The Difference Between Gtechniq CSL and EXO
by Kris Wheeler
Crystal Serum Light is Gtechniq’s 5-year single layer application that is known for it’s durability, sheeting properties, and ease of use/application process. This product is a great standalone ceramic coating for cars that live outside and are not garage kept. Coating the vehicle with Crystal Serum Light will help keep the car cleaner longer.
EXOv4 is an 18 – 24 month top coat. This product is known for its extreme gloss, hydrophobics and ease of application. EXOv4 is a great addition when looking to stack on top of Crystal Serum Light as an additional layer of protection while adding further gloss and hydrophobic properties. I like EXOv4 as a topper, but it is also a great standalone product. I typically recommend EXOv4 to customers who enjoy maintaining their car as it makes a pleasant experience with the water behavior on the surface.
Would Exo V4 be a good top layer over CarPro cquartz UK 3.0?
Just use the CarPro equivalent, Gliss that way you know they will work well together.
Ryan – I have applied the EXO over the UK and it works great. For more durability however, check out the Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light as your base coating layer.
Thanks! I already have the UK 3.0 or I would get the CLS. I’ll be using CSL next time for sure though!
When Crystal Serum Light eventually needs to be re-applied down the road, what’s the process? Polish the old CSL off and start fresh? How do you know when you’ve polished off the old CSL without taking too much clearcoat at the same time?
Just a light one step finishing or primer polish is all the is required. Two passes and you will be good.
Mike – If the coating is “on its last legs”, an Isopropyl Alcohol wipe down can work, but otherwise you will have to polish the surface to remove any coating layers. Just start with a light polish and pad combo and bump up the power as needed. Hope that helps!
If you apply both csl and exo.
Down the road like 18-24 months can you re apply exo again over the csl that you originally applied.
Angelo – You certainly can! I would just asses the layer of CSL on the vehicle and how the vehicle was cared for. For example, if you think you are only going to see another year of protection I might use the C2V3 to care for the CSL, then after a year reapply the CSL and EXO. Remember, the EXO or anything on top will only last as long as the layer of protection underneath it.
I applied CSL this past fall. Could I add EXO this spring after a winter in New England? What would be the prep? Thx
If you apply it separately, you need to clean the surface with W5 (Panel Wipe after that wouldn’t hurt), and then top with two coats of EVO (as it isn’t bonding directly with CSL anymore).
What is the shelf life for unopened CSL?
Opened CSL?
What is the shelf life for unopened EXO V4?
Opened EXO V4?
On a properly corrected/prepped surface is 1 coat CSL followed by 2 coats of EXO V4 a typical combination?
What amount of cure time do you recommend between the CSL, and each coat of EXO V4?
Thank you!
Mark – For all coatings we recommend using within a year of purchase. Once opened, we recommend using asap. As long as you store at room temperature you should not have any issues waiting longer, but this is a good rule of thumb.
On a correctly prepped surface, 1 layer of each (CSL and EXO) is perfect. I top that with C2 V3, but an extra layer of EXO is certainly okay.
For CSL, we recommend waiting 6-12 hours before topping with EXO. 6 hours is enough for it to mostly cure so around that time frame is perfect.
Can CSL (+ Exo) be used on a wrapped (color, not PPF) car?
CSL and EXO can be used on vinyl wrap. With that said, Gtechniq makes the HALO Flexible Film Coating, which is designed for application on ppf, wraps, and other films. I highly recommend giving this coating a try if you are working on these specific areas.
Thanks, will check out Halo☺
I really prefer sheeting and water repellency instead of beading on my car. Does the EXO v4 repel and sheet water or is it more of a beading product? My car is a marina bay blue metallic paint and I leave it outside about 50% of the time where rain and bird poop may drop onto it.
Also, the front of my car (hood, front fenders and front bumper) have Xpel Ultimate Plus PPF. Would you recommend HALO instead of EXO V4 on these areas? If so, what is the water behavior like for HALO?
EXO does sheet more than CSL, but we do recommend coating toppers to aid in sheeting. Something like the Gtechniq C2 will help sheeting properties. You can apply the EXO on top of PPF, but Halo is specially formulated for those specific areas and highly recommended. I would still recommend topping any coating with an sio2 sealant to aid in sheeting behavior.
Thanks – I’ll give C2 a try on a few panels to see how it compares to Phoenix EOD Titan and Technician’s Choice 582
I have a red car with single stage paint. It lives outside all the time. I live in Western Australia where half of the year it is bloody hot and never rains. The other half of the year it rains plenty. Would CSL protect the paint from fading in the sun?
Rick – The CSL will help protect the paint from UV rays. If you want more protection, applying a layer of EXO on top of CSL is a great combination.