ThatOneDude
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Hi all. I've searched pages and pages of this detailing forum and there's a lot of good info here, but I have several specific questions and replying to multiple threads to converse about everything seems quite daunting, so I am creating this thread to discuss the very BEST in paint and leather protection on the market today.
From my research, I have found several possibilities but I am at that point of making a final choice.
Ceramic Pro 9H - Seems like this is being touted as the most ultra of all paint protection coatings, but it's difficult to decipher what's real and what is company sponsored marketing (not that company sponsored marketing is necessarily bad). I like what I see, but man, the price! Several detail shops in San Diego, CA want about $1,000 to apply a few coats of this stuff inside and out. Does anyone here have personal experience / testimonial with Ceramic Pro?
CQuartz Finest - Tried and true for sure. A lot of people swear by this coating. Many are saying this is still the "ultimate shine", but some detailers I've researched are now saying Ceramic Pro has superior protection ability and lasts longer. 2 coatings of CQuartz cost about $500 from a professional shop.
Carnuba Wax - Not much to talk about here. Widely available and very easy to DIY. I've used Carnuba plenty of times and it's nice, but having to reapply every 6 months is the main downside in my opinion. Also, it is not in the same league as these other modern protective coatings.
Dr Beasley's Nano Resin - This one is very interesting. It's the newest of all, as I believe they just released it in 2015 or maybe late 2014. It's a DIY coating that comes in a small bottle and is supposedly easy to apply and uses no harsh chemicals so you don't even need to wear a mask. Lasts up to 3 years and applying top coats is recommended every 1-2 years. (Essentially the original or "first" coat would never be touched again if I am understanding the reapplication philosophy correctly.) Bottle cost $49 + $8 for the applicator pad. A guy from another Audi forum used it on his brand new Misano Red S3 and the result looks like a super high gloss mirror like finish. Right now, this seems to be a great option for DIY but I am not finding much info out there since the product is relatively new compared to others.
Leather Care - Ceramic Pro has a leather coating that apparently protects in similar ways as the paint coat. Not sure how it feels after being applied though and to me that's very important. Last thing I want is to make that gorgeous and supple Nappa leather feel crispy or (on the opposite spectrum) greasy. I want it to feel like the fine Nappa leather that it is, but with protection. Best thing I've found so far seems to be GTECHNIQ-L1 Leather Guard. Has anybody used this on Audi leather and what are your thoughts?
Clay detailing - Before applying any type of coating like a Nano Resin, I plan on using clay. Best thing I've found so far is Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay but I've never used it. If anyone has please chime in.
Also, as a side note, I saw Bristle Hound's recommendation of Valet Pro Orange Prewash, but I am having absolutely zero luck finding anybody that will ship it to USA. Is it just too cost prohibitive to be worth it? Is there a similar type product I can source from USA instead?
Anything else you guys want to throw into this mix for discussion is fine with me. I'm leaning toward Dr Beasley's Nano Resin and GTECHNIQ-L1 for the leather, but before I take the plunge, I want to see what you all think.
Thanks!!!
From my research, I have found several possibilities but I am at that point of making a final choice.
Ceramic Pro 9H - Seems like this is being touted as the most ultra of all paint protection coatings, but it's difficult to decipher what's real and what is company sponsored marketing (not that company sponsored marketing is necessarily bad). I like what I see, but man, the price! Several detail shops in San Diego, CA want about $1,000 to apply a few coats of this stuff inside and out. Does anyone here have personal experience / testimonial with Ceramic Pro?
CQuartz Finest - Tried and true for sure. A lot of people swear by this coating. Many are saying this is still the "ultimate shine", but some detailers I've researched are now saying Ceramic Pro has superior protection ability and lasts longer. 2 coatings of CQuartz cost about $500 from a professional shop.
Carnuba Wax - Not much to talk about here. Widely available and very easy to DIY. I've used Carnuba plenty of times and it's nice, but having to reapply every 6 months is the main downside in my opinion. Also, it is not in the same league as these other modern protective coatings.
Dr Beasley's Nano Resin - This one is very interesting. It's the newest of all, as I believe they just released it in 2015 or maybe late 2014. It's a DIY coating that comes in a small bottle and is supposedly easy to apply and uses no harsh chemicals so you don't even need to wear a mask. Lasts up to 3 years and applying top coats is recommended every 1-2 years. (Essentially the original or "first" coat would never be touched again if I am understanding the reapplication philosophy correctly.) Bottle cost $49 + $8 for the applicator pad. A guy from another Audi forum used it on his brand new Misano Red S3 and the result looks like a super high gloss mirror like finish. Right now, this seems to be a great option for DIY but I am not finding much info out there since the product is relatively new compared to others.
Leather Care - Ceramic Pro has a leather coating that apparently protects in similar ways as the paint coat. Not sure how it feels after being applied though and to me that's very important. Last thing I want is to make that gorgeous and supple Nappa leather feel crispy or (on the opposite spectrum) greasy. I want it to feel like the fine Nappa leather that it is, but with protection. Best thing I've found so far seems to be GTECHNIQ-L1 Leather Guard. Has anybody used this on Audi leather and what are your thoughts?
Clay detailing - Before applying any type of coating like a Nano Resin, I plan on using clay. Best thing I've found so far is Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay but I've never used it. If anyone has please chime in.
Also, as a side note, I saw Bristle Hound's recommendation of Valet Pro Orange Prewash, but I am having absolutely zero luck finding anybody that will ship it to USA. Is it just too cost prohibitive to be worth it? Is there a similar type product I can source from USA instead?
Anything else you guys want to throw into this mix for discussion is fine with me. I'm leaning toward Dr Beasley's Nano Resin and GTECHNIQ-L1 for the leather, but before I take the plunge, I want to see what you all think.
Thanks!!!
