Think I`m done messing around with coatings, final thoughts...

I used CSL topped with C2V3 back in winter 2017; the self cleaning was poor although it did get a little better a month or so in when I`m guessing the C2V3 wore off. Led it ride for remainder of 2017 then topped with Gyeon CanCoat which totally improved it. Van still looking good today so I`ll probably drop some CanCoat on it this Spring and let it run again. The CanCoat gave a nice candy bit of gloss to the underlying CSL which had a very rich look.

Van 15: Gtechniq CSL + C2v3 applied 02/2017; wash, decon, CanCoat + Kamikaze Overcoat refresh 10/2017.

Will be giving a new vehicle an application of CSL + EXOV4 this Friday if everything goes according to plan.

The Guz has mentioned that Gloss Coat is limited in longevity; I have no experience with it, just never `spoke` to me...

22ple HPC is one of the toughest coatings I have used, stands up nicely to fleet work where vehicles rarely inside and my wife`s winter driver is still doing great since Kamikaze Miyabi + ISM application in October 2016. It sits outside 85% the time although has only traveled about 12k since application. It would likely do just as well with 2 coats of Miyabi as well.

I do think that CSL is a pretty tough customer despite my disappointment with my initial experience. EXOV4 is supposed to transform that significantly for the better though. I`ll soon know for sure.


chrisexv6 said:
Have you used CSL yet? Anxious to hear your thoughts because I planned on using it instead of GlossCoat on my truck (that sits outside 24/7 through all the Connecticut weather)

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BudgetPlan1 said:
So, finished up the Cquartz UK 3 w/ Gliss, the 22ple VXPRO@ + Finitura + VS1 and the Kamikaze Miyabi + Zipang + Overcoat.

Getting the last one ready, hope to compound/polish tomorrow and coat Friday with Gtechniq CSL + EXOV4. It`s new, only marks are from the decal guys squeegee so maybe get away with HD One on Rupes yellow with Flex. Nice thing about HD One is that it doesn`t seem to stain trim so I don`t gotta kill a roll or two of tape masking this thing off. Not to mention that taping...well, sucks.

Missing from this pic is the shortened dog leash I use to clip myself to the towmotor so I don`t wander too far off of the pallet. Used to have a nice pallet with railings on 3 sides but some wanker took it for a construction job. Safety first!
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That forklift looks like it could use some Overcoat. Lol.
 
chrisexv6 said:
Have you used CSL yet? Anxious to hear your thoughts because I planned on using it instead of GlossCoat on my truck (that sits outside 24/7 through all the Connecticut weather)

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Gloss Coat’s pro is its ease of use. It’s not that durable. Used it on three cars. Two cars swerve daily drivers and both times Gloss Coat didn’t make it to the guaranteed 2 year claim. After my experience I no longer use it or recommend it.

CSL is easy to apply. It does retain its slickness and has that sealant like slickness. Don’t expect it to be as hydrophobic as some other coatings. Does a better job sheeting. Exo on top adds that tighter water beading and yet it retains that slickness. Really nice combo. I would go this route over Gloss Coat any day if the week.

Cquartz UK 3.0 has done well on my personal car for the last 8 months. Will make my final thoughts after 1 year of testing.

22ple VX Pro2 has been surprisingly good over these last two months on my dad’s car. The water beading is not as tight as CQUK 3.0 but it’s self cleaning characteristic is good. It just looks good. Also very forgiving in its usage.
 
BudgetPlan1- Yes indeed, this winter is kinda revving up at present. It`ll be interesting to hear your take on how the FK is holding up given the Coatings you`re using on other stuff. I *still* keep thinking "that`s what I get with the FK" when I check out these coating threads, but hey I have, uhm...Accumulator-specific (subjective in the proper sense) reasons why I`ll be sticking with it anyhow. Still find the coating info interesting though :D Sounds perfect for a whole lotta people.
 
I realized I posted a question about CSL but never replied, sorry about that!

Thanks for the info. Ive been an OptiCoat "guy" since it came out, so it has always been my go-to. This time around Im definitely up for something different....was pretty disappointed when Opti went all consumer-ish and I couldnt get a higher end product since Im not a pro.

Love the idea of self-cleaning since my truck sits outside 24/7/365 and its white (well, when its clean it is!) Durability is key also, since I dont ever have the time I like to have to detail. Since the truck is white, looks arent really a huge deal....its hard to see swirls on it because the paint is so bright and shiny in the sun. I have corrected it the best I could with whatever light I could throw at it, so I dont doubt it will look spectacular with any coating.

Right now Im leaning towards 22ple HPC but since its not Opti, I might have to change up my prep process. I was using Optimum Hyperpolish and a white pad, then an IPA wipedown then GlossCoat apply.

Can I still get away with the Hyperpolish?

And I know IPA still works, but are there better wipedown products out there now? I always hated IPA wipedowns because I worry about marring the paint after all the time spent correcting it.

Is there a product that will help the HPC bond better? Kinda like a primer of sorts.

And finally, is VS1 Final Coat helpful for anything other than looks? Since my two priorities are self cleaning and durability, I dont want to interfere with those, even in the name of looks.

I liked the idea of CSL originally, but will have to look around more about its self-cleaning abilities (or lack thereof). Since Im "starting over", Id rather get what I want, if I can :)

Thanks again everyone.

-Chris
 
chris03tl said:
I realized I posted a question about CSL but never replied, sorry about that!

Thanks for the info. Ive been an OptiCoat "guy" since it came out, so it has always been my go-to. This time around Im definitely up for something different....was pretty disappointed when Opti went all consumer-ish and I couldnt get a higher end product since Im not a pro.

Love the idea of self-cleaning since my truck sits outside 24/7/365 and its white (well, when its clean it is!) Durability is key also, since I dont ever have the time I like to have to detail. Since the truck is white, looks arent really a huge deal....its hard to see swirls on it because the paint is so bright and shiny in the sun. I have corrected it the best I could with whatever light I could throw at it, so I dont doubt it will look spectacular with any coating.

Right now Im leaning towards 22ple HPC but since its not Opti, I might have to change up my prep process. I was using Optimum Hyperpolish and a white pad, then an IPA wipedown then GlossCoat apply.

Can I still get away with the Hyperpolish?

And I know IPA still works, but are there better wipedown products out there now? I always hated IPA wipedowns because I worry about marring the paint after all the time spent correcting it.

Is there a product that will help the HPC bond better? Kinda like a primer of sorts.

And finally, is VS1 Final Coat helpful for anything other than looks? Since my two priorities are self cleaning and durability, I dont want to interfere with those, even in the name of looks.

I liked the idea of CSL originally, but will have to look around more about its self-cleaning abilities (or lack thereof). Since Im "starting over", Id rather get what I want, if I can :)

Thanks again everyone.

-Chris
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Hyper polish is still a great polish to use prior to a coating. One of the best finishing polishes to use. It also wipes clean with a prep wipe.

If you are looking for an alternative then pick up a prep wipe like CarPro Eraser.

VS1 is 22ple`s maintenance spray sealant. It will act as the sacrificial layer if used regularly. It will leave protection and slickness.

22ple has their product called Activate which is their primer but the review I saw was not favorable. You could use with other primer polishes but I would recommend a prep wipe prior to applying the coating. I am using 22ple VX Pro2 with Shine Supply slick Back Primer Polish and I have not had any issues.
 
chris03tl said:
I realized I posted a question about CSL but never replied, sorry about that!

I liked the idea of CSL originally, but will have to look around more about its self-cleaning abilities (or lack thereof). Since Im "starting over", Id rather get what I want, if I can :)

Thanks again everyone.

-Chris
Click to expand...

Hopefully the addition of EXO helps with self-cleaning...
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Nice! Keep us posted (Im sure you will :) )

I have a 2017 RAM 1500 quad cab...I think I started with 30ml of Gloss Coat and have some leftover (including after redoing a couple spots). So Im thinking 30ml of 22ple will suffice? Looking at it now, its more expensive over the CSL especially when going from the 30 to 50ml size. But Exo is also more expensive than Final Coat so it seems a wash on price.

Saw a few reviews saying they used a lot of the 22ple but Im curious what applicator they were using. Does the 22ple applicator "soak up" too much? I was figuring I would use a foam block and a few suede microfiber cloths.
 
Skip the 22ple applicator...it`s junk. I started using the Autofibre `coating saver` terry applicators recently and they are very nice.

30ml of 22ple HPC *may* be a little light if doing 2 coats on full size pickup but guessing it could be done if careful. US vendor for 22ple (Detailed Image) doing 25% off today...

chris03tl said:
Nice! Keep us posted (Im sure you will :) )

I have a 2017 RAM 1500 quad cab...I think I started with 30ml of Gloss Coat and have some leftover (including after redoing a couple spots). So Im thinking 30ml of 22ple will suffice? Looking at it now, its more expensive over the CSL especially when going from the 30 to 50ml size. But Exo is also more expensive than Final Coat so it seems a wash on price.

Saw a few reviews saying they used a lot of the 22ple but Im curious what applicator they were using. Does the 22ple applicator "soak up" too much? I was figuring I would use a foam block and a few suede microfiber cloths.
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johnboy said:
how did you like slick back primer polish? does it have a long buffing cycle? did you do a wipe down afterwards?
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It’s similar to any of the other primer polishes. No fillers in it unlike Essence which has minor filling.

Has a good working time.

Jeremy if Shine Supply states that it does not need to be prep wiped after 1 hour to allow the SiO2 to set up. After 1 hour one can go straight to coating. I still prep wipe but I usually let a primer polish set up overnight.

chris03tl said:
Nice! Keep us posted (Im sure you will :) )

I have a 2017 RAM 1500 quad cab...I think I started with 30ml of Gloss Coat and have some leftover (including after redoing a couple spots). So Im thinking 30ml of 22ple will suffice? Looking at it now, its more expensive over the CSL especially when going from the 30 to 50ml size. But Exo is also more expensive than Final Coat so it seems a wash on price.

Saw a few reviews saying they used a lot of the 22ple but Im curious what applicator they were using. Does the 22ple applicator "soak up" too much? I was figuring I would use a foam block and a few suede microfiber cloths.
Click to expand...

I would also recommend the autofiber terry coating saver applicators. Amazing for coating application. Much more comfortable to use as well.

I would probably go with the 50ml bottle as budget mentioned. I had about 5 ml’s left of VX Pro2 after doing two coats on a 2015 impala.

Also VS1 goes a long way and even the small bottle will suffice.

Also Exo is actually a stand alone coating but folks use it as a topper over CSL due to it being more hydrophobic than CSL. So different than VS1.
 
CSL & EXO

CSL
At 60 degrees F, I`m doing 4` x 6` sections (panel van) and it`s amazing how light a touch removes the CSL; VERY forgiving. Used 300gsm for initial wipe, then 420gsm or so for final buff. Single coat took about 1.5hrs on 2018 Ford Transit 150 van. Used about 25ml.

EXOV4
Wow...a little goes a loooong way. Can do even larger sections than CSL but I`m gonna keep it to the 4` x 6` or similar. EXO needs to sit a minute or two, a bit longer than CSL otherwise kinda `smeary` on removal but still very, very easy to use. Have to pay a bit more attention to avoid pushing coating to another panel when leveling/removing. Using same 300gsm for initial leveling followed by a 350gsm for final buff. Plusher towel not as good fro final buff with EXO for me, leaves some lint. Could be environment I`m doing it in though. Nice slick finish somewhat like the Gliss V2...not Gyeon Syncro slick. Used about 25ml for TWO coats. Started doing larger sections towards on the 2nd coat, no issues.

Used Autofibre coating saver terry/microfiber applicators for both, flipping sides half way thru each coat with no dragging on applicator at any point.

Would be nice if this stuff ends up staying as clean as 22ple & Kamikaze as it`s very quick & easy to apply (even w/ 3 coats) and considering I can get a full van done with 30ml of CSL and 30ml of EXO, I`d be under $100 per vehicle. We`ll see how it goes this summer. It`s a very nice look as well, CSL gives it a nice deep, rich base (darkens slightly) and the EXO adds some reflective gloss. And I just think the name Crystal Serum (Light) is one of the best coating names out there...
 
That`s the rub I have with 22ple right now....the CSL/EXO combination is a lot more cost efficient, but the self-cleaning capability is somewhat unknown (or skewed since EXO seems to improve on it so much)

I like the idea of a topper but I find myself....being lazy...and not re-applying it. Which leads back to which is the better *bare coating*, which seems to be the 22ple, at least in regards to my 2 important factors.
 
chris03tl said:
That`s the rub I have with 22ple right now....the CSL/EXO combination is a lot more cost efficient, but the self-cleaning capability is somewhat unknown (or skewed since EXO seems to improve on it so much)

I like the idea of a topper but I find myself....being lazy...and not re-applying it. Which leads back to which is the better *bare coating*, which seems to be the 22ple, at least in regards to my 2 important factors.
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Sent ya a Private Message.
 
chris03tl said:
That`s the rub I have with 22ple right now....the CSL/EXO combination is a lot more cost efficient, but the self-cleaning capability is somewhat unknown (or skewed since EXO seems to improve on it so much)

I like the idea of a topper but I find myself....being lazy...and not re-applying it. Which leads back to which is the better *bare coating*, which seems to be the 22ple, at least in regards to my 2 important factors.
Click to expand...

The only downside to 22ple is the 12-24 hour wait time for a second coat. Take advantage of the 25% off at detailed image if cost is a concern.

I will also toss Cquartz UK 3.0 if you are looking for a good coating that performs well and is cost effective. A second coat can be applied 1 hour after the first.
 
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