Ceramic Paint Coating Issues

[Ace0751]

What a great first post lol

 

New member on the forum but been using Adams products for the past few years, awesome products.  Received the ceramic paint coating kit over the holidays and was able to finally apply it this past weekend.  Although it was 30 degrees outside, the car was inside and temp was between 75-80 with the heat jet going.  The car is a Black 2011 Camaro 2SS.

 

Strip washed the car, even added a little APC to really get rid of any wax that was left on the car.  Clay bared each panel while washing.

 

After the wash, performed a 2 stage polish to get rid of any imperfections that resembled a swirl or light scratch (3M black and blue polish)

 

Sprayed the coating prep on the car to get rid of any dust that was on the car.

 

After spraying the prep, add the paint coating to the car gently and evenly throughout the car and waited the desired time before wiping off with the microfiber towel, maybe a little longer so I can see the rainbow come in.  Used both pads provided so one was for the front and back with the other was for the sides of the car.

 

Let is cure for 24hrs and then added the ceramic boost.  Took some pics of the car and it looked beautiful out in the sun and cool weather and only saw a couple spots i would have to polish and recoat, no biggie.

 

Brought the car out yesterday since it was beautiful and drove her around for a few miles.  When I got out of the car, I saw streaks everywhere on the paint.  It looks like that someone just smeared oil all over the car and it just look hideous.  Once i get home I will take a couple pics of the outcome.

 

Have no idea what I did wrong in the process and this was my first go around with the ceramic coat, so a lot of lessons have been learned.  Maybe didn't let the ceramic rainbow enough or too late.  Maybe added the ceramic boost earlier than I should.  Either way it looks like the whole car needs to be repolished since it's been a week since the cure.

 

Used waterless wash, detail spray and ceramic boost to see if I can get rid of the streaks but it looks like it just made it worse.  So when I get home today, will try a fine polish (3M blue polish) and see if the streak will be gone, will try it on the top of the trunk for testing,  Any advice would be welcomed.  Buffing and polishing I am good at, it just the ceramic coat.

[Ace0751]

Please move this to the exterior protections & enhancement.  Clicked the wrong topic

[Ace0751]

Pic after coating. 

[shane@detailedreflections]

Photos of the trouble areas would really help. Streaks sound like coating that wasn’t leveled properly. The longer you let it sit as it flashes, the stickier and harder it becomes to remove. Couple that with thick application and you can load a towel up in no time and spread it more than buff it and level it. 

 

I can’t understate the importance of lighting (something not commonly discussed here for some reason) and using different types and angles. Especially when working for a while, things start to look the same and it’s easy to miss. 

 

A couple of pointers in how we apply coatings...

 

- a coating for us is ALWAYS a two person job. Two sets of eyes. Two people buffing. It all helps make sure we don’t miss anything. Not to mention makes the process go faster as our coatings get applied in one to four layers. One person can be exhausting. 

 

- use different lighting. Sunlight. Spotlight. Soft light. Different angles. Etc. Each one will reveal something different. And actually in polishing light is of understated importance. 

 

- we use multiple towels when applying, and even applicators. We don’t apply with the Adams blocks regardless of what coating we are working with. We use a foam block with a small suede applicator wrapped around it. They’re small, inexpensive and we toss them every couple of panels so they don’t load up. We do the first buff with a larger suede towel. It doesn’t lint up and does a great job of removing the coatings. We go through one to two of them every lap around the vehicle. We do a final buff with a soft microfiber. This final towel can get reused but goes into a bucket with water and then immediately to the wash when we are done. This multiple towel, throwing out, etc may seem excessive, but we strive for the highest quality product. 

 

- work in small areas. Especially if you’re not familiar in the application, nuances of a given coating. Overlap areas (both application and buffing). This will ensure a great finish. 

 

To repair your spots, you can try a very fine polish. You may want to reapply the coating to those areas to ensure it’s thickness. We typically use a paint thickness gauge if you know someone who will let you use one. This will tell you how much material you removed and if you need to reapply. When in doubt, reprep and recoat. 

 

Coatings are great and not inherently difficult to use, they just require critical eyes and a lot of patience. Especially when first being used. 

 

[Ace0751]

Sounds like a polish and recoat is in the works when the weather gets a little warmer.  First time is always the worse, learn from mistakes and try again.  At least I don't have to worry about polishing again, probably can skip that step and go right into prep and then ceramic.

[2012srt8]

maybe you just used to much ceramic boost.it streaks very easily.

[shane@detailedreflections]

42 minutes ago, Ace0751 said:

Sounds like a polish and recoat is in the works when the weather gets a little warmer.  First time is always the worse, learn from mistakes and try again.  At least I don't have to worry about polishing again, probably can skip that step and go right into prep and then ceramic.

 

Ryan brings up a good point as well regarding too much Ceramic Boost.  That’s a possibility.  

 

If it isn’t that and it is coating that wasn’t leveled properly, you will have to repolish.  You will want to pull the coating off of the vehicle or at the very least you’ll want to polish it down to level before you reapply.  When it comes to coatings, prep is everything.  Coatings have a way of enhancing if you did or didn’t do the prep work correctly.  To just coat over the streaks will be to simply lock them in place and make them that much harder to get rid of.

 

[Ace0751]

Agreed, polishing won't be the issue, just time consuming.  All the prep was properly done, took 3 days cause of time constraint to fully strip wash, clay, and polish the car along with some delays cause of products being delivered.  Next coat though will be done right and with the proper equipment.  I do polishing on the side for other customers and the ceramic is a test and will not do it on other vehicles until I get the method down.  Pics will be posted later this even cause at work right now.

[2012srt8]

are you applying to much coating?how much is left in the bottle?I used a half bottle for a dodge ram crew cab

[Ace0751]

Half of the bottle is left, it's hard to tell since it's the bottle is dark.  Only enough to lightly coat the applicator.  Been looking at getting the suede applicator and towels for round 2 of the coating.  So next time will be better prepared.  Will the coating prep spray still be a good source for next time or try something different?

[Mariner]

Pm me. I know I have a spare applicator block I can send you. I can also tell you where to get the suede patches too to go over it if I can’t find any spares.

[shane@detailedreflections]

Coating prep works well. No need to deviate from that. 

 

Check to be sure you didn’t over apply the ceramic boost. We use 1-2 sprays per panel. 

[Ace0751]

Thanks for the help, went to autogeek and see a good selections of suede applicators and towels, also going to see if the rag company has any suede towels or applicators.

[Ace0751]

3 minutes ago, shane@detailedreflections said:

Coating prep works well. No need to deviate from that. 

 

Check to be sure you didn’t over apply the ceramic boost. We use 1-2 sprays per panel. 

 

That could've been the issue as well, maybe i'll go over the panels again with a spray or two make it less noticeable for the time being lol

[shane@detailedreflections]

I wouldn’t just start by applying more again. I’d maybe try some panel prep to remove what’s on there (provided the coating is cured). Then reapply. Or try a little to see if it lifts off on a test spot with the coating prep. 

[Ace0751]

That would be a good idea, probably do a small area on the trunk as a test and go from there.  Still at work though so pics are eventually going to come just not till later today.

[Ace0751]

Here are some pics of the coating not being leveled that need to be buffed out and redone.  The prep coating did help with most of the streaks and it does look nice.  Anyone looking to do there own ceramic coating, please watch some videos on how to properly apply it. 

[shane@detailedreflections]

From the pics, that looks like high spots on the coating. Use a fine polish and bring it back down, then top with another application of coating or ceramic boost. 

[bjoeaull]

These guys are spot on with the recommendations.  I'm gonna say your biggest asset will be lighting.  If you can't see it, you'll move along then its too late.  

[Ace0751]

Want to give a quick update, polished the unleveled that were seen in the pictures.  Recoat the areas with the paint coating and now those areas look great, no unwanted levels this time around.  Going to give it another 24hrs to cure them add the boost tomorrow afternoon.  The light polish took it right off which was good.  

 

Just added the glass sealant and boost boost to my windows and it looks gorgeous, now finishing up with the tire shine and I’m done for today. 

[falcaineer]

1 hour ago, Ace0751 said:

Want to give a quick update, polished the unleveled that were seen in the pictures.  Recoat the areas with the paint coating and now those areas look great, no unwanted levels this time around.  Going to give it another 24hrs to cure them add the boost tomorrow afternoon.  The light polish took it right off which was good.  

 

Just added the glass sealant and boost boost to my windows and it looks gorgeous, now finishing up with the tire shine and I’m done for today. 

 

TS isn't really meant for windows, Chef.  

Edited April 14, 2018 by falcaineer

[Ace0751]

Lol you gotta try it out, leaves a beautiful streak on the glass it’s the new trend.  Tire shine on the tires and glass cleaner, glass sealent, and glass boost for the windows. 

[Red Rambler]

Glad you were able to get this corrected. I will be doing my first adams coating soon and have purchased the suede applicators as mentioned above and also working on getting a better set of lights. I have read a few articles on leveling coatings. My main take away has been when buffing off, ensure plenty of buffing towels and switch sides often. Also instead of buffing with heavy pressure, increase your hand speed to help in leveling. Unsure if this is accurate however? 

[Ace0751]

I don’t think you need to increase hand speed or heavy buffing when removing the coating.  Once the coating starts to rainbow just wipe it off, if the coating spreads just keep wiping till it’s gone.  Don’t need to apply any force.  And go with the said instructions above with changing applicators and towels between panels and take your time, if it take 6 hours then it takes that long.  Have fun with the coating.