Topper Question for The Master

[kilobravo]

I have saved a number of your posts, D, but couldn't find one that answered this question..

What is your favorite post wash topper for both coated and uncoated vehicles (if they're different)..now? Can't recall all the products I've tried but I have settled on Elixir for her car and the truck and, Reload on Sarah (as well as her car three or four times,) although I have used Elixir as well. The truck isn't coated but her car is and I quite often use Elixir on all three vehicles when I'm pressed for time (or energy.)

I presume there's no problem using Elixir on ceramic coated paint in your opinion? I figure it just won't last as long as Reload.

The last question is, have you updated your goto choice for ceramic coatings in the last year or so? I used CQuartz on both Sarah and the Cadillac and have been VERY impressed. It's been over three years since I coated them and both are still beading beautifully. TIA.

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[DFB5.0]

I have saved a number of your posts, D, but couldn't find one that answered this question..

What is your favorite post wash topper for both coated and uncoated vehicles (if they're different)..now? Can't recall all the products I've tried but I have settled on Elixir for her car and the truck and, Reload on Sarah (as well as her car three or four times,) although I have used Elixir as well. The truck isn't coated but her car is and I quite often use Elixir on all three vehicles when I'm pressed for time (or energy.)

I presume there's no problem using Elixir on ceramic coated paint in your opinion? I figure it just won't last as long as Reload.

The last question is, have you updated your goto choice for ceramic coatings in the last year or so? I used CQuartz on both Sarah and the Cadillac and have been VERY impressed. It's been over three years since I coated them and both are still beading beautifully. TIA.

Considering that I know you prefer to air rather than towel dry (or combination of both like I do), I'm assuming "post wash topper" is not in reference to a drying aid, rather a more deliberate application? If so, I favor either Carpro Reload 2.0 or Koch Chemie S0.02. Both provide a boost in protection and gloss, with S0.02 being slightly easier to apply. You would apply either as a topper every 3 months or so.

Koch-Chemie - Spray Sealant | The Rag Company
CARPRO Reload 2.0 500ml (17oz) (carpro-us.com)

I also really like using P&S Bead Maker because of the slickness and gloss it brings to the table, but it can be a bit finiky to work with.

P&S Detail Products - Bead Maker Paint Protectant | The Rag Company

In terms of the Carpro spray sealant/detailer range, this is the hierarchy -

Reload 2.0 - 3 months protection
Elixir - 4 - 6 weeks
ECH20 - 1 week
Release - Until the next wash.

Elixir is actually a blend of ECH20 and Reload, so you will have no issues using it on a ceramic coating. ECH20 itself was designed as a slick quick detailer/water-less wash for Carpro coatings and contains wax to deliver lubrication and slickness. Release is basically a spray wax to protect a freshly installed coating within the first 7 to 14 days, it can be used as a quick detailer, but ECH20 is superior in that regard.

As a bit of a case study, my sisters Volvo XC60 had Carpro Cquartz Finest Reserve applied this time last year. I've been maintaining the coating by washing with Reset, then using Elixir as a drying aid after the wash. Every 4 months, I swap the Elixir for Reload. Both products work superbly with the coating, which you would expect.

For ceramic coatings, I lean toward Gyeon for the ease of application. I have Pure EVO on two cars at the moment, the claim of "candy-like gloss" grabbing my attention to make the Jaguar Odyssey Red paint pop. On your Rapid Red GT500, Pure EVO would suit the color well. But......................... I would probably do Mohs EVO instead as it has superior slickness, something missing from Pure EVO.

GYEON | Q2 MOHS EVO Ceramic Coating – Car Supplies Warehouse

Pure EVO -

I would also look at Carpro Dquartz GO, the newest consumer coating from Carpro, and Armour Detail Supply Quartz. I haven't used either though, but the claims of slickness grab my attention.

DQUARTZ GO Nano Diamond Quartz Fusion (carpro-us.com)
Armour Quartz Coating – Armour Detail Supply

 

[skinnyb]

I agree with the Elixir and reload sentiment. I actually made my own "Elixir" by mixing ECH20 and Reload. Works great, saves from having to buy an additional product.

And I do agree that S0.02 does apply much easier than Reload and is definitely my favorite, I used on my Mustang just a few weeks ago after doing a decon wash to unclog the coating and it brought the extreme slickness back to the paint. My Mustang has DPC 9 on it so a little different coating, but it still works fantastic. I must say NV Boost V2 is my second favorite, and will be my go to once I coat my daily driver with Nova.

 

[kilobravo]

Considering that I know you prefer to air rather than towel dry (or combination of both like I do), I'm assuming "post wash topper" is not in reference to a drying aid, rather a more deliberate application?

And you would be correct, D.

I also really like using P&S Bead Maker because of the slickness and gloss it brings to the table, but it can be a bit finiky to work with.

Used it for a good while before I tried Elixir and I completely agree on BM being difficult to buff off.

Elixir is actually a blend of ECH20 and Reload

Well now, I certainly didn't know THAT, interesting.

I've been maintaining the coating by washing with Reset, then using Elixir as a drying aid after the wash. Every 4 months, I swap the Elixir for Reload.

A plan, excellent, I've never had one. <smiling> Instead, all I have done is alternate between Elixir and Reload with no set time period, I just grab one or the other to "top her off." :-)

But the logic behind your method of Reload in between multiple topper applications of Elixir is PERFECT and THANK YOU!

I actually made my own "Elixir" by mixing ECH20 and Reload. Works great, saves from having to buy an additional product.

CarPro should HIRE YOU, Alex! <smile>

For ceramic coatings, I lean toward Gyeon for the ease of application.

But......................... I would probably do Mohs EVO instead as it has superior slickness, something missing from Pure EVO.

Exactly the type of answer I was hoping to get, D, you know, that little extra pizzazz that only The Master would know about. <BIG smile> Mohs EVO is what she'll get next.

I would also look at Carpro Dquartz GO, the newest consumer coating from Carpro, and Armour Detail Supply Quartz.

<smiling again> First, I hadn't heard about the updated coating from CarPro..damn, that's tempting but, unlike you, I only have our three vehicles to learn on which means I won't be doing it often.

Additionally, since paint correction is, IMHO, mandatory prior to a ceramic coating, I would rather not "learn" about Dquartz even though I certainly trust CarPro. Instead, my brain tells me to "go with what you know." Your invaluable experience and reviews make decisions like this SO simple AND save us tons of time, frustration, and money.

You ARE The Man my friend. :=)

 

[MAGS1]

Some great recommendations as always. I’ve been watching this guy on YouTube for a while now, he has his own detail shop in the Philly area. He came out with his own line of products, I don’t recall who he uses to produce it. I’m tempted to give it a try, he uses polysilazane, which is supposedly the next level up in the ceramic coating world.

https://apexsurfaceprotection.store/

He also reviews all kinds of products, not just his own. Here’s his DQuartz review.



He does have videos on the various products within his line also if you’re curious

 

[Jaymar]

Some great recommendations as always. I’ve been watching this guy on YouTube for a while now, he has his own detail shop in the Philly area. He came out with his own line of products, I don’t recall who he uses to produce it. I’m tempted to give it a try, he uses polysilazane, which is supposedly the next level up in the ceramic coating world.

https://apexsurfaceprotection.store/

He also reviews all kinds of products, not just his own. Here’s his DQuartz review.



He does have videos on the various products within his line also if you’re curious

I used the BC coating on my car, you won't be disappointed.

 

[MAGS1]

I used the BC coating on my car, you won't be disappointed.

That’s good to hear!

 

[lo-fi]

My current personal favorite is Turtle Wax 53477 Graphene Pro Flex Wax. Technically, it isn't strictly a detailer or "topper", but I use it every month or two when I want something better than my standard simple detailer. It definitely requires a towel for buff off, but I think it's worth it. Additionally, the word "flex" in the product title isn't there for marketing as it has a "flexible" feel to it after applied, not sure how else to describe it. The gloss will increase as it cures in about 24 hours. Blacks up trim and rubber nicely along with good hydrophobic qualities. I think sometimes people are hesitant because of the name "Turtle Wax", which I get, but like Meguiars sometimes they produce and excellent product regardless of their big box store associations.

I just thought it worth mentioning in case anyone wanted to try something different. You all have certainly given me some new products to try out along with some differing view points on detailing.

 

[MAGS1]

My current personal favorite is Turtle Wax 53477 Graphene Pro Flex Wax. Technically, it isn't strictly a detailer or "topper", but I use it every month or two when I want something better than my standard simple detailer. It definitely requires a towel for buff off, but I think it's worth it. Additionally, the word "flex" in the product title isn't there for marketing as it has a "flexible" feel to it after applied, not sure how else to describe it. The gloss will increase as it cures in about 24 hours. Blacks up trim and rubber nicely along with good hydrophobic qualities. I think sometimes people are hesitant because of the name "Turtle Wax", which I get, but like Meguiars sometimes they produce and excellent product regardless of their big box store associations.

I just thought it worth mentioning in case anyone wanted to try something different. You all have certainly given me some new products to try out along with some differing view points on detailing.

I used to use that. Very nice product for sure. Just didn’t have a ton of longevity which is what I was looking for this time around.

 

[lo-fi]

I used to use that. Very nice product for sure. Just didn’t have a ton of longevity which is what I was looking for this time around.

Agreed on the longevity and that is worth mentioning. Depending on where you live you could get only three weeks or less before you start to notice all the hydrophobic qualities have gone AWOL. I'm like a lot guys on here in that I don't view detailing as work, I enjoy it to a degree so I'm constantly fiddling about. If something worked too well what would I do? LoL.

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