The Porsche Macan pictured above was coated with 2 coats of Garage Therapy (GT) Typhon (a 5 year GT Professional coating) topped off with GT Chimera.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is a product that can be applied to your vehicle. It creates a protective layer for your vehicle's paint, wheels, glass, and plastic trim. This protection is measured in hardness (usually expressed as a number and the letter H, inline with pencil hardness) and lifespan, which ranges from 1 to 5 years with the longer lasting coatings only available to suitably trained professionals. As well as providing a protective layer, there are other benefits, such as adding an enhanced gloss to your paint, restoring faded plastic, and making it easier to keep your vehicle clean.
What Preparation needs to be done prior to application?
The vehicle needs to be thoroughly cleaned, chemically decontaminated (Tar & Glue, Iron Fallout Remover and Water spot Remover), and then physically decontaminated using a clay bar. The vehicle should then be machine polished to ensure that as many of the imperfections (scratches and other marks) are removed. Finally, the surface needs to be wiped over with a Panel Wipe to remove any polish residue. Following this process will ensure the paintwork is thoroughly cleaned which will ensure the Ceramic Coating will bond to it.
Proper preparation is key to ensure the best finish and the ultimate lifespan of your chosen ceramic coating.
Application
Ceramic coatings come in a liquid form that is designed to cure on contact with air. Heat and humidity will affect the curing time. The product is usually applied using a suede cloth and a foam backed block. Ensure the instructions are consulted to see what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs to be worn but, at a minimum, gloves and breathing protection should be worn. The product is applied by a dropper to the suede cloth and then spread over a small section of the paintwork, it is then allowed to flash off before it is levelled with a microfibre cloth then once it ready buffed up with a second microfibre cloth. Each product has different curing times when applying them, then there will be a specified time before a second coat can be applied. The vehicle will generally have to remain under cover to allow it to cure fully. This process can take as long as 3 days, including cleaning and machine polishing depending on the time the product takes to cure.
Aftercare
Each manufacturer will stipulate what aftercare is required to prolong the life of their products. With the ceramic coatings that we apply, it is strongly recommended that every 6, months your vehicle is thoroughly decontaminated and a spray sealant topper product applied. Whilst high-quality ceramic coatings are designed to withstand abuse, their lifespan will be reduced with aggressive cleaning techniques, such as drive through brush washers and caustic cleaning products that you will find at roadside hand wash facilities. It is best to use the same cleaning products made by the company who provided your coating as they will be designed to work in harmony with it.
This Golf R32 has had 2 coats of Garage Therapy Typhon followed by a coat of GT Chimera. The wheels have had GT Hades applied.
What Ceramic Coatings do I use?
I am a Garage Therapy certified detailer which gives me access to their professional range of coatings, such as Typhon and Tartarus. As you can see from the diagram below, they produce coatings for all of the surfaces of your vehicle (including the interior) allowing us to provide you with the ultimate enhancement and protection for your vehicle.
The above diagram lists all of the current exterior ceramic products that Garage Therapy produce and each ones strengths. For more in-depth product information visit www.garagetherapy.co.uk
If you would like more information on any of the services I provide or the Ceramic Coatings that we offer, please give me a call on 07973 119 077 or email kevin@polishedsw.co.uk
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