Disaster on my first application!

[Sfckelley]

So I wanted to do a ceramic coating on my new Shelby GT350 (black of course). Did the prep work: Wash, clay, iron x, machine polish, Eraser. Then came time for the Cquartz UK application in my garage. Now I used an LED light bar to check the paint for swirls / micro scratches when I was polishing, but I had read that "ambient lighting" was best for the excess coating removal. Apparently, my garage lighting was severely inadequate because once I got it out into the sunlight a week later, so many high spots, streaks, etc. I was really disappointed with myself. I initially applied the first coat of Cquartz on Saturday, I looked the car over with body contortions, led lights, etc and didn't see anything. I came back for the second coat almost a few days later (Tuesday) and went over the car well again. (By the way, I have no idea how someone could get done coating a car in an hour or less). Then I applied Reload on Friday and noticed a lot of streaks and blotches. I rubbed and wiped but could get them out. Finally, I read on a forum the diluting the reload can eliminate this, so I tried wiping down with a damp MF towel but that didn't work. Finally, yesterday we had a decent day and I drove the car to work and once in the sunlight, I was horrified to see streaks, blotches all over the car! I realized I would need to polish it off so last night I washed the car, dried it, tried to spray more Reload on a damp towel in a last attempt to remove the spots which did not work. So, I grabbed some Griot's fine machine polish and lightly went over every area I could see with high spots or streaks and they came out pretty easily.

Now, my naive hope is that the coating is still there... Maybe it was just the Reload causing the issues on my paint???

Being a glutton for punishment, I also coated my wife's Mercedes SLK this weekend following the same prep, but only did one coat and applied Reload directly after with a damp towel and buffed dry with another towel. Let's just say I am afraid to pull her car out into the sunlight now! And by the way, I am planning to coat my Raptor this weekend, unless her car has the same issues. If it does, I may just give up on the coatings and go back to Carnauba!

[Merlin]

So I wanted to do a ceramic coating on my new Shelby GT350 (black of course). Did the prep work: Wash, clay, iron x, machine polish, Eraser.

Then came time for the Cquartz UK application in my garage. Now I used an LED light bar to check the paint for swirls / micro scratches when I was polishing, but I had read that "ambient lighting" was best for the excess coating removal.

Apparently, my garage lighting was severely inadequate because once I got it out into the sunlight a week later, so many high spots, streaks, etc. I was really disappointed with myself.

I initially applied the first coat of Cquartz on Saturday, I looked the car over with body contortions, led lights, etc and didn't see anything. I came back for the second coat almost a few days later (Tuesday) and went over the car well again. (By the way, I have no idea how someone could get done coating a car in an hour or less).

Then I applied Reload on Friday and noticed a lot of streaks and blotches. I rubbed and wiped but could get them out. Finally, I read on a forum the diluting the reload can eliminate this, so I tried wiping down with a damp MF towel but that didn't work.

Finally, yesterday we had a decent day and I drove the car to work and once in the sunlight, I was horrified to see streaks, blotches all over the car! I realized I would need to polish it off so last night I washed the car, dried it, tried to spray more Reload on a damp towel in a last attempt to remove the spots which did not work.

So, I grabbed some Griot's fine machine polish and lightly went over every area I could see with high spots or streaks and they came out pretty easily.

Now, my naive hope is that the coating is still there... Maybe it was just the Reload causing the issues on my paint???

Being a glutton for punishment, I also coated my wife's Mercedes SLK this weekend following the same prep, but only did one coat and applied Reload directly after with a damp towel and buffed dry with another towel.

Let's just say I am afraid to pull her car out into the sunlight now! And by the way, I am planning to coat my Raptor this weekend, unless her car has the same issues. If it does, I may just give up on the coatings and go back to Carnauba!

Warning...Long Read.
Please, someone, correct me if I'm wrong...


1)
I apply a coating on a section one panel at a time and remove it one panel at a time with a Carpro 2 face towel (https://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-towels/carpro-2-face-no-lint-16-x-16-orange/).

One panel can be half the hood, a fender, a door, etc. After I apply a coating I begin to remove after approximately two minutes.
I remove it with the short nap side and immediately follow wiping the same panel with the long nap side looking for high spots.
I personally throw away the microfiber 2 face towels when I use them for coating removal. The coating can crystalize in the fabric.

Again, One panel at a time! Apply it on a panel wait 2 minutes +/- depending on your temperature and humidity then remove it.

You can apply a second coat after an hour. Note: It is usually an hour by the time I get all the way around the vehicle with 1 coat.
If I need a stopping point, I'll stop at a panel body line, remove the coating with the two sides of the towel then come right back.
I take a 5-minute break and do the exact same process for the second coat. IMHO the second coat flashes faster. Be quicker.

During the process, you need good lighting! Yes, pull the car outside to check for high spots after each coat.
Be warned...do not let the paint get hot from the sun while it is outside as it can cause the coating to cure.

Yes, it takes me about two hours+ to coat a vehicle. One hour for each coat and that is hustling to wipe off each panel.
I do the second coat right away, after and hour of doing the first coat. Check for high spots before applying the second coat.

2)
Personally, I have found, especially full strength on black, Reload can/may cause streaks. (That may have been your issue.)
Reload will "last" on top of the coating and if you caused streaking with Reload it may not come off even with a good wiping.

If you did not allow 48 hours for the coating to cure then the Reload may have made streaks in the coating and then it cured.
My personal rule "Do not get anything on the coating for 48 hours". Keep it inside and dry. No chemistry until after a week.
No chemistry means no washing, no Reload, nothing. If you must, then I would use EliXir, even then, it's best to wait 48 hours.

3)
If you polished the paint, even with a fine polish, my guess is that you have removed the coating. Polishing does that.

4)
Coatings are not Wipe-On/Wipe-Off (WOWO) like a wax. With a coating the application/removal is a process and a learned skill.
Try a panel section with the "My Short Version" directions listed below and see if it works out better for you. It takes practice.
BTW - If you throw in the towel...Victoria Concours Red Wax (https://www.carpro-us.com/exterior-surface-protection/premium-carnauba-wax/victoria-concours-red-wax-6-oz/) looks awesome on black (and other colors too)

My Short Version:
Only apply the coating to 1 panel at a time.
Wait approximately 2 minutes +/- before removal.
Remove with Carpro 2 face towel using both sides.
1st Short nap side for excess. 2nd Long nap side for high spots.
One vehicle (for me) usually take about four 2 face towels.
Check for high spots on the panel before doing the next panel.

Allow 48 hours before anything gets on the coating.
This means keep it inside and do not let it get wet.
Do not wash for a week. Reload can/may streaks on black.
Reload can be diluted (water-based) to reduce streaking.
If you must touch it before a week I'd only use Elixir.

After each complete coat, bring it outside to inspect.
Do this after each coat. Do not let the paint get hot.
Put the vehicle away (inside) for 48 hours to cure.
Yes, it will be soft for a week and it needs to harden.

My Really Short Version:
Don't be disheartened with your first experience using a coating.
It sounds like you caused the streaking using straight Reload?

Coat a panel...Let it cure 48 hours. Try it without Reload this time.
BTW - I prefer EliXir for a Quick Detailer. Let me know your results.

Truthfully, although CQuartz UK 3.0 is pretty easy to use...
I'd be amazed if you knocked it out of the park your first time.

[Jeppe]

Reading this thread i guess this is why i have streaks in my CQUK 3.0 aswell. First timer and i forgot the instructions(!) and applied 100% Reload about 5-6 hours after coating. Its been about 1.5 month since then now. Is there any way to correct the streaks?