F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Sealant/Spray wax vs. Ceramic Coat
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-21-2018, 10:13 AM   #1
34dean
Lieutenant
34dean's Avatar
87
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2015 335i X-drive M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (1)

Sealant/Spray wax vs. Ceramic Coat

So I am weighing my options for protecting and keeping my car looking great as we head into the colder months up here in New England. The paint on my car is overall very good. I have some touch up spots on the hood and some chips but the remainder of the car is excellent.

I am considering Cquartz ceramic coating as well as Jescar Power Lock + Meguiers Spray wax. My questions are:

1. Which option will give me the best protection and ease of keeping my car clean?
2. Which will look the best?
3. Which will last longest before needing to re-do?

All opinions and input are obviously welcome as I am very much a newb to this area!

Thank you
__________________
2015 335i X-drive, Black Sapphire Metallic, M Sport package LOADED. MPE/VRSF Charge Pipe/BM3 Stage 1 93 Octane
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2018, 01:37 PM   #2
louielouie
Major
United_States
529
Rep
1,026
Posts

Drives: '18 F80
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Ceramic coating is the answer to all 3 of those
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2018, 03:13 PM   #3
Dkcarspa
Private First Class
39
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: 99M3, 91IX
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Fairfield, CT

iTrader: (0)

Go with coating best option for new england cars. I see you are from CT pm me if you other questions about detailing.
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2018, 04:50 AM   #4
SynTom
IAM Roadsmart Fellow
SynTom's Avatar
United Kingdom
48
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: BMW M4 Coupé
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Ceramic Coating all the way.

However if you're crazy like me then you can always add paint sealants and waxes on top of your ceramic coating for extra protection.

I run two ceramics, two sealants and a few different waxes finished off with a hydrophobic mist spray to bring the ceramics hydrophobic properties back.

In short though, for the best possible protection second to a full Clear Bra, Ceramic is your answer.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2018, 05:02 PM   #5
finalfantasyfan
Private
57
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: BMW 328i, X3 M40i
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X3 M40i  [0.00]
2003 BMW Z4  [0.00]
2006 BMW 325i  [0.00]
2008 Acura MDX  [0.00]
2013 BMW 328i  [0.00]
1. Ceramic coating will give you best protection.
2. For me, Power Lock looks better compare to ceramic coating side by side.
3. Ceramic coating last longest. However, it is very hard to re-do ceramic coating which is one of the main disadvantage compare to sealant/wax. You probably need wet sanding or very aggressive compound to remove the ceramic coating and reapply it. With sealant/wax, you can resurface the clearcoat whenever there are scratches or swirl mark. It takes me few hours to "reset" my paint condition to perfect once a year with DA polishing. With Ceramic coating, it lasts longest but it is also very hard to polish imperfection.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2018, 07:17 PM   #6
Bobh59
Private
Bobh59's Avatar
United_States
52
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
A coating is the answer to all three of your questions. I would also strongly suggest you talk to some people you trust who have experience with coatings and not rely on opinions from people who have no experience with them.
__________________
PPK | Mishimoto FMIC | ER CP | Forge DVs | RB Inlets | RB PCV | BMW PE | Dinan springs/Koni Yellows
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2018, 09:19 PM   #7
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8149
Rep
15,935
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

I use Power Lock, with nothing over it, I'm 100% satisfied.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2018, 03:50 PM   #8
hankcah
First Lieutenant
42
Rep
364
Posts

Drives: BMW 335i E90
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saint Louis

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 335i  [0.00]
CQuartz is great and you can find pricing on Amazon between $50-70. And includes the orange suede applicators, etc.

I applied Cquartz (UK version) to mine back in February of 2017 and it still beads up nicely today. I'll add some Hydro2 every few months to the windows. But applied the cquartz to the windows too.

Even if you don't do paint correction I highly recommend applying the Cquartz. But make sure you clay and fo the 50/50 IPA wipedown prior to applying - to remove oils.

Biggest difference I notice is with washing.
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2019, 01:43 PM   #9
LiquidBlue_F30
Enlisted Member
LiquidBlue_F30's Avatar
United_States
21
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: BMW 320i XDrive
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Paint protection film is the only way to truly keep your vehicle protected during the harsh New England winters. Then add an extra layer of protection using CQuartz Skin which is made specifically for use on PPF.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2019, 04:46 AM   #10
deviantspeed
poopycat
United_States
266
Rep
791
Posts

Drives: 2017 F31 330ixT
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: I live in a tent around Seattle

iTrader: (0)

High quality sealant, but do the prep work before applying.

Those that recommend a "ceramic", have you actually looked at the ingredients and compared to a sealant?

Appreciate 0
      08-06-2019, 08:43 PM   #11
GenXer
Major
United_States
1349
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: Like a bat out of hell.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: here and there

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I had pretty good luck with Meguairs Hybrid ceramic wax A.K.A. "fake ceramic sealant" to die hard fans.

I didn't exactly blindly follow the direction on the bottle but actually prepped the surface first. Wash/clay/wipe down with isopropyl alcohol. Then using a damp applicator apply the stuff liberally onto the surface and buff it out immediately. Let it cure in the garage overnight before taking the car outside.

After 3 months the stuff still works as demonstrated on my 7 year old Mazda.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2019, 04:29 AM   #12
B1ue52
Second Lieutenant
England
123
Rep
202
Posts

Drives: F32 420d M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: England

iTrader: (0)

I am a massive fan of ceramic/liquid crystal/quartz coatings and not a very big fan of spray waxes of any description. Paste waxes, in my considerable experience, have a much better duration than sprays, and always have had. With that said, I do appreciate that spray waxes are far more popular in the US than in the UK.

With that said, there is a really excellent compromise between spray waxes, any waxes and a ceramic coating. G-Techniq C2 is a spray on liquid crystal coating that rather than lasting 5 years, lasts between 4 and 6 months. Isnt difficult to remove, though why would you want to, and can be applied as a top up/protective layer to other ceramic type coatings.

It's very easy to apply and if you prefer something much more semi permanent than a full ceramic coating, its an obvious choice for me. I personally use a coating of G-Techniq C1 (5 year) coated with G-Techniq EVOv4 (the C1 offers the best protection and the EVO provides the Hydrophobic performance) and then every few months I top up with C2, purely because I miss waxing my car.

However, C2 can be used on its own with no additional layers and will offer a lighter, more renewable effect of C1 + EVO with much better results than any wax be it paste or spray
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2019, 08:34 AM   #13
Bobh59
Private
Bobh59's Avatar
United_States
52
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi coupe
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalfantasyfan View Post
1. Ceramic coating will give you best protection.
2. For me, Power Lock looks better compare to ceramic coating side by side.
3. Ceramic coating last longest. However, it is very hard to re-do ceramic coating which is one of the main disadvantage compare to sealant/wax. You probably need wet sanding or very aggressive compound to remove the ceramic coating and reapply it. With sealant/wax, you can resurface the clearcoat whenever there are scratches or swirl mark. It takes me few hours to "reset" my paint condition to perfect once a year with DA polishing. With Ceramic coating, it lasts longest but it is also very hard to polish imperfection.
I've never seen a sealant that can match a good coating in terms of gloss. I suspect that will change in the future though.

It's not that hard to redo a coating either and it doesn't require wet sanding or the use an aggressive compound. You can also "polish' a coating with a product like CarPro Essence Plus if need be.

Best coatings I've used in terms of ease of use are Blackfire Ceramic Pro and McKees 37 260 Paint Coating.
__________________
PPK | Mishimoto FMIC | ER CP | Forge DVs | RB Inlets | RB PCV | BMW PE | Dinan springs/Koni Yellows
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:42 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST