[ChargerHellcat]

Hello everyone,

As my vehicle is quickly approaching (at NYC port with two stop sale). I have several detailing questions and upkeep on these frozen/matte paint.

I am planning to get the whole front wrapped in stek PPF and either Dr. Beasely sealant or a ceramic coating of Gtechniq C1 crystal Laquer. So here are the following questions I have.

1. Once the car is ceramic coated, can you take the vehicle through a touch-less wash since it's technically protected?

2. Do you PPF the front headlights? I have read the headlights shouldn't get PPF since it has little microscopic holes to cool? Hence why some of these lights have condensations.

3.I know everyone swears by the Dr. Beasely products, however is that the only car shampoo everyone is using? I contemplated using the Adams shampoo since it's PH neutral.

I would love any other tips in terms properly maintenance of these paint, I know I'm overly thinking about it at this point. Thanks for any helps and tips.

[psylovibe]

1. I wash it myself. Ceramic coating does not really protect the paint.

2. I did PPF headlights and tail lights. No issues

3. I use Adam's cleaning products

[Topcarbon]

I have the car 100% coverage in ppf
I use matte shampoo from chemical guys
After cleaning i use no towels to dry, i use a powerful leaf blower
Once dry, i go over the ppf with matte sealant from chemical guys
Process takes one hour from start to finish and no issues

[ChargerHellcat]

Originally Posted by psylovibe

1. I wash it myself. Ceramic coating does not really protect the paint.

2. I did PPF headlights and tail lights. No issues

3. I use Adam's cleaning products

So you went full PPF and no ceramic coat? I read the ceramic coat doesn't do anything regarding stone chips but it does help with water spots and bird droppings from leaving stains on these paints?

[Vrrooom3]

Originally Posted by Topcarbon

I have the car 100% coverage in ppf
I use matte shampoo from chemical guys
After cleaning i use no towels to dry, i use a powerful leaf blower
Once dry, i go over the ppf with matte sealant from chemical guys
Process takes one hour from start to finish and no issues

Out of curiosity, if you have 100% ppf, why do you need to use matte shampoo? Aren't most PPFs self healing and require minimal maintenance compared to frozen paint?

[Topcarbon]

Originally Posted by Vrrooom3

Out of curiosity, if you have 100% ppf, why do you need to use matte shampoo? Aren't most PPFs self healing and require minimal maintenance compared to frozen paint?

I had ppf matte which I believe is matte not glossy

[Corms85]

I have Xpel full front PPF and also did the headlights. I also did Ceramic Pro 9H coating over the entire car (exception being the carbon roof)

I use Dr. Beasleys detailer and car wash which works great and use two bucket method and leaf blower to dry and than a chemical guys towel to finish the drying process. Honestly takes 20-30 minutes to wash the car and is super easy to take care of with the PPF and Ceramic Coating.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by Corms85

I have Xpel full front PPF and also did the headlights. I also did Ceramic Pro 9H coating over the entire car (exception being the carbon roof)

I use Dr. Beasleys detailer and car wash which works great and use two bucket method and leaf blower to dry and than a chemical guys towel to finish the drying process. Honestly takes 20-30 minutes to wash the car and is super easy to take care of with the PPF and Ceramic Coating.

I spend 30 minutes just washing all 4 wheels.

[merlin3008]

So I always wondered. Why get frozen paint and then cover with PPF? If you plan on wrapping the car, why not just stick with a gloss paint and get stealth wrap? You have more color options and maintenance will be easier when removed. Just curious.

[Topcarbon]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

So I always wondered. Why get frozen paint and then cover with PPF? If you plan on wrapping the car, why not just stick with a gloss paint and get stealth wrap? You have more color options and maintenance will be easier when removed. Just curious.

Thats a good question
For me, it comes down to protecting the original paint from contaminants.
I live in a very humid place with lots of rain and the risk for spotting and ruining the paint is high.
Putting the ppf on gives a little more piece of mind. Plus, it makes it easier to clean come wash day

[ChargerHellcat]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

So I always wondered. Why get frozen paint and then cover with PPF? If you plan on wrapping the car, why not just stick with a gloss paint and get stealth wrap? You have more color options and maintenance will be easier when removed. Just curious.

Plenty of owners who swear the stealth wrap does not duplicate the frozen color. I cannot speak as if I know for factual as I have seen neither especially side by side. The other side of the coin also is, the possibility of having to remove the stealth wrap film when you sell the car, there is cost associated with that as well.

[ChargerHellcat]

Originally Posted by Corms85

I have Xpel full front PPF and also did the headlights. I also did Ceramic Pro 9H coating over the entire car (exception being the carbon roof)

I use Dr. Beasleys detailer and car wash which works great and use two bucket method and leaf blower to dry and than a chemical guys towel to finish the drying process. Honestly takes 20-30 minutes to wash the car and is super easy to take care of with the PPF and Ceramic Coating.

Why not ceramic the carbon roof?

What leaf blower are you using?

Did you just ended up spending a 100 dollars and buying the gallon of Dr. Beasley car wash. Lol i know it's crazy spending a 100k on a car and worrying about 100 on car wash. Seems really steep for car shampoo.