Here is some advice for those that have had bad new experiences or may have struggled trying a different ceramic coating.  Each coating company and coating within company’s umbrella may be different.  There are going to be different formulations and concentrations of key ingredients that affect your application process.  Not all coating should be applied the same EXACT way.  Listed below are solutions that I have found address many of the frustrations that consumers have with the ceramic coating experience.

Instructions Are Fundamental And Often Unique For Each Product

I am going to mention this is more common than what many people realize.  Someone applies a ceramic coating per instructions.  The application process is flawless.  A couple of years later, this person tries a different coating.  He or she wrongfully assumes everything about the application process is exactly the same.  After having a terrible experience, he or she blames the coating company.  My message is to read the instructions (i.e. not assume) OR keep using the product that worked for you.  I have used about 20 different coatings as a professional.  I always approach a new bottle as a unique product.  This is often the root of most problems.

Shake The Bottle

Depending on the coating, some separation will happen.  Some products carry instructions specifying for you to shake the bottle for a specified period of time.  If not specified I would give it a quick shake.  Although it is not mentioned here, for those that use Aquatek Select shaking the bottle for a few seconds is recommended.

Coating Towel Quality

Do not mess up your work prior to applying your coating with cheap microfiber towels.  Sure, many professionals have had no problems with $2 store bought microfiber towels.  Often micro-scratching becomes an issue with poor quality control with these cheap microfiber towel companies or when you have that coating that just happens to be more challenging to remove.

Getting Your Paint The Way You Want It

Coating company representatives implying their coating is the reason the paint looks amazing while recommending polishing to perfect paint, reveals the DISHONEST HONESTY in their marketing to consumers and detailing professionals.  Those swirls have no bearing on whether the coating is on your paint.  That does not mean don’t polish them down.  If you are doing it yourself and it is your expectations, be mindful of what YOU are okay living with.  The gloss effect of the coating is an enhancement of what is already there (good and bad).  Many people, including professionals, get this totally wrong.  You are detailing your own car, meaning do what is SAFE and makes you happy.  Not the Swirl Police on the internet!  With that said, you are going to live with that paint until you detail your car again.  Coatings magnify this look.  If you do not like how your paint looks and then realize professionals were serious that paint correction is what makes the difference, that is also on you!

Panel Prep

The polish residue may affect the coating bond, performance and or durability.  Many professionals that are obsessed with their paint correction but not proper removal, get this wrong.  It is true that on older cars there have been coating failures due to oxidation from no polishing.  But if I was to take an educated guess as to the number one reason why coatings fail prematurely, it would be inadequate removal of polishing lubricants. Use a proper panel prep.

Matching Coating Towels To Product

A good question to ask on social media platform is, “what microfiber towels do you use to remove (the coating you are using) ‘Product H’?”  I have four different paint coatings that I typically use from two companies.  I have a preferred combination of microfiber towels unique to each coating company.  It is not going to be a major issue for me if I mix and match my coating towels.  But I have found some combinations just work better.

The Problem With The Two Towel Method?

It should be a ‘two towel minimum method’.  There may come a point that you are doing this professionally. You applied 100 ceramic coatings and are supremely confident using a specific coating several times with no issues.  I can see in that situation, being comfortable, using just two microfiber towels.  For everyone else, using at least 3 to 4 towels will create a better user experience.