New M340i - Help me decide what to use!

[gofast182]

Last month I got a new M340i in Portimao Blue (very happy with the color). Right now, since it's winter and I can't do a full detail process because I'd have to work outside, I'm washing regularly and applying Optimum Instant Detailer and Gloss Enhancer while trying to figure out what to apply in the spring. I've been going back and forth between a coating, sealant, or going old school with wax. Maintenance doesn't bother me so much and gloss is my priority over hydrophobicity.

My strongest inclination is to go with a coating because it's what all the cool kids are doing. I installed Polish Angel Cosmic V2 coating on my wife's new X5 (white) and so far it's working OK (still going on the flats but failing on lower door panels). I would probably use something different on my car. Top contenders are Gyeon Syncro kit (MOHS, Skin, Cure), GTechniq (CSL+EXO), although I'd still consider Polish Angel maybe with a different product.

For sealants I'm still a huge fan of PowerLock+ which I have on hand or I'm also thinking of a spray sealant like Britemax Remax because it's simple and has a very high gloss level. I also have Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 and while initial gloss is impressive that gloss level doesn't last long so it's out.

I probably won't do wax but the thought crossed my mind for keeping the blue glossy. I have P21S, Lusso Oro, and of course 845 already in my arsenal.

Based on my candidates give me some thoughts on the approach I should take to keep this blue paint looking beautiful. Here are some pics to see the color in different light.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49283256163_007843d3c2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i5Zz4a)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49283733461_b1ec61c484_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i631Wr)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49283731841_3322933b65_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i631sv)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49201888541_04c2bd5e42_k.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49201401468_f83562b117_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hXL3vj)

[Bill D]

I love that blue! It’s similar to my Belize Blue Accord. I use Fuzion and don’t mind having to reapply it every three months or so.

[The Guz]

If those are your only two options for coatings then based on my experience choose CSL and Exo.

Firs off I will post up my thread on Gyeon Syncro. I was not that impressed with it and it didn't live up to all the hype from Gyeon. Skin is fantastic but doesn't last long. In the end for me the performance was not worth the cost of the product.

2015 Impala with Gyeon Syncro (MOHS + Skin) (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/117291-2015-impala-gyeon-syncro-mohs-skin.html)

You can follow this thread I created on testing various coatings. By the time you are ready I will have the next update.

2020 Ceramic Coating 1 Year Test (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/125406-2020-ceramic-coating-1-year-test.html)

If you are open to other coating option and gloss is your priority then I would recommend Cquartz TiO2 topped with Gliss. The titanium dioxide will give you more reflectivity. The other option is Cquartz UK 3.0 topped with Gliss. The last option if you are not worried about longevity is Cquartz Lite.

Review - CarPro Cquartz Lite (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/123222-review-carpro-cquartz-lite.html)

[Ancient1]

I have had both Syncro and CSL/Exo on my car and will say the CSL combo looked a little better and the Sycro had better self cleaning ability.

[brianc636]

What about the power lock + and 845 combo most rave about? Especially since you have the power lock already?

I plan on doing this combo in the spring to my new pacific blue Sierra AT4.

[Desertnate]

Great car and amazing color. By the looks of the wheels, you have some of the other performance options too, right?

I'd go with a variation of Guz's suggestion. I'd simply coat it with CQuartz UK 3.0. It's easy to maintain, looks great, and will last a long time.

[gofast182]

If those are your only two options for coatings then based on my experience choose CSL and Exo.

Firs off I will post up my thread on Gyeon Syncro. I was not that impressed with it and it didn't live up to all the hype from Gyeon. Skin is fantastic but doesn't last long. In the end for me the performance was not worth the cost of the product.

2015 Impala with Gyeon Syncro (MOHS + Skin) (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/117291-2015-impala-gyeon-syncro-mohs-skin.html)

You can follow this thread I created on testing various coatings. By the time you are ready I will have the next update.

2020 Ceramic Coating 1 Year Test (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/125406-2020-ceramic-coating-1-year-test.html)

If you are open to other coating option and gloss is your priority then I would recommend Cquartz TiO2 topped with Gliss. The titanium dioxide will give you more reflectivity. The other option is Cquartz UK 3.0 topped with Gliss. The last option if you are not worried about longevity is Cquartz Lite.

Review - CarPro Cquartz Lite (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/123222-review-carpro-cquartz-lite.html)

Really nice job and write up on the Impala.

I'll look forward to your first update. You're right, the timing will work out well.

Cquartz Lite will be a candidate. I like the idea or removing high spots with more product.

[gofast182]

What about the power lock + and 845 combo most rave about? Especially since you have the power lock already?

I plan on doing this combo in the spring to my new pacific blue Sierra AT4.

I actually have both already and that's a possibility.

[gofast182]

I love that blue! It’s similar to my Belize Blue Accord. I use Fuzion and don’t mind having to reapply it every three months or so.

I'm sure that looks beautiful when it's done. A 3 month interval without the cleaning ability of a coating does seem like a lot as we enter 2020 (who would've thought that a few years ago).

[gofast182]

Btw I have some factory installed swirls so I'll be polishing with Menzerna SF4500 before I do this eventual LSP.

[gofast182]

Great car and amazing color. By the looks of the wheels, you have some of the other performance options too, right?

I'd go with a variation of Guz's suggestion. I'd simply coat it with CQuartz UK 3.0. It's easy to maintain, looks great, and will last a long time.

No performance options and none needed IMO. It's bonkers fast and grips very well for what it is.

CQuartz is popular for a reason, it's a proven entity. I'm certainly considering it.

[Ancient1]

The color of your car reminds me of my sons car I did a couple years ago with Syncro.

https://photos.smugmug.com/BrandonG/i-vF6hb5D/0/75adf780/X2/2018-08-13%2012.12.29-X2.jpg

[acuRAS82]

Awesome vehicle and beautiful color. That blue is what would be the final cherry on top of any dream car for me. Is this the X-drive or RWD?

In case you want another vote, I’ll only suggest looking into PA’s blue carnauba flake cream to use over whichever LSP you choose. I’ve never tried it but the black spray is great and it will keep really nice shine for a few months and is an ideal maintenance product for what you’re looking for. As a bonus, if you go with a sealant, the PA Spray will improve your hydrophobicity, but main attraction is shine.

Too many nice LSPs already mentioned for me to chime in.

[gofast182]

It's xDrive.

I looked and didn't see blue carnauba flake cream, I saw black, white, and red. They make interesting claims for longevity and chemical resistance for a wax.

[Ancient1]

They do it's called Blue Xilion. I have the silver, black and gold but have only used the black.