ceramic coating Versus waxing from the CEO swissvax

[Marlinleg]

 

I've a new Lexus NX 2022 on order and after watching 

Georg Weidmann CEO Swissvax AG I am going to carry on waxing my car thank you Georg for making it clear 

YouTube link below 

 

https://youtu.be/oMf3hTIU1jA

[Marlinleg]

Forgot to add I use Bilthamber on my car full stop

 

https://bilthamber.com

[First_Lexus]

12 hours ago, Marlinleg said:

 

I've a new Lexus NX 2022 on order and after watching 

Georg Weidmann CEO Swissvax AG I am going to carry on waxing my car thank you Georg for making it clear 

YouTube link below 

 

https://youtu.be/oMf3hTIU1jA

I still use some Swissvax products, but only on my show car. They are good, but - as you say - Bilt Hamber also provide excellent products which are great value. I’m a huge fan of their snow foam and wheel cleaner in particular, as well as the Hydra Wax (liquid).

It’s an interesting video. I’d never have my show car ceramic coated for two reasons - partly because I like to correct any minor imperfections easily, but mainly as it just doesn’t need it being for dry Summer use only. However, having now had my last two ‘everyday’ cars coated I can say the ease of maintenance makes it worthwhile in my opinion. By coincidence my new RX is being sorted, by the specialist I’ve used previously, tomorrow. I simply don’t have the time I used to have to keep the car in the condition I like, and a ceramic coating supports that choice.

[Marlinleg]

Thank you Ed for your thoughts. Being a 73yr old widow I have plenty of time to wash and wax my cars and i am looking forward to starting on my new  NX sometime in May 2022. I use Bilt Hamber (bh) 

I find there products excellent

 Snow Foam/Auto-Wash/Auto-Wheel/Auto-Clay /Finis-Wax. Ed you were saying you use BH Hydra Wax (liquid) I've seen the product on there web site , is it easy to use spray on buff off with micro cloth  ?

If I may tell you that I contacted BH tech guy to ask if they sold any Bird Poo remover

 They said there Surfex-HD dilution rate 5% to water spray the poo with the solution then rinse with water , I carry a small made up solution spray bottle in my boot 

Nice to talk take care 

Phil

[First_Lexus]

1 hour ago, Marlinleg said:

Thank you Ed for your thoughts. Being a 73yr old widow I have plenty of time to wash and wax my cars and i am looking forward to starting on my new  NX sometime in May 2022. I use Bilt Hamber (bh) 

I find there products excellent

 Snow Foam/Auto-Wash/Auto-Wheel/Auto-Clay /Finis-Wax. Ed you were saying you use BH Hydra Wax (liquid) I've seen the product on there web site , is it easy to use spray on buff off with micro cloth  ?

If I may tell you that I contacted BH tech guy to ask if they sold any Bird Poo remover

 They said there Surfex-HD dilution rate 5% to water spray the poo with the solution then rinse with water , I carry a small made up solution spray bottle in my boot 

Nice to talk take care 

Phil

@Marlinleg the BH Hydra Wax is a liquid and - as is often the case - less is more. I use fabric foam applicators and have found it very easy to apply and remove. I’ve had less success, despite rave reviews, with the BH ‘Double Speed’ wax - I find it a bit ‘grabby’ on application, even with a perfectly prepared surface.

The thing about car cleaning imho is a) not to rush it, and b) to enjoy it. That’s easier to achieve in nicer weather though!

[Marlinleg]

Thank you

[Andy B]

On 12/12/2021 at 9:06 AM, First_Lexus said:

I still use some Swissvax products, but only on my show car. They are good, but - as you say - Bilt Hamber also provide excellent products which are great value. I’m a huge fan of their snow foam and wheel cleaner in particular, as well as the Hydra Wax (liquid).

It’s an interesting video. I’d never have my show car ceramic coated for two reasons - partly because I like to correct any minor imperfections easily, but mainly as it just doesn’t need it being for dry Summer use only. However, having now had my last two ‘everyday’ cars coated I can say the ease of maintenance makes it worthwhile in my opinion. By coincidence my new RX is being sorted, by the specialist I’ve used previously, tomorrow. I simply don’t have the time I used to have to keep the car in the condition I like, and a ceramic coating supports that choice.

Just reviving this thread as like @Marlinleg I too have a new NX on order and wondered what I should be looking at to protect the paintwork and keep it looking like new and easy to keep clean; etc. I'm not having any exterior or interior preparation done by my Lexus dealer prior to sale such as Supagard (or whatever they call it now) as I am LED to believe that this type of work is only as good as the person applying it so would want to have that done by a professional, if at all.

Ed - May I ask what type of coating you have used in the past? Also, are there any DIY alternatives that I could apply myself?

Thanks in advance.

[First_Lexus]

13 minutes ago, Andy B said:

Just reviving this thread as like @Marlinleg I too have a new NX on order and wondered what I should be looking at to protect the paintwork and keep it looking like new and easy to keep clean; etc. I'm not having any exterior or interior preparation done by my Lexus dealer prior to sale such as Supagard (or whatever they call it now) as I am led to believe that this type of work is only as good as the person applying it so would want to have that done by a professional, if at all.

Ed - May I ask what type of coating you have used in the past? Also, are there any DIY alternatives that I could apply myself?

Thanks in advance.

@Andy Bmy last NX had the GTechniq Crystal Serum Light ceramic coating, and my new RX has the (slightly harder wearing) GTechniq C1 coating. Both were applied by Summit detailing in Weston-Super-Mare. Chris does a fabulous job. I also had the leather interior protected. Personal view, they are massively worth it simply because of how easy they make cleaning the vehicle with great results. Cost is anywhere between £500 - £1000 depending on where you go. I was willing to travel based on experience and stayed in an hotel while it was being done!

https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/131355-2021-rx-450h-gtechniq-c1-crystal-ceramic-coating/

I don’t know about DIY ceramic coatings tbh. Even on a new car, the correction needed prior to application and the expertise to get it right was way beyond my capabilities. The ‘non-ceramic’ option is simply to use a good wax or sealant regularly to maintain the finish as we all used to do. There are so many options I won’t even try to recommend - it’s all about personal preference!

 

[Andy B]

8 minutes ago, First_Lexus said:

@Andy Bmy last NX had the GTechniq Crystal Serum Light ceramic coating, and my new RX has the (slightly harder wearing) GTechniq C1 coating. Both were applied by Summit Detailing in Weston-Super-Mare. Chris does a fabulous job. I also had the leather interior protected. Personal view, they are massively worth it simply because of how easy they make cleaning the vehicle with great results. Cost is anywhere between £500 - £1000 depending on where you go. I was willing to travel based on experience and stayed in an hotel while it was being done!

https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/131355-2021-rx-450h-gtechniq-c1-crystal-ceramic-coating/

I don’t know about DIY ceramic coatings tbh. Even on a new car, the correction needed prior to application and the expertise to get it right was way beyond my capabilities. The ‘non-ceramic’ option is simply to use a good wax or sealant regularly to maintain the finish as we all used to do. There are so many options I won’t even try to recommend - it’s all about personal preference!

 

Hi Ed - many thanks for your prompt reply - very helpful as always.

Someone I trust has recommended a detailer to me so I will speak to him and see what he has to offer - I will definitely mention the GTechniq stuff. Although I love to keep my cars looking clean and shiny I'm by no means an expert. In fact my current NX has survived with a weekly go-over with that waterless wax stuff (please don't judge me 😄) but still looks great (I wonder whether the original owner had coating applied which subsequently allowed me to "abuse" the paintwork!).

Is the coating something I should get done as soon as possible once I have taken collection of the car or can it wait a while? If it can wait, is there anything I can apply in the short term (e.g. a good wax or sealant) or will doing that make the detailer's job more complicated? FYI - the car will be garaged for 75% of the time I wait.

[JeffL]

17 minutes ago, First_Lexus said:

@Andy Bmy last NX had the GTechniq Crystal Serum Light ceramic coating, and my new RX has the (slightly harder wearing) GTechniq C1 coating. Both were applied by Summit Detailing in Weston-Super-Mare. Chris does a fabulous job. I also had the leather interior protected. Personal view, they are massively worth it simply because of how easy they make cleaning the vehicle with great results. Cost is anywhere between £500 - £1000 depending on where you go. I was willing to travel based on experience and stayed in an hotel while it was being done!

https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/131355-2021-rx-450h-gtechniq-c1-crystal-ceramic-coating/

I don’t know about DIY ceramic coatings tbh. Even on a new car, the correction needed prior to application and the expertise to get it right was way beyond my capabilities. The ‘non-ceramic’ option is simply to use a good wax or sealant regularly to maintain the finish as we all used to do. There are so many options I won’t even try to recommend - it’s all about personal preference!

 

@First_Lexus Ed, once the ceramic coating has been applied, how long will it last before having to have it done again?

[First_Lexus]

10 minutes ago, Andy B said:

Is the coating something I should get done as soon as possible once I have taken collection of the car or can it wait a while? If it can wait, is there anything I can apply in the short term (e.g. a good wax or sealant) or will doing that make the detailer's job more complicated? FYI - the car will be garaged for 75% of the time I wait.

They can be done at any time during the life of the car, as long as the paintwork is corrected and prepared properly first. The real benefit of having it done when new is that there (should be) less correction needed, and thus a lower price. The dealer preparation of my NX when new added in a lot of swirls and imperfections which needed to be corrected so it isn’t always the case! RX paintwork was far better - based on the previous experience I told the dealer to do the minimum as I was having the car coated.

I don’t think anything you add to the paintwork will cause a detailer any issues as they strip everything off as part of the process. I guess the only exception would be another ceramic coating which I assume would be more difficult to remove.

9 minutes ago, JeffL said:

@First_Lexus Ed, once the ceramic coating has been applied, how long will it last before having to have it done again?

^^ As long as you maintain it and don’t do anything daft, such as using something abrasive on the finish, it should be effective for at least five years. There are longer lasting options too, albeit they cost more. I think the GTechniq is a good compromise between price and performance, but the truth is different detailers are often ‘accredited’ to use one specific brand. Gyeon is another very good brand to consider.

[LenT]

1 hour ago, JeffL said:

@First_Lexus Ed, once the ceramic coating has been applied, how long will it last before having to have it done again?

My Detailer used Modesta products, who claim an effective coating life of up to ten years for their top ceramic coating.

Obviously this comes with all the usual caveats about using their maintenance products and so on.  So all I can state with confidence is that it still looks as good as when it was first coated - a year ago!  And it’s certainly easy to keep the finish to the same standard.  Although, to be fair, not quite as easy as when I just ran it through the car wash.

Were I buying a new car, given my experience, I would take it from delivery to the Detailer for a suitable coating package.  I might even have the front wrapped as additional protection.  Considering the total cost of a new Lexus, all this extra pampering doesn’t represent an outrageous extra cost.

[First_Lexus]

48 minutes ago, LenT said:

My Detailer used Modesta products, who claim an effective coating life of up to ten years for their top ceramic coating.

^^ TBH I think most ceramic coatings from known brands will be fine as long as they’re correctly applied by a professional who knows what they’re doing. As with many things, the end result often depends on how thorough the preparation is…

[Rabbers]

Never having had any car of mine ceramically coated I can offer no comments from experience, but I have often wondered why manufacturers, given the reported advantages of the process, don’t automatically apply it to all cars before they leave the factory.

[LenT]

6 minutes ago, Rabbers said:

Never having had any car of mine ceramically coated I can offer no comments from experience, but I have often wondered why manufacturers, given the reported advantages of the process, don’t automatically apply it to all cars before they leave the factory.

Yes it’s an interesting thought.  But I suspect that the additional time and labour is the deterrent.  Modern paint finishes do remain soft for some time after application.  So any application would have to wait for the curing process to complete.  And then the paint finish would have to be inspected with a view to correcting any manufacturing imperfections, rather than sealing them in. Which is a labour intensive process.

But the principle is surely right.  Namely, the car will never be in a better condition as when it first arrives.

[Rabbers]

On 12/11/2021 at 9:55 PM, Marlinleg said:

….Georg Weidmann CEO Swissvax AG I am going to carry on waxing my car thank you Georg for making it clear ….

Far be it from me to doubt the opinions and recommendations of the CEO of a leading purveyor of superlative detailing products like Swissvax, but I would imagine that the growing market for ceramic coating has in recent years made a big dent in the sales of the high-end waxes for which his company is famous. 

[LenT]

6 hours ago, Andy B said:

Also, are there any DIY alternatives that I could apply myself?

The actual application of the various ceramic products is relatively straightforward.  In fact it’s probably the simplest part of the process!  As has been mentioned, it’s the preparation that requires a skilled, practiced hand and, for example, the use of specialist equipment such as dual action rotary polishers.

Most - if not all - ceramic products will also require the use of infrared heaters after application.  The great advantage of the end result is that the final effect is much easier to maintain than a wax finish and will last considerably longer.

[Andy B]

On 2/6/2022 at 11:35 AM, Andy B said:

Just reviving this thread as like @Marlinleg I too have a new NX on order and wondered what I should be looking at to protect the paintwork and keep it looking like new and easy to keep clean; etc. I'm not having any exterior or interior preparation done by my Lexus dealer prior to sale such as Supagard (or whatever they call it now) as I am led to believe that this type of work is only as good as the person applying it so would want to have that done by a professional, if at all.

Ed - May I ask what type of coating you have used in the past? Also, are there any DIY alternatives that I could apply myself?

Thanks in advance.

An update on this for anyone that is considering doing the same.....

Just had my new NX ceramic coated by a detailing company based in Epping (Essex) and am very pleased with the result. I went for the full package so had protection applied to the paintwork, alloys, windows, leather and carpet.

For anyone interested, the company is called Reflect Automotive detailing. A post from the 6th March on their Facebook page shows my NX after treatment - https://www.facebook.com/reflect.automotive/photos/pcb.3105735559755250/3105735429755263/

 

[Brad Ched]

24 minutes ago, Andy B said:

An update on this for anyone that is considering doing the same.....

Just had my new NX ceramic coated by a detailing company based in Epping (Essex) and am very pleased with the result. I went for the full package so had protection applied to the paintwork, alloys, windows, leather and carpet.

For anyone interested, the company is called Reflect Automotive Detailing. A post from the 6th March on their Facebook page shows my NX after treatment - https://www.facebook.com/reflect.automotive/photos/pcb.3105735559755250/3105735429755263/

 

Wow, very impressive work. Does anyone know whether the same (or other) coating is applied to the windows as well - to reduce chip damage and especially to ease the sliding off of the raindrops, especially on the side windows (which reduces visibility quite dramatically, when raining at dusk for example)?

[Marlinleg]

I use Rain X on my front side windows and rear window I don’t apply to windscreen 

[Phil xxkr]

3 minutes ago, Marlinleg said:

I use Rain X on my front side windows and rear window I don’t apply to windscreen 

That's a good tip Phil, especially the rear, so what is the effect? 

[Fatts]

5 hours ago, Andy B said:

An update on this for anyone that is considering doing the same.....

Just had my new NX ceramic coated by a detailing company based in Epping (Essex) and am very pleased with the result. I went for the full package so had protection applied to the paintwork, alloys, windows, leather and carpet.

For anyone interested, the company is called Reflect Automotive Detailing. A post from the 6th March on their Facebook page shows my NX after treatment - https://www.facebook.com/reflect.automotive/photos/pcb.3105735559755250/3105735429755263/

 

Andy do you mind to pm me I also have a new car on order and want to know more details and cost of this application 

[Caspa]

8 hours ago, Andy B said:

An update on this for anyone that is considering doing the same.....

Just had my new NX ceramic coated by a detailing company based in Epping (Essex) and am very pleased with the result. I went for the full package so had protection applied to the paintwork, alloys, windows, leather and carpet.

For anyone interested, the company is called Reflect Automotive Detailing. A post from the 6th March on their Facebook page shows my NX after treatment - https://www.facebook.com/reflect.automotive/photos/pcb.3105735559755250/3105735429755263/

 

How much did the full package set you back?

I'm seriously considering ceramic coating and so just a question of what exactly and how, as also plan on getting the protection pack and side steps. Full package makes sense so real challenge is finding a reputable place that works logistically, which may not be possible so good to have tried and tested options. 

[Marlinleg]

Phil xxkr  ref rain x on rear screen the rain just beads off same as the side windows the last time I purchased rain x it was £6 and it lasts for years 

[Andy B]

19 minutes ago, Caspa said:

How much did the full package set you back?

The cost for the whole package was £895. I realise that other options, such as having a Lexus dealer do it, would have been cheaper but I wanted to go with a company that came highly recommended and who I trusted to do the job with the care and attention it requires.