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      05-17-2022, 08:02 AM   #1
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DIY Ceramic Coatings

So, I'm taking delivery of my M340 this week and I've been going back and forth on weather or not I'd get the car professionally ceramic coated. Based upon the cost of the tint and PPF I've decided to DIY the coating. I've been watching some YouTube videos and reading on coatings trying to figure out which ones to go with. Currently I'm leaning toward GTechniq because they have a product to coat the PPF as well.

Looking at GTechniq Crystal Serum Light on the paint, with EXOv4 over that, and GTechniq HALO on the PPF areas.

Does anyone have any experience with these products, or recommend other ceramic coatings that you've used with good results?
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      05-17-2022, 09:06 AM   #2
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I used Ethos Graphene Matrix on my G22. It's been holding up excellent after 13 months. Polished with Xtreme Solutions LVR Ice before the coating.
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      05-17-2022, 09:54 PM   #3
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+1 for DIY. I used CSL and Exo V4. I'm on year 2 of the coating and it's just starting to show signs of failure in certain spots. Although you do need good lighting to see any high spots/missed coating otherwise you'll have to spend time polishing the coating off.
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      05-17-2022, 11:05 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jp0319 View Post

Looking at GTechniq Crystal Serum Light on the paint, with EXOv4 over that, and GTechniq HALO on the PPF areas.

Does anyone have any experience with these products, or recommend other ceramic coatings that you've used with good results?
I have just over a year on my CSL/EXOv4 coating. It is holding up well, but note that I do use Beadmaker as a drying aid/sacrificial top coat whenever I wash the car. Our bimmer is also garaged about 60-70% of the time. I also coated my wife's Infiniti which seemed easier to do based on the experience I gained on the M340.
You sound like you know what to expect, but I will repeat the well worn phrase that prep is the most important step(s). Also try to work with good lighting, as high spots are tough to remove if you don't see them immediately (I had one).
My only disappointment is that I have had a few water spots that took both chemicals and polishing to remove. Pollen season mixed with spring rains is the pits!
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      05-19-2022, 11:28 AM   #5
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I've used CQUK 2.0 on my B9 A4 back in 2017. It held up really well. When I returned the car at least end after 3 years, the gloss and water beading was excellent. So much so that the person who came to check the car out at least turn in said it looked better than a brand new car on a dealership floor.

I haven't done it to my BMW because the dealer absolutely messed up my paint even though I asked them not to touch the car when delivering it. Haven't done paint correction since I couldn't find the time and the nearest detailer is more than an hour away.

But if I were to do it myself again, I'd definitely get CQUK 3.0. Just because my experience with it's predecessor was excellent.
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      05-26-2022, 08:29 PM   #6
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OP - since you are specifically going to add ceramic to PPF, I would recommend the Carpro Cqaurtz skin which was designed for PPF application.
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      06-02-2022, 11:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peelerec View Post
OP - since you are specifically going to add ceramic to PPF, I would recommend the Carpro Cqaurtz skin which was designed for PPF application.
Looks similar to the GTechniq HALO I am planning on using. I'd prefer to keep all products from one brand, have you used the CarPro CQuartz ceramic coating? Is that good?
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      06-02-2022, 02:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jp0319 View Post
Looks similar to the GTechniq HALO I am planning on using. I'd prefer to keep all products from one brand, have you used the CarPro CQuartz ceramic coating? Is that good?
Yep. I've used CQuartz on multiple vehicles so I am definitely biased, but I have nothing but great results albeit with proper application.
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      06-02-2022, 03:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peelerec View Post
Yep. I've used CQuartz on multiple vehicles so I am definitely biased, but I have nothing but great results albeit with proper application.
Ok, thanks, I'll give CQuartz a look.
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