Brief Summary
This video by Project Farm tests the effectiveness and durability of eight different ceramic coatings for car paint, ranging in price from $15 to $150. The coatings are evaluated based on ease of application, slickness, hydrophobic qualities, and resistance to various chemicals and environmental factors such as strip wash, iron remover, bug and tar remover, wheel and tire cleaner, and degreaser. The G-Technic and Adams coatings performed the best overall, while the Hybrid Solutions and Griot's Garage also offered good performance for their price points.
- Ease of Application: Spray-on products are generally the easiest to apply.
- Durability: G-Technic and Adams coatings are the most durable.
- Value: Griot's Garage offers a good balance of performance and affordability.
- Hydrophobic Qualities: G-Technic and Adams showed the best hydrophobic properties after chemical exposure.
Introduction to Ceramic Coating Test
The video starts by introducing a test to determine if expensive ceramic coatings are better than cheaper ones for protecting car paint and plastic. The presenter will test eight different ceramic coatings, ranging in price from $15 to $150, to see which one offers the best protection. The test will involve applying the coatings to a car hood and polycarbonate sheets and then subjecting them to various chemicals and environmental factors.
Preparation for Ceramic Coating Application
Before applying the ceramic coatings, the front hood of the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned using a strip wash to remove any existing waxes or sealants. A clay bar is then used to remove contaminants like brake dust that are embedded in the clear coat. The hood is washed again with strip wash to ensure it is perfectly clean. The hood is divided into eight test areas, and the slickness of the bare paint is measured using a push-pull meter, establishing a baseline for comparison.
Application of Ceramic Coatings
The presenter applies eight different ceramic coatings to the prepared test areas on the car hood. The coatings include Hybrid Solutions ($15), Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat ($20), Cerakote Rapid Ceramic Paint Sealant ($20), Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax ($22), Meguiar's Ultimate Ceramic Coating Kit ($23), GTechniq C2 Ceramic ($80), 20H Ceramic Graphene Coating ($90), and Adams Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced ($150). Each product is applied according to the manufacturer's instructions, with notes on the ease of application for each.
Initial Slickness Test After Application
After allowing 24 hours for the coatings to cure, the slickness of each coating is measured using a push-pull meter. Hybrid Solutions is the slickest at 1.1 lbs of force, followed by GTechniq at 1.4 lbs. The 20H coating struggled in this test, requiring 2.4 lbs of force.
Hydrophobic Qualities and Strip Wash Test
The hydrophobic qualities of each coating are assessed by observing how water beads on the surface. Hybrid Solutions, Cerakote, Griot's Garage, GTechniq, and Adams show excellent water beading. The coatings are then subjected to a strip wash to see how well they maintain their hydrophobic properties. GTechniq, Griot's Garage, and Adams maintain excellent hydrophobic qualities after the strip wash, while Shine Armor is significantly degraded.
Iron Remover Test
The ceramic coatings are tested for their resistance to iron remover, a product used to remove brake dust. Griot's Garage, GTechniq, and Adams perform the best, showing little to no damage. Shine Armor is completely used up, while Hybrid Solutions and Cerakote experience some impact.
Bug and Tar Remover Test
The coatings are then exposed to bug and tar remover, a harsh chemical that can break down ceramic coatings. GTechniq and Adams remain unaffected, while Griot's Garage is only slightly affected. Shine Armor and Meguiar's are completely wiped out.
Wheel and Tire Cleaner Test
The ceramic coatings are tested for their resistance to wheel and tire cleaner, which contains strong chemicals. GTechniq and Adams continue to perform the best, while Griot's Garage also provides good protection. Hybrid Solutions, Shine Armor, Cerakote, Meguiar's, and 20H are completely used up.
Degreaser Test
The coatings are exposed to a degreaser to further test their durability. GTechniq performs the best, followed closely by Adams. Griot's Garage continues to offer some protection, while the other coatings are largely ineffective.
Final Slickness Test and Dishwasher Test
After all the chemical tests, the slickness of the remaining coatings is measured again. GTechniq comes out on top at 2.8 lbs of force, followed by Hybrid Solutions at 3.8 lbs. Polycarbonate sheets coated with the ceramic coatings are placed in a dishwasher for six hours to simulate headlight cover exposure. Adams performs the best in this test, followed by GTechniq and Meguiar's.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The video concludes by summarizing the performance of each ceramic coating. For ease of application, spray-on products are recommended, with Griot's Garage being the most durable among them. For those willing to invest more time and money, GTechniq is the most durable overall, providing excellent paint protection.
