Point me towards my first ceramic coating

[SC Maintenance]

I am going to strip my truck (probably no wax left on it anyway) then try a ceramic. If anyone wants to point me towards the best product that would be helpful.

I will need a wax removing wash and the coating. Please recommend both if you can.

Best to me means easy to apply and lasts a while. Goal is not to look wonderful - but to generally protect the paint to some degree. Not too expensive. I read Groats might be a budget friendly product to start with?

I am not going to clay bar. Feel free to tell me to do so - still not going to happen. Rubbing something on a white paint thats already had a couple small spots that lifted doesn't sound like a good idea. And I am just too lazy anyway.

 

[ecotourist]

I saw a pre-owned Tesla that had a ceramic coat. The paint had not been properly prepared before hand and quite unattractive streaks had been enclosed, probably for at least the next decade. In spite of that car being very clean, it looked pretty bad.

You should only ceramic coat what you're happy to see indefinitely.

 

[Cujet]

Two coats, 24 hours apart, of Griots 3 in 1 spray is darn close to matching the best products on the market. And it goes on in minutes, not hours. So reapplication on my F150 is a 5 minute job.

I won't link to the latest Project Farm video on ceramic coatings. Griots did well in comparison to the top performing Gtechniq ceramic. And I am sure he did not do the suggested two coats with the Griots. It's that good.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I saw a pre-owned Tesla that had a ceramic coat. The paint had not been properly prepared before hand and quite unattractive streaks had been enclosed, probably for at least the next decade. In spite of that car being very clean, it looked pretty bad.

You should only ceramic coat what you're happy to see indefinitely.

Please say more?

I am fine if I don't have a perfect finish. Obviously I will strip any remaining wax, probably more than once, with a wax removing wash, and make sure its impeccably clean. Its a 14 year old white truck. I am not looking for show car finish. My understanding is the clay bar mostly is to remove embedded contaminants, which I am fine leaving.

 

[Nessism1]

I use Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions. It does not last as long as they claim, but it only takes about 10 minutes to apply, so I don't care. I do it every third month, and I don't buff it off. The finish looks a tiny bit streaky after applying, but that's gone quickly enough. Main thing is the protection.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Two coats, 24 hours apart, of Griots 3 in 1 spray is darn close to matching the best products on the market. And it goes on in minutes, not hours. So reapplication on my F150 is a 5 minute job.

I won't link to the latest Project Farm video on ceramic coatings. Griots did well in comparison to the top performing Gtechniq ceramic. And I am sure he did not do the suggested two coats with the Griots. It's that good.

This one - correct?

 

[Nessism1]

My understanding is the clay bar mostly is to remove embedded contaminants, which I am fine leaving.

Removing the embedded particles improves durability of the paint, which is the whole purpose of paint protection products.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Removing the embedded particles improves durability of the paint, which is the whole purpose of paint protection products.

I know a fair bit about paint and base clear, given I even sprayed a few back in the day, and the idea that mechanically grinding some embedded brake dust out of the clear makes it last longer I find uncompelling.

Either way - too lazy. I will wash off the old wax and apply some ceramic to my 14 year old paint. Whatever happens, happens.

 

[chris719]

Griots 3 in 1 does not come remotely close to a good, bottled ceramic coating. I used it for years. Project Farm testing is flawed as usual.

I highly recommend Gyeon Mohs Evo (2 layers, one an hour after the first as per instructions). It holds up real world and doesn’t “clog” that easily. If you want an easier application I’d look into Armour Phobic or Gyeon CanCoat Evo.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I literally douse my trailer with Griots after washing. Easy on easy off, works well and lasts long enough until the next time I wash my trailer. Love the stuff, and I don’t really care about longevity because it’s so easy to use.

 

[Texchappy]

I had terrible luck with Griots (period) and 3-in-1 specifically. Mine was gone after 3-4 months, like a decent sealant. Best luck I’ve had is with Gyeon CanCoat. It lasted 2.5 years on my wife’s vehicle. My Bronco is wearing DIY 3 year over 8 year (sold as a kit). It was very easy on and is good at 6 months but I’d call it too early to say anything about durability.

 

[Texchappy]

I know a fair bit about paint and base clear, given I even sprayed a few back in the day, and the idea that mechanically grinding some embedded brake dust out of the clear makes it last longer I find uncompelling.

Either way - too lazy. I will wash off the old wax and apply some ceramic to my 14 year old paint. Whatever happens, happens.

Clay products don’t abrade as much as pull it out (as far as I know). Polishing improves appearance and levels the paint for application.

 

[crashz]

I have a 11 year old F250 with white paint. It is a work truck. Spent a lot of time outside, plenty of little chips and clear coat peeling. I basically refuse to spend a pile of money on a fancy coating system when the clear coat peels off so easily. But the truck only has 40k miles and is in fantastic shape, so I like to keep it clean and relatively shiny. So I've been using a white colored Turtle wax, with the hybrid ceramic detailer as a finish/touch-up. it shines nice. I get fantastic beading even through the winter.

 

[Nessism1]

I know a fair bit about paint and base clear, given I even sprayed a few back in the day, and the idea that mechanically grinding some embedded brake dust out of the clear makes it last longer I find uncompelling.

Either way - too lazy. I will wash off the old wax and apply some ceramic to my 14 year old paint. Whatever happens, happens.

Just my view, but if you are not inclined to fully clean the substrate paint, using clay bar or similar, then it's a waste of time to use one of the pure ceramic coating products. Stick to the cheap stuff, like Turtle Wax or Griot's.

 

[Texchappy]

CanCoat isn’t terribly expensive but only because there’s enough in the bottle to do multiple cars. In your case I’d probably stick with one of the ‘near’ ceramics like 3-in1 (if you get a good batch (which I didn’t)) or Turtle Wax. You might also consider just maintaining with a rinseless with protection (CarPro Ech2o, Optimum No Rinse with Wax).

 

[doitmyself]

Point me towards my first ceramic coating​

For the reasons already stated above: it meets your criteria "I am just too lazy"

 

[thastinger]

I am going to strip my truck (probably no wax left on it anyway) then try a ceramic. If anyone wants to point me towards the best product that would be helpful.

I will need a wax removing wash and the coating. Please recommend both if you can.

Best to me means easy to apply and lasts a while. Goal is not to look wonderful - but to generally protect the paint to some degree. Not too expensive. I read Groats might be a budget friendly product to start with?

I am not going to clay bar. Feel free to tell me to do so - still not going to happen. Rubbing something on a white paint thats already had a couple small spots that lifted doesn't sound like a good idea. And I am just too lazy anyway.

For the stripper, use dawn dish soap as the wash with a clay mat wash mitt, use a chammy(sp) to dry so there are no spots or streaks.
For the ceramic, use chemical guys hydro slick ceramic wax. I've never had much luck with the spray on ceramics lasting...and that includes Groits 3/1.

 

[Phishin]

Pay someone $150 to at least clay and polish your vehicle. It's not expensive. Then buy the Adam's pre-ceramic cleaner and wipe the truck down. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKBJXZCY

Then apply whatever you want: Graphene, SystemX, or any other decent spray ceramic. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KTK4KB4

It's the best way to go. And then use "Hot Sauce" after a wash before you re-coat a new layer of ceramic. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GJYOL0

This system works great for me.

And then when you just want to wash your car, dilute this stuff down 50/50 with water and spray it over the panels before you dry. You'll be AMAZED. It's cheap and it's INCREDIBLE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8GBHTS

 

[Texchappy]

For the stripper, use dawn dish soap as the wash with a clay mat wash mitt, use a chammy(sp) to dry so there are no spots or streaks.
For the ceramic, use chemical guys hydro slick ceramic wax. I've never had much luck with the spray on ceramics lasting...and that includes Groits 3/1.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with every single statement. Never use dawn, especially with a clay towel (will shorten life). Chammy no, microfiber yes. Chemical guys generally not well reviewed. I guess I do agree with 3in1 not lasting for me.

 

[trd1zz]

A proper paint correction is a series of steps. Wash, clay, repeat wash (optional), compound and/or polish (depends on the condition... be careful here, use the least abrasive/aggressive you can get away with), seal (ceramic/wax).