Ceramic coating, clay and stickers

[Podlesniik]

Hi all, I'm planning on applying a ceramic coating to my car, but I have a few questions I haven't found a concrete answer to anywhere

- My car was polished a few weeks ago and had a wax applied to it, but now I'd rather apply a ceramic coating. Will using some 50/50 dish soap remove the wax entirely or is a fine clay necessary?

- In preparation of coating the glass, is claying necessary and if so, which grade should be used?

- Should a small sticker be applied to glass before or after a coating? Will doing it after prevent the sticker to stick properly?

Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Hi all, I'm planning on applying a ceramic coating to my car, but I have a few questions I haven't found a concrete answer to anywhere

- My car was polished a few weeks ago and had a wax applied to it, but now I'd rather apply a ceramic coating. Will using some 50/50 dish soap remove the wax entirely or is a fine clay necessary?



The accepted protocol for removing previously applied car wax or synthetic paint sealants is to MACHINE POLISH the paint. It is only via machine polishing can you trust that 100% of any previously applied LSP is removed so that the coating can make a proper bond.






- In preparation of coating the glass, is claying necessary and if so, which grade should be used?



Yes. Any quality clay or clay substitute will work. If it were me? While I was machine polishing the paint I would then machine polish the glass. There is a road-film that builds up on the exterior of cars and this includes the glass.

It's real easy to prove to your self too - simply machine polish a section of glass and then FEEL the section you polished and the original un-polished area and you will feel how smooth and clean the polished section is.






- Should a small sticker be applied to glass before or after a coating? Will doing it after prevent the sticker to stick properly?

Thanks




Hard to say. Depends on the coating. If you want to be sure - affix the sticker BEFORE putting the coating on the glass and then just work around it.



Welcome to AutogeekOnline!


:welcome:

[Podlesniik]

Thanks!


The accepted protocol for removing previously applied car wax or synthetic paint sealants is to MACHINE POLISH the paint. It is only via machine polishing can you trust that 100% of any previously applied LSP is removed so that the coating can make a proper bond.


I don't own a polisher yet and I feel like paying someone to re-polish the car again at this point is a waste of money. Would a dish soap mix, a fine clay bar and a surface prep achieve a good enough result or is it better to just wait at that point? I'm planning to apply the Gyeon One 1 year coating just to get my feet wet with ceramic, so it's not like I'd be stuck with an imperfect finish for multiple years.

[Bruno Soares]

If you’re not going to polish you should wait a few months to let the wax wear off. Don’t clay if you’re not going to polish, it will marr the finish and require polishing afterwards. Just wash it often (and carefully so you don’t add scratches and swirls to it) and in a few months prep wipe and coat it, should be ok by then.

[Podlesniik]

If you’re not going to polish you should wait a few months to let the wax wear off. Don’t clay if you’re not going to polish, it will marr the finish and require polishing afterwards. Just wash it often (and carefully so you don’t add scratches and swirls to it) and in a few months prep wipe and coat it, should be ok by then.

Would even using a fine/ultrafine clay mar the paint? A lot of forums, videos and manufacturers say that fine clay is “paint safe” and only when using medium or coarser would you need to polish. Your thoughts?

[Podlesniik]

If you’re not going to polish you should wait a few months to let the wax wear off. Don’t clay if you’re not going to polish, it will marr the finish and require polishing afterwards. Just wash it often (and carefully so you don’t add scratches and swirls to it) and in a few months prep wipe and coat it, should be ok by then.

I should maybe also mention that the paint on my car was described by my detailer as very hard. Would this make it harder for clay to mar the paint?

[Bruno Soares]

I should maybe also mention that the paint on my car was described by my detailer as very hard. Would this make it harder for clay to mar the paint?

Sure, harder paint is less prone to marring from clay, and a fine grade is also less likely to do it but there’s always a risk. If it happens, just make sure to have a backup plan, you don’t want to coat a car with marring, it will be there for you to see for a long time.

If someone polished your car recently chances are they also clayed the car before doing so. And unless you live in an area with a lot of airborne contaminants, you probably won’t need to clay again that soon. Do the baggie test to find out.

[Podlesniik]

Sure, harder paint is less prone to marring from clay, and a fine grade is also less likely to do it but there’s always a risk. If it happens, just make sure to have a backup plan, you don’t want to coat a car with marring, it will be there for you to see for a long time.

If someone polished your car recently chances are they also clayed the car before doing so. And unless you live in an area with a lot of airborne contaminants, you probably won’t need to clay again that soon. Do the baggie test to find out.

Thanks for the advice

[Mike Phillips]

Just to chime in,


Spot-on advice.





Sure, harder paint is less prone to marring from clay, and a fine grade is also less likely to do it but there’s always a risk. If it happens, just make sure to have a backup plan, you don’t want to coat a car with marring, it will be there for you to see for a long time.

If someone polished your car recently chances are they also clayed the car before doing so. And unless you live in an area with a lot of airborne contaminants, you probably won’t need to clay again that soon. Do the baggie test to find out.




:)

[Mike Phillips]

I don't own a polisher yet




You could hand-apply a polish - it would be a lot of work and in my opinion and experience, most people I have met don't have the skill or muscle to hand polish a scratch-sensitive clearcoat without marring the paint at the same time but it is an option.

The problem with trying to wash and clay the wax that was just applied is there's no way to know if 100% of the wax was in fact removed. Maybe it was? Maybe it wasn't.

Modern waxes are made to be washing and detergent resistant, at least quality waxes. So today's "better" technology and chemistry is both your friend and in your case your enemy.


I like what Bruce recommended, drive the car. Enjoy the freshly detailed appearance. As time goes by and you wash the car - the act of washing a car, that is rubbing a wash mitt over the surface MICRO-ABRADES the wax off the car. This is the downside of wax as compared to both synthetic paint sealants and modern paint coatings.

Then as you see the glossy paint start to lose it's crisp POP! Then wash the car, clay if needed, (do the baggie test), and then prep and coat the car. My guess the coating will go on fine.


Until you're ready to coat the car, do some research and reading and figure out which brand of coating you want to use. Then look to see if that brand also makes the PREP products, whatever they might be.

Here's a product you can apply by hand or machine and other companies have product like this. They will gently clean the surface of any pre-existing substances and leave the paint ready for the installation of the coating.

BLACKFIRE Pro Primer Polish (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-pro-primer-polish.html)



:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's some reference reading.....


Ceramic Paint Coating How-To Articles by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/124296-ceramic-paint-coating-how-articles-mike-phillips.html)


Here is a list of articles I've written on the topic of Ceramic Paint Coatings. Most of in-depth and filled with lots of helpful information. More then you'll ever find in a message on a Facebook group. :laughing:



The below article has a TON of how-to info in it - besides the review of the product.

Review: GYEON Q2 ONE Enthusiast Ceramic Coating by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fycfm9n5h)



This one is so important...

Installing a Ceramic Paint Coating? You MUST have a GREAT hand held light to avoid high spots! (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2018-new-car-detailing-how-to-article-by-mike-phillips/120538-installing-ceramic-paint-coating-you-must-have-great-hand-held-light-avoid-high-spots.html)




Here's some more I wrote, most of them this year or last year.

Ceramic Paint Coating Lingo (words used in the car detailing industry to describe the paint coating process) (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2009-to-2017-how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122295-ceramic-paint-coating-lingo-words-used-car-detailing-industry-describe-paint-coating-process.html)

How to remove a Ceramic Paint Coating High Spot by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fy8w8xao5)

Microfiber towels for ceramic paint coatings - How to care for - by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fy7ov7s24)

The case against multi-year ceramic paint coatings - Road Grime = Surface Staining Daily Drivers by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2018-new-car-detailing-how-to-article-by-mike-phillips/119815-case-against-multi-year-ceramic-paint-coatings-road-grime-surface-staining-daily-drivers-mike-phillips.html)

What are the benefits of a ceramic paint coating? (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2018-new-car-detailing-how-to-article-by-mike-phillips/122293-what-benefits-ceramic-paint-coating.html)

How to chemically strip paint for a ceramic paint coating (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2018-new-car-detailing-how-to-article-by-mike-phillips/122296-how-chemically-strip-paint-ceramic-paint-coating.html)

How, why & when to inspect your microfiber towels when detailing cars (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fya8l4k4s)

Permeable and Impermeable - Towel Control for Ceramic Coatings (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fyc6qux5o)

What are Ceramic Paint Coatings? (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2009-to-2017-how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122294-what-ceramic-paint-coatings.html)

Mother Natures Car Wash and Ceramic Coatings (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/123581-mother-natures-car-wash-ceramic-coatings.html)

How to wash a coated car - The Gentle Approach for Washing a Car by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/103632-how-wash-coated-car-gentle-approach-washing-car-mike-phillips.html)

Review & How-To: Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Paint Coating (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/96240-review-how-wolfgang-uber-ceramic-paint-coating.html)

Detailer’s Paint Coating on Single Stage Paint (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/67950-detailer-s-paint-coating-single-stage-paint.html)

How to maintain a Coated Garage Queen by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122785-how-maintain-coated-garage-queen-mike-phillips.html)

How to safely wash a ceramic coated car by Mike Phillips - Traditional Hose & Bucket Approach (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/122818-how-safely-wash-ceramic-coated-car-mike-phillips-traditional-hose-bucket-approach.html)

Black Label Coating Detailer & Booster - Synergistic Chemical Compatibility (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/75896-black-label-coating-detailer-booster-synergistic-chemical-compatibility.html)

2017 MONSTER JEEP - Ceramic Coating Class - Wednesday, January 17th (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fy7pjv25e)

Review: Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coating - 2011 Inferno Orange Metallic Corvette Grand Sport (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/122441-review-pinnacle-black-label-diamond-paint-coating-2011-inferno-orange-metallic-corvette-grand-sport.html)

BLACKFIRE Pro Cermaic Coating - SUPER GLOSS (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/118833-blackfire-pro-cermaic-coating-super-gloss.html)

Review & How-To: Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Paint Coating (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/96240-review-how-wolfgang-uber-ceramic-paint-coating.html)

Review: Marine 31 Gel Coat Prep Spray & Captain’s Boat Coating with UV50 (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/123433-review-marine-31-gel-coat-prep-spray-captain-s-boat-coating-uv50.html)

Pictures: 2002 Panoz Esperante - BLACKFIRE Crystal Coat Paint Coating (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-thursday-night-projects/91593-pictures-2002-panoz-esperante-blackfire-crystal-coat-paint-coating.html)

Review: - LC HDO Foam Pads - Makita PO5000C - Supercharged Dodge Yellow Jacket (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fy9qfns7j)

Prediction - More one-step cleaner/COATINGS or CCAIOS i.e. Ceramic Coating All-in-One type products (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions-/120830-prediction-more-one-step-cleaner-coatings-ccaios-i-e-ceramic-coating-all-one-type-products.html)

3-Categories: Waxes, Paint Sealants and Coatings (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/34185-3-categories-waxes-paint-sealants-coatings.html)

How to use the SONAX CC36 Ceramic Paint Coating (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fycen73s8)




And just to note, for anyone reading this into the future. Anytime you're looking for car detailing or boat detailing information, here's how I found the above,


I went to Skynet (https://www.google.com/) and typed in,


Ceramic Coatings Mike Phillips


A pulled up most of the above. A few key words and my first and last name finds a LOT of stuff on Skynet.



:)