Is something wrong?

[Astatenate]

Just coated my car CQ UK 2-3 weeks ago. Did the full process. Washed car. Full chemical decontamination. Clay bar to further clean any contaminents. Polished any scracthes. Wash x2 to remove polishing oils. Wiped entire car down with a 70/30 mix IPA. Wiped down a final time. All in about 55-60 degree weather inside a garage so ambient air temp was probably around 60-65 the entire time.

I put down 1 coat let sit for 60 secs and buffed off. Waited maybe 30 mins. Put 2nd coat on. Wiped off almost immediately. Let the car sit for 24 hours. Applied reload spray on all panels gently wiping on and buffing off with MF towel. As it sat there, another 2-3 days as it was sitting waiting for wheels it cured at temps between 45-65 degrees. I put wheels on. And drove the car nearly a week after applying 2 coats of UK! I wanted to test my new ceramic coating. So I let I grabbed a small glass of water and dropped it on there, it beaded up like crazy and rolled right off my hood. The next day it rained, again, water was beading off like crazy. Well I went out of town for a week this past week for work. Came back (it rained all week) and it was beaded up on my car. So I drove it around on interstate (about 70-80mph) and the water rolled off the body like beaded off pretty well.

Also side note: I added RELOAD ONLY to windows, windshield & rear glass.

Well today I decided to wash it (even though its 40-45 degrees) as there's no chancce of rain for 3-4 days and I washed it with a non wax / non gloss enhancer added basic Meguiars wash. First thing I noticed the beading wasn't nearly as good when I sprayed it off with power washer, also the windshield where the reload only (no cermaic coating) was sheeted off like there was nothing on there? But when I started driving it rolled right off with no use of windshield wiper?!?!?!? So all my glass that had been coated with reload is sheeting off like there's nothing on there but there is. Im tempted to just wax my glass like I have done in the past (barely have to use windshield wipers) the other thing I noticed was that the beading on my paint where UK and reload was applied was not nearly as good as 2-3 weeks ago?!?! What gives? Also when I went to dry car off I used an absorber towel as I always have and the water just smeared across the paint. Wouldn't never actually dry.

Am I missing something here? I thought Ceramic coated vehicles especially with reload on top as a booster should bead water like crazy, on my paint and reload on glass should bead like crazy not sheet off. Also, drying should be a breeze? But it wasn't IDK if it's the cold weather? Maybe it's too humid outside? Idk. Im 100% sure every square inch of the paint is ceramic coated and has reload as an additional booster, as I'm very OCD and made sure of it. And all glass was coated with RELOAD. Now my glass barely beads water it sheets off unless I get to moving fast then it starts beading off. Confused... And the paint is still beading off but not nearly as aquaphobic as it was when first coated. Also drying was a PIA!!! Was just smearing over and never really actually dried. I gave up and decided to just let it air dry and wipe it off with reload and MF in the morning. Kinda upset and just hoping its the cold maybe humid weather? My inside glass was fogging up pretty bad so I'm assuming its pretty humid. And I know since it's a glass like coating it's gonna have the same properties of glass and my glass was doing the same streaking as I was trying to dry...

 

[Astatenate]

Also I thought ceramic coating dirt would just spray right off without really washing it with pressure washer and it didn’t. The dirt like brake dust behind my front wheels was on there even after power washing. I had to actually hand wash it to get dirt off. I guess the hype on ceramic coating was too much for me. I was expecting it to be 10x better than wax and it’s kind of the same. Dirt still sticks to it. I was just thinking it was this miracle thing and it’s not. Kinda sad being my first time washing it and the water was sheeting off glass like the normal car with nothing on it. And the drying process being awful with my wax it would wipe right off. And the waters beading off but not like completely just falling off like I was expecting. Maybe I’m just over thinking it. But I’m thoroughly upset with my first wash only 2-3 weeks after application and praying it’s just the cold weather having something to do with it.

 

[The Guz]

First off a coating is not the end all be all or a miracle product. They can be scratched and swirled just like anything else. They also get dirty like anything else. As much as folks like to use a pressure washer and foam to remove dirt and grime, well there still needs to be some sort of agitation to remove the dirt and grime.

The pro of a coating is the better self cleaning effects and maintaining a much more glossier look compared to a wax or sealant.

Once the limitations are understood then one can enjoy a ceramic coating.

The other thing is that you are experiencing road film from the rain on the painted surface which is killing/masking the properties of the coating or the spray sealant. A shampoo like Reset will likely restore it after a few washes. I am not sure which Meguiar's shampoo you are using but certain shampoos can actually mask the properties of an LSP.

 

[Merlin]

First off a coating is not the end all be all or a miracle product. They can be scratched and swirled just like anything else.
They also get dirty like anything else. As much as folks like to use a pressure washer and foam to remove dirt and grime, well there still needs to be some sort of agitation to remove the dirt and grime.

The pro of a coating is the better self cleaning effects and maintaining a much more glossier look compared to a wax or sealant.

Once the limitations are understood then one can enjoy a ceramic coating.

The other thing is that you are experiencing road film from the rain on the painted surface which is killing/masking the properties of the coating or the spray sealant. A shampoo like Reset will likely restore it after a few washes. I am not sure which Meguiar's shampoo you are using but certain shampoos can actually mask the properties of an LSP.

Very well stated. I think of a coating as very long lasting LSP
Waxes = weeks, Sealants = Months, Coatings = Years.

Yes, a coating can get dirty and it can get swirled.
Like anything proper maintenance is recommended.
I'd suggest Reset and the CP Merino wool wash mitt.
I don't suggest Reload on Glass. It's made for paint.

 

[Astatenate]

First off a coating is not the end all be all or a miracle product. They can be scratched and swirled just like anything else. They also get dirty like anything else. As much as folks like to use a pressure washer and foam to remove dirt and grime, well there still needs to be some sort of agitation to remove the dirt and grime.

The pro of a coating is the better self cleaning effects and maintaining a much more glossier look compared to a wax or sealant.

Once the limitations are understood then one can enjoy a ceramic coating.

The other thing is that you are experiencing road film from the rain on the painted surface which is killing/masking the properties of the coating or the spray sealant. A shampoo like Reset will likely restore it after a few washes. I am not sure which Meguiar's shampoo you are using but certain shampoos can actually mask the properties of an LSP.

I am using the deep crystal their simple wash with no waxes or additives I believe you’re the one who suggested it to me on another post I had if I wasn’t gonna use reset. I guess I had this miracle coating in mind. Now that I understand like you said. I can enjoy. I used a wax on glass and it’s beading like crazy now. Also lightly added reload to the paint again and it’s working like really good. Self drying when I drove it, and it rained yesterday and my car looks clean still. Thanks guys! I’m not sure exactly what was up either cold or humid weather why my absorber towels and other drying attempts weren’t working but it seems to be drying itself a lot better now that I hit it lightly with reload again. Guess my first wash I just washed it when it was too cold and too humid and got some weird reaction and it seems to be fine now! Thanks guys

 

[Charlie King]

I'm a new guy but for drying, I use one of those Dry Me Crazy microfiber towels and it amazes me. Never would I have imagined ANY towel could hold that much water and still want more! I hate to sound like a commercial but you might want to try that for drying. I've used many towels and chamois and was impressed that drying could be that easy.

 

[Astatenate]

I'm a new guy but for drying, I use one of those Dry Me Crazy microfiber towels and it amazes me. Never would I have imagined ANY towel could hold that much water and still want more! I hate to sound like a commercial but you might want to try that for drying. I've used many towels and chamois and was impressed that drying could be that easy.

Thanks I’ll check that out. I’ve always used my handy dandy absorber towel. It holds like 7x it’s weight in water and you just ring it out and it’s completely dry again. I guess it’s just not as good on the ceramic coating. As I used it on my motorcycle (that’s still waxed) and it’s just fine. But it may of also been the humidity and cold (40 degree) weather that night as well. I’m gonna wash and dry on a different day in a week or 2 after all this rain passes and see if it changes or not before I get too upset lol

 

[Astatenate]

https://youtu.be/xE1rXT_5iv8

Click HD. So you can see!

Here is a video of what I mean, washed it today again. Dried a lot easier. But I still have a sheeting problem (non beading up) on the bottom of my door, and hood. Idk if it’s from the high pressure of the pressure washer or if I used a normal hose if it would bead up better. But the front bumper was done this last weekend and the rest of the car was done 1 month ago. And it seems like the bumper is truly ceramic coated. The car seems like the ceramic coating isn’t working very well. Is this normal? Or what? Did I do the bumpers right and something wrong on the rest of the car or is this normal? It still beads up but not as good as the bumpers. Idk I’m at the point of wanting to just wax the car. The bumpers are fine but the rest of the car beads but not nearly as well and some spots sheet off like there’s no coating or anything on it. And it was thoroughly put on. Help!

 

[The Guz]

Hard to say. Perhaps the coating did not take well to the paint. Or the paint is contaminated from all that rain and needs a stronger wash than what you are using. I would give Reset a try and see if the restores the coating.

 

[Astatenate]

Hard to say. Perhaps the coating did not take well to the paint. Or the paint is contaminated from all that rain and needs a stronger wash than what you are using. I would give Reset a try and see if the restores the coating.

I made 2 full passes over entire car so it seems like it’s coated (paint is much glossier and richer looking, beads water when it rains just not power washer water like the bumpers to, and seems to be pretty dust restitant, etc) so seems like coating properly adhered.

Also I used reload after BOTH washes. And since reload can be used as a stand alone coating. Wouldn’t reload do the backup job of beading the water and being dirt resistant even if the coating didn’t adhere or if there was some issue with coating?

Using a stronger wash (imo would mean further damaging the aqua phobic properties) unless you mean my current wash is not powerful enough and is leaving dirt leftover and not fully cleaning and that’s what’s causing the water not to bead and whatnot due to their being microscopic dirt and dust keeping the water on the paint? But my reply to that would be wouldn’t I see it on my MF towel when I wash car and dry it. I spray reload on MF and wipe entire car and I ain’t seen any dirt leftover on MF towel. So I don’t see how there’d be any reason for a stronger wash of mine is doing the job

 

[The Guz]

Maybe Reload is causing the issue as you are seeing the behavior of Reload and not the coating. Reload does not have the same contact angle as UK.

What I meant by a stronger wash was in reference to Reset. Reset was designed to be used on coated paint. It will not remove the properties of a coating. In fact it will clean the coating in a sense “Reset” the coating.

It is stronger than what you are currently using.

 

[Astatenate]

Maybe Reload is causing the issue as you are seeing the behavior of Reload and not the coating. Reload does not have the same contact angle as UK.

What I meant by a stronger wash was in reference to Reset. Reset was designed to be used on coated paint. It will not remove the properties of a coating. In fact it will clean the coating in a sense “Reset” the coating.

It is stronger than what you are currently using.

Hmm well bumpers have the exact same 2 coats of UK and reload sprayed over them! And they’re doing just fine. I just don’t know what’s difference between my body of my car and bumpers. Besides bumpers are new, and coated 1 week ago where as the car was coated 1 month ago. Both are still very new. 2 layers of UK. And reload on top.

I’m just kind of against $20-25 reset wash I just really don’t think I have a reason to spend that much on wash. The current wash I’m using smells great, no additives and seems to wash it very well with little to no effort. Reload is also supposed to “reset” the coating as it’s a thin silica spray ya know? So reload shouldn’t be hurting it I wouldn’t think I’m just trying to figure out what’s different between bumpers and car. Both were applied the exact same.

 

[Astatenate]

@TheGuz - also what if I wanted to add another coat just to be certain? How hard would that be? Just to the car itself (hood, doors, qtr panels) ? The coats only been on a month. Maybe a little less.

Could I just wash any wax / soap residues off with say a dish soap (without stripping existing coating) and wipe down with 70/30 IPA mix ?

And then apply another good coat of it. Buff and apply reload and let sit for 24-48 hrs again?

 

[The Guz]

@TheGuz - also what if I wanted to add another coat just to be certain? How hard would that be? Just to the car itself (hood, doors, qtr panels) ? The coats only been on a month. Maybe a little less.

Could I just wash any wax / soap residues off with say a dish soap (without stripping existing coating) and wipe down with 70/30 IPA mix ?

And then apply another good coat of it. Buff and apply reload and let sit for 24-48 hrs again?

You are going to want to strip reload from the surface. Think of the prep as similar to applying Gliss. The prep for that is ironx, tarx and a strong wash with reset. Finally a wipedown with Eraser prior to applying another coat. Dish soap does nothing to strip any wax, sealant or coating.

The other option is lightly polishing those areas and reapply a fresh coat.

Good luck and hope it works the next time.

 

[Astatenate]

You are going to want to strip reload from the surface. Think of the prep as similar to applying Gliss. The prep for that is ironx, tarx and a strong wash with reset. Finally a wipedown with Eraser prior to applying another coat. Dish soap does nothing to strip any wax, sealant or coating.

The other option is lightly polishing those areas and reapply a fresh coat.

Good luck and hope it works the next time.

Oh really? I’ve stripped waxes and polishes off before with dish soap and coat of IPA. Now I know it won’t remove a coating of course. But I was thinking washing car good and a thorough wipe down with an IPA then applying an additional coat to vehicle would fix any issues in trouble spots. I guess I’m wrong ?

Or would just a light polish on qtr panels, doors and hoods then reapply coating be best bet? I’m just not sure what’s exactly wrong or if partially removing the coating and reapplying would be a waste of time & product.

I mean my coating doesn’t have any high spots, it does bead water, and stays clean for the most part. It just seems like the bumpers are way more aquaphobic than the car. And it could be the deep crystal wash I’m using. Maybe I’m not using enough of it. But the car looks plenty clean when I’m done and doesn’t take much effort at all to get dirt off. So it seems like the coating is on there. And definitely the paint is more glossy and deep looks like the car just got a fresh coat of clear coat. No light scratches or swirls. So I feel like the coating is definitely on there.

Besides that. I’ve used no spray retailers, waxes. Nothing. Only RELOAD, deep crystal and CQ UK applied 2 coats. That’s all.

Just trying to rule out the possible effects of either RELOAD causing it not to be as aqua phobic (not likely) since the bumpers also have RELOAD applied. Or the wash I’m using. It has no additives and cleans well. So not sure if maybe I’m not using enough or what. It says 4 caps per gal. So I been using 4-6 caps and putting roughly 1.5-2 gallons.

 

[The Guz]

Oh really? I’ve stripped waxes and polishes off before with dish soap and coat of IPA. Now I know it won’t remove a coating of course. But I was thinking washing car good and a thorough wipe down with an IPA then applying an additional coat to vehicle would fix any issues in trouble spots. I guess I’m wrong ?

Or would just a light polish on qtr panels, doors and hoods then reapply coating be best bet? I’m just not sure what’s exactly wrong or if partially removing the coating and reapplying would be a waste of time & product.

I mean my coating doesn’t have any high spots, it does bead water, and stays clean for the most part. It just seems like the bumpers are way more aquaphobic than the car. And it could be the deep crystal wash I’m using. Maybe I’m not using enough of it. But the car looks plenty clean when I’m done and doesn’t take much effort at all to get dirt off. So it seems like the coating is on there. And definitely the paint is more glossy and deep looks like the car just got a fresh coat of clear coat. No light scratches or swirls. So I feel like the coating is definitely on there.

Besides that. I’ve used no spray retailers, waxes. Nothing. Only RELOAD, deep crystal and CQ UK applied 2 coats. That’s all.

Just trying to rule out the possible effects of either RELOAD causing it not to be as aqua phobic (not likely) since the bumpers also have RELOAD applied. Or the wash I’m using. It has no additives and cleans well. So not sure if maybe I’m not using enough or what. It says 4 caps per gal. So I been using 4-6 caps and putting roughly 1.5-2 gallons.

Hopefully someone else comes by to offer help as I have run out of ideas other than polishing and reapplying at least to one section.

I will leave these two videos for you to watch about dish soap and let you deiced if it does anything.

 

[Corey]

Lots of great advice here guys. Thank you so much!

There are the usual reasons that water would not be repelling fast off the surface of a coated car.

1. - If the finish was not prepped correctly

2. - If the product was wiped off too fast

3. - If the car was exposed to salty roads or chemicals or coated in pollen too soon without curing

4. - If the surface is covered in dirt, pollen, brake dust, or other contaminants like overspray

Deep Crystal is not a pure wash like CarPro Reset. Regardless of how it is marketed it definitely contains stuff that Reset does not. I'm not so sure that it has anything to do with it in this case, but Reset would be the wash to use no doubt.

If you would like to discuss with service please email or call us directly anytime at all.

Best Regards,
Corey

 

[Astatenate]

Lots of great advice here guys. Thank you so much!

There are the usual reasons that water would not be repelling fast off the surface of a coated car.

1. - If the finish was not prepped correctly

2. - If the product was wiped off too fast

3. - If the car was exposed to salty roads or chemicals or coated in pollen too soon without curing

4. - If the surface is covered in dirt, pollen, brake dust, or other contaminants like overspray

Deep Crystal is not a pure wash like CarPro Reset. Regardless of how it is marketed it definitely contains stuff that Reset does not. I'm not so sure that it has anything to do with it in this case, but Reset would be the wash to use no doubt.

If you would like to discuss with service please email or call us directly anytime at all.

Best Regards,
Corey

Hopefully someone else comes by to offer help as I have run out of ideas other than polishing and reapplying at least to one section.

I will leave these two videos for you to watch about dish soap and let you deiced if it does anything.

OK OK OK Guz you we're right! LMFAO, regardless I used clay bar and IPA as well a strong dilution IPA and made sure there were no oils or waxes left over before doing a final wipe down before applying coating.

In regards to everything else, maybe I am crazy or maybe it's the high pressure water at the local coin wash. I use the coin wash for WATER only! I use my own wash, buckets with grit guards and own wash mit. But upon inspection of my car today during the rain. The front bumper and body of car seem to bead the exact same, ALSO when driving it's definitely beading off as I drive 40mph or over and it literally rolls off the hood. I'm thinking it either has something to do with the UK not being slick (without RELOAD) and so the water does come off but doesn't bead off more or less sheets off. Upon watching cars parked next to mine in the parking lot, the other cars the water just stuck to the paint and didn't roll, sheet, bead or nothing. So my coating and car is definitely resisting water and dirt.

So I've only washed the car twice since coating nearly a month ago, I believe one of a few things could cause it. Either the UK is not slick where RELOAD is not applied and sheets off, and where RELOAD is applied good it beads up more. As my process for bumpers and car was done the exact same with the same products.

Corey as far as the wash, I do know it's not like RESET. I will eventually buy RESET. But for now I haven't seen any issues with additives, or problems removing dirt. Seems to do a good job with very little product.

I think I was just being picky and a little crazy. I will try washing with my pressure washer / foam cannon and garden hose and watch it bead up better / more at home next wash. I'll eventually get my hands on RESET. But for now the Deep Crystal is doing the job. And RELOAD is also doing an amazing job!

 

[Astatenate]

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums...6-515C-493F-BF1C-772CCC486F23_zpsupqidsyk.jpg

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums...1-F4CF-47B1-B03C-E4C1EDD678FE_zps3bytpupp.jpg

See it’s beading just fine now, my wash hasn’t given me an issue yet, reload seems to do it’s job and keep it slick and an extra layer of protection! So guess it’s just something to do with the water at the coin wash or something! Or maybe just the fact the hood is flat and bumpers aren’t.

But it’s definitely beading and keeping the car cleaner. It’s also much glossier! Plus isn’t the full cure time 30 days?