Please help deciding sealant or coating for new truck

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Hi all - the last vehicle I bought was way back in 2003 and it's time for a new one, I'm taking delivery of a new 2015 F150 in metallic Tuxedo Black this week... really excited. I let my old truck's finish go a few years ago when it turned to 'beater' status due to a hefty commute. A job change now finds me working from home so I'll have the luxury of keeping the new truck garaged during the day and night - I'm in Houston, TX btw. Back in the day I took care of my truck and project Mustang with 4* products centered around UPP. I was really looking forward to picking that routine back up again for the new truck but of course discovered we have coatings to consider now. So is there any reason when a sealant (like UPP) is preferred or ideal? Or is a coating pretty much hands down the best way to go? And the obligatory question: which coating would you recommend for me (first time do-it-yourselfer)?

Thanks!
 
More and more people are going to coatings now days. There are still guys that still use wax and sealants. Even some of the new sealants these days are pretty awesome in their own right (Reload and Hydro2). Just which ever one you prefer.

I think you should look at Cquartz UK. Great product. First time I applied it, I was nervous as hell. Its just like putting on a wax or sealant. Just a smaller applicator. Yeah, there is more prep time but in the end its worth it. Great protection. Great looks. Sure there is a little maintenance with it, but no more than you would do anyway with regular washes.
 
Cooter said:
More and more people are going to coatings now days. There are still guys that still use wax and sealants. Even some of the new sealants these days are pretty awesome in their own right (Reload and Hydro2). Just which ever one you prefer.

I think you should look at Cquartz UK. Great product. First time I applied it, I was nervous as hell. Its just like putting on a wax or sealant. Just a smaller applicator. Yeah, there is more prep time but in the end its worth it. Great protection. Great looks. Sure there is a little maintenance with it, but no more than you would do anyway with regular washes.
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Thanks Cooter - how about the 'new formula' CQuartz vs the UK version since I'm in hot/humid Houston, TX? We don't really cool down till much later in the year...
 
I applied UK here in Mississippi, so I know all about the humidity. It wasnt an issue applying. Just make sure you keep the vehicle dry for 1 hour after you apply it. I did mine at night, so I had to leave it in the shop the rest of the night. Just be wary of the dew in the mornings. Wipe off any water off the surface for 24 hours after you put it on.

I havent used the new formula CQ. So I cant really give you a comparison.
 
Corey has mentioned a few times now that the new formula of CQ is every bit as good as CQUK. I have used CQUK quite a few times, but have not tried CQ yet. I have a bottle sitting at home that I am planning on trying out possibly this weekend. I can tell you this though, I won't own a black vehicle that does not have a coating on it mainly just to the ease of maintenance on it.
 
KMG said:
Corey has mentioned a few times now that the new formula of CQ is every bit as good as CQUK. I have used CQUK quite a few times, but have not tried CQ yet. I have a bottle sitting at home that I am planning on trying out possibly this weekend. I can tell you this though, I won't own a black vehicle that does not have a coating on it mainly just to the ease of maintenance on it.
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Optimum Gloss Coat. The easiest coating to apply and the gloss/protection are excellent. Going on a year now and going as strong as ever. I have Gloss Coat on my black Mercedes and CQuartz UK on my SUV. The UK has held up equally good, but the application was way more labor intensive with no added benefit over the Gloss Coat. Looks wise you really can't tell a difference (gloss, etc) EXCEPT for UK's darkening affect.

I like that with Gloss Coat you can buff out a small area if needed and not have to do the entire panel. With UK if you buff off an area with a mild polish you might have to do the entire panel so that the entire panel blends in right. Hard to explain until you have to do it, trust me.
 
If used CQUK a few times now and have had no issues. Easy enough if you follow the directions as with any coating.
It really boils down to what you are looking for and how much effort you are going to put into maintaiing.
I'm not a pro but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...
 
fdresq4 said:
If used CQUK a few times now and have had no issues. Easy enough if you follow the directions as with any coating.
It really boils down to what you are looking for and how much effort you are going to put into maintaiing.
I'm not a pro but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...
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Didn't say I had any issues. To reiterate, I have CQUK on my SUV, but the application, while not "hard," is way more time consuming and finicky compared to Gloss Coat. That is just a plain fact. 99% of the product flashes away within seconds requiring no buffing. And again, side by side you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two in regards to gloss, etc. To each his own. I am commenting on my own personal experience with the application and going on a year of wear.
 
TXFIVEO said:
Didn't say I had any issues. To reiterate, I have CQUK on my SUV, but the application, while not "hard," is way more time consuming and finicky compared to Gloss Coat. That is just a plain fact. 99% of the product flashes away within seconds requiring no buffing. And again, side by side you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two in regards to gloss, etc. To each his own. I am commenting on my own personal experience with the application and going on a year of wear.
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If ease of use is your top priority then Sonus Ion is the clear winner there.

With CQuartz, CarPro makes coatings for multiple environments. CQuartz UK is VERY simple and a dream to apply in cold temps while CQuartz itself is a dream to apply in hot temps. For some of us both of them work fine in most temps but during summer CQ "Classic" applies as easily as anyone could ask for ;)

My experience and that of many others is there is a substantial difference in the gloss and its actually been posted side by side on Facebook by multiple people with tape lines even visible in the pictures which definitely says something.

With regards to dust and dirt retention I would say CQ has a leg up on other coatings I have tested as well.

In the end lots of great products out there :)

Cheers
 
jumper said:
Hi all - the last vehicle I bought was way back in 2003 and it's time for a new one, I'm taking delivery of a new 2015 F150 in metallic Tuxedo Black this week... really excited. I let my old truck's finish go a few years ago when it turned to 'beater' status due to a hefty commute. A job change now finds me working from home so I'll have the luxury of keeping the new truck garaged during the day and night - I'm in Houston, TX btw. Back in the day I took care of my truck and project Mustang with 4* products centered around UPP. I was really looking forward to picking that routine back up again for the new truck but of course discovered we have coatings to consider now. So is there any reason when a sealant (like UPP) is preferred or ideal? Or is a coating pretty much hands down the best way to go? And the obligatory question: which coating would you recommend for me (first time do-it-yourselfer)?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It was great chatting with you earlier today jumper! Your going to be happy whether you go with the Sonus Ion and continue with your current tradition and protection time frame or if you go with a coating. With the conditions and care you have for your vehicle either option will suit you. Also, sorry to confuse it all with the intro of Hydrofoam! hehe :0
 
TXFIVEO said:
Didn't say I had any issues. To reiterate, I have CQUK on my SUV, but the application, while not "hard," is way more time consuming and finicky compared to Gloss Coat. That is just a plain fact. 99% of the product flashes away within seconds requiring no buffing. And again, side by side you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two in regards to gloss, etc. To each his own. I am commenting on my own personal experience with the application and going on a year of wear.
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Uhm...ok...I too was posting my experince. Sorry,..next time I will ask permission to post or at least wait until others post after you do.

Have a nice day! :D
 
Here are some pictures of CQ Original doing its thing at 18 months and at 2 years.

http://carproforum.com/showthread.php?195-Cquartz-18-Months-amp-2-Years-(Rock-ON-Baby)!

My personal experience:

I have used and experimented with many different coatings thru the years (both "consumer" and "pro only" versions of the "major" brands :rolleyes:), and not only do I find CQUK and Original incredibly easy to use (just follow the directions), but from my experience I also find that in terms of durability, gloss, ease of maintenance, and protection they are "IMHO" in a league all by themselves.
 
Thanks everybody, I'm going to mull things over a bit before pulling the trigger. I must say that I like the flexibility of using Ion, since its not as permanent as a 'real' coating it seems it can be touched up or removed more readily. I'm not one to leave my finish alone for 1+ years without at least reapplying if not trying something else. If I go coating I'll try the latest formula of the CQ Classic and make sure to pick up the new Reload as well. I'm perfectly willing to go through some prep work regardless of going coating or sealant, I plan on claying with Nanoskin, Iron X, and then either a final polish and/or cleanser depending on what direction I go in (I still have my Porter Cable and got new pads).

Thanks Corey for your time on the phone, this is a great company and community you guys have here - all the products seem outstanding and the innovation is top notch. I'm still blown away with my reading on the Hydro products, talk about too easy!!! I love posting pics and progress so I'll be back with updates. If anybody has any other thoughts please share - thanks!
 
Good luck J! I have had pro detailers tell me the Hydro products are awesome e. I really like the new Hydro foam.
 
Should you use a coating or a sealant? That is really determined by your willingness to wash and maintain the coating. If you are willing to wash the vehicle at least twice a month, I'd go with a coating....it not....don't waste your time on the coating; as its not going to last more than a year.
 
I've jumped on the coating bandwagon here in the last few months. Put CQUK with reload on my new mustang and hydro2 on my dd until I get around to putting UK on it. It's been about 6 weeks since both applications and they are both by holding up well. I gotta say that hydro2 is a great product because of the application simpleness. If you want to do a full correction/polish detail then coatings are great, if you want to do a quick wash and protect for months at a time then hydro2/foam is the way to go IMO. No more waxing for me ever!
 
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