[KirkH]

Originally Posted by ride98red

Wow! I'm no expert, and am learning every day, but I have never seen a coating make this claim: (From Chemical Guys Web site)




"Carbon Flex C9 is the next level of car care protective coatings. Lower end coatings could scratch and swirl, then highlight defects because they are clear. Carbon Flex C9 uses flexible protection technology that helps reject scratches from the surface of the coating. As the coating heats and cools from direct sunlight and shade, the polymer protection chains expand and contract to reshape itself and actually self-repair minor swirls and scratches that build up on the coating surface. Carbon Flex C9 absorbs damage and blocks the elements so your paint doesn’t have to. Coating paintwork, metal, plastic, and glass with Carbon Flex C9 is like adding a layer of clear armor against UV sunlight, pollution, water spots, bird droppings, swirls, scratches, and more. The innovative carbon coating is engineered to block harmful UV solar rays. Vehicles coated with Carbon Flex C9 resist fading, discoloration, and oxidation. The durable coating ensures strong protection through spring, summer, fall, and winter. Protect, shine, and preserve exterior surfaces to prevent fading, discoloration, scratching, and spotting with Carbon Flex C9 Protective Coating.

It is the one coating that I have used that smells different from the rest I've tried. It smells like super glue.

[drivingagain]

Carbon flex looks inviting as I like chemical guys products. Really like their microfiber towels, buckets with grit guards, microfiber wash mitts. Although the cost of this ceramic coat is 2-3x CQuartz. I see no reason. I do not see any problems with light scratches on my CQuartz with reload anyways.

[detltu]

I just coated my wheels with Adams and so far I like the results. I used the wheels as a test case to see how easy/difficult it was to apply. After doing the wheels I think we (my wife and I) are going to move forward with doing the rest of the car. We will probably do it in small sections. The paint correction is the most intimidating part to me. My wife seems much better at it than I am.

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by drivingagain

Although the cost of this ceramic coat is 2-3x CQuartz. I see no reason. I do not see any problems with light scratches on my CQuartz with reload anyways.

It's a problem I have raised with Chemical Guys. There's enough in the bottle for 3 cars. I asked them why not sell it in 1/3 the size portion. They had no good answer but I suspect it is because smaller amounts would dry up in the bottle. I applied a bottle to 2 cars and when I went to do a third one (granted 9 months later) the carbon flex was dried up like super glue.

[Gunkk]

These coatings are active polymers diluted in solvents, and have a shelf life that is subject to storage conditions. Storage "in a cool dry place," beats a garage always, even unopened. Once opened, some will react with oxygen further shortening the shelf life.

I went with Gtechniq crystal serum black and Exo. Works great and looks fantastic!

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

These coatings are active polymers diluted in solvents, and have a shelf life that is subject to storage conditions. Storage "in a cool dry place," beats a garage always, even unopened. Once opened, some will react with oxygen further shortening the shelf life.

I went with Gtechniq crystal serum black and Exo. Works great and looks fantastic!

Good info. I store my coatings in a safe in my basement LOL!

[ride98red]

Originally Posted by KirkH

Good info. I store my coatings in a safe in my basement LOL!

hahahahahaha

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by ride98red

hahahahahaha

It's actually a fireproof safe so theoretically there is no ventilation but I tell people that its because they are so expensive

[Adam's Polishes]

Originally Posted by detltu

I just coated my wheels with Adams and so far I like the results. I used the wheels as a test case to see how easy/difficult it was to apply. After doing the wheels I think we (my wife and I) are going to move forward with doing the rest of the car. We will probably do it in small sections. The paint correction is the most intimidating part to me. My wife seems much better at it than I am.

Glad our wheel coating did a good job for you!
Thanks!

[Nachos17]

What I dont understand with the C9 and various other coatings that i have read about, they say after its cured you can top it with your choice of glaze, sealant, or wax. Isnt that defeating the purpose of these coatings?

[Zack46]

Originally Posted by Nachos17

Kirkh, did you apply it yourself or have it done? I was looking at several different ones. Chemical guys, adams, blackfire, and a few others. All are pretty similar in price for the full kit and all have good reviews.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by Nachos17

What I dont understand with the C9 and various other coatings that i have read about, they say after its cured you can top it with your choice of glaze, sealant, or wax. Isnt that defeating the purpose of these coatings?

A lot of the ceramic coatings are not naturally hydrophobic. They feel and act more like window glass than wax. So folks typically add a second hydrophobic coating on top of the ceramic.

[cleoent]

This photo was taken last week. Not the best to illustrate my point, but this is 13 months later after applying Uber ceramic from auto geek. It is so shiny still and I’ve done nothing but wash it for 13 months. No wax. No reload. No clay.

[detltu]

Originally Posted by Adam's Polishes

Glad our wheel coating did a good job for you!
Thanks!

It seems to have done great. Easy to work with and looks awesome. I think I am changing my mind and may go for the trim coating next. Will be placing another order with Adams soon!