Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

[spb]

Hello,

I'm planning to put a ceramic coating on my car and plan to use Ultimate Compound to buff out scratches first. Can I go directly from wiping off the ultimate compound to applying the coating, or should I use an IPA spray first? Also, after the coating is applied, how should I prep for another coating over the first maybe 6 months later without removing the first one?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Hello,

I'm planning to put a ceramic coating on my car and plan to use Ultimate Compound to buff out scratches first. Can I go directly from wiping off the ultimate compound to applying the coating, or should I use an IPA spray first? Also, after the coating is applied, how should I prep for another coating over the first maybe 6 months later without removing the first one?

Welcome to Meguiar's Online. You will more than likely want to follow any compound with a polish, like our Ultimate Polish or Ultra Finishing Polish, to further refine the paint finish & provide more clarity/gloss. Although Meguiar's compound technology is very advanced the finish that is left behind is much better than old style compounds, 50% of the time or so you are still going to leave behind some marks from the compound step like micro marring, D/A haze, that will need to be removed. This is what the polish step will do.

Regarding IPA, we would recommend asking the coating manufacturer what they recommend using prior to applying their coating. With our Hybrid Paint Coating, we include a 6 oz bottle of our Meguiar's M122 Surface Prep. This is also sold separately at about $40 a gallon & is much safer than IPA (M12201).

Typically, when it is time to apply again, as you mentioned, the coating either needs to be mostly worn off or it is best to remove it & start over. Ideally you would wait until it is mostly worn off so the prep work required to re-apply is minimal, i.e. Iron Decon, Clay, Polish.

We hope this information was helpful. Feel free to post further questions.

[Murr1525]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

1. You should use a wipe of some sort... Meguiars makes a paint prep spray, or if you buy a Meguiars coating the kit might come with the spray.

2. A lot of the brands, Meguiars included, sell ceramic washes and ceramic booster sprays... so you would want to use those to keep things boosted up and lasting as long as possible, then no extra coat needed for a while.

I think a good clay and IPA wipe is the normal prep next time...

[spb]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Welcome to Meguiar's Online. You will more than likely want to follow any compound with a polish, like our Ultimate Polish or Ultra Finishing Polish, to further refine the paint finish & provide more clarity/gloss. Although Meguiar's compound technology is very advanced the finish that is left behind is much better than old style compounds, 50% of the time or so you are still going to leave behind some marks from the compound step like micro marring, D/A haze, that will need to be removed. This is what the polish step will do.

Regarding IPA, we would recommend asking the coating manufacturer what they recommend using prior to applying their coating. With our Hybrid Paint Coating, we include a 6 oz bottle of our Meguiar's M122 Surface Prep. This is also sold separately at about $40 a gallon & is much safer than IPA (M12201).

Typically, when it is time to apply again, as you mentioned, the coating either needs to be mostly worn off or it is best to remove it & start over. Ideally you would wait until it is mostly worn off so the prep work required to re-apply is minimal, i.e. Iron Decon, Clay, Polish.

We hope this information was helpful. Feel free to post further questions.

Thanks! Why does the original ceramic coating need to be mostly worn off before applying the new one? I'm planning to just use a Turtle Wax ceramic spray coating.

[The Guz]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Thanks! Why does the original ceramic coating need to be mostly worn off before applying the new one? I'm planning to just use a Turtle Wax ceramic spray coating.

You want to achieve the max bond of the new layer for maximum performance. The product you have is not a true coating. It falls in the category of a silica spray sealant. Follow the directions on the label for this particular product.

[Old Bear]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

I am hitting the imaginary LIKE button on The Guz good reply.

[spb]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

You want to achieve the max bond of the new layer for maximum performance. The product you have is not a true coating. It falls in the category of a silica spray sealant. Follow the directions on the label for this particular product.

Thanks, everyone!

[spb]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Welcome to Meguiar's Online. You will more than likely want to follow any compound with a polish, like our Ultimate Polish or Ultra Finishing Polish, to further refine the paint finish & provide more clarity/gloss. Although Meguiar's compound technology is very advanced the finish that is left behind is much better than old style compounds, 50% of the time or so you are still going to leave behind some marks from the compound step like micro marring, D/A haze, that will need to be removed. This is what the polish step will do.

Regarding IPA, we would recommend asking the coating manufacturer what they recommend using prior to applying their coating. With our Hybrid Paint Coating, we include a 6 oz bottle of our Meguiar's M122 Surface Prep. This is also sold separately at about $40 a gallon & is much safer than IPA (M12201).

Typically, when it is time to apply again, as you mentioned, the coating either needs to be mostly worn off or it is best to remove it & start over. Ideally you would wait until it is mostly worn off so the prep work required to re-apply is minimal, i.e. Iron Decon, Clay, Polish.

We hope this information was helpful. Feel free to post further questions.

From what I can tell it seems safe to iron decon, clay, compound, polish, surface prep, and coat the entire car (paint, plastic, rubber, metal, glass, etc.). Is there anything I shouldn't do those things to?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Your preparation steps sound good but I am not familiar with the protection product you plan on using and what it can be applied to.

[spb]

Re: Prep for ceramic coating after using Ultimate Compound

Your preparation steps sound good but I am not familiar with the protection product you plan on using and what it can be applied to.

Thanks. The coating is the one thing I was already confident about applying, I just wasn't sure about the rest.