Flashing time of Ceramic Wheel coating

[woodygoodman]

I have followed directions to the letter and waited 15 - 30 seconds after completing each small 1 foot area at a time, but through the process I never did see any rainbow, or oil slick look. I am concerned and want to be sure that I did not wipe down with the microfiber too soon after ceramic coating application. Is there any better information I can get for the flash times expected for a 75 - 80 degree day?

Thanks in advance

[Ls1transam]

With coatings there is no set time for removal. It  May take more or less time depending on the conditions. 

[woodygoodman]

So how can I be sure the application was done correctly and completely? How do i gauge the success or failure of my work?

[Thorsager]

     I did the wheels of both of our Challengers last summer (temp was at least 80f). I followed the directions but only a few times did I see the product rainbow like on the cars paint. I think for the most part this was due to lighting in my garage. I did however feel the microfiber towel grab as I removed the product. 

     The ceramic coating is still working like the day I put it on. I think you will be fine. One way to gauge if the coating was applied correctly is after the coating has cured hit the wheel with some water. The water should run off the wheel easily with the coating.

     

[woodygoodman]

Both the website product instructions and the paper directions sent with the kits say to wait from "15 - 30 seconds", and stress that you should not allow product to dry on the application surface, however I just re watched Adams demonstration video where he says to wait from "20 seconds to a minute". These are very different ranges, the later of which can amount to twice or three times as long as the printed instruction times. I gotta say I am concerned here as I did not notice any real "sticky" to the touch results either. If this stuff doesn't work I am going to be very disappointed with this brand. I guess now I can only hope in 1 hand & xxxx in the other. I will be applying the ceramic paint to the entire car over Memorial Day weekend and hope to have this important detail ironed out before then.

[SSilver07]

Adam also said that it should start getting a little tacky. If you don't see it rainbow you should feel it.

[woodygoodman]

I did see that in the video Adam mentions it will be a little tacky, if you cannot see the rainbow effect, and as I mentioned above, I did not notice any sticky or tacky feel to the surface treated.

Ok, since my comments above didn't seem to get this across, let's spell it out simply:

1.) Printed instructions shown both online and in attachment sent with product stating time of "15 - 30 seconds".

2.) They also both stress clearly NOT to allow it to dry.

3.) Mention that it will be a little tacky has to be weighed up with that fact that at 30 seconds time, I am at the top end of the instructed wait time, and makes one start to wonder how much longer to wait and risk it drying.

4.) if 30 seconds is not sufficient time, it should never be listed as the top end of the flashing time.

5.) If the actual suggested time stated verbally in a video is "20 seconds to 1 minute"", this opens up the top end of the range to twice as much expected wait time.

6.) More and more here, I get the sinking feeling that I may have to redo this process on my wheels and double the instructed wait time.

Edited May 9, 2018 by woodygoodman

[BRZN]

Don't overthink it, I'll bet you're just fine.

 

Cure times are not an exact amount of time and will vary with temperature, humidity and whether it was applied in the sunlight or shade. If you wait too long before removal you stand a good chance of high spots. My guess, and only a guess, the 15-30 seconds would be for application in perfect conditions, while the 20 seconds to 1 minute would be real world application. High spots on wheels are pretty hard to see.

 

The rainbow sheen, as the product flashes, is easier to see on black wheels, and pretty hard on silver. On silver I need to use a Swirl Finder Flashlight and look at the area from different angles to catch it. Wait too long and the product gets pretty tacky/sticky and hard to remove/level/buff off, but can still be done.

 

Before you go and reapply, spray the clean wheels with water; did they bead up nicely? If so, you've got coverage. Ceramic Boost, with the addition of Si02 fills in anywhere you missed, or went light on product, the Boost just doesn't have the longevity of the Ceramic Coating, and I apply it after most every time I wash the wheels.

[shane@detailedreflections]

1 hour ago, BRZN said:

Don't overthink it, I'll bet you're just fine.

 

Cure times are not an exact amount of time and will vary with temperature, humidity and whether it was applied in the sunlight or shade. If you wait too long before removal you stand a good chance of high spots. My guess, and only a guess, the 15-30 seconds would be for application in perfect conditions, while the 20 seconds to 1 minute would be real world application. High spots on wheels are pretty hard to see.

 

The rainbow sheen, as the product flashes, is easier to see on black wheels, and pretty hard on silver. On silver I need to use a Swirl Finder Flashlight and look at the area from different angles to catch it. Wait too long and the product gets pretty tacky/sticky and hard to remove/level/buff off, but can still be done.

 

Before you go and reapply, spray the clean wheels with water; did they bead up nicely? If so, you've got coverage. Ceramic Boost, with the addition of Si02 fills in anywhere you missed, or went light on product, the Boost just doesn't have the longevity of the Ceramic Coating, and I apply it after most every time I wash the wheels.

 

Great advice right there. I agree completely. 

[woodygoodman]

Thanks for your advice. I am gonna give them a few days before putting any water on them. I may have applied the coating too liberally, as I ended up using the entire bottle up on the 4 wheels, calipers, and rotor necks.

I will be doing the paint over Memorial weekend and now have a little experience at this process. "Merica!"

Edited May 15, 2018 by woodygoodman