worth getting a paint coating?

S

sshazam

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2014
Messages
134
Reaction score
0
Hello all,

I'm finding it harder and harder to spend time detailing the car. So i'm considering just applying a coating to it myself. Plus really like the fact it protects against bird bombs.

Is the aftercare process just washing the car ? or do I still have to polish out scratches, clay and wax etc? Reason I ask is I just spent a lot of money restocking my supplies and don't want it to go to waste. :buffing:

For those with a coating do you regret it ?

Thanks for all the help !
 
I believe the polishing part may depend on the level of care you give it during your wash process.

I wonder about claying. 2,3 ,5 years, whatever, is a long time tong without claying a vehicle. While sap and tar might not stick as well, what about rail dust?

If you clay, then you might need to polish. If you polish, then it will most likely be removing the coating. I am not sure what affect clay has on a coating. I know it seems to remove lesser LSPs.
 
Nope .... I don't see myself going back to a sealant or wax. That said, I truly was a 'nuba wax nut. I loved the wetness, and depth. Coatings offer a lot of gloss and durability is just so darn good and they are quite easy to apply.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
Nope .... I don't see myself going back to a sealant or wax. That said, I truly was a 'nuba wax nut. I loved the wetness, and depth. Coatings offer a lot of gloss and durability is just so darn good and they are quite easy to apply.
Click to expand...

This is great to know !

Which coating did you use? Can you use it on glass?
Do you apply wax on top of your coating ?
 
I'm started to move to coatings myself, living in a 3rd floor apartment and working nights I just don't have the time or location. Coatings give my vehicle(s) the protection they need until I find the time to detail (which these days are few and faaaaar apart). In fact I purchased 2 coatings to play with (Opt. & Pinnacle) to replace my current sealant on my truck. I might just sell/trade all my Megs #16 and Pinnacle Paste Glaz off and stick with coatings (well maybe keep 1 of each :D )
 
wytstang said:
I'm started to move to coatings myself, living in a 3rd floor apartment and working nights I just don't have the time or location. Coatings give my vehicle(s) the protection they need until I find the time to detail (which these days are few and faaaaar apart). In fact I purchased 2 coatings to play with (Opt. & Pinnacle) to replace my current sealant on my truck. I might just sell/trade all my Megs #16 and Pinnacle Paste Glaz off and stick with coatings (well maybe keep 1 of each :D )
Click to expand...

This is exactly why i'm looking at coatings ! I love the look of a freshly detailed car but sadly don't have the time. I realised if I can not coat certain parts of the car to save costs but use my remainder 845 on it.

Have you noticed any difference between Opt and Pinnacle ?
 
I have only used Pinnacle V1 on my mustang and after 6 months of not driving it and it being covered in "tree dirt", I was very pleasantly surprised on how easy it was to wash off using a rinse-less wash. I took it to a car wash and hit it with the power sprayer first and then took it home and did the rinse-less. I've done this before but with sealants and the drag created by the dirt (lots of tree dirt) when the sealant was long dead was quit the task to clean. This go around I noticed right away there was not much resistance on my mitt like before.
 
The beading may be weak after 1 year (coated my car Thanksgiving 2014) it's still there and I hadn't done a thing to my mustang but a rinse-less wash once every oh 5 month or so. Either then that it has sat outside 24/7 for the last 1yr and 1month with just the coating protecting it. All though in a few days my mustang with be sitting in my dads garage until I have a place of my own, my truck needs to be protected 24/7. So I am giving either Opt. coating or Pinnacle V2 the task of protecting a work truck that sees light off-road duty quit often with sparse cleaning here and there.
 
well one thing for sure, you will need good wash, clay and remove all the contaminate and old waxes, or anything that can cause coating to not bond properly.

i highly recommend doing paint correction or at least polishing it, but that is optional for me.

and do it garage!
 
choijw2 said:
well one thing for sure, you will need good wash, clay and remove all the contaminate and old waxes, or anything that can cause coating to not bond properly.

i highly recommend doing paint correction or at least polishing it, but that is optional for me.

and do it garage!
Click to expand...

Is there any other way to do it ! :laughing:
 
Don't regret coating my vehicles.

With my twin boys being born last week, my time for car maintenance is greatly reduced. It has been replaced with other joyous events. Rinsless washes are quick and easy.
 
Ebg18t said:
Don't regret coating my vehicles.

With my twin boys being born last week, my time for car maintenance is greatly reduced. It has been replaced with other joyous events. Rinsless washes are quick and easy.
Click to expand...

I'm getting to excited at the thought of just being able to hit the car with the foam gun and hopefully have all the dirt come off and not have to sit there and hand wash it.
 
Definitely worth doing, I'm always busy working full time detailing part time and 3 kids! I applied gloss coat to my ride and it stays cleaner longer and when I do find time to wash, a simple rinseless or waterless gets the job done no problem.
 
choijw2 said:
well one thing for sure, you will need good wash, clay and remove all the contaminate and old waxes, or anything that can cause coating to not bond properly.

i highly recommend doing paint correction or at least polishing it, but that is optional for me.

and do it garage!
sshazam said:
Is there any other way to do it ! :laughing:
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
•Attaining 100% paint correction/perfection
may not always be feasible, or even possible.

•So...In/For those scenarios:
-Because of its minor swirl filling abilities;
and being able to be layered...the best
Coating option, IMO, would be CQuartz UK.

sshazam said:
I'm getting to excited at the thought of just being able to hit the car with the foam gun and hopefully have all the dirt come off and not have to sit there and hand wash it.
Click to expand...
Best of luck on not using "agitation"
in order to remove contaminates.


Bob
 
choijw2 said:
just answering your question since you asked if there is any process you need to do after washing.....
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't mean it in a rude way at all !

I really do appreciate all the help i've received. I meant it more in a tongue and cheek manner. Once again sorry if It came across as rude
 
sshazam said:
Hello all,

I'm finding it harder and harder to spend time detailing the car. So i'm considering just applying a coating to it myself. Plus really like the fact it protects against bird bombs.

Is the aftercare process just washing the car ?

Thanks for all the help !
Click to expand...

A coating sounds like exactly what you are looking for. Minimal maintenance is required in order to keep a freshly detailed look for a LONG time. Coatings are not for everyone. They still require a proper washing routine for maximum longevity.

I absolutely love having our personal vehicles coated. Between my work van, our minivan, and our other car there is a lot of surface area to keep clean and shiny. Since coating everything my only maintenance is bi-weekly washes and Reload applications whenever I want to amp up the gloss.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
A coating sounds like exactly what you are looking for. Minimal maintenance is required in order to keep a freshly detailed look for a LONG time. Coatings are not for everyone. They still require a proper washing routine for maximum longevity.

I absolutely love having our personal vehicles coated. Between my work van, our minivan, and our other car there is a lot of surface area to keep clean and shiny. Since coating everything my only maintenance is bi-weekly washes and Reload applications whenever I want to amp up the gloss.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help and advice !
I have been very much loving having the car coated with various Collinite waxes so should love the coating more.

Can anyone recommend a coating ? AG seems to sell so many I have no clue which one to go for.
 
Not sure there is a wrong choice. Read all the reviews (lots of great ones in the product review section here) and pick the one that fits what you are looking for. I personally chose Wolfgang Uber coating due to ease of application for first time user and being able to apply it to everything--glass, wheels, paint and exhaust tips. Extremely satisfied with it. Looks great, was easy to apply and just as importantly upkeep is a breeze. I spend around 30 minutes a week now on upkeep where I used to spend 3-4 hours before switching to a coating. Faithful Zaino user for a long time and would have thought it blasphemy that anything could look better. I was wrong. I think it looks better now AND doesn't take 3 to 4 hours. Of course, there was a time that I enjoyed spending that time. Now I enjoy driving the car more than detailing it. Just have realistic expectations. DIY coatings aren't magical force fields as some folks think. You still have to use proper technique for washes. The most important piece of advice, regardless of which coating you choose, is preparation BEFORE coating. Get as many imperfections out as you can by polishing (I still have a few as I wasn't willing to get as aggressive as required for a few stubborn scratches but I know where they are and can live with them. 99% of folks think my paint is flawless) and verify they are gone with proper lighting. Then make sure the surface is free of anything that will not allow the coating to bond to the surface. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, most come with some form of prep "polish". I think most unfavorable comments of any DIY coating, or any other surface product for that matter, results from unrealistic expectations, incorrect preparation or bad technique just like anything else detailing related. For the average DIY guy everything else is personal preference/loyalty wars and marketing genious of the manufacturer for the most part. Good luck!

Link to my review of the WG Coating:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/96565-wolfgang-uber-ceramic-coating-review.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top