Paint Protection before Ceramic

[tkline01]

What would you use as a temporary paint protection on a new vehicle? Going to ceramic coat it but it will be several weeks before I can get to it.


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[MarkD51]

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your stay.

If it's a product you wish buying here, I might suggest a simple spray wax, or a decent spray detailer.
Or, I might suggest a WOWA (Wipe on-Walk away) Paint Sealant.

Such products would be something like Optimum Opti-Seal, Or Ultima Paint Guard Plus.

Reason I'd choose these WOWAs, is because they leave basically nothing in the way of residues that you might have to possibly dig out of cracks and/or small nooks and crannies for the proper prep of a ceramic coating.

Another beauty of these that I'll mention because they leave behind virtually zero residues, is that it's pretty rare that people go to such great lengths to ceramic coat insides of doors, door jambs, under hood and under trunk areas that are painted.

This is where these WOWAs shine, and that I personally like them so much, it makes it very easy to protect these harder to deal with areas. Also, one bottle of either goes very far, so little is needed.

These crystal clear WOWAs will give you about 3 months of good paint protection on a daily driver.

You might get other suggestions, these are just mine.

[FUNX650]

What would you use as a temporary
paint protection on a new vehicle?

Going to ceramic coat it but it will be
several weeks before I can get to it.

There are several temporary paint protection
products—some more expensive than others.
Here are a couple for your consideration:

1.) TransitWrap/RoadWrap Paint Protection Film

2.) BLACKFIRE Bug Blocker (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-bug-blocker.html)



Bob

[MarkD51]

Let's say you choose a ceramic coating such as Carpro CQuartz, or CQuartz UK 3.0.

Or let's say another similar durable Coating product of your personal choice.

Your mileage might vary dependent on just how clean the paint is prior to coating, but you might find you'll need to do a full decon, and possible use of a clay bar, or clay bar substitute.

Then in basically any instance, even if you never applied a protectant at all, you'll still likely need to do a paint prep step just before applying the coating.

In Carpro's line-up of products, that product would be Carpro Eraser.

Not sure of your experience level, or what tools and other products you have on hand, the clay bar processes "might" leave some minor light sleeks and marring in the paint. Note how I say "might".

That many detailers might then be inclined to then polish the paint with a D/A Polisher, very light aggressive foam pads, and a very fine finishing polish.

If you decide to use clay, then I might suggest a very mild-gentle Clay, and commonly the mildest you'll find would be Pinnacle Blue Ultra Poly Clay. Be sure to use copious amounts of a good Clay Lubricant.

Yeah I know, lots of extra steps, time and money spent, but when using these durable coatings, there's basically nothing that can be done to improve the condition of the paint after the coating is applied.

The "Plastic Baggie Test" will help be your guide to check the condition of the paint surface. The hand is placed within a very thin Plastic Sandwich Bag, which dramatically enhances your feel of the paint surface, and can better judge what, if any contaminants are adhered to your paint. Can also be used to check all outer glass as well.

Hope this helps.

[The Guz]

What is the definition of several weeks?

[Larry A]

in the mean time use a spray wax . there are a lot of good ones out their.

[PaulMys]

For "a few weeks", just use any reputable brand of spray wax.

Duragloss Aquawax is one of my favorites, but there are literally hundreds of options.