06/26/2018
Hopefully this will help answer everyone’s questions.
What is CQuartz?
CQuartz is a brand of ceramic coatings distributed by CarPro. In my experience, testing and reviews by other detailers it is the best product for the money. It offers fantastic performance without breaking the bank while outperforming other products of comparable price point
What is a ceramic coating?
Ceramic coatings are the latest in protection against UV damage and oxidation. It is a liquid polymer which chemically bonds to your clear coat. They are more hydrophobic than waxes which not only protects your paint but it also makes cleaning your car easier. They enhance your gloss making your paint look newer, cleaner, and more “wet”. They cure harder than your clear coat so they will help reduce swirls and scratches. They are not scratch proof, but do offer some protection over raw paint. And they last up to 2 years instead of 2 months like most waxes.
Why do they cost so much?
First to prepare your paint for a ceramic coating we do our best to perfect your paint. Now while we can’t remove damage, we do remove swirls and light scratches and target some deeper scratches which we feel can be removed. This process takes 8-20+ hours and let’s face it, time isn’t free. Once the paint has been corrected, the coating process can begin taking an addition 1-2 hours depending on the size of the vehicle. Some markets charge $1500-$2000 for this service, we are not greedy and don’t feel this treatment should only be reserved for those with deep pockets. This is why we have been hired and flown out of state to work on vehicles.
How do I wash my car after a ceramic coating?
First, you want to wash your vehicle as little as possible. Any time you wash your vehicle the risk for new scratches and swirls increases. All waxes and coatings can only withstand so much punishment before they fail, and one of those ways is by repeated washing with hard soaps or physical contact. Car washes are in the business to clean your car by any means necessary. They employ brushes to physically remove the dirt or they use harsh soaps to help strip the dirt away. Both of these methods are harmful to your paint. The best way to wash is a time consuming process. You want to first rinse your car to remove as much lose dirt as possible. Once that is done a pH neutral soap should be used to lubricate your paint and help any remaining dirt slip off your paint (not something you can find at a car wash). Once all the loose dirt has been removed you must now resort to physical removal, the best way to do this is with a microfiber washmit using a separate rinse bucket to clean your washmit between panels. Once everything has been cleaned you now want to dry your car without touching it if possible. This can be done by driving it, by using compressed air, or even an electric leaf blower (do not use gas as this can result in oil residue being blown). As a last resort, microfiber towels can be used to remove any remaining water drips.
Attached is a sped up and condensed CQuartz installation from a couple years back.
Ceramic coatings require time to cure and bond to your paint. Most of this curing time is done in the first 24 hours during which your vehicle needs to stay completely dry to avoid water spots etching into your coating. Then for the next week, your car should not be washed and again kept as dry as possible.
Hopefully this helps answer the so many questions I get about CQuartz and the benefits of having a ceramic coating.
CQuartz treatment on a MB GLA 250
