Paint protection

[Tony F]

Just got my gladiator 2 weeks ago and wondering when you are applying 1st coat of wax? Is it good from the factory for a year or should I put something on it soon? Been using chemical guys synthetic quick detailer between washes for water spots but that’s it. What are your favorite products to use? Thanks!

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[pcrawfordpt]

I clay bar‘d and put a ceramic coating on the weekend I brought it home.

 

[Mrbizkitt]

Just got my gladiator 2 weeks ago and wondering when you are applying 1st coat of wax? Is it good from the factory for a year or should I put something on it soon? Been using chemical guys synthetic quick detailer between washes for water spots but that’s it. What are your favorite products to use? Thanks!

I’m going to go the ceramic coat route soon. Look into that.

 

[Tony F]

I clay bar‘d and put a ceramic coating on the weekend I brought it home.

Do you apply the ceramic coating yourself or have it done? Not too familiar. Thanks

 

[pcrawfordpt]

Applied myself. Used Mother’s CMX. Wash, Clay Bar, CMX Surface Prep, CMX coating. Easier to apply than wax.

 

[Dqban]

Do you apply the ceramic coating yourself or have it done? Not too familiar. Thanks

apply yourself. totally worth it. they will charge you near $1000 to do it professionally. Easy to do when car is new and paint still looks good. It makes keeping the paint clean sooooo much easier

 

[Tony F]

apply yourself. totally worth it. they will charge you near $1000 to do it professionally. Easy to do when car is new and paint still looks good. It makes keeping the paint clean sooooo much easier

 

[Tony F]

Applied myself. Used Mother’s CMX. Wash, Clay Bar, CMX Surface Prep, CMX coating. Easier to apply than wax.

Do I need to use a clay bar even though it’s only 2 weeks old? Thanks

 

[jefrac]

Do I need to use a clay bar even though it’s only 2 weeks old? Thanks

I do paint protection film and ceramic coating professionally. Yes, clay bar if the vehicle has ever been outside. It is a simple, easy process and there is no downside. I always find some kind of contamination... pollen, sap... some organic that did not come off with a good hand wash.

 

[Casique]

I clayed and put a ceramic coating on the first weekend I brought it home. Prep is critical, thats why professionals charge so much, but I would not pay it.

This is what I did. Its not just the ceramic application. Wash it with a wax removing car wash, then clay it, wash it again, correct the paint with a buffing compound and buffer, wash again, then coat with the ceramic product.

Good luck!

 

[Dqban]

The cost for professional ceramic coating application is totally about the preparation involved. That's why newer cars should be less expensive to do. There is less paint correction involved.
If you really want to do it well, wash, Claybar, iron remover, polish (likely only a finishing polish since the car is new), soap and polish remover, then finally ceramic coating.

There are multiple brands of ceramic.
With regards to application only, I find CQ quartz the easiest. There may technically be some longer lasting products but they force you to work with tighter time frames and are less forgiving and require mixing to separate liquids. Not ideal for the more novice user and in all honesty I really haven't noticed much better results.

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