Maintaing Unknown Coating

Strange Flavor · 02-12-2018, 02:13 PM

So I've had my car for around 3 months now and I have washed it 11ish times. I have been using all new supplies with the two bucket technique to carry me over until I got everything I needed to start Glen's methods (Essence / Reload). Now that I'm this far in it's clear to me the car is already coated with something. I picked it up with a little over 300 miles from a dealership and water is still beading up like crazy, it's super smooth to the touch and it pretty much sprays off clean. So the question, can I just go forward maintaining the coating every 8 to 12 weeks with Reload? I know typically you should stick with the same product family but I do not believe there is a way to find out what coating was used.

Glen e · 02-12-2018, 02:14 PM

Try a test spot, but my guess is you’ll be fine. But why bother doing anything if it looks good? Don’t get addicted to this detailing thing, many times it’s not worth it If you’ve got a good gloss. Go drive the car and have fun

Dealers don’t put on real coatings, they usually are a polymer that can be washed off with a good slug of Dawn dishwashing detergent.

Strange Flavor · 02-12-2018, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the input, I've spent my fair share of Saturdays detailing and was really interested in trying out your ways for time purposes, thanks for sharing all that. Pretty sure this wasn't the dealer. Previous owner traded my car and a Corvette on an NSX so I assumed he was a car guy with money to blow and probably had them coated. Wanted to make sure I did what I could to make it last without knowing what it was coated with.

Glen e · 02-12-2018, 09:04 PM

Then just reload will be fine, not the essence though....there is another essence for coatings....i’d Skip it and see how to reload goes alone.

Essence for coatings
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-essence-plus.html

Gunkk · 02-12-2018, 09:07 PM

If the reload streaks or hazes slightly, you may have a really strong hydrophobic coating. Cut it 3:1 or 4:1 with distilled water and try again.

torqueaddict · 02-12-2018, 10:37 PM

I used only reload on mine and it came out great. Shiny and good water bead. I have doubts about the 4-6 month claim though. Will put another coat on this weekend.

02-12-2018, 02:13 PM	#1
Strange Flavor Drives: 17 Fifty SS, 11 2SS, 91 LSX C1500 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Louisiana Posts: 193 View My Garage	Maintaing Unknown Coating So I've had my car for around 3 months now and I have washed it 11ish times. I have been using all new supplies with the two bucket technique to carry me over until I got everything I needed to start Glen's methods (Essence / Reload). Now that I'm this far in it's clear to me the car is already coated with something. I picked it up with a little over 300 miles from a dealership and water is still beading up like crazy, it's super smooth to the touch and it pretty much sprays off clean. So the question, can I just go forward maintaining the coating every 8 to 12 weeks with Reload? I know typically you should stick with the same product family but I do not believe there is a way to find out what coating was used.

02-12-2018, 02:14 PM	#2
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Try a test spot, but my guess is you’ll be fine. But why bother doing anything if it looks good? Don’t get addicted to this detailing thing, many times it’s not worth it If you’ve got a good gloss. Go drive the car and have fun Dealers don’t put on real coatings, they usually are a polymer that can be washed off with a good slug of Dawn dishwashing detergent. __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

02-12-2018, 09:04 PM	#4
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Then just reload will be fine, not the essence though....there is another essence for coatings....i’d Skip it and see how to reload goes alone. Essence for coatings https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-essence-plus.html __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

02-12-2018, 08:51 PM	#3
Strange Flavor Drives: 17 Fifty SS, 11 2SS, 91 LSX C1500 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Louisiana Posts: 193 View My Garage	Thanks for the input, I've spent my fair share of Saturdays detailing and was really interested in trying out your ways for time purposes, thanks for sharing all that. Pretty sure this wasn't the dealer. Previous owner traded my car and a Corvette on an NSX so I assumed he was a car guy with money to blow and probably had them coated. Wanted to make sure I did what I could to make it last without knowing what it was coated with.

02-12-2018, 09:07 PM	#5
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,973 View My Garage	If the reload streaks or hazes slightly, you may have a really strong hydrophobic coating. Cut it 3:1 or 4:1 with distilled water and try again.

02-12-2018, 10:37 PM	#6
torqueaddict Drives: Tesla M3 LR-AWD [Former 1SS owner] Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Miami Posts: 950	I used only reload on mine and it came out great. Shiny and good water bead. I have doubts about the 4-6 month claim though. Will put another coat on this weekend.

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