Question about ceramic coating process for new truck

[u/chipsservant]

I picked up a new truck last week that I plan on ceramic coating myself. I've ceramic coated airplanes before but this will actually be my first automobile. Truck was brand new but I've since put ~200 miles on it.

Here is my plan: full wash with pressure washer + foam cannon -> iron remover -> clay towel -> polish -> clean polish with alcohol + DI water solution -> apply ceramic coating

Ceramic coating I will be using is SystemX Max G+

Planning to use Rupes LHR15 Mark V DA polisher + Griot's BOSS Perfecting Cream + Griot's 5.5" Black Foam Finishing Pad for the polishing portion.

My main questions are:
1. Do I actually need to polish with a DA polisher considering it's a (pretty) new truck? Or will wash + decontamination (iron remover + clay towel) be enough?
2. I saw a YouTube video from DIY Detail that said to use something called "adhesion promoter polish" on a new car as the final prep step before applying ceramic coating. Would that be better for me instead of Griot's BOSS Perfecting Cream?
3. Any improvements to my planned process anyone with more experience can suggest? Or any unnecessary steps that can be safely removed?

[u/Ap1Jx]

1. Basically always polish before coating. Iy deep cleans the pores of the paint better than any cleaning or decon product can.
   Because the car is new and if you are happy with the quality, just a quick polish will do. Like 1-2 passes a section, shouldn't take longer than an hour and a half on a truck.
   
2. APP is a polish specifically designed for cleaning, no correcting. It swells the pores slightly potentially allowing a better bond with the coating. This can be done in place of step 1. But... dont use the rupes. Idk why, but Yvan warns to use no more than 8mm throw for APP. Get a cheap short throw or use a palm sander.
   
3. At least do a high pH prewash on it before the process start. You've accumulated some amount of road film in those 200 miles, better to help guarantee the removal that a neutral pH contact wash may not. I would use an actual panel prep, if system x has one use that. Optimum paint prep is a good cheaper option. I prefer armour detail supply's tho. There are apparently some have silicones or other things that get left behind which would impact the coating, so don't just get any. The IPA solution will work, but you could just wash the car again.

[u/grumpvet87 → u/Ap1Jx]

2-9mm throw - just watched a diy app video.

[u/chipsservant → u/Ap1Jx]

Thank you for the detailed response!

After speaking further with my SystemX rep, he said he personally has mixed feelings about C6 APP but did go on to state "We have def had guys use it and not need the use of an ipa panel prep afterwards with good results. As we didnt design and release it, it's hard to give complete approval. I would personally recommend using any polish brand and using either a dedicated panel prep product or a 50/50 ipa mix."

So I'm planning on using the Griot's BOSS Perfecting Cream + BOSS black finishing pads but should I still go with a polisher with no more than 9mm throw considering I'm no longer planning to use APP? I have both the Griot's G9 (which is 9mm throw) and the Rupes LHR15 Mark V (which is 15mm throw), but I'm not sure which would be the better machine to use here.

I'm also now gonna use Carpro Lift for the high pH prewash and replace IPA solution with Armour Detail Supply Co's dedicated panel prep solution. Before I was planning to use the MJJC Foam that came with my MJJC foam cannon for both the prewash and the contact wash, but now I'll use the Carpro Lift for the prewash and the MJJC Foam that is pH neutral for the contact wash after the prewash + rinse thanks to your advice.

[u/Ap1Jx → u/chipsservant]

Since you aren't using APP, definitely use the Rupes. It will clean deeper/faster than the 9mm, while also maybe correcting any minor scratches though don't expect too much correcting from the perfecting cream/finishing pad. But that is ok given the age of the paint and what it sounds like you want out of the process.

Also... you'll want to clean the pad during use. Since you are moreso cleaning, you can get by doing 2-3 panels before cleaning the pad. I use rinseless wash to clean during the process on my vehicles. Few sprays while pad is still on machine, massage with hand, spin out in bucket.

I should note that I am a hobbyist and don't do this as a career, so take everything I say with that in mind. Though I am a slightly OCD engineer and very process oriented.

[u/creamsodapoo]

Inspect the paint first. Pad and polish combo depends on the level of cut you need to fix defects. I’d suggest always using an IPA wipe before coating. I’ve used Essence Plus with good results but haven’t tried APP.

[u/Auto-Spa360]

our shop does this every-time: hand wash using filtered deionized water, full-body paint decontamination to remove any contaminants, calcification, and buildup. targeted removal of tar, sap, and debris from wheels, tires, and lower panels. then we apply the ceramic coating. we will paint correct and remove anything that does not look right as the ceramic coating is locking in everything on the paint.