What shops offer nanocoatings?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I looked around a bit and it's not clear to me if these ceramic/titanium 'nanocoatings' that last 2+ years are available to the public, or if you have to pay a shop to apply them.

Can someone give me a rough idea of what it costs to pay someone to apply one of these coatings to a car, and who in Calgary does it? I checked Detailz and Refine but their websites make no mention of these coatings.

[ExtraSlow]

Can anyone explain how they work on top of a film like 3M or XPEL?

Had this put onto my odyssey back when it was new. And I don't know what the deal was, but felt like it was unusually hard to get it clean in the carwash. Both on the film and on the paint. Could the nano-ceramic type coating do that? I always figured it was supposed to make it easier to clean?

[Disoblige]

I have Opticoat+ on top of Ultimate XPEL on my entire car, and I have yet to use any mitt or agitation other than a strong minimally diluted shampoo and electrical pressure washer.

I had Jed install both the film and coating. I read that preparation and how it is applied is a big part on how the coating will perform, so I could totally see mixed results if it wasn't prepared/applied properly.

I am sure Jed would provide these services from where he is now at Porsche.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Do you know what he charged for just the coating and the opticoat product? I am trying to figure out if this is a $300 venture or a $1000+ venture haha. I can shoot him a PM too.

[killramos]

From what i heard MR isn't operating anymore and jed is running detailing for Porsche center now?

edit: sorry didn't notice someone had mentioned that.

I would imagine the detailing shop at Porsche would keep him busy tho

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Do you know what he charged for just the coating and the opticoat product? I am trying to figure out if this is a $300 venture or a $1000+ venture haha. I can shoot him a PM too.
From what I recall, Opticoat+ (7 year) is ~$1200 for the full application, which includes the polish.

C.Quartz (5 year) was less, but keep in mind you also have to pay for the polish before application anyways. It was less, but not by much.

There is another product called Optimum Gloss-Coat which is supposed to compete with C. Quartz, but it only lasts 2-3 years. The application would be $245, but does not include the polish work before prep. I think it will be less total, but depending on the cost of the polish, you're looking at easily $500+ even for this.

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by killramos

I would imagine the detailing shop at Porsche would keep him busy tho
But you can still go through Porsche for the detailing and ask that he works on the car. He's the detailing manager there.

[Mitsu3000gt]

$500 I could work with. I don't want to spend $1200 though for that I would probably just stick with my polymer paint sealants and try to do it more often. Even on a brand new car would it have to be power polished first?

[rlim891]

Here's a bit of information for you.

Most of the nano coatings offered professionally are guaranteed to last at least 3 years. Titanium will go between 5-10 years.

The reason why the warranty varies is how one maintain their vehicles.

All coatings require some sort of maintenance. Washing your vehicle regularly is considered a maintenance as well.

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
$500 I could work with. I don't want to spend $1200 though for that I would probably just stick with my polymer paint sealants and try to do it more often. Even on a brand new car would it have to be power polished first?
I would say so, but I would check with someone more knowledgeable first.

The recommendation is a single stage polish as there are imperfections that come from factory, and possibly some reasons to do with how it adheres. I know for sure I would do it if it was film application, but not sure on coating.

[rlim891]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Can anyone explain how they work on top of a film like 3M or XPEL?

Had this put onto my odyssey back when it was new. And I don't know what the deal was, but felt like it was unusually hard to get it clean in the carwash. Both on the film and on the paint. Could the nano-ceramic type coating do that? I always figured it was supposed to make it easier to clean?

Putting SI02 coatings on film. You have to be careful with that.

Many PPF manufacturer will actually void the warranty of their film if they know you put a hard coating on it.

Let's put it this way. PPF expands and contract and they stretch. This is how they are able to stop impact from rocks. Putting a SI02 coating on it will sometimes affect the film.

Coatings do not last very long on ppf. Expect hydrophobic to last about 1-2 years. Now there are films now with infused hydrophobic top coat so coating them is sometimes not necessary.

[gpomp]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Even on a brand new car would it have to be power polished first? If the dealership washed the car there will be scratches in it guaranteed.

These are 2 shops that do coatings:
http://detailingbliss.ca/
http://www.srautointernational.com/

I do polishing and coatings part time but I don't have access to the professional lines like these guys.

[HiSpec]

I want to add that Carpro developed a Carpro Essence Plus (improved Carpro Essence) that will 'repair' coatings that has 'love marks' on them.

Also, even with the protective barrier from the coating, a thorough shampoo is necessary to revive the hydrophobic property of the coating. This can be with Carpro Reset or a similar product.

In addition, one can maximize the longevity and durability of the coating with SiO2 based sealant in between (bi-)weekly wash.

[rlim891]

Originally posted by HiSpec
I want to add that Carpro developed a Carpro Essence Plus (improved Carpro Essence) that will 'repair' coatings that has 'love marks' on them.

Also, even with the protective barrier from the coating, a thorough shampoo is necessary to revive the hydrophobic property of the coating. This can be with Carpro Reset or a similar product.

In addition, one can maximize the longevity and durability of the coating with SiO2 based sealant in between (bi-)weekly wash.

Essence is one of our all time favourite! However the Plus is nonabrasive, it's meant to bring back hydrophobic more than Removing any defects.

Both essence and the plus is a must have in our aresnol.

Instead of calling it thorough shampoo, I think decontamination would be more precise. With OCP+ and our coatings, a decon yearly is needed to maintain the coatings :)

SI02 based sealant degrades the hydrophobic but extends the durability! Carpro Reload, CS-II Aqua and Optimum opti-seal are all great products.

[K3RMiTdot]

ZR Auto offers Cermanic Pro.

I think they range from 800 - 2500 dollars.

[jdmaaa]

I'd recommend SR International that someone else above mentioned - my friend got his STI done there with the titanium coating and I got my accord done with the ceramic.

Car washes are a breeze - high pressure rinse and wipe with a microfiber cloth and i'm pretty much good to go.

Dealt with Rainer and Humphrey; both are knowledgeable guys and really easy to deal with. definitely check out their site if you have any questions - really well laid out and helps answer a lot of questions (with videos to kind of get a visualization)

http://www.srautointernational.com/

i think they're having a promotion going on right now as well. well worth to check it out

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Can anyone explain how they work on top of a film like 3M or XPEL?

Had this put onto my odyssey back when it was new. And I don't know what the deal was, but felt like it was unusually hard to get it clean in the carwash. Both on the film and on the paint. Could the nano-ceramic type coating do that? I always figured it was supposed to make it easier to clean?

Just to clarify, would it be a terrible idea to get these coatings put on if the paint hasn't been polished? Cause that's what we did back in the day, and I'm wondering if that explains my poor outcome. :cry: :dunno: :cry:

[sneek]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow


Just to clarify, would it be a terrible idea to get these coatings put on if the paint hasn't been polished? Cause that's what we did back in the day, and I'm wondering if that explains my poor outcome. :cry: :dunno: :cry:

There is no hard and fast rule that says you must polish before hand, but it would be the logical thing to do if there are any swirls or even light paint contamination. The biggest factor in how good any of these coatings are is prep. Basically the surfaces have to be wiped down carefully to ensure that there is no wax/grease/oils on there.

[italianstylez]

Mr frost mobile detailing did my black Denali, over the 3m, amazing stuff makes cleaning it a breeze.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Booked in at SR International for this weekend - thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it.

[Jed Bouscal]

Originally posted by rlim891


Putting SI02 coatings on film. You have to be careful with that.

Many PPF manufacturer will actually void the warranty of their film if they know you put a hard coating on it.

Let's put it this way. PPF expands and contract and they stretch. This is how they are able to stop impact from rocks. Putting a SI02 coating on it will sometimes affect the film.

Coatings do not last very long on ppf. Expect hydrophobic to last about 1-2 years. Now there are films now with infused hydrophobic top coat so coating them is sometimes not necessary.

I just wanted to mention that Opti-Coat Pro+ is the only SiC (silicon carbide) coating on the market, whereas the rest are SiO2 (silicon dioxide.) SiC doesn't wear away over time like SiO2 does. Additionally, Opti-Coat Pro is mentioned specifically on websites such as XPEL as being safe to apply over top of your PPF. Opti-Coat Pro+ is warrantied for 7 years, but the first stage of that two stage coating is a permanent coating - it can only be removed by polishing.

Regarding any lessening of the hydrophobic effect of any long-term coating: it is usually the result of contamination build up over the coating. Coatings reduce the amount of bonded contaminants but do not prevent them, so often a decontamination service (either chemical decon or clay/nano towel) will improve the hydrophobic effect.

[HiSpec]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow


Just to clarify, would it be a terrible idea to get these coatings put on if the paint hasn't been polished? Cause that's what we did back in the day, and I'm wondering if that explains my poor outcome. :cry: :dunno: :cry:

It all depends on what they want from the coating.

I have helped people to put on coating on to their new vehicle without full correction. Just simple, wash, decon, spot correction for major scuffs or scratch and finally coating.

All they cared was the fact it'll make their car easier to wash and maintain. But this was always done to a new car, so the paint just had some minor swirls and no major defects.

[rlim891]

Originally posted by Jed Bouscal


I just wanted to mention that Opti-Coat Pro+ is the only SiC (silicon carbide) coating on the market, whereas the rest are SiO2 (silicon dioxide.) SiC doesn't wear away over time like SiO2 does. Additionally, Opti-Coat Pro is mentioned specifically on websites such as XPEL as being safe to apply over top of your PPF. Opti-Coat Pro+ is warrantied for 7 years, but the first stage of that two stage coating is a permanent coating - it can only be removed by polishing.

Regarding any lessening of the hydrophobic effect of any long-term coating: it is usually the result of contamination build up over the coating. Coatings reduce the amount of bonded contaminants but do not prevent them, so often a decontamination service (either chemical decon or clay/nano towel) will improve the hydrophobic effect.

Absolutely! as I had mentioned earlier as well, maintenance is required with almost any coatings.

Unfortunatly many coatings that are considered super hydrophobic (contact angle >120), a decon/light clay bar would not bring back the full water repellency which some things only happens when the coatings are first applied.

Warranty is another thing everyone should ask when choosing a coating. What is warrantied? Most manufacturers will only warrant against your factory paint from being damaged by environmental stuff (ie, bird pop, UV..water spot etching..etc).

Some will warrantied against gloss (yearly check up with gloss meter) but none will warrant against hydrophobic.

(By the way Jed we should get together sometimes for lunch again! :) )

[Mitsu3000gt]

Do these coatings have any effect on collision mitigation braking sensors located behind bumpers? The manual says not to apply any coatings to the bumper, but I suspect something like a perfectly clear coating would be fine.

[GTR_Auto]

SONAX is set to release their new coating very soon!

http://professional.sonax.com/Vehicle-Valeting-Paint-Finish/CC36

[rlim891]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Do these coatings have any effect on collision mitigation braking sensors located behind bumpers? The manual says not to apply any coatings to the bumper, but I suspect something like a perfectly clear coating would be fine.

Nope it won't affect it.

[rlim891]

Originally posted by GTR_Auto
SONAX is set to release their new coating very soon!

http://professional.sonax.com/Vehicle-Valeting-Paint-Finish/CC36

There are more than 100 companies now jumping on the coating market. Many of them are private labels, they are not the manufacturer.

Which is why we see a lot of similarity now which coatings.

Hydrophobic and hardness etc..

But in the end it's all about the installer applying it.

The most recent advancement in nano coatings is self healing. There are 2 manufacturers pushing it now.

[Jed Bouscal]

Originally posted by rlim891

(By the way Jed we should get together sometimes for lunch again! :) )

You bet Rainer any time.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Stopped by SR International today and got Rainer to put a nanocoating on my vehicle. Excellent experience. He was knowledgeable, patient, very honest, and didn't try to up-sell me anything I didn't need. Educated me on everything beforehand and answered my dozens of questions. High attention to detail. 10/10 service highly recommend him.

[Tej.S]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Stopped by SR International today and got Rainer to put a nanocoating on my vehicle. Excellent experience. He was knowledgeable, patient, very honest, and didn't try to up-sell me anything I didn't need. Educated me on everything beforehand and answered my dozens of questions. High attention to detail. 10/10 service highly recommend him.

+1 my thoughts echo everything said here.

[zhao]

Originally posted by gpomp
If the dealership washed the car there will be scratches in it guaranteed.


Everything scratches it.

You touch it with your hand and it'll have scratches just from your skin. Even brand new Microfibers scratch clear coat.

If you ever used a snow brush on your car, its fucked.

As far as I see, the dealership washing the car or not is the least of it's problems.

[rlim891]

Originally posted by zhao


Everything scratches it.

You touch it with your hand and it'll have scratches just from your skin. Even brand new Microfibers scratch clear coat.

If you ever used a snow brush on your car, its fucked.

As far as I see, the dealership washing the car or not is the least of it's problems.

Just thought I should chip in...

Washing vehicles nowadays can be almost 100% scratch free. Some Detail shops uses a foam gun with a high quality soap to loosen dirt before using the 2 Bucket wash method. Using different wash mitts for lower door panels and rocker panels. This method is time consuming so your average detailer won't be using this method.

Depending on the type of clear.. unfortunately yes, sometimes rubbing your hand on them will scratch it. This goes to why nano coatings 9H (pencil) hardness will 'help' with those scratching :)

[K3RMiTdot]

mistu - what coating did you end up with??