CERAMIC COATING: install yourself or hire a pro? | Podcast #45 

You can find our coatings here! bit.ly/3yearGRAPHENEcoating

I just did my own ceramic coating this weekend. Full process of 2 bucket wash, tar, iron, clay, compounding, polishing, and applying ceramic coating. It took me 18 hours over 2 days. Compounding was probably 12 hours of that alone. It's not perfect but I saved thousands, learned a lot, and am happy with the results

If you're a DIY car washer, I'd polish if you have water spots, lots of spiderweb scratches, fingerprint body oils etched into the paint, or scratches that disappear when you wet the paint meaning they often can be removed with polishing. But, if you have paint in good condition that you're happy with, don't be discouraged to go ahead and apply particularly the 3 year coating just as you would a wax or sealant!

Thank you for giving me the confidence that I could do my own ceramic coating. I enjoy watching professional detailers on RU-vid and have learned quite a bit, but your channel gives the context that we DIYers need...we are not professionals and we don't have to expect that level of detailing from ourselves. What is important is what is it we want and what are we willing to do. Fortunately, I did not think my car needed polishing...other than the first dealer wash, no one other than me has washed the car and it's always been hand washed. So, no love marks, bug guts, and water spots. I purchased a car wash soap that said it removed any previous waxes (foam, rinse, foam...THANK YOU for that tip), iron remover with decon mitt, and panel prep. My paint always looked good after a wash and I always use a quick detailer as a drying aid (most recently the new Turtle Wax minute wax mist), but now with the ceramic coating, I have a mirror finish. I washed the car for the first time since applying the coating, and with those Incredible Suds the wash mitt glided like it was on ice. I also purchased the ceramic coating company's quick detailing ceramic spray to use a drying aid.

This was exactly my question for thr past few weeks. But for the price a professional is charging I can do it myself with your products and still save a lot. And at the end I still have more than enough product for future use. It's a win win in my book.

I just did my car with your 3 year ceramic. After the prep, It was so easy to apply. It was so good that I ordered more ceramic for my wife's car.

I think a good option which i may debate also when my coating is done in a few years is pay to get the polish but perhaps apply the coating myself. And hope by the time i get back home no scratches are present, lol

But, it’s so satisfying when you do all the preparation mentioned and see the final results. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. A test panel from your local body shop for practice is a good idea. It’s free!!

I think you guys set it. To prep the vehicle takes time and have to do it right. But watching you guys and others do it Makes it easy. 👍👍👍👍

This is a video with a lot to talk about. We can all agree the better the surface is prepared will give the product longer life and more gloss. Speaking for myself if you want to go pro you will need $10,000 for equipment. You will need different polishers for cutting and finishing along with trim work. You need a paint depth gauge so you know what your getting into. You definitely need lighting and an air compressor. For interiors you will need a steamer too. Plus you need to understand temperature and how the base coat, color coat, and clearcoat all behave differently to heat. When I first started I did burn through plastic trim because I thought all painted surfaces acted the same. There is a ton to learn but nothing is rocket science. If your not sure let a professional polish and coat and then you can maintain and begin to learn how to protect and maintain.

They are so right. Coating is almost anti-climactic; it’s the prep that makes you sweat.

Just ordered the 5 year coating to apply to my wife’s new expedition. Looking forward to trying it in the next few weeks.

You guys had to mention lighting!! I just changed out the single bulbs for those screw in fan looking lights and while it is a lot brighter for sure still not what I think you need. So I am going to be looking into some other type of adjunct lighting.

One of the Golden questions! I'm excited to see this

I just bought a new lexus, I'm sure it was washed/waxed at dealer, it looks amazing. It has a pearl essence paint, will this hurt my paint if I don't do it exactly right, and no way am I polishing it....should I diy it?????

Hi Ivan and Nick! I want to put a PPF on my brand new car. Do I apply the DIY ceramic coating first (after cleaning the paint) then apply the PPF next and then maybe apply another DIY ceramic coating on top of the PPF? What's the sequence to it? I've been following you guys for a while and you guys are awesome! Thanks in advance :)

How about applying the ceramics on a newly installed PPF? Whats required?

How do Your coatings do in high heat and humidity? it was 88 degrees here in Connecticut today. I have at least three cars to coat in the coming month. Hopefully it won't be too fussy. The other thing I can't decide is, which coating?

You're soo right... I've invested at least $4000cad and still have for $1000 or $2000 just to have everything I want... but the feeling of doing it yourself is sooo satisfying, and just because I'm looking at many youtube channels of detailing, and just look at detailers how they wash and prep people's car, I prefer to invest in good quality products and do it myself !!!!

Recently I applied your ceramic coating on my brand new Glacier Blue Silverado that had 15 miles on it and no dealer prep. I followed your new car video and did all the step’s including the polishing and would agree that the prep for the ceramic coating is the hardest part. I am a first time 11:43 DIY’er at this and the truck looks amazing! My friends are impressed at the gloss of the new truck and have all kinds of questions about Ceramic Coatings. Thank you for your detailed videos. My question to you is I have a 2016 Silverado that I had purchased new with a dealer applied Ceramic Coating. The truck has been well taken care of and the Ceramic Coating is still there and I would like to polish and apply a new Ceramic Coating. Can this be done? Do you use the same steps for prep and polish over your existing ceramic coating and then apply your new coating?

one question do the 3 year or 5 year even 8 year ceramic coating realy last the distance?

Can you guys do a video on polishing a car with a ceramic coating on it. May be a dumb question but would just using the yellow waffle and gold standard polish enhance the coating or would it compromise the coating. Show us if you can. Good experiment?

I’m guessing it’s OK to apply ceramic to your black plastic outside pieces and protect them also, correct?

Personally, I would do it myself. If you have a pro do it the job will cost way more than buying the polisher & everything else. You can dedicate a Saturday and get it done. DIY’s videos on it make it very easy & straightforward. You can buy a cheap Harbor Freight polisher/sander for $100 that will do the job, and get everything else from DIY. It takes a little time to do, but it’s fun, and you only have to do it once, plus the feeling of doing it yourself is great too.

I always tell people considering doing a coating to get proper washing technique before even thinking of coating. My uncle recently got a brand new Accord and wanted to coat it. I made him a few vids on doing a wash clay and seal with ONR. He was very happy how it turned out. Give him a good six months to get comfortable with proper washing and decontaminating paint then we may experiment with a a simple polish and a spray coating. Baby steps for someone with no knowledge of proper car maintenance.

Good, honest advice. Thanks guys.

What if you're both?

thats not true, you still need to claybar a brand new car as they were most likely delivered on an open trailer and have a ton or road grime.. I would always recommend at min claying a car first..

Do you have to polish after clay or can I just clay? Thanks

Hi Nick and Yvan. Is it necessary to change applicators pads/suedes during a coating or can you get away with one if your fairly quick.

Can Ceramic Gloss be applied to a tonneau cover?

He said, if you never did a paint correction, don't go try it for the first time....I wonder how he ever got good at it, he had to have his "first time" just like all the other pros.... if you want to be good at drawing, don't just try to draw something after doing your research, be scared and never try the firat time???? Whaaaaa....

Clean and Pristine Paint!💧💎👌🏾 ©️opyright that. 😅

😳2:19 2nd?! i thought it was 🏘and then🤱wife/divorce, costing more...🤔

I think DIY products are not just “pro grade.” I think that sounds as if your just getting in the “pro grade” door. DIY products are far superior in my experience than any “professional” products that are used on even the most expensive of cars. Many professional detailers have switched to DIY not because you can do it yourself at home, but because the products are far superior than anything else. You also get insane value for your money.