Preparing a new car for CQuartz UK

[jlacasci]

I'm picking up a new Audi S6 (Mythos Black) this Tuesday. Been researching how to prepare the car for Cquartz UK.

From what I've read:

1. Wash the car
2. Iron X
3. Polyshave Decon
4. Reflect (polish with my portal cable orbital polisher) I don't think I need Essence on a new car?
5. Eraser (just to be safe)
6. Cquartz UK
7. Reload

Questions: If I wanted to do a 2nd coat of Cquartz, do I still do the reload on the first coat in an hour or do I start the second coat of Cquartz and do the reload once after the second coat?

If I'm missing any steps, your advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

[The Guz]

First off welcome to the forum.

You will be ok with Reflect or Essence. Essence contains the similar abrasives found in Refelct but also contains SiO2 to act as a primer polish for a coating. Reflect has slightly more correction ability.

If you go with Reflect then do an eraser wipedown to remove the polishing oils left behind. With Essence if you leave it overnight after removing it, many of the polishing oils will sort of evaporate a bit while the SiO2 cures. I still do a light wipedown with eraser just to be sure. If you plan to coat right away then I would recommend an eraser wipedown just to be sure.

If you choose to add another coat of UK do it 1 hour after the first coat. Then you have the option to follow up with Reload.

Hope this helps.

[fdresq4]

Hi Joe,

You certainly can use Essence and since you are using a machine...
2 - Do I have to use Eraser between Essence and CQuartz?

If your using Essence by machine and you wait until the vehicle is finished then you can apply Reload or CQuartz after you finish the vehicle starting in the same direction you polished. If you want to be ultra safe you can still Eraser but in our testings to date we have not seen any failure when we skipped Eraser.

If your using Essence by hand then we recommend you use Eraser before coating.

That was taken directly from Essence’s product page. You’ll have some great results.
Your plan sounds really good.
The other thing I’ll point out is that make sure you have really good lighting when polishing and applying the coating. I’ve read, over the years, of folks having issues with missing “high spots.”

As far as Reload, if your car is going to be exposed to water within 24 hours, then apply it. Personally, if I can, I like to apply it about a month later. I try and let a car with a coating sit overnight in a garage but that is not always feasible.
Good luck!

[fdresq4]

Joe,

Here is a thread just as an FYI...
https://carproforum.com/showthread.php?48-DIY-LED-Work-Light

I use this set up that Zach posted...really helpful. Just to give you an idea about lighting to help you succeed.

[The Guz]

Good point about the lighting.

I would also like to mention that Essence has a slight learning curve but is easily overcome. It needs to be broken down. So prior to finishing the last pass, go around the outer part of the area with a real quick pass. This allows for all the product to come off during wiping it off. It is essentially reactivating the polish that may have begun to dry. If you do end up with a spot that won't come off simply put a little essence on the pad and reactivate those areas.