Ceramic Seal Coat Prep. for the Ford Ranger

[RedlandRanger]

Me either - but the video I just watched made it seem pretty simple.... I'm sure as a lazy old man there is something I'm missing. BTW will never touch a clay bar regardless.

I just did this for the fist time, and following the instructions of the bottle, I can't say it was easier than normal waxing. I sprayed the stuff all over my truck, and was about to hose it off, but then it says "if this is the first application, skip step 4". So I ended up rubbing it all off with microfiber towels. It was a lot of work. It looks good, but next time I apply it I will hose it off. I used the entire bottle.

Edit: I did to the clay bar before the hybrid wax. It only took me about 30 minutes - I didn't pick up a lot after washing my truck I don't think. But it did feel smoother before I applied the wax.

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[Richard Conley]

If wasn't for all the talking, it could be a good video but the professional video on Mequiar's Hybird Ceramic Wax (first topic #1 thread above) is more informative IMHO
Not "claying" for a new Ranger from Detroit will cut down the prep. time for Mequiars Hybird Ceramic Wax but the results will definitely show IMHO

No kidding about all the talking. I looked at one ceramic product and have been flooded on FaceBook with ads for similar stuff like Topcoat most being much more expensive and so I have been curious. Always got by with their quick detailer so not even sure these products begin to live up to the hype. And I will not even begin to consider anything that requires any clay work or all that deep cleaning. I can appreciate you all that do, but that's not me....I had to get up on a step ladder just to get Rain X on my windshield. This thread is another example of what makes this a great site - always new things to learn and new perspectives. THANKS for taking the time.

 

[RedlandRanger]

No kidding about all the talking. I looked at one ceramic product and have been flooded on FaceBook with ads for similar stuff like Topcoat most being much more expensive and so I have been curious. Always got by with their quick detailer so not even sure these products begin to live up to the hype. And I will not even begin to consider anything that requires any clay work or all that deep cleaning. I can appreciate you all that do, but that's not me....I had to get up on a step ladder just to get Rain X on my windshield. This thread is another example of what makes this a great site - always new things to learn and new perspectives. THANKS for taking the time.

I have to get on a short stepladder to wash my truck now - first vehicle I've ever had to do that. My old Ranger I could stand in the bed and wash the top, but my Ranger is too long. I need the stepladder to get to the middle of the windshield and the front of the top.

Maybe I didn't do the clay bar "right", but it only took me like 30 mins or so - I did go over the entire truck. It didn't really pick up a lot that I could see, but it did feel smoother after I got done. I'm hoping it allowed the hybrid wax to adhere better. In about a month or so, I will buy another bottle of the hybrid wax and do the "water" application of it over what I did yesterday. Hopefully it will hold up well.

This is a GREAT site for sharing info. I probably wouldn't have tried the hybrid wax had it not been for the reviews here.

 

[Richard Conley]

I have to get on a short stepladder to wash my truck now - first vehicle I've ever had to do that. My old Ranger I could stand in the bed and wash the top, but my Ranger is too long. I need the stepladder to get to the middle of the windshield and the front of the top.

Maybe I didn't do the clay bar "right", but it only took me like 30 mins or so - I did go over the entire truck. It didn't really pick up a lot that I could see, but it did feel smoother after I got done. I'm hoping it allowed the hybrid wax to adhere better. In about a month or so, I will buy another bottle of the hybrid wax and do the "water" application of it over what I did yesterday. Hopefully it will hold up well.

This is a GREAT site for sharing info. I probably wouldn't have tried the hybrid wax had it not been for the reviews here.

I saw it at local Ag big box store and their Ultimate Quik Wax - perhaps one might use that before doing a water app of the ceramic stuff ? I'm still on the fence about the clay I'm older so I often reflect on the crappy paste wax I had to use when I was a "detailer" at a used car lot in Daytona Beach in the '60's and the dizzying selection of products today.

 

[Richard Conley]

I saw it at local Ag big box store and their Ultimate Quik Wax - perhaps one might use that before doing a water app of the ceramic stuff ? I'm still on the fence about the clay I'm older so I often reflect on the crappy paste wax I had to use when I was a "detailer" at a used car lot in Daytona Beach in the '60's and the dizzying selection of products today.

Replying to my own reply - new concept. I just had to move my truck and thought I fell how smooth the finish of a truck with only 200 miles on it. YIKES, I literally could not believe it - kind of like sand paper. I just I'll be doing the clay bar thing....

 

[Wschnitz]

I wasn't saying I didn't believe in coatings, I just don't believe in the meguires coating.

I already put a ceramic coat on my Truck after De-ironing and De-greasing it. Clay baring was unnecessary in my case and was only going to do more harm then help, after a good double bucket wash mine didn't feel like it hand any paint contaminants.

I used to detail as a job and I never found spray on coatings to actually last that long is all.

 

[DIYAndy]

After a few days, I applied Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax "final/finish coat" on my Ranger.
So, after using two bottles ~$30 of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, and after both the base/final wax coats were done here are my comments:

On the first/base coat, if the vehicle surface was "sheeting" and "not beading" you had to force/rub/towel the "water activated" "wax syrup or SiO2" on the clean vehicle's surface. Since the second "final/finish coat" had water beading, from the first/previous ceramic wax "base coat" application, then the "water activated" ceramic wax "rinse application" was extremely fast < 30 mins. I now have two Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax coats on my Ranger's seal coat.

Pictures of my Ranger's "base coat" and last "finish coat" are in order.
Both pictures look about the same but "up close to my human eye" the finish coat shined the brightest.
Only time will tell if both Ceramic/Sio2 wax treatments will protect my Ranger's finish.

 

[MSG W]

After a few days, I applied Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax "final/finish coat" on my Ranger.
So, after using two bottles ~$30 of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, and after both the base/final wax coats were done here are my comments:

On the first/base coat, if the vehicle surface was "sheeting" and "not beading" you had to force/rub/towel the "water activated" "wax syrup or SiO2" on the clean vehicle's surface. Since the second "final/finish coat" had water beading, from the first/previous ceramic wax "base coat" application, then the "water activated" ceramic wax "rinse application" was extremely fast < 30 mins. I now have two Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax coats on my Ranger's seal coat.

Pictures of my Ranger's "base coat" and last "finish coat" are in order.
Both pictures look about the same but "up close to my human eye" the finish coat shined the brightest.
Only time will tell if both Ceramic/Sio2 wax treatments will protect my Ranger's finish.

If u used 2 bottles you used way to much! I have my truck and wife’s car twice on the first bottle including the initial wipe on and off. It only takes 1-2 sprays per quarter panel. U can tell u are using to much if the windows streak when u dry causing you to buff it off for a clear finish.... anyway that is how I tell. Hard part is keeping the truck wet to wash it as the water runs off so fast.

 

[RedlandRanger]

If u used 2 bottles you used way to much! I have my truck and wife’s car twice on the first bottle including the initial wipe on and off. It only takes 1-2 sprays per quarter panel. U can tell u are using to much if the windows streak when u dry causing you to buff it off for a clear finish.... anyway that is how I tell. Hard part is keeping the truck wet to wash it as the water runs off so fast.

I guess I used too much too - I used the whole bottle for the first application (with a wipe off, not a hose off). Will be getting another bottle to do another coat (with a hose off) in a few weeks.

 

[DBaz]

...Maybe I didn't do the clay bar "right", but it only took me like 30 mins or so - I did go over the entire truck. It didn't really pick up a lot that I could see, but it did feel smoother after I got done.

30 minutes is about right for a new truck...as long as it's been cleaned properly.

With the clay bar it's all about feel. When you feel resistance you clay the area...when the surface feels smooth and the bar slides easily you know you're done.

 

[DIYAndy]

If u used 2 bottles you used way to much!

A little bit of humor - There is an old saying "you can never be too rich or skinny" and "you can never apply too much Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax to a new Ranger !"
It was intentional - after all the time and effort spent on the vehicle surface prep., I wanted to be 100% sure my Ranger was waxed/protected well. Next time, I will definitely cut back on the Ceramic Wax.
added 7/30/19 21:04
BTW ... I am seriously thinking of putting the Ceramic wax in a 1000 ml foam cannon, add some water to the container bottle (it's water activated), and spray away with my pressure washer to greatly reduce both ceramic application times and liquid.

 

[RedlandRanger]

30 minutes is about right for a new truck...as long as it's been cleaned properly.

With the clay bar it's all about feel. When you feel resistance you clay the area...when the surface feels smooth and the bar slides easily you know you're done.

Yeah, that is basically what I did - using a combination of water (left over from the wash) and the detailing spray that came with the clay bars. That part went a lot faster than I expected. Wiping off all the wax took a LOT longer than I expected though. I'm glad I read the bottle though. If it is as simple as it sounds, I will probably re-coat every 3-6 months just to make sure I have a good layer.

 

[DIYAndy]

With the clay bar it's all about feel.

WOW, you guys are hard core using a clay bar. Using Mother's Speed Clay 2.0, which is only a hand foam pad with a special zig-zag cleaning surface, if dropped, can be easily washed off. The only downside is that it is expensive

 

[Rinn69]

WOW, you guys are hard core using a clay bar. Using Mother's Speed Clay 2.0, which is only a hand foam pad with a special zig-zag cleaning surface, if dropped, can be easily washed off. The only downside is that it is expensive

After I dropped the first clay bar (I had 2), i went and bought the Clay Bar 2.0 and dropped it 2 or 3 more times. For me, it's already paid for itself and it's easier on the hands and fingers.

 

[DBaz]

WOW, you guys are hard core using a clay bar. Using Mother's Speed Clay 2.0, which is only a hand foam pad with a special zig-zag cleaning surface, if dropped, can be easily washed off. The only downside is that it is expensive

Hard core..? so hard it only took him 30 minutes and was so easy he thought he might not have done it right.

Cheap and easy...works for me. Tried a nice 2-piece perforated clay pad set that autozone sells, but it seems a bit harsher on the clear coat than a bar.

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