10-05-2020, 09:05 AM | #1 |
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A warning about ceramic coatings
I learned a lesson I wish I had known in advance. The lesson is this - If your car is EVER parked in a location where it can get city water (not rainwater) on it that will dry there, like somewhere near a sprinkler system, do not get a ceramic coat (or at least not Crystal Serum Light, although my understanding is that they will all behave the same). I have parked my cars the same way in the same place for 30 years and never once had an issue with hard water spots. I put Crystal Serum Light on in April and now I have to buff it off and go back to wax. The water spotting is like nothing you've ever seen. It's almost comical how bad it is. Apparently this effect of ceramic coats is well known in the detailing world but mostly kept a little secret. And don't believe the hundreds of online sources that vinegar will remove them. It does not even touch these, and even if it did how often do you want to do that? Ceramic coats, for all the hype, are really for cars that are babied. But just one time with city water in the sun and it will likely be ruined.
Last edited by Opie55; 10-05-2020 at 09:11 AM.. |
10-05-2020, 10:49 AM | #4 |
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Yeah ceramic coatings don't prevent water spotting - see this video where CSL is being tested against the newer graphene coatings hitting the market. As a top protectant layer, they certainly shouldn't be enhancing the effects of water spotting, but are there to lessen the damage to your clearcoat (also to make routine cleaning easier).
In the video linked above, the hard water spots were ultimately only removed by polishing off the coating, which is better than polishing away clear. Did you top your CSL with another coating by any chance? Exo is the recommended one and adds a lot more hydrophobic characteristics; further reducing chances of water sitting on the paint and the minerals embedding. |
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10-05-2020, 11:41 AM | #5 | |
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10-05-2020, 01:12 PM | #6 |
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Fair enough - I'll keep an eye on it as I've recently applied CSL + EXO. I had major water spot issues and clearcoat damage before this as the paint on my car was certainly not cared for during previous ownership. Lots of compounding + polishing got it to an acceptable level. Hopefully garage storing will help long term but I'll be reviewing how CSL performs over the next year. I don't want to have to immediately wash the car after a drive on wet roads...
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10-05-2020, 01:30 PM | #7 |
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Wow, sounds horrible, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this after detailing, but SO glad you shared this.
Was considering a paint-correction and coating but I park on the streets at work, so yeah, not happening... - Leo. |
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10-05-2020, 01:52 PM | #8 |
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I applied csl + exo about a year ago and it still performs very well. Over here we wash our cars with regular, drinkable tap water that is relatively soft. No spotting so far, even though I have done several rinse only-no drying washes.
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10-05-2020, 03:38 PM | #9 |
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The softness makes a big difference I'm sure.
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10-05-2020, 07:18 PM | #10 |
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well this is very interesting and sorry to read you've had such trouble with ceramic coatings and residual spray drying Opie. I was initially very sceptical of all this ceramic coating till I had my 6er buffed and surface prepared then ceramic coated. The job was frankly outstanding, I was super impressed with the results. I live in Sydney so perhaps our water isn't as 'hard' as where you are. I've never had a problem with water spotting at all since ceramic coating. Washing is a breeze and the beeding even after 14 months is sensational. I usually wash my car each week. While the 7 year guarantee they gave seems a bit unrealistic for the last year its been very good. I would say another year and id look to have it polished and ceramic coated again.
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10-06-2020, 06:49 AM | #11 |
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So would a graphene coating on top of a ceramic coat help prevent water spotting?
Or is it better to use just a graphene coat by itself? |
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10-06-2020, 08:04 AM | #12 | |
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10-06-2020, 10:19 AM | #13 | |
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Ceramic coats is great for its hydrophobic properties. That property is also its greatest weakness. It beads water so well that it traps dirt from the vehicle's surface and minerals in city water into the water bead. When the water evaporates, the dirt and minerals are left behind. Graphene's biggest improvement over ceramic is its claimed ability to disperse heat. With this ability, it is claimed to "prevent" water spots. Sure, if its claim is true, you may have less water spotting, but you will still have some. IMO, you might have less water spotting overall, but left to the elements, no coating is going to prevent any water spots. |
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10-06-2020, 11:02 AM | #14 | |
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Different ceramic coatings also have different layer-ability. For example CSL is not meant to be layered - i.e. adding a second coat is not possible as it won't chemically bond to the CSL layer below it to offer any benefit. Currently I'm not aware of any graphene coating designed to be added on top of a ceramic coat. You have to remember - the ceramic coat is meant as protective layer which is supposed to prevent substances/contaminants/chemicals bonding to it - i.e to make cleaning easier and protect your top coat. Adding a graphene coating will likely not stick to the ceramic below or produce unintended characteristics. FYI for increase water beading on top of a ceramic coat, you can use a spray on sealant. All the more reason this water spotting issue is disappointing. |
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10-06-2020, 11:30 AM | #15 | |
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10-06-2020, 01:53 PM | #16 |
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As stated earlier, water spots are from hard water (calcium and other stuff) or soft water (sodium and other stuff). Either way, it's from minerals in water. I have both problems (really hard water thus really soft water after it is conditioned). So I can't wash my car the traditional way at home.
The real question is not whether water spots will happen, it is whether coatings of any kind offer a protective layer that prevents the water spots from permanently penetrating the clear coat. I believe they do, including simple wax. I learned the hard way many years ago that water spots do permanently penetrate clear coat if it has not been really well protected with some kind of coating. |
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10-06-2020, 02:50 PM | #17 |
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This may be slightly off topic, but it relates to water spots, so maybe slightly on-topic still...
Anyways, I saw this video a while back and decided to give it a go. Washed the car, rinsed like I normally do and before drying I applied the wax as you dry, and wouldn't you know it, it worked great! The water here in South Florida is ridiculous, and I always had horrible water spots after drying the car. I'll be doing this method from now on.. just thought I would share. - Leo. |
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