Debating "real" coatings VS high end sealants on a Camaro Forum

[Don M]

On a Camaro Forum that I am on, there is a member who had a full ceramic coating done on his car a few years ago and my understanding is that it's starting to finally fail. He asked about graphene spray coatings, Adam's and 303 in particular. He said that the shop that installed the coating "cut and buffed" his car prior to installing the coating. I advised him of how newer paint jobs are extremely thin and advised against another compound/polishing session. He agreed and I recommended the 303 after seeing a comparison video between 303 Graphene and the Adam's Graphene where they basically tied in ease of use and performance, but the Adam's cost double the 303 and the Adam's smelled a lot worse (heavy chemical odor).

Now there's a guy who is pushing him to get another 'real' coating and is poo-pooing any kind of spray 'coating.' I'm using Mike's words of wisdom in my posts... things like "Find something you like and use it often," and even 'real' ceramic coatings REQUIRE regular maintenance and are just as susceptible to road film build-up as any other type of LSP. So far it's amicable and I'm kind of having fun. I DID get this guy to admit that compounding the car again is a bad idea and that a light polish should be all that's needed to clear the surface for whatever he decides to put on as an LSP.

 

[Maui]

If you maintain your car regularly, that is, weekly cleaning (which includes washing or rinse less/waterless wash) and using a spray wax/sealant, than a good sealant will do just fine.

Coatings will not prevent swirls or marring, so a light polish every six months would be beneficial on a dark colored ride. IMO why coat it if your going to polish it off within a year?

Now on the other hand, a coating on a daily driver that is washed maybe once a month and parked outside will benefit from a coating.

 

[Mike Phillips]

O I'm using Mike's words of wisdom in my posts... things like "Find something you like and use it often,"

When I wrote the article by this title,

"Find something you like and use it often"

Ceramic paint coatings had not been invented yet just like tools like the BEAST had not been invented yet.

The BIG PICTURE idea for the saying is as simple as, once in a while do something to your car or aspects of your car to maintain it. Nothing lasts forever and there is no such thing as "set it and forget it".

and even 'real' ceramic coatings REQUIRE regular maintenance and are just as susceptible to road film build-up as any other type of LSP.

Yup.

I've seen road film or "traffic film" build-up on coated cars, it's a natural process if the car in question is a daily driver. It's going to get dirty. Over time, the dirt and/or traffic film is going to impact onto the coating or whatever the LSP is on the car. This is why I'm kind of a fan of a good but simple one-step cleaner/wax.

 

[PaulMys]

When I wrote the article by this title,

"Find something you like and use it often"

Ceramic paint coatings had not been invented yet just like tools like the BEAST had not been invented yet.

The BIG PICTURE idea for the saying is as simple as, once in a while do something to your car or aspects of your car to maintain it. Nothing lasts forever and there is no such thing as "set it and forget it".




Yup.

I've seen road film or "traffic film" build-up on coated cars, it's a natural process if the car in question is a daily driver. It's going to get dirty. Over time, the dirt and/or traffic film is going to impact onto the coating or whatever the LSP is on the car. This is why I'm kind of a fan of a good but simple one-step cleaner/wax.

Mike, I would never presume to "put words in your mouth", but I think it must be refreshing for you to speak 100% candidly about detailing products with no ties to brand, type, or manufacturer.

Just an honest take on a lifetime of experience.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, I would never presume to "put words in your mouth", but I think it must be refreshing for you to speak 100% candidly about detailing products with no ties to brand, type, or manufacturer.

Just an honest take on a lifetime of experience.

Yes. That said, I've never been one to bash other people, tools or products.

There's plenty of other guys doing that and they can have that territory.