There is nothing worse than poor ceramic coating application. I mean is like having a 24k diamond and use it to play tennis. And believe me, applying a nanoceramic coating in the wrong way it’s going to be noticed.
Most DIY ceramic coatings are easy to apply but require detail and precision. See, a manufacturer such as AvalonKing will provide you all the proper installation steps in order for you to apply it correctly, but, the success depends entirely on you.
There are no shortcuts in the world of ceramic coating and if you are the type of guy who wants to do it fast and get over with it, just don’t it mate. Ceramic coatings are for perfectionists. They are for those people who want to get the best out of their nano coating because they want to offer the best shit for their babies.
Anyhow, today we we’ll break down 9 of the most common ceramic coating mistakes users tend to make, so sit back, relax and enjoy reading!
P.S.: Think this as a readable fail compilation. Hahaha, enjoy!
The 9 Most Common Ceramic Coating Mistakes
Here are 9 of the most common ceramic coating mistakes vehicle owners usually make:
1. Too Cold
If you are trying to coat your vehicle while its surfaces are below 40° Fahrenheit or 4.4° Celsius, you’re not going to get the job done. The nano coating will not cure and eventually wil be useless.
2. High Humidity
If you try to ceramic coat your vehicle in a very humid place, you’re done. Extremely high humidity will slow down the curing process and provide an oily-looking result. Always work around 50-60% humidity.
3. Too much product
4. Premature exposure
Premature exposure to moisture devastate your freshly applied nano coating. Moisture will penetrate the coating and may result to a total failure. Always wait for at least 24 hours or even better 7 days, before you take it out.
5. Prep-Work
Never ever skip the prep work. Really, without the right prep work, your coating is a waste of money. Poor preparation can lead to a really bad result, a premature wear off or even a complete application failure.
6. Law of stacking
7. direct sunlight
Never apply your nanoceramic coating under direct sunlight because it’ll wreck all of the greasy elbow. Park your vehicle indoors or in a shade for at least 4-5 hours before applying.
8. hot surfaces
Like before, you must always apply your nanoceramic coating in cool surfaces. Not cold, not hot but cool. Applying nano coating in hot surface can cause premature wear off.
9. proper curing
I know. We and other manufacturers say that in 48 hours you’re ready to go. This is partially true. In order for the coating to cure 100%, you must wait two weeks.
What Will Happen If You Do Any Of These Mistakes
A properly coat vehicle can withstand almost anything Mother Nature throws at it. From extreme climates, dirt and contaminants to scratches. However, if you apply your nanoceramic coating wrong, poor scratch-resistance is the least of your worries. You’re facing premature wear off, high chances of corrosion and basically total waste of money. I mean, seriously, plain clear coat is just fine if you are not up to the dedicate the work.
Lucky for you, nanocoating doesn’t hurt your vehicle’s finish no matter how you’ve applied it. Of course this doesn’t not mean that throwing 70 bucks to the bin won’t hurt you.
So, to wrap it up, the most common reason of a nano coating’s total failure is poor preparation. Why prep work is so crucial? – Read why.
Why Prep Work Is Critical Before Applying A Ceramic Coating
So, you’ve bought your brand new nanoceramic coating and you’re ready to apply it right? – Hell no!
First you must do the right prep work and believe me it’s the most essential process of the entire application.
We’ve explained on our previous article how to properly prepare before applying, but we’ll break down some of the most critical steps required:
- Wash and Dry: First, grab 3 buckets. The three-bucket system is one of the most efficient methods of vehicle cleaning in the detailing world. The first bucket is for the exterior, the second bucket for the wheels and the third bucket is for flushing.
- Clay Bar or Clay Mitt: After you’re done washing the vehicle, grab your clay mitt or bar, lube it, lube the vehicle’s surface and start claying it in order to remove any oils, grease or other hard-to-remove contaminants.
- Polishing and Paint Correction: If you car is brand new, paint correction is not necessary but if your car is old and has scratches or “webs”, you should definitely polish it. Polishing is hard to do and requires knowledge, but it provides you a surface ready for application.
- Spray IPA: Finally, the last step is the IPA panel wipe. IPA stands for IsoPropyl Alcohol and is basically removing any remaining contaminants. Spraying IPA is the final step but definitely crucial.
