I applied an Adam's ceramic-graphine product within a week of picking up the truck. The truck was built just a couple of weeks prior to delivery. I washed, sprayed iron remover, and used the clay bar. The paint job was pretty good, so I didn't polish. I have since used the turtle wax hybrid ceramic spray after a good wash. You can top coat ceramic- just don't use a top coat that includes a "cleaner" (or anything abraisive).

 

My brother took delivery on a new F250 Tremor around May 20.........went right to a pretty high end detail shop...........paint correction, paint protection film, ceramic coating, window tint........I don't know but I'll bet it was close to 10K for tho whole deal.........took 10 days.........

 

I spent six weeks visiting my son down Dawsonville, GA.

they have a car wash there that lets you have a Daily Wash & Wax or Premium coating, whatever you pay up front for.

if you go thru that thing every day, the effect is just plain awesome.
even every two days has the same result...

my truck has a respray job, done by some Earl Scheib outfit in the past,
but that car wash, made it shine like a new premium paint job

now that I am home, the closest thing to it is 20 miles away.

took this pix, the day before I headed back to OkieLand

 

To your question specifically, I just Used GTechniq's Crystal Serum Light (CSL), then topped it with one layer of EXO 5. Trying their G1 product on the windshield.

Truck is new, asked the dealer not to touch it and mess up the paint. I washed it and started to clay bar it and didn't find any issues so just used the Gtech's panel product to wipe it down first. First time using GTechniq, plenty of Videos, couldn't have been any easier to do. "Paint correction" can be subjective and really all it can do is remove marks in the clear and water spots. Not that hard to do with a little education and practice. If you've never done it and need to, suggest an orbital and experiment on a small area. If you aren't sure, wash your vehicle and notice the paint and do you see anything that bothers you? Water spots, swirls etc. Personally, I went to body shop and got a black door off a wrecked car and experimented with pads and polishes till I got the hang. Only caution I would give you is don't use a machine to polish any plastic starting out or be very careful.

Personally, I'd rather have the tools and knowledge to do such things in my spare time than waste $500 taking it somewhere. Plus seems the BS has gotten deeper and prices higher right now.

Again GTechniq's couldn't have been easier to apply and probably other products out there similar. Truck is still in my shop and haven't taken it out yet. Also, as far as the coatings go, no affiliation but check out the Project Farm review. (Edit) see a link has already been posted) Think there may be another one as well. I wish I would have tried one of those before the GTechniqs just to see how they do. Regardless, don't let anybody shame you into a product or service, do a little research and just start giving what you like a try. Definitely not an area to use the "get what you pay for" logic. Or you'll be sucked into something overpaying.

All kinds of products, theories and methods and you can easily find something that fits your budget, does the job and makes you happy.

 

Excellent advice and I appreciate the guidance.

 

That is my biggest gripe about ceramic coating is water spots, I was under the impression that I'd just need to spray off my truck every once in a while, nope that's not the case. I won't be going ceramic for any future vehicles, will just stick with the good ole wash/wax. That being said I'm not **** about washing my truck like a lot. My truck probably get a pressure wash 2-3 times a year and a hand wash maybe twice a year....

 

I use CQ.UK 3.0 on mine. Do the paint correction, yes even new they need it, amazing how much grit can do to new paint. Use a DA with a very fine polish after doing the claybar and iron treatment, just enough to put a glow. Then do the coating. I have gotten 4 years plus out of one double layer coating.

On the flip side, there is Armor All car wash with Ceramic. That stuff is amazing! BUT, word of caution, it MUST be rinsed off well and never allowed to dry or it will leave streaks that only a buffer can remove. When I got my 5th wheel, I did a full polish on it. I used Collinite fiberglass cleaner, then foamed the sides with the Armorall and rinsed it off with a pressure washer. That was in 2020 and still to this day the sides are slick and bead. Good stuff, but you have to use it correctly. Don't foam a wet car, foam it dry, then blast it off, and wash it by hand to get the rest of the dirt off with some of the soap in a bucket. Make sure it does not dry!!! I follow up with another full foam before I blast it with rinse water. It actually made my old Rav 4 look bright and shiny.

Professional Ceramic coatings use a fast drying resin that locks the ceramic glass onto the paint, it dries very quickly so has to be polished off when it flashes or will leave unsightly marks that can only be removed with a polisher. This type has a LOT of glass in it where the DIY stuff is more slow drying resin with some glass in it. Less chance to F it up with the DIY stuff. SiO2 sprays are like the DIY except the binders are used more then the actual glass to seal and protect. The only real difference between them all is their longevity. The GOOD stuff lasts for years while the easy to use cheap stuff is good for a year.

 

To answer your question, YES! I did ceramic coating on my SD myself. I used Avalon King coating. I did it when truck was new (19), and it still works & looks perfect, although it's 100% garage kept. When I drive in rain you can't even tell, water & dirt just roll right off. I've also used it on other cars with same results, I love it & it makes washing sooo much easier as well.

 

Looks great!

 

I had it put on my 2020 Platinum when new. Went with a “9 year” professional coating.

Its a oil patch so the paint has a pretty hard life. The coating has made it very easy to maintain. I only hand was the truck 2 or 3 times a year, other than that I just spray it off. After around 6 months it gets harder to get the filth off so I Dona hand wash and then use the ceramic quick detailer and it’s good for another 6 months or so if only using the spray wand. I’ve had lots of trucks without the coating and they were much harder to keep looking good.

I generally keep my truck for 5 years or more so it’s easier for me to justify the cost(I think it was around $1900 CAD) but if I was like most people that only keep ‘‘em a couple years I couldn’t justify it.

 

Have a 2020 Ford Explorer (white) and 2021 Ford F350 (black) that have both received the Carpro Professional paint correction and ceramic coating by a local shop. They both look amazing and shine better than when we purchased them new. Just had them both in for a 2 year check-up maintenance and the shop said the ceramic coating is holding up well but they did another multi- paint correction and reapplied the ceramic coat again. Said to come back in 3 years since we keep our vehicles clean and things are holding up well.

if you haven't done it yet I would highly recommend ceramic coating. As other have suggested, paint correction is the key and where most of the time will be spent. Better to have a flawless base to work with before applying ceramic coating. Doesn't make sense to seal in swirls and scratches. Hope this helps.

 

Finally got my truck out in the rain and so far impressed with the Gtechniqs CSL. While driving, cool to watch water pool in the slots on the hood when you stop, it's like a small river. The water looks like it's dancing.

The windshield I suppose about like Rainx. When you do hit the wiper the water slings off the windshield and the side windows aren't have water on them while driving. Think it cost me around $323 on everything and took a couple of evenings to do. If it last a year or more will be worth it. I will say not sure I've seen a wax bead up and as slick as the coatings.

 

Just wait until you slow down with a wet hood and make a turn. It puddles then blows back onto the windsheild!

 

I'm gearing up to put a graphene coating on my F450. I've been happy with Mckee's37 products so will likely use their system of prep & post care products. I figure it'll take 2-3 days, mostly prep.

 

I had Gloss It in Las Vegas do PPF and Graphene. It was spendy but is holding up well. They sell a complete line of detail stuff for people who like to DIY. Just one of the many options out there.

bob