Prep for Ceramic Coating

[20ducks]

Did I miss anything

Steps taken in order:
Wash car
Clay bar
Remove any swirls etc with Menzurna 3800 using a Flex 3401 w/Lake Country Orange pad
Wipe with 50% RODI~ 50% (91%) IPA, change wiping towels often (70/30 brand new towels)
Wipe again and again checking paint surface with a high lumen light.

Apply 20H Coating.

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[Crew4991]

Once complete, don't forget to have the cute blonde wash your car going forward.

The cute blonde:

 

[Ryunker]

Did I miss anything

Steps taken in order:
Wash car
Clay bar
Remove any swirls etc with Menzurna 3800 using a Flex 3401 w/Lake Country Orange pad
Wipe with 50% RODI~ 50% (91%) IPA, change wiping towels often (70/30 brand new towels)
Wipe again and again checking paint surface with a high lumen light.

Apply 20H Coating.

I am not familiar with your swirl remover specs. One should compound the entire car, then swirl remover products used will differ by each individual. Clay before buff may be a waste of time.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Iron metal decon wash wax sealant stripper. Claybar, then multi stage polish refining down to finer pad and compound. The smoother and cleaner the paint the higher the gloss will be when the ceramic cures fully. Also know that ceramic coatings are on the pencil hardness scale and not the mohs hardness scale.

 

[20ducks]

The paint is in excellent condition as the car is brand new. Light compound removes any micro scratches and surface crud the clay bar might have missed. Redundant effort? Yes.

 

[Southpaw78]

I was just going to say iron remover before clay bar as well. I was surprised how much fall out was on a brand new car.

 

[roadpilot]

My prep for ceramic coating:

Drive to detailer.
Park car.
Hand over key fob.
Leave.

 

[20ducks]

My prep for ceramic coating:

Drive to detailer.
Park car.
Hand over key fob.
Leave.

Impressive. Does he take care of your wife as well?

 

[Mr Hyde]

The paint is in excellent condition as the car is brand new. Light compound removes any micro scratches and surface crud the clay bar might have missed. Redundant effort? Yes.

you would be surprised how bad new paint can be. Sitting on lots rain, chemicals, iron from brake dust sitting on them and run through an automated sandpaper wash. Orange peel, scratches crazing and micro marring. The more work you put in before ceramic coating the better it will look. While ceramic coatings can be removed its usually a pain in the ass.

 

[Skye]

I'm attaching two threads authored by @DFB5.0 : one, a general checklist of prep, and two, the process, step-by-step, with photos.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/prep-before-ceramic-coating.182199/

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/holiday-project-mustang-polishing-and-waxing.174446/

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/basic-ceramic-coating-questions.185347/

Some additional threads of product comparisons, reviews and techniques.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/whats-in-dfbs-cabinet.175925/page-159#post-4154901

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...book-of-detailing-updated-august-2024.178215/

 

[roadpilot]

Impressive. Does he take care of your wife as well?

Negative. I take care of his.

 

[20ducks]

What product is recommended for upkeep once a Ceramic Coating is applied and cured?

 

[jimbo67]

What product is recommended for upkeep once a Ceramic Coating is applied and cured?

I followed all the steps, fortunate to have a place to do it with proper lighting. Took me 10 hours straight. Did it when the car was new. Looks and stayed looking good. Washing with the correct ph balanced car soap recommended for ceramic coat by hand is important. Then use a leaf blower wipe the vehicle dry with drying towels. Every 2 to 3 months use a ceramic coat topper. A year later later still looks great. Mind you I don't have a garage and don't use a car cover.

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