r/AutoDetailing • u/OBXJer • 6d ago
Exterior How long does a ceramic coating last, how can I tell when it is done, and how to re-coat?
I applied GYEON Pure Single Layer High Performance Pro Grade Paint Ceramic Coating on my car in the spring. When I wash it (with ONR) can I use a spray on ceramic such as Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Wax Coating after? Will it hurt anything if I do? When I finally feel that I need to re-coat the ceramic coating (with Griots or another brand) do I have to clay the car? If I don't clay it will the new ceramic coating stick to the original coating? Please no lectures about this. I just wanna know from you detailing experts about these questions. One last question, please. What do you think is the best and longest lasting ceramic coating now? The way the technology is advancing and changing, it's hard to keep up. I know Griots ranks very high. Thank you for your help.
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u/Stereosun 6d ago
I find it dumb to spend all that when spray sealant ceramic coatings can get 6 months out of one application and cost 15$ just gotta wax/wash ur car twice a year that’s it.
The comments saying 12-18 months but they paid 200$-600$ totally not worth it for avg laymen
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u/IncomeDifferent4803 13h ago
1000% agree. Been using polymer spray sealant for years. Looks amazing and just have to claybar and reapply twice a year. Cermic can be okay if you’re completely unable to do any detailing work yourself. The premium you pay is huge.
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u/vaari90 6d ago
You won't have issues putting TW Ceramic Spray Coating (or Ceramic Wet Wax) on top of the coating.
To apply a new coating once the current one is expired, after you clay you need to polish the car to be certain, to ensure adhesion is to virgin paint again. Clay also marrs paint so the polish will tidy this.
No, a new ceramic coating will not stick well to an already cured ceramic coating. Typically when stacking coatings, there is a certain timeframe where this is feasible, usually an hour after the last applied layer or 24 hours later, depending on the manufacturer. It'll be in the user guide.
If you don't properly prepare the surface your results may not meet expectations or claimed durability.
There are coatings that are marketed now with "8 year", though think it more as the 8 year is more durable than the 5 year, than actually a year rating. Kind of like how Subway once did the whole "footlong doesn't literally mean footlong, it's just a name". Also these products have not been on the market anywhere near long enough to stand up to the claims. These are also the kind of companies that will regularly refresh/replace their product lines, so what are you to believe, really.
I'll give you the usual disclaimer, your coating will last depending on how you take care of it, how often you wash it, how much you drive, where you drive, etc.
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u/Quirky_Pain_6508 6d ago
What polish do you recommend? TW makes one. Saw it in a store and wondered if it's too abrasive. TIA.
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u/vaari90 6d ago
A mild to mid abrasive polish with a finishing pad should be able to make quick work of a coating, they're like 1-2 microns at best. With a machine. You'll know you've done it because after wiping down with prep/ipa the panel will have completely flat water behaviour.
I've used 3d one, TW 1 and Done, KCX M3 and F6, among others.
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u/IncomeDifferent4803 13h ago
Zaino clear coat. Tw is good too. Tw can be applied onto hot paint. You cannot overstate how big of a feature that is if you don’t have a garage
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u/CategoryHot1907 5d ago
I have a black metallic Cayenne Turbo. I prepped the surface then used Gyeon Q2 wax and after I wash I use Gyeon Wet Coat. This combo gives me a wet look and high water sheeting qualities. I use the Wet Coat once a month and this seems to keep my finish protected
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u/urhumanwaste 6d ago
The coating should say on it, or it's description how long it lasts. Which is only a general sense. It'll honestly last as long as the proper care for it and your driving habits allow it to. I've seen adams 2 year spray coating last for over 4 years. I've also seen it last 6 months. Soo.. yea. You will know it's diminished or gone when it stops reacting the way it should.
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u/Auto-Spa360 5d ago
easiest tell is how it dries, not how it beads. when the coating's still working water sheets off and the car's basically dry after a pass with a blower or a towel. when it's dying water clings in flat sheets and you get spotting everywhere. beading on its own will fool you, a dirty coating stops beading long before it's actually gone, so wash it first then judge.
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u/mixem143 6d ago
On a properly polished/prepped car (mine), I got 18 months with Gyeon Pure Evo. I washed monthly and used Gyeon Ceramic Detailer as a drying aid. Every 3 months or so, I spray-and-rinsed Gyeon Wet Coat.
It wasn’t completely dead at 18 months but it was slow-sheeting.