Jeff McEachran is the National Brand Manager for GYEON quartz USA and Owner of Denver Auto Shield in Denver, CO.
I wanted to reopen the discussion on Gyeon quartz Q² CanCoat. This is one of the most popular products in the line and I want to make sure we all understand it’s intent and procedure so we get the best results! I have seen a few different application methods as well as the product placed in side by side comparisons against other products that don’t really fit the category. Now, of course, there is a ton of personal preference when it comes to application and whatever works, works, but I thought I’d talk about the specifics of the product and it’s strengths so we have some insight into why the product was developed.
- Is an SiO2 based coating. It is not a “spray sealant” or a “spray wax”.
- Uses a fast release carrier solvent designed to deliver a very thin layer of material quickly and easily.
- Will last at least 6 months under normal conditions and maintenance, but I have personally seen it perform well past that.
- Is designed to be a quick wipe on application with minor removal of excess product. We should be getting around a car in roughly 20 minutes.
- Can be used as a stand alone coating, layered up to 3 layers. It can also be used as a top coat to any high quality coating.
- Is very versatile. It can be used on paint, trim, engine plastics, wheels, chrome, etc. I know many that like it on glass, but I prefer Q² View.
- It delivers an intense candy gloss and great water behavior.
Where I like to use Q² CanCoat:
- Great entry level coating offering. When applied over Q² Primer we get a boost in durability and a really great finished look for very little effort.
- As a yearly top up to an existing coating. I have Q² One on my personal truck which is performing very well in a tough climate and plan on applying Q² CanCoat yearly as a quick top up.
- As a quick application to wheels, exhaust tips, engine plastics or literally any other exterior surface of the car.
I think the biggest point to cover in this article is the application process, which I think is where the strength of the product really exists. I have seen people switch from the sprayer/wipe method and apply Q² CanCoat as a traditional coating by using a suede and foam block or microfiber applicator. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. The product will certainly perform as intended. So if you like this method, by all means, keep on rolling with it. But to me, we are taking the products biggest strength out of the equation. Q² CanCoat is designed to be a FAST installation.
I totally understand based on my own OCD brain why one would want to see a nice thick layer of material go down, applied nice and slow with a perfectly even cross-hatched pattern. But if that is the application you like then bump up to Q² One or Q² Pure which are the two other SiO2 based coatings in the Gyeon quartz line. Q² CanCoat is designed to leave a thin layer of material behind with a quick and easy installation. So let’s go over the application method.
First, always perform a wipe down of the surface with Gyeon quartz Q²M Prep. This will remove the polishing oils or lubricants from a previous detailing step and make sure we have a direct bond between the coating and the paint. If an exceptionally oily polish was used, you may need a bit more of a de-greasing stage to make sure all oils are removed.
Spray Q²M Prep directly on to the paint over a shoulder width section at a time. Use just enough product to where it starts to run down the paint. Use a long fiber and highly absorbent microfiber towel like the Gyeon quartz Q²M SoftWipe to collect the Q²M Prep as well as the material it is designed to breakdown. Make sure all material is removed, as this is the final finish of the surface before coating. There is nothing worse than coating over a bit of leftover Prep and finding it later.
Now on to the Q² CanCoat application! Remove the metal cap and set it aside. You will replace this later. Attach one of the (3) included plastic sprayers to the bottle. 200ml of product is included in each can. The can size is larger than the 200ml so the bottle will be about 3/4 full. You did not get shorted!
Using the included microfiber towel, cup the spray nozzle and deliver 2 sprays of product into the towel. If you don’t cup the sprayer it is very easy to waft or transfer the floating product on to the paint. Again, we do not need to see a big thick layer of material going down. We should have a nice thin layer over a shoulder width area that nearly disappears completely as we work it into the paint. This is not an apply, wait 30 seconds, and then remove scenario. If we overuse the product and let it sit on the paint it is going to be a pain to wipe off.
Use a quick arm speed and work the product into the surface in straight line overlapping patterns for 10 to 20 seconds. Don’t stop moving the towel until the product has all but disappeared. Use a handheld light when done to pick up any leftover build up. That’s it! This should be a very quick and easy application.
For your secondary wipe up towel, or the towel for your next install after you’ve toasted the towel it came with use Gyeon quartz Q²M BaldWipe. The short pile height and dense fiber will move the product over the paint smoothly while absorbing excess material.
You’ll be left with a very warm gloss that looks fantastic. The surface will bead water like crazy and keep the finish well protected from environmental damage. Make sure to remove and rinse your sprayer very well. If you don’t, it will harden and be useless next time around, but don’t worry there are two more in the box. Replace the metal cap for storage. Enjoy!