Ceramic Coatings

[jack_c]

Anyone any experience using ceramic coatings?

I have a machine here that isnt very old but the gloss has gone off the paint. Machine polished it last year with a mild cutting compound and it helped a great deal but back to the same again this year.

Each time I wash it the suds go slightly pink. Thinking sun damage in its earlier years from being left out. Colour is red.

Was wondering if I polished it again and applied a layer of ceramic coating would it retain the gloss finish?

See car detailers using it but not sure on the ins and outs of how it actually works.

Any help appreciated.

Jack

 

[Robt]

What are you washing it with? That may be your problem

 

[jack_c]

What are you washing it with? That may be your problem

I had thought this initially too so have tried different things with the same results.

This year was snow foam from a proper carwash style foam cannon and venturi. Which is used for all the other machines in the yard with no issue?

I've seen a number of machines from the same manufacturer in my area suffering the same fate.

 

[Phil P]

Hazsafe from autosmart is excellent for washing stuff off, it’s non costic so won’t mark the paint work and leaves a good shine. Also a coat of autoglym super resin polish once a year helps protect the paint.

 

[Robt]

Get some EZ ceramic wax. Very easy to apply and last months. It makes cleaning so much easier .
this is on offer and will do about 8-10 cars so 5-6 tractors poss more

But beware..... it’s the start of a slippery slope towards addiction!

 

[jack_c]

Hazsafe from autosmart is excellent for washing stuff off, it’s non costic so won’t mark the paint work and leaves a good shine. Also a coat of autoglym super resin polish once a year helps protect the paint.

Will try that once I get the shine back.
Whilst super resin gives a good shine I never found it actually corrected the paint, more just filled with filler to give a glossy finish?

 

[jack_c]

Get some EZ ceramic wax. Very easy to apply and last months. It makes cleaning so much easier .
this is on offer and will do about 8-10 cars so 5-6 tractors poss more

But beware..... it’s the start of a slippery slope towards addiction!

Definitely the life of a machine keeping it in good condition I find. I assume I'd need to correct the paint again first before applying the wax?

 

[Phil P]

Will try that once I get the shine back.
Whilst super resin gives a good shine I never found it actually corrected the paint, more just filled with filler to give a glossy finish?

Yes, if the paint is dull that will need correcting first before polishing.

 

[jack_c]

Yes, if the paint is dull that will need correcting first before polishing.

No problem!

Big area to do hence why I'd like to work out a way to not have to polish it every year.

I'm probably being too particular but when it's matt finish now and it really does take the good look off the machine.

 

[Robt]

A good DA polisher will get shine back by very very very slightly cutting the top coat off. It’s very skilled work but is easy to learn with patients . Then seal with ceramic coating or wax. Find a local detailed and get a price. They like a good challenge !

 

[Exfarmer]

I think any of these treatments , will not be a permanent solution, and tee cutting is removing layers of paint. It sounds as if the machine Has been painted with a water based paint which has not cured properly for some reason.
I believe several car manufacturers suffered this problem when they changed to water instead of solvent based paints.
for a permanent solution I think you will need to cut the paint back then spray a resin finish

 

[jack_c]

I think any of these treatments , will not be a permanent solution, and tee cutting is removing layers of paint. It sounds as if the machine Has been painted with a water based paint which has not cured properly for some reason.
I believe several car manufacturers suffered this problem when they changed to water instead of solvent based paints.
for a permanent solution I think you will need to cut the paint back then spray a resin finish

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of, I don't think there is a massive amount of topcoat as it is.

The machine is painted in 2 pack epoxy, I know this as the manufacturer was in my previous workplace looking at our painting booths.

A lacquer coat once corrected would be the perfect job as you say but would prefer not to have to go down that route if it could be avoided.

 

[ACEngineering]

Is there a ceramic coating you just spray on and wash off? No need to mess about buffing off etc?

 

[ACEngineering]

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of, I don't think there is a massive amount of topcoat as it is.

The machine is painted in 2 pack epoxy, I know this as the manufacturer was in my previous workplace looking at our painting booths.

A lacquer coat once corrected would be the perfect job as you say but would prefer not to have to go down that route if it could be avoided.

No expert but if 2 pack then they couldnt have put enough hardner in it when mixing nothing but a strip and repaint will fix that?

 

[Robt]

Is there a ceramic coating you just spray on and wash off? No need to mess about buffing off etc?

Sadly nothing is that easy in life

 

[ACEngineering]

Sadly nothing is that easy in life

True

 

[jack_c]

No expert but if 2 pack then they couldnt have put enough hardner in it when mixing nothing but a strip and repaint will fix that?

Hard to know really.

This is what I mean.

That's just a quick rub by hand with autosmart compound.

 

[jack_c]

I'm not after a mirror finish. Just would like to be able to wash/wet it without having to polish it every year to make it look the age it actually is.

@Robt if I polished it all would a layer of wax help stop it fading again?

 

[Robt]

Wax will help a little to stop it fading, not a massive amount but a little. Think the paint used is your issue. You used to see it on red Toyota Hilux....

 

[Deutzdx3]

You won’t stop that dulling and going milky. It owes from lack of uv protector in the main resins of the paint. Red absorbers the most uv from sunlight and breaks down the pigment. Ceramic coating won’t so a thing. Only way to stop it would be to clear coat it with the correct prep and a decent quality clear. Spies heckler, glasurit etc.