blot dry with a towel or use compressed air.

Nothing short of introducing a constant negative charge to the paint is going to minimize dusting for any considerable amount of time.
 
Gtechniq C1 with 2 coats of EXO over it!!! It will give you everything you want. Down the road you use C2v3 as a drying aid for maintenance. AG should have it in stock within a few days I would suspect. I know some finally hit the U.S. After being unavailable for a few months.
 
On the Gtechniq products - I've read some very good things about them, but am also a bit wary because of some people having issues with hazing. Has that issue been resolved?

The other issue with Gtechniq is the cost, especially if doing both C1 and EXO.

I agree with the statement that no coating is going to prevent a car from *attracting* dust - but a coating *should* be able to make the dust slide off easily, rather than sticking, if the coating creates a smooth, uncharged layer.
 
Mike Briggs said:
On the Gtechniq products - I've read some very good things about them, but am also a bit wary because of some people having issues with hazing. Has that issue been resolved?

The other issue with Gtechniq is the cost, especially if doing both C1 and EXO.

I agree with the statement that no coating is going to prevent a car from *attracting* dust - but a coating *should* be able to make the dust slide off easily, rather than sticking, if the coating creates a smooth, uncharged layer.
Click to expand...

It's been my experience with the C1 EXO that dust does just that, blows off the car. Obviously not 100% of it, but the majority. The hazing problem isn't an issue as long as you put the EXO on between 4 and 12 hours of finishing the C1. I usually do it at about 6 hours. You can do just the EXO and have the same performance as far as dust goes. The car will look great. What you lose by not using the C1 is a little in appearance and scratch resistance. I had just EXO on my car for two years and loved it. Never had any issues from washing or drying induced scratches. I love the way this stuff beads and sheets water. I drove in the rain yesterday and it quit raining before I got home. Other than a little dirt behind the wheels the car is spotless.
 
Another option is to go C1 then C2v3. A little less expensive and you would want to put a fresh coat of C2v3 on about every 5 or 6 months.
 
Cquartz. It's cheap, easy, and is still going 10 months strong for me with no maintenance other than an occasional wash. My car also tends to have less pollen then those parked around it. Stuff obviously still lands on it though.
 
For the experienced coating user, is there one that stands out in terms of mar resistance?
 
Anyone have any experience with CQuartz UK and Gtechniq C1 and Bulletproof, that could compare the three of them on their dirt repelling properties and mar resistance?
 
Give Gyeon MOHs plus a try, very resistant to marring, proven one of the hardest out there independently, and looks great
 
Someone just gave their opinions on about 6 or 7 coatings, broke it down into scratch resistance, gloss, durability, water beading and sheeting, etc. I can't find it right now. I know C1 and EXO did very well in all categories. Whatever you decide how it turns out great
 
I'm curious to know where that durability test is located at. I too am considering either opti coat or gtechniq c1 for my '14 focus.
 
Optimum Gloss-coat. Simple application, can be layered, great looks and self cleaning abilities.
 
DaveT435 said:
Someone just gave their opinions on about 6 or 7 coatings, broke it down into scratch resistance, gloss, durability, water beading and sheeting, etc. I can't find it right now. I know C1 and EXO did very well in all categories. Whatever you decide how it turns out great
Click to expand...

Any idea which forum that's in? I can't seem to find it.

Thanks!
 
A quick summary of options. Note that all would need some form of surface prep, with the cheapest option being IPA, or Eraser (is a 50 mL spray bottle enough for cleaning a mid-size car?):

C.A.R. Bulletproof, $30
Does not appear to require any special pre-cleaner, presumably could just use IPA (are there any concerns with scratching if doing an IPA wipedown with a new microfiber cloth?)
Pros: Easy application, can be layered easily, supposedly offers some scratch/mar resistance and minor filling capability (more layers would presumably help with that). 60 mL for $30 adds to layerability since for that money you get enough to do many layers.
Would need to add price of applicators
Unkowns: Not as many reviews as some other products. How does it's self-cleaning ability compare to others that are good at that, like CQuartz and Gloss-Coat? Longevity? (Easy re-application and layerability should help with that)

CQuartz UK, $60 for 30 mL kit with 150 mL Reload and applicator block and 4 suede cloths
Pros: Seems to have great self-cleaning and some mar resistance, proven company & good track record, and good salt resistance. Moderate price.
Downside: Only 30 mL. Is that enough for two coats? Or is the 50 mL necessary for two coats? Lack of product means less layerability (without more $$). Some people say this is harder to apply/level.

Gloss-Coat: $60 for 10 mL
Pros: Good self-cleaning, proven company but new product. Easy application
Downside: Very little product. Not likely enough for 2 coats. Any mar resistance?

Gtechniq C1 + EXO: $60 for 30 mL + $50 for 30 mL = $110 total (ouch)
Pros: C1 seems to add good mar resistance, and EXO adds great shine and self-cleaning, and EXO can be layered on top of C1 nicely.
Downside: Price, currently unavailable, some people had hazing issues, but that may have been from using too much product.

Blackfire Crystal Coat: $60 for 120 mL
Pros: Supposedly looks nice and has self-cleaning properties, but this is based largely on product literature - haven't seen many reviews of it. Lots of product for $60.
Downsides: Haven't seen anything indicating that it can be layered, and no reviews discussing self-cleaning ability or mar resistance. Directions indicate to use Blackfire Crystal Coat Paint Prep instead of IPA or Eraser, and that would increase the cost further. New product, so not much info.

There are some other nice looking options, but they seem to be considerably more expensive.

I remain undecided, but I'm leaning towards either Bulletproof or CQuartz UK.
 
I'm in the same boat Mike. Trying to decide on a coating for the daily drivers in my household. CQuartz is currently on the top of the list. I am disappointed in the lack of reviews for Blackfire Crystal Coat. A Web search for images and videos turns up very little as well as very few reviews here.
 
30 mL of Cquartz is plenty for 2 coats. I used about 15 mL for 2 coats on my Civic Si. Also, I never used Reload and it is not necessary. I used Cquartz and not Cquartz UK.
 
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