[3ismagic#]

After having it 2 weeks I finally got around giving the new German mistress a thorough detail. It also gave me a chance to apply a ceramic coating for the first time.

Washed: 2 bucket method with Carpro Reset
Clayed to remove any bug guts and contamination from the shipping.

Light polish with Meguiars D302

Wiped down with Carpro Eraser to remove any polish oils and residues

One coat of Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light

Two coats of Gtechniq EXOv4

It feels like glass and looks wetter than a...

Portimao Blue FTW!

[Joro2819]

That's nice and the color is so deep now.

[tnsatbhs]

Nice, looks really good. How easy was the ceramic coating to apply? I'm looking at applying CSL and Exo as well.

[3ismagic#]

Originally Posted by tnsatbhs

Nice, looks really good. How easy was the ceramic coating to apply? I'm looking at applying CSL and Exo as well.

Overall it was pretty easy to work with.
you will want to make sure:
1) you do any paint correction etc. before applying the CSL. That because once its on its on and tough to remove and will 'lock' in any defects etc. So take the time to get the paint looking tippy top and free of swirls etc.

2) before application make sure you wipe the paint down with some kind of IPA solution (panel wipe, carpro eraser) to remove any polish/wax oils and residues to make sure the coating bonds with the clear coat.

3) work in small sections (I did the hood in 4 sections). Apply with a cross hatch pattern, let sit for a minute or so and them wipe off. it wipes off pretty easy. but you will want to make sure you get it all off/leveled so work in a well lit garage and or use an LED light to inspect each section before moving on to the next one.

I recommend a 2 MF towel. One for the initial wipe off to remove most of the product and then a final towel to make sure you get everything.

Once you do a couple of panels you'll get the hang of the product.

4) my kit came with gloves. wear them.

5) EXO was a tad bit more difficult to wipe off. It has a little bit more tendency to smear but it still comes off easier than most traditional waxes.

I found this helpful

[tnsatbhs]

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

Overall it was pretty easy to work with.
you will want to make sure:
1) you do any paint correction etc. before applying the CSL. That because once its on its on and tough to remove and will 'lock' in any defects etc. So take the time to get the paint looking tippy top and free of swirls etc.

2) before application make sure you wipe the paint down with some kind of IPA solution (panel wipe, carpro eraser) to remove any polish/wax oils and residues to make sure the coating bonds with the clear coat.

3) work in small sections (I did the hood in 4 sections). Apply with a cross hatch pattern, let sit for a minute or so and them wipe off. it wipes off pretty easy. but you will want to make sure you get it all off/leveled so work in a well lit garage and or use an LED light to inspect each section before moving on to the next one.

I recommend a 2 MF towel. One for the initial wipe off to remove most of the product and then a final towel to make sure you get everything.

Once you do a couple of panels you'll get the hang of the product.

4) my kit came with gloves. wear them.

5) EXO was a tad bit more difficult to wipe off. It has a little bit more tendency to smear but it still comes off easier than most traditional waxes.

I found this helpful

Awesome, thanks for the tips and video. I'm pretty comfortable with all the prep work, but this will be the first time I apply a ceramic coating. I've heard the Gtechniq CSL and Exo are among the easier ones to apply.

[lausc]

Nice job! It seems that you did not have to do much paint correction. Did your car have the "Orange Peel" paint job which is found on most BMW cars?

[3ismagic#]

Originally Posted by lausc

Nice job! It seems that you did not have to do much paint correction. Did your car have the "Orange Peel" paint job which is found on most BMW cars?

Yes it had some classic bmw orange peel. But I have never cared much about that.

Certainly not enough to do anything (wet sanding) about it.

[Pacman123]

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

Overall it was pretty easy to work with.
you will want to make sure:
1) you do any paint correction etc. before applying the CSL. That because once its on its on and tough to remove and will 'lock' in any defects etc. So take the time to get the paint looking tippy top and free of swirls etc.

2) before application make sure you wipe the paint down with some kind of IPA solution (panel wipe, carpro eraser) to remove any polish/wax oils and residues to make sure the coating bonds with the clear coat.

My M340i is going to be delivered in a few weeks. You said you did yours 2 weeks after getting it. I was planning on coating mine within a day or two of getting it. Do you think it would require a 2 bucket wash before CSL or would Panelwipe be sufficient?

I was thinking of getting the GTech CSL/EXOv/Panel wipe kit. Because it would be essentially brand new I figured the panel wipe would take off any residue that could be on it from shipping. Then be able to CSL-->EXOv.

Thoughts?

[3ismagic#]

Originally Posted by Pacman123

My M340i is going to be delivered in a few weeks. You said you did yours 2 weeks after getting it. I was planning on coating mine within a day or two of getting it. Do you think it would require a 2 bucket wash before CSL or would Panelwipe be sufficient?

I was thinking of getting the GTech CSL/EXOv/Panel wipe kit. Because it would be essentially brand new I figured the panel wipe would take off any residue that could be on it from shipping. Then be able to CSL-->EXOv.

Thoughts?

If it were me I'd wash and then assess. I'd check to see if it needs clay/decon or any paint correction.

Then after that I'd do the panel wipe and coating.