Ceramic coating DIY (Avalon King)

[tashtibet]

2 years ago paid $1k+ for Ceramic coating for M3- but not this time for MY. I used a coupon and it's cheap $41.99 with love labor or sweat equity.
Pictures: done in the garage & sun bathing (curing)

 

[Laguna M3]

Looks great! I have a bottle with my hopefully soon to be delivered MY with its name on it. Did you claybar? Never done that but hear it's a good idea even on a new car.

 

[sherlockw]

you’ll def want to use an iron remover before claying. Mine had plenty of rail dust on it.

 

[rich91724]

2 years ago paid $1k+ for Ceramic coating for M3- but not this time for MY. I used a coupon and it's cheap $41.99 with love labor or sweat equity.
Pictures: done in the garage & sun bathing (curing)

What brand did you use? What kind of prep did you have to do prior to applying the coating?

 

[N1L CO2]

2 years ago paid $1k+ for Ceramic coating for M3- but not this time for MY. I used a coupon and it's cheap $41.99 with love labor or sweat equity.
Pictures: done in the garage & sun bathing (curing)

Finally, an actually car person who refuses to get ripped off! I have done the exact same on both of my cars. Gotta love the shine!

 

[E_R_N]

Avalon King on my Y as well. 2 days of wet sanding overspray from the body shop and clay bar, light polishing and swirl removing. Tons of work but worth it. Plus the cloth you get with it is the best polish cloth I have now.

 

[tashtibet]

Looks great! I have a bottle with my hopefully soon to be delivered MY with its name on it. Did you claybar? Never done that but hear it's a good idea even on a new car.

I did not as the car is new. I washed it real good and isopropyl at the very end helped to get the dust & swirl off. It's the first thing I ever done-I mean rookie!

 

[tashtibet]

What brand did you use? What kind of prep did you have to do prior to applying the coating?

I watched this guy and what the heck I can do it! There's coupon code in there too.

 

[maximus96]

i used CQuartz on mine, how does Avalon King compare? Thanks

 

[tashtibet]

i used CQuartz on mine, how does Avalon King compare? Thanks

I did lots of reviews and found that Avalon king is real good and now I believe it, too.

 

[filotej]

Thanks for this. Got it done and works great.

 

[c3ywut]

About how often should/do you need to apply after first coat?

 

[filotej]

About how often should/do you need to apply after first coat?

Application - AvalonKing Help Center

 

[FalconFuel]

I am still not 100% on the durability of this stuff but will report back periodically.

 

[sjmcman]

I used the Adams kit, great results there as well.

 

[5513MKII]

How do you know if your ceramic coating is done/due for replacement? I got one professionally done that should last a few years, but when it's done I will likely be more interested in DIY....

 

[filotej]

How do you know if your ceramic coating is done/due for replacement? I got one professionally done that should last a few years, but when it's done I will likely be more interested in DIY....

"How long does the coating last?
The coating lasts 2-5 years depending on how well you prepare the car before the application, how well the coating is applied and the aftercare of the coating."
I guess you will notice it needs to get done again when the dirt sticks on and the water doesn't bead and run like when it used to.

 

[c3ywut]

Will this work with a clear bra? Or would that be unnecessary if applying this?

 

[Laguna M3]

Will this work with a clear bra? Or would that be unnecessary if applying this?

Yes, it works with PPF. PPF first, then ceramic.

 

[Laguna M3]

Well, I finally applied the Avalon King ceramic coating and it was certainly a good deal of work. Thorough wash and dry, followed by claybar and then IPA and then finally the ceramic. I have to say that it was very difficult to see what I was doing on my white MY. Even with a flashlight, I couldn't see when it flashed and ready to be buffed. Also, I would guess that the darker the car, the more satisfying the final result. You just don't get that WOW factor with the white car as you likely do with the other colors. In any case, I am glad that I did it and washing the car in the coming months should be much easier and it's good to know the paint is protected.