Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

[Cruzscarwash]

so to date ive done quite a few clients cars with coatings, I switch it up between PBL and M37. as far as ease of USE M37 is the clear winner. it goes on with no high spot issues. now the PBL as some of you might now ive been using a lot BUT not because I like it more but because I want to use it all up and be done with it. ALWAYS seem to get random high spots on a car. the M37 never, ive never had an issue. my personal car is drivers side PBL and passenger side M37. the look is amazing and the clearly sits on top of the coat. it its extremely obvious that the paint has something on top of it other then a wax or sealant.

now why did I coat my own car? well as ive said Ive coated clients cars and when they come in for maintenance washes its a breeze, most of these cars had Klasse f2000 on them which was great but man these coatings are like night and day, yes the prep sucks but the look and as far as I can tell the durability it on point. I will continue to offer this and am pushing it more so now that winter is coming and this will make things for me and the client a lot easier in the long run

 

[zmcgovern45]

Opti Coat is not slick, while Gloss Coat is. The finish is back to "normal" now.

Most waxes are slick upon application, wouldn't you say? But in my experiences this slickness is gone after the first wash, if not even sooner... I don't think we can use slickness as a tell tale sign that a product is or is not in tact. Much like using water beading as an indication of the presence of a product, there are many other variables which will factor into these characteristics.

 

[tdekany]

Most waxes are slick upon application, wouldn't you say? But in my experiences this slickness is gone after the first wash, if not even sooner... I don't think we can use slickness as a tell tale sign that a product is or is not in tact. Much like using water beading as an indication of the presence of a product, there are many other variables which will factor into these characteristics.

I have Gloss Coat on our "old car" - it is slick. Wash after wash. So I am not sure, but based on what I know of Optimum products, OCP repels all additional protection. Only exception is using OCP+. You apply the second product within an hour after OC was applied.

 

[AuroraDetailing]

Ehh I was in the middle of typing a reply and got a text. Went to reply to the text, came back and everything got deleted. Grrr.

A good sealant, [not all, most can't] can go 5 months with weekly bucket washes and that's here in Los Angeles where the air quality is so bad you just have to get used to the smell. Good thing about it is I can just re apply my sealant without having to do anything. From what I read in this thread coatings can't be layered? So once the protection from contaminants hits the wall you can't just re apply some more coating? That sucks. And so does Reload, so please don't suggest that because I already have some and as far as protection it's absolute garbage. I tested it as a stand alone and just 1 month later my paint felt like sandpaper.

Aren't coatings supposed to be super slick? From what I've read in this thread they almost seem like they deserve to be in a whole different category all together, because they almost seem like half clearbra/half sealant I dunno I'm outta thoughts and trying finish a job and it's starting to get hot in the sun.

Why do you keep thinking coatings are so susceptible to contaminants? If you do the same once a week wash you do with a sealant, you aren't going to have an issue. It's not much different than glass. If you keep your windows clean, you aren't going to get any contaminants embedded in them. But if you let it go too long, chemistry will do its thing. If you treat it the same as you treat a sealant, it WILL last longer than the sealant. No product out there is going to be apply-and-forget.

 

[Eldorado2k]

I do not mean to sound harsh, but for someone who has never tried a coating, you sure have a lot of opinions.

Semi permanent coatings CAN be layered, just like sealants/waxes. Now, if there is contamination on the finish, adding an extra layer of ANY wax/sealant is just as much waste as layering a coating. YOU SHOULDN'T. If you wash your car weekly or every 2 weeks, coatings are fine and because they are very good at repelling contamination the coated finish should be free of contamination.

I've had 1 opinion, that's been about the whole contaminant thing.. Everything else has been a question, because I admittedly have never really done the research on coatings. The little I have heard hasn't intrigued me enough to be interested in them.
However that almost changed earlier in this thread when I misunderstood Nicholas and thought coatings actually measured on digital paint meters after being applied to the vehicle.. If that would've turned out to be reality, I wouldn't be posting in this thread today, I'd be researching which coating I was going to order today. Lol.

Btw, your post here is probably the most optimistic sounding post in regards to coatings and bonded contaminants in the little I've read about this subject. Everyone else usually seems to ignore the importance of that subject when discussing coatings.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Why do you keep thinking coatings are so susceptible to contaminants? If you do the same once a week wash you do with a sealant, you aren't going to have an issue. It's not much different than glass. If you keep your windows clean, you aren't going to get any contaminants embedded in them. But if you let it go too long, chemistry will do its thing. If you treat it the same as you treat a sealant, it WILL last longer than the sealant. No product out there is going to be apply-and-forget.

Because I've asked like 2-3 people just in this thread alone, along with several other people and they've all pretty much said the same thing, that eventually yes you will have to clay your coating. I've been posting in more than 1 thread so I could be mistaken; but we've been discussing this subject in recent posts..

 

[The Guz]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

I'm back to square 1. Coating shmoating.

For a minute here I thought maybe Top Gear hacked your account lol.

I would recommend you do a little more research on coatings and try one out. Pick one from one of the well known names who have been developing coatings for a long time. Such as Optimim Gloss Coat, Car Pro Cquartz, GTechniq CSL.

I would not consider McKee's or PBL as to me they are not coatings like from the manufacturers I previously listed. Just my personal opinion. Although PBL V2 is holding up great on my moms car. It's coming up on 1 year and will be getting a decon wash.

Then I would recommend doing a side by side test with your favorite sealant and report back on how each performed. Regardless of contamination.

I'm going to toss a wrench in your argument. Contamination is dependent on the surrounding environment. If only we lived in a contaminant free world but unfortunately we do not. We have chatted about this before. I know the area you live is near refineries and is industrial. Also the semi trucks passing through that area. So you are exposed to more gunk than I am. I am closer to the beaches and not remotely close to a refinery other than the Exxon refinery which is still miles away. My contamination level is not bad. I've gone a year where I didn't have to clay.

Now my uncle lives closer to the Exxon refinery and his cars are heavily contaminated with all the junk coming from it. I have his camaro coming to me for a maintenance check to see how Optimum Gloss Coat is holding up. I will be giving it a decon wash when I get a chance to work on it and evaluate it.

FYI Gloss Coat can be clayed and Yvan Lacroix of Optimum has stated that.

 

[srpurdy]

hmm makes me wonder if its chemically possible to have a product that you spray on to fill in the coating scratches with new coating material. Making polishing and compounding obsolete? (Or only really used for paint correction) because if the coating tech is able to create a layer of protection that hardens. Why not create a filling product to maintain the scratches it gets over time? Should be possible..... Like would applying a new layer of coating after it has cured do that? Or is the only way to remove those scratches is by machine polishing?

 

[tdekany]

Because I've asked like 2-3 people just in this thread alone, along with several other people and they've all pretty much said the same thing, that eventually yes you will have to clay your coating. I've been posting in more than 1 thread so I could be mistaken; but we've been discussing this subject in recent posts..

Actually if you make the effort to regularly wash your car, you do not need to clay. Even if you neglect the paint, a chemical wash, acid bath will release the contamination that would be on the finish. If the paint is in very bad shape, optimum recommends a clay towel and optimum car wax OCW as a lubricant. Again, coatings are superior to sealants and all you need to do is wash the finish regularly. It can't get much easier than that.

 

[tdekany]

hmm makes me wonder if its chemically possible to have a product that you spray on to fill in the coating scratches with new coating material. Making polishing and compounding obsolete? (Or only really used for paint correction) because if the coating tech is able to create a layer of protection that hardens. Why not create a filling product to maintain the scratches it gets over time? Should be possible..... Like would applying a new layer of coating after it has cured do that? Or is the only way to remove those scratches is by machine polishing?

I've asked Dr G in the same question and his answer is: no such thing. Maybe in the future.

 

[Klasse Act]

I applied a coating to my car when I first got it, but the temps were a bit too cool, so I waited a bit and loved the results. After a while the look seemed to fade, i.e. the gloss wasn't there. I used an aray of WW and RW's and didn't spray anything else on it for a couple monthes and that product was AW. Fast forward to last fall where I did another coat of coating, DP and let it ride over the winter, seemed to hold up just fine but I ended up going back to "whatever I was feeling" and did it often. I'm with others here, just gotta bond with the car, pardon the pun, and coatings are supposed to keep us from doing that, so I'm going to delve into my lifetime collection of products and use them often:xyxthumbs:

 

[Yaser222]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

For me I was worried if I coat the car
It will avoid my warranty for xpel ultimate
(I did full warp)
So start searching for alternative

By chance I saw this post and I sent it to the installer

And then he said fine I can use the coating if the xpel company says it's safe and won't avoid warranty



So know after researching long time for alternative to the coating (wax, sealnt, LSP)

I think I will do coating my self with cquartz classic its cheaper than finest

By the way
You know how much will cost me doing coating full car here in Saudi Arabia
Around 4000 usd for opti coat
And up to 5000 usd for ceramic pro 9h 6 layers

2 layers 2000 usd!!


it's crazy expensive
While I read in AGO people do it much much less

But cquartz finest will cost me 1000 usd



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[tdekany]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

Yeah but don't you guys make like 200k minimum?

Coatings are fine under clear bras. I have suntec on the front over Opti Coat and no issues. Make sure to coat the clear bra as well.

For me I was worried if I coat the car
It will avoid my warranty for xpel ultimate
(I did full warp)
So start searching for alternative

By chance I saw this post and I sent it to the installer

And then he said fine I can use the coating if the xpel company says it's safe and won't avoid warranty



So know after researching long time for alternative to the coating (wax, sealnt, LSP)

I think I will do coating my self with cquartz classic its cheaper than finest

By the way
You know how much will cost me doing coating full car here in Saudi Arabia
Around 4000 usd for opti coat
And up to 5000 usd for ceramic pro 9h 6 layers

2 layers 2000 usd!!


it's crazy expensive
While I read in AGO people do it much much less

But cquartz finest will cost me 1000 usd



Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Yaser222]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

Yeah but don't you guys make like 200k minimum?

Coatings are fine under clear bras. I have suntec on the front over Opti Coat and no issues. Make sure to coat the clear bra as well.

lol not everyone

Actually my car fully wrapped so all panels will be coating over the clear bra

Lucky you
I didn't find suntek here I like it more than xpel ultimate because of its Clarity though xpel ultimate no one know its installed in my car and cost me 3000 usd same price I read it here
that's win for me



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[WillSports3]

Cquartz UK can be layered for a fact. I triple coated my car last weekend more just to see what happens and the gloss is definitely amped up. Previously I had one coat on and it did look nice but it doesn't compare to the triple layer. At the same time I can say that my car with a layer of cquartz easily passed the baggy test with about 5 months on it. The only reason I polished it off is because I put a layer of PBL Synergy for looks. Other wise it'd still be on and going just fine without any issues.

After a wash I did at a coin wash before the re-coating, I sprayed a ton of iron X on my car to see if the coating protected against brake dust burning in and my car only had some on the windshield and my uncoated rims. The paint itself had no red at all after. To get tree sap, even dried tree sap off my car, I spray on UWW or even Chemical Guys pink QD and it gets it right off, even after letting it bake in the sun for a few days. I've had bird bombs bake on my paint for about 12 hours while I'm at work in the middle of the summer and it came right off with a spray of UWW or QD and letting it soak for a few seconds without any etching. To me, those aren't things I was able to get with Meguires UPW on my car previously which although it was great, does not protect the way Cquartz UK has on my car. It also just rained quite a bit here in Toronto, my car was covered with water since it rained about 6 hours straight and then on and off for the rest of the day but my car was completely dry when I pulled into my garage after the highway. I coated my doorjambs and the like just because I wanted to use up the tiny little bit of coating left in the bottle and my door jambs had a total of 5 drops of water after all of this. I find the coating to be the best thing I've put on my paint so far, and realistically speaking it's not bullet proof but it sure is great compared to most sealants I've seen.

 

[tdekany]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

I do not think that Suntek is any clearer. Xpel is fantastic. $3000 for full wrap? Wow! That is a great price! What car do you have? A smart for 2?

lol not everyone

Actually my car fully wrapped so all panels will be coating over the clear bra

Lucky you
I didn't find suntek here I like it more than xpel ultimate because of its Clarity though xpel ultimate no one know its installed in my car and cost me 3000 usd same price I read it here
that's win for me



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[Yaser222]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

lol that car will cost me 500 usd for full wrap

I have lexus rx 2016 panorama
So just quarter of the roof have clear bra
And everything else it's warped


I know it's good price
The authorized dealer for xpel in Saudi Arabia he said will do it for 4000 usd even that he is not in my city 10 hours driving to them

The other shop in my city who do opti coat for 4000 usd
He told me he can wrap my car for 6000 usd!
And it's not even xpel ultimate
He said something like pro shield I'm not sure of the name

I do not think that Suntek is any clearer. Xpel is fantastic. $3000 for full wrap? Wow! That is a great price! What car do you have? A smart for 2?

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[srpurdy]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

lol that car will cost me 500 usd for full wrap

I have lexus rx 2016 panorama
So just quarter of the roof have clear bra
And everything else it's warped


I know it's good price
The authorized dealer for xpel in Saudi Arabia he said will do it for 4000 usd even that he is not in my city 10 hours driving to them

The other shop in my city who do opti coat for 4000 usd
He told me he can wrap my car for 6000 usd!
And it's not even xpel ultimate
He said something like pro shield I'm not sure of the name





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Wow.... thats expensive.

 

[kevincwelch]

I'd be suspicious of those prices and/or the quality. Precut or full wrap? I can't get a quote below $6k for my car.

Sent from my mobile device...

 

[emmjay]

Re: Why isn't everyone using coatings if it is "better" than sealants?

Yeah but don't you guys make like 200k minimum?
.

Saudi Arabia is my neighbour and I can tell you straight up...200k minimum?Hell no! In UAE you make that kind of money only as a pure UAE national. 85% or more of UAE is expatriates, me being one of them too. Life is a little different for us....

Its just a preconceived notion that everyone is rich here. But you will be surprised when you come here....reallllly surprised on how things work in reality and how money flows.

Its still a decent life for most, no doubt, but a lot of this comes at massive costs with a ton of restrictions.

I shall stop here as this is a topic reserved for off the forums.