I`m re-starting my detailing business, last time around I just kind of haphazardly used whatever products I liked. As I was always buying and trying out new stuff my repertoire would change from week to week. This time around I want to stick with a base of products. I`d like to have 3 coatings, I`m going to have QP-ON 2.0 for my entry level, it`s cheap and lasts a year. For the other end CSL+EXO v4 topped with C2v3. For the mid I was going to go with MOHS, but 2 coatings with waiting an hour in between`s not great for a mobile detailer. And it`s the same price as CSL+EXO V4 which defeats the purpose of it being a mid level offering. CQuartz is out of the running also because they recommend 2 coats, and waiting 1-3 hours between. I`ve been out of the detailing game for over a year, so I`m behind the times a bit on new products still. I know the big dogs, but what smaller brand should I be looking at for a single, or double layer with no waiting that lasts 12-24 months.
help me pick a coating
- Thread starter quebert
- Start date
c5longhorn
Member
What about McKee`s 37 for a mid level. I`ve been pretty happy with it but I`m not a pro detailer.
The Guz
Mike
Why not just use CSL or Exo as your mid level offering. CSL only requires 1 coat and it is recommended to apply two coats with Exo which can be done as soon as the first coat is applied.
As far as Cquartz they recommend 2 coats but it is not a requirement. As long as you feel that you got even coverage then you are fine.
But as I was saying you already have what you need with GTechniq.
As far as Cquartz they recommend 2 coats but it is not a requirement. As long as you feel that you got even coverage then you are fine.
But as I was saying you already have what you need with GTechniq.
BudgetPlan1
Active member
FWIW, Cquartz UK 3, which is quite nicely priced, you can apply 2nd layer "within 45-60 minutes OR after 24 hrs" or something to that effect.
Point being, break the vehicle up into sections and you can get 2 layers of UK 3 down VERY quickly.
I gave both CQUK 3 and CSL/EXO a go last winter and watching the vehicles since then prefer how CQ UK 3 is doing. I did top the CQUK w Gliss though.
I used CSL on it`s own topped with C2V3 back in 2017 and it was among the worst combos I used as far as keeping itself clean...until the C2V3 wore off about a month later.
Personally, after trying a boxload of coatings over the last 2.5 years, I just dont get why many think CSL/EXO is "the best coating in all the kingdom" as I have found a few others that eat it for lunch as far as hydrophobic behavior and self-cleaning goes. Does apply like a dream though and has a nice deep, rich look.
Everybody is different though, gotta use what works for you. Plenty of good choices out there.
Point being, break the vehicle up into sections and you can get 2 layers of UK 3 down VERY quickly.
I gave both CQUK 3 and CSL/EXO a go last winter and watching the vehicles since then prefer how CQ UK 3 is doing. I did top the CQUK w Gliss though.
I used CSL on it`s own topped with C2V3 back in 2017 and it was among the worst combos I used as far as keeping itself clean...until the C2V3 wore off about a month later.
Personally, after trying a boxload of coatings over the last 2.5 years, I just dont get why many think CSL/EXO is "the best coating in all the kingdom" as I have found a few others that eat it for lunch as far as hydrophobic behavior and self-cleaning goes. Does apply like a dream though and has a nice deep, rich look.
Everybody is different though, gotta use what works for you. Plenty of good choices out there.
See, thank you I will go read up on that. Never used anything from them, but I`ve used Pinnacle & Wolfgang & Blackfire stuff. And I liked everything I used. PBMG puts out good stuff. As for the "pro detailer" haha, I mean I`m pretty good at it, and I will be doing it to make money. But compared to a lot of the folks on here, I`m not a pro detailer either lol. In my town it doesn`t take much to impress people for detailing.
Such a simple answer, that`s probably why I didn`t think of it. When I started processing this out in my brain, the original coating section of my web site has SIX different coating offerings. I realized, that was way too much. Maybe even 3`s too much still. But with you`re suggestion I have 4, since I use 2 for 1 it`s like I have 3 total.
Well, the last coating I applied was 3 years ago, I haven`t ordered anything yet, I`m still planning things out in my head. I might end up going UK 3.0 + Gliss for my top end and just offer UK for the mid. I was basing my thoughts on everything I`ve read and seen on videos. People are getting 3-5 years from a properly coated and maintained CSL+EXO. I`m seeing 24 months with UK 3.0, which isn`t bad but shorter. The only other I could find that was in the 5 year range where you actually could get 5 years. And not some crazy manufacturer claim is Zapang from Kamikaze. And that`s like $350, which is a lot lot lot of cash. I`m sure it`s every bit as great as Todd from Esoteric claims, but $350`s close to what I`d want to charge customers. I should go do more reading on UK 3.0. Or maybe I could try CSL+EXO and UK 3.0 myself. My 1st 4 customers who get a coating and have me maintain it can be my test dummies. I just looked at UK 3.0 kit prices and it`s cheaper than I thought. 1 coating topped with Reload could be the killer mid price option.
There are too many products out there which is a bad thing for me lol. Coating`s aren`t exactly a $20 bottle of shampoo where I can try 6 different ones in a few months. Or a cheap(er) spray wax. I gotta rely on people on forums and YT, and everyone has a favorite. Thanks for pointing out the breaking up the vehicle part, I mean I knew that. But saying it made me think about it. My pea brain was = 1 hour, 1 hour after I`m done. No, 1 hour after I start wiping it off the 1st panel. So there`s not a 60 minute stretch, maybe none at all.
Mike lambert
New member
Do yourself a favor and look at Kamikaze, a coating for each level you want. Stupid easy. My only advice, just offer 2 levels. A short term and a more durable. Makes it easier for the client. We went thru all that and it just confused the client.
The Guz
Mike
First thing is don’t get caught up in the clams of how long a coating lasts. This is going to very depending on each persons environment. You may not see the claimed 5 years that GTechniq claims. More realistically it will be half of that claim at best.
If you want to simplify it even more offer Exo as your entry level and CSL as your mid and CSL/Exo as your top end of you want to stay within the GTechniq line.
They are a nice to work with which is why many like using them. CSL is nice just not as hydrophobic as some of the other coatings. The benefit is that only one coat is needed.
Cquartz offers a good line up as well. CQUK 3.0 works well as a stand alone. If you want to stay within this line up get yourself Cquartz Lite for entry level and CQUK 3.0 for everything else. Gliss can be an add on.
I really did think about going this way, but their cheapest coating costs what CSL+EXO v4 cost, and that was going to be my top offering. I`m not Larry from AMMO and I won`t have customers who have car collections. I was looking to spend about $60 and $120 on whichever 2 I offer. Miyabi`s $119 and ISM`s $139 or $149. I like your 2 coating idea, and maybe since coatings will be the smallest percentage of my business. The price of going Kamikaze wouldn`t be so bad. I`ve watched all of Todd`s videos I definitely love what Kamikaze offer. Miyabi topped with Overcoat would greatness. Does Esoteric ever have like 20% sales? I`m so use to here and AG and getting 20-25% it would hard for me to swallow always paying retail lol.
Hummm, as always I ask a question here and I get too much help.
rlmccarty2000
Active member
For an entry level coating PBL Paint Coating would be my choice especially if you are mobile. It goes on easy, you can get 4+ cars out of a bottle, it doesn’t harden in the bottle, and it lasts 12-24 months. I had it last 24 months on a not very well taken care of car. Use Essence as an AOI and top it with the PBL, quick and relatively inexpensive.
The new McKees formula will harden in the bottle if not used quickly.
I would offer CQuartzUK 3.0 for its application temperature range. As a mobile detailer you need something that will apply the same in different temperatures and U.K. fits the bill. I just use one coat with Essence as the primer with good results. For an additional charge you can top it with Gliss. Upselling will increase your profits and the customer will go for the extra slickness.
The new McKees formula will harden in the bottle if not used quickly.
I would offer CQuartzUK 3.0 for its application temperature range. As a mobile detailer you need something that will apply the same in different temperatures and U.K. fits the bill. I just use one coat with Essence as the primer with good results. For an additional charge you can top it with Gliss. Upselling will increase your profits and the customer will go for the extra slickness.
UK 3.0 + Gliss sounds good, but the instructions say to apply it 4 hours after CQuartz, or 45 minutes if CQ was IR cured. For mobile a 4 hour wait would be a no go. UK 3.0 on it`s own looks sweet for the price. So even without Gliss it could be a good option. AND THANK YOU for mentioning Essence, I was looking for it but couldn`t remember anything about it. I thought maybe some YT videos would jog my memory. But all that did was lead me to discover AngelWax Enigma AIO, which I watched 5 videos about and ended up ordering today. Awh well, when it runs out I`ll get some Essence.
HUMMM since my web site won`t be listing the names of the coatings, maybe I`ll offer 2, but still use all 6 I originally was thinking about. That way I can become comfortable with a range of products and level up my abilities.
Marine Clerk
New member
I`m using UK 3.0 + GlissV2, very satisfied with it.
Topping with EliXir monthly, it goes on like a detailing mist and is Not streaky.
Using Merlins Elixir as a sacrificial topping plus it has hydrophobic properties and added slickness.
PMed with Guz(thanks again) for give and take sessions before using this combo.
Topping with EliXir monthly, it goes on like a detailing mist and is Not streaky.
Using Merlins Elixir as a sacrificial topping plus it has hydrophobic properties and added slickness.
PMed with Guz(thanks again) for give and take sessions before using this combo.
The Guz
Mike
Gliss is not a requirement for using CQUK 3.0. CQUK 3.0 does a good job without it. But yes the minimum time is 4 hours after the last coat of CQUK 3.0.
Unlike CSL, CQUK 3.0 does not need a topper to get good hydrophobic properties. Exo is what takes CSL to the next level.
Glad I could and it’s good to see you are enjoying that combo.
dcjredline
New member
I would second the Guz, Exo entry, CSL mid and the combo as your higher end. CSL is good for 3-5 according to them, if you can offer almost 2 from EXO and over 2 for CSL then 4 ish for the combo that sounds like a winning combo to me. KISS Keep It Simple Stupid (or as Mike P likes to say for the last S, Simon)
I think this, but with only 2 levels, I can use either EXO or CSL for the basic level, and the combo for the high. EXO and CSL are like $5 apart. Looking at GTechniq`s comparison chart, it really sucks. EXO is way more dirt repellent, but looks like it pretty poor at protecting swirl`s during washes. And CSL`s the exact opposite. And every other coating combo I`m finding that would be sweet, has a 4 hour cure time, which means I`d have to make return trips, or wait around forever. I`m probably way overthinking this. Even with EXO not having the hardless of CSL and CSL not being as good as EXO for repelling dirt. Either would be leagues above having no protection. And the people I do this for, aren`t Autopia`ers who know about every damn thing. The people out here think a "full detail" is a wash + wax + vacuuming.
I`ll buy the GTechniq stuff and do my best to up-sell to the Black combo. And maybe 5 years down the road I can become an accredited GTechniq installer. I don`t know how, but they guarantee CSL+EXO for 5 years if you have someone they certified do it.
TheMeanGreen
New member
First, find a customer that wants a coating, then buy the products on Amazon with Prime. There is no sense with buying coatings in hopes that you will find a customer that wants a coating, find the customer first.
William_Wallace
New member
Lots of good info in here already I’ve used both Exo and csl I have also used CQUK. I prefer cquartz uk better beading, better gloss, better price. Csl is easier than Exo and I’m to apply. Exo and cquk are at the Same in ease of application.
This is solid advice, but it would be bad business to up-sell a customer to get a coating and not have the coating available. I don`t plan to stock a whole shelf of them, probably just 2 kits a time. If someone schedules a coating a week or 2 in advance I can just order one to replace what I`ll use. Your Amazon idea`s a good one, but at least in my area. The only coating I could get the next day is Migliore Strata Coating. Which I know nothing about, it might be killer, but I`ve never heard it mentioned on here or AG, and the only YT videos I see on it are from the company or one of those stupid Ezvid WIKI. CSL or UK 3.0 are 4+ days out even with Prime. And I think one of the keys to a good up sell, is don`t up sell something you can`t offer on the spot. Of course when I get popular and my calendar becomes booked I won`t be able to offer a coating up-sell on the spot. But that`s a whole other problem, one I hope to have in the near future
Just a wild guess as I haven`t done any research, but I`m figuring maybe 5% of the people will get coatings from me. If I`m wrong and it ends up taking off, I can just stock more.And once again, thanks to everyone who replied. I`ve decided to offer CSL, EXO & UK 3.0, probably not Gliss though. I read so much good stuff about CQuartz and it seems like one of the best 1 coating options. Even if my 5% theories right, if I get busy busy that could still be a nice chunk of change at the end of the year. I was looking at other detailers in Orange County, seeing $650 for a coating I`ve never heard of (Supreme Detail Supply Standard) and $400-700 for "2+ year coatings" with no brand mentioned.
So on Gtechniq`s site for EXO v4 it says 30ml`s enough for a mid sized and 50`s needed for a larger vehicle. I`m assuming that`s 2 coatings? Also they say CSL application needs ambient conditions of above 3 degrees C and below 25 C. I could have sworn I read up to 40 C, but apparently I had it mixed up with UK 3.0. I went to a BAD California public school, so excuse my asking this. If it`s 110 outside, but the cars under a canopy and the paint isn`t hot. Wouldn`t it still be too hot for CSL since the surrounding air will still be blazing? Maybe it`s just the way the Gtechniq words it, but it`s slightly confusing me. I know I learned in school that air temp in and out of the shade will be the same regardless.[FONT="]
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Ancient_1
Member
I have used CSL in temps from the 30`s to th3 90`s but no triple digit temps with it basically acting the same each time. The EXO is the one that seems to have the greatest change with temps with wait time for flash from under 1 minute tom over 2 (V3). I have only done one with V4 and it seems to a longer flash time and is less grabby than V3.
For me CSL is the easiest coating to apply and looks good but like was said the self cleaning aspect lacks a little compared to others and it seem to me EXO v4 is a slight downgrade from V3 in that respect.
For me CSL is the easiest coating to apply and looks good but like was said the self cleaning aspect lacks a little compared to others and it seem to me EXO v4 is a slight downgrade from V3 in that respect.
Marine Clerk
New member
When I applied UK 3.0 + GlissV2 I used a single application of each.
Wonder what the purpose of two coats of UK 3.0 is as I had full coverage and No missed spots with one coat of each.
Unless you have a Darker Cave type of garage there should be enough light to see your coverage when applying.
IMO the extra coat of 3.0 is a waste especially because I`ve already covered it with GlissV2 as an extra sacrificial layer.