Confusion with Ceramic Coatings

Hello gentlemen,

I own a detailing shop and have recently ventured into providing nano ceramic coatings but am overwhelmed with different methods, curing times and advices that differ from person to person and company to company. Can someone help me clear out my confusions?

1. Is the curing time between 9H and maintenance layer different from brand to brand like Ceramic Pro has 8 hours time gap between the 9H coating and the maintenance layer, while some other brands have only 1 hour?
2. Is it absolutely must to use IR lamps for curing and baking the coating? Does it make a difference in results if we air dry only?
3. Some say coating cures in 12 hours, some 24 and some 72. Is this also different from brand to brand?
4. I've also noticed some recommend not washing car for a week to upto 15 days, and so let you wash your car after 3 days?

Really could use some expert help here. I've already tried speaking to companies but didn't get much help as everyone says their product is the best and fastest curing!

Would be really thankful for your advices.

Congrats on your upgrade ^^

i'm not an expert and IMHO...

1. Always follow manufacturer's instruction.

2. IR lamp is to speed up curing time unless it's compulsory advise by manufacturers.

3. Yes, different from brand to brand.

4. Most recommend not to get the coated panels wet within 7 days.

Coatings when applying may react/perform different due to humidity, temperatures and other unseen circumstances...
IMO you need to test a few different brand and find those you comfortable working with and more forgiving for your environment ^^

Regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GEM65

Congrats on your upgrade ^^

i'm not an expert and IMHO...

1. Always follow manufacturer's instruction.

2. IR lamp is to speed up curing time unless it's compulsory advise by manufacturers.

3. Yes, different from brand to brand.

4. Most recommend not to get the coated panels wet within 7 days.

Coatings when applying may react/perform different due to humidity, temperatures and other unseen circumstances...
IMO you need to test a few different brand and find those you comfortable working with and more forgiving for your environment ^^

Regards

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To add to this, depending on Coating
.can't get wet for 3-hrs to 12 hrs.
Some.may even be 24hrs...after that it's ok to get wet, just can't wash or spray chemicals on it till after 1 week

And for layering

Some you can do imediately, some within 30 mins others allot longer..guess it depends how heavy the solvent contents are within the coating..
Laying to early you can end up messing up the factory finish and obviously end up with badly adheared coating

Simple course of action is just follow recommendations for that particular coating you're using

While the curing mechanism is essentially the same with all these products, the exact chemistry does vary. Those differences lead to unique application and timing for each product.

I think only one or two brands require IR curing. Most brands will benefit from it just for faster curing and getting the car out the door faster with the gloss increased immediately rather than after a longer cure.

Best advice, pick one, master it and stick with it.