Ceramic Coat a new Model 3?

[Glamisduner]

This pink soap is on sale, will it work in place of the other pink soap linked above?
$14.99

Amazon.com: Chemical Guys CWS_101 Maxi-Suds II Super Suds Car Wash Soap and Shampoo, Cherry Scent (1 Gal): Automotive

Also I found this page interesting when trying to figure out the difference of those two soaps:Top 10 Best Car Wash Shampoos in 2018 - HQReview

Also it shows the wash and wax i currently use as being PH neutral so it should be good to go? Just a bit overkill?

 

[MacGreiner]

I also added Xpel headlight PPF since pitted headlights drive me crazy (prior to coating).

Were these pre-cut? I'd love to put a couple of these on myself.
+1 for ceramic.
It took me a couple of hours and the results is noticeable.

 

[AngryCPA]

Yep, comes pre-cut. It’s a little tricky to install if you’ve never done it before but pretty forgiving either way. Mine took about 3 weeks to fully dry and for all the water spots to disappear.

Headlight Protection Kits - XPEL

Try using TeslaForum for the coupon code to save 10%, found an old thread with this and it worked for me when I ordered last month.

 

[artsci]

If you want protection you should wrap it.

Couldn't agree more. IMHO the ceramic coat hype (and it is hype) is way over the top as are most of the paint finish product claims. It provides almost no protection from dings, scratches, and other over-the-road paint finish risks (but maybe some protection from bird doo). Clear wrap it the way to go, especially if you plan to keep you car for 3 years or more. Yes, it costs more, but it provides much better protection.

 

[GoCanucksGo1]

It took 5 hours but I did it myself.
Wash.
Claybar.
Isopropyl alcohol prep.
Cquartz UK 3.0.
Reload finishing spray (comes with Cquartz)
All in about $100

Skipped some steps including polishing but very happy with results.
Only thing I wish I did different was buy an orbital polisher for the Cquartz buffing as I’m still sore 3 days later...

Agree not the same protection as PPF but cost vs benefit, it wasn’t worth it for me.

Some great instructional YouTube videos out there including some dude named Pan.

 

[Glamisduner]

It took 5 hours but I did it myself.
Wash.
Claybar.
Isopropyl alcohol prep.
Cquartz UK 3.0.
Reload finishing spray (comes with Cquartz)
All in about $100

Skipped some steps including polishing but very happy with results.
Only thing I wish I did different was buy an orbital polisher for the Cquartz buffing as I’m still sore 3 days later...

Agree not the same protection as PPF but cost vs benefit, it wasn’t worth it for me.

Some great instructional YouTube videos out there including some dude named Pan.

Yea I'm not spending several grand to wrap, maybe just the front bumper though.

Prime Day has this deal on an orbial but I don't know much about them. Should I get one?
Amazon.com: Chemical Guys BUF_209X Complete Detailing Kit (13 Items, TORQ TORQX): Automotive


or this one:

Amazon.com: Torq BUF502X TORQ22D Random Orbital Polisher Kit (Polisher + 8 Items): Automotive

 

[P85_DA]

Yea I'm not spending several grand to wrap, maybe just the front bumper though.

Prime Day has this deal on an orbial but I don't know much about them. Should I get one?
Amazon.com: Chemical Guys BUF_209X Complete Detailing Kit (13 Items, TORQ TORQX): Automotive


or this one:

Amazon.com: Torq BUF502X TORQ22D Random Orbital Polisher Kit (Polisher + 8 Items): Automotive

...if one time use get from Harbor Freight lol ....

 

[Glamisduner]

...if one time use get from Harbor Freight lol ....

I bought the cheaper one, no way I'm putting a harbor freight orbital on a model 3

I guess prime-day links don't work, it was / still is $129

 

[jp3pac]

I think clear wrap is really important. I got bulk 3M Pro PPF and wrapped the whole car myself. More difficult and time consuming than I thought it would be, but the results are satisfactory and I saved a bunch of money. The front bumper is the most important part to wrap, but also the most difficult, so I figured I might as well do the whole car. I'll also apply a DIY ceramic coating to protect the PPF and keep the car cleaner and easier to wash, and improve gloss. And then a sealant over that. But if you're going to do all that, might as well check out the wide range of vinyls at vvividshop.com. Applying vinyls is much easier than PPF. I wrapped my aero wheels and it made a huge difference. The problem with those caps is the color is so depressing. Wrapping the aero wheels with something complementary is a nice weekend job that really improves the look of the entire car.

 

[P85_DA]

@jp3pac ...pics

 

[Glamisduner]

CQUK 3.0
https://amzn.to/2NMdrBR

CQuartz DLUX
https://amzn.to/2NNkxGk

Jack Pads
Tesla Model 3 Jack Pad Adapter Lift Point Pad For Tire Service Tire Change Tool | eBay

DIY PPF Wraps (XPEL and Scotchgard Pro options available)
2018

Claybar (any claybar kit should be good, its supposedly all mostly the same stuff.)
https://amzn.to/2KROnLH

Carpro Waterless wash & Claybar Lubricant (good for claybaring and quick touchless washes after your ceramic coating is on.... compatible with ceramic coats.)
https://amzn.to/2LaX7bT

Pressurized Spray bottle (get 1 for alchohol solution, 1 for slip solution, 1 for waterless wash/claybar)
https://amzn.to/2usDPYr

Pink ph Balanced Car wash (Good for washing any car, but most importantly its compatible and good for deeper washes with ceramic coatings as well.)
https://amzn.to/2LecZun

Of course you need high quality microfiber towels as well to accomplish all of this I like a high quality "borderless blonde" style microfiber cloth. They are plush, gentle and no edges for safer cleaning.
https://amzn.to/2upPeIs

So I ended up buying a pressure washer, and TORQ Random orbital polisher.

Should I polish prior to ceramic on new paint?

If so, what polish?

Also, I have never installed PPF. The kits you linked are way cheaper than having it done professionally, but I'm a bit nervous about screwing up. Is it worth giving it a shot? I'm really temped to just ceramic coat the whole car first since that is something I feel more comfortable with. I just wonder how well those ebay PPF kits you linked will look if I try to install them.

Also, what do I need this random orbital for hah?
It was $130 on prime day.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M05F4U5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is some polish I have:
Adam's Polishes Revive Hand Polish | Fine Polish | Hand Polishing

Will it work with the orbital or should I use something else?

 

[Stellavator]

Anyone try 22ple? Is it different from ceramic?

 

[P85_DA]

Anyone try 22ple? Is it different from ceramic?

It’s a ceramic

 

[Shizzrock]

Man that film's expensive

 

[P85_DA]

So I ended up buying a pressure washer, and TORQ Random orbital polisher.

Should I polish prior to ceramic on new paint?

Will it work with the orbital or should I use something else?

For new car I would just use a paint correction compound ...if u are going to PPF the ceramic goes after ...the PPF won’t adhere well if u ceramic first

 

[follow.johnny]

I just got my Model 3 back from the shop today. I dropped it off 2 days after I took delivery for PPF, ceramic coating, and tint.

Here's the details of what I got:
• Full front protection using 3M Scotchguard Film (Full Hood, Bumper, Fenders, Lights, Mirrors)
• Ceramic Pro 9H Coating entire car (with minor paint correction)
• Suntek CIR (Ceramic Tint) 35% all around (with rear window done with one piece)
• Suntek CIR 70% front windshield

 

[Glamisduner]

For new car I would just use a paint correction compound ...if u are going to PPF the ceramic goes after ...the PPF won’t adhere well if u ceramic first

So I should try to PPF the front of the car?

I just got my Model 3 back from the shop today. I dropped it off 2 days after I took delivery for PPF, ceramic coating, and tint.

Here's the details of what I got:
• Full front protection using 3M Scotchguard Film (Full Hood, Bumper, Fenders, Lights, Mirrors)
• Ceramic Pro 9H Coating entire car (with minor paint correction)
• Suntek CIR (Ceramic Tint) 35% all around (with rear window done with one piece)
• Suntek CIR 70% front windshield

View attachment 320296

View attachment 320296 View attachment 320297 View attachment 320298 View attachment 320299

Looks great but what would that cost me? I'd likely need to remove Full Self Driving to be able to pay for all that? I'm also going for white with the sport rims

 

[follow.johnny]

So I should try to PPF the front of the car?

Looks great but what would that cost me? I'd likely need to remove Full Self Driving to be able to pay for all that? I'm also going for white with the sport rims

Thanks! Shop around for quotes but my entire package cost me $2,600.

If you just want to do the Ceramic Coating is would cost about $500-1000 for entire car.
Paint Protection Film for entire front runs around $1500-1850

 

[Nevertipsy]

Check out this thread, lots of good info.

Tesla Model 3 | DIY Ceramic Coating

I personally went with 2 coats of CQuartz UK 3.0. My paint was in decent condition so i skipped the orbital and did a hand polish instead. My car is silver so scratches are much more difficult to see. I also added Xpel headlight PPF since pitted headlights drive me crazy (prior to coating). I would probably pick up some Carpro Reload as well to protect your paint while the CQuartz is curing and to apply after maintenance washes which will extend the life of your coating.

http://a.co/eLjEP9i

Thank you Sir. I was looking at PPFs and they are kinda outta my budget. So this was sometihng I was thinking of doing on my own, and the link you gave, gives me a big push to do it myself! Thank you!

 

[P85_DA]

So I should try to PPF the front of the car

Since u r in SD go to 5 Point in Kearney Mesa or Monumental next to the SD delivery center they do a lot of Tesla’s and have deals going for front half PPF ..should not cost you more than 1500 ....I have had full wraps on my S’s and on my New X only opted for front half based on experiences of other 2 cars ...than I ceramiced over everything ...IMO since I have pearl white it would have been overkill to do whole X ...if u are doing DIY I think the material alone is like ~$600 for the film I wouldn’t get kit just get the roll and the detailer tape to cut its much cleaner that way ...