Product Review and Application: CarPro Cquartz Protective Coating
by Ivan RajicHere’s an article that’s pretty much a carbon copy of the one on 22ple VX3, but with CarPro’s Cquartz Ceramic Quartz Paint Coating. As I did in the other article, I wanted to show those not familiar with these paint coatings how they look when applied, when drying and when to remove them. That said, here are some photos showing Cquartz…
I use the same amount of product with pretty much every coating, especially when initially priming the applicator pad…
When applied, Cquartz looks very wet as you would imagine a liquid would look like when wiped onto the paint…
Soon after application, usually within 30-45 seconds, it starts to “bubble up” or “sweat”. This is not an indication to wipe off, rather you want to find the right time for the paint and temperature. I’ll touch on that a bit later in the article…
After wiping it off, you get a nice and clean surface…
Also did some testing with Cquartz on the red Porsche…
Here you can clearly see the “sweating”…
After about 3 minutes I decided to wipe it off…
Cquartz, while a great product that offers really good protection and an awesome look (I believe it darkens the paint a bit compared to other similar coatings), is not a breeze to remove by any means. It can be tricky and if you wait too long (sometimes if you remove too early) you can run into trouble and have to re-polish the panel. When you initially wipe the coating, it leaves some streaks…
That is normal. However, finding the right time as mentioned above means that when you wipe with a second side of the towel, the streaks should wipe off and you should have nice and clear paint…
If you keep wiping and the streaks are still there, you’re either wiping off too early or too late. Unfortunately, Cquartz has a very short window of when it’s good to wipe off and with temperature ranges that window is harder to find. For example, in warm weather, you should be removing it anywhere from 2-3.5 minutes roughly. In colder weather, it can be 2.5/3 minutes up to 5-6, which makes it hard to get it perfectly right. The best solution is simply using it on a small section, timing it and finding the time range that allows it to be removed in the easiest manner.
Keeping in mind that if you start removing too early, you’ll simply be wiping and wiping while it keeps streaking and streaking. It will be easy to wipe as it is still mainly in liquid form. On the other hand, if you wait too long to remove, you’ll still get the same streaking look after wiping a lot, but you’ll know you waited too long by feeling quite a bit of resistance or it being “grabby”.
Bottom line, CarPro Cquartz is a great product that needs a bit of a learning curve initially, but provides great looks and protection.
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Thanks for the post Ivan. Have you used CQUK and, if so, how would you compare the application and learning curve vs. CQ?
Steve, I have used both and as odd as it sounds, one is easier to use in one way and harder in another, than the other coating. To explain… CQUK needs to be applied to a section until it feels a bit grabby and dry, then wiped off. Then you go on to the next section. This is hard in a way that you will be going over the same section 3-4 times up-down-left-right until it’s ready to remove, but it’s also easy because you go section by section and can be very consistent with the application method.
CQ on the other hand is easy in a way that you apply it to a certain area for say 2 minutes, then start removing at 2-2.5 minutes. However, it becomes hard because that 2-2.5 minutes can sometimes vary greatly depending on temperature, making it dry as quickly as 1.5 minutes and as long as 4-5 minutes.
All in all I prefer CQ as I can apply it, find the right time to remove in the environment of that day, then keep going around the car. You really can’t go wrong with either, but I prefer regular CQ.
Jeez this sounds complicated i bought two bottles from DI
So how the heck do i know when to whipe it off then.
Whats more messed up is the first car im doing is a white car.
Any tips at all when you know its ready or what to avoid
Hi Joe,
The key thing in removal is the “slight resistance” after 2-5 minutes. This can obviously be subjective, but if you imagine wiping off paste wax or sealant that you’re hopefully familiar with, you can use that as a guide. When most paste wax dries (gets hazy) you go to remove it and it takes a decent amount of wiping it off to remove as there’s thick residue on there and it’s very sticky. On the other hand would be something as easy as applying a quick detailer or a spray wax, where the towel easily glides when you’re wiping it on. With CQuartz, you should never be struggling to remove it due to resistance as it means you waited too long.
What you need to do is apply it to a small section (side of rear bumper, from back wheel to where it starts to turn to the back) and time it. Try removing at 1.5-2 minutes and see how it feels. You’re looking for it to feel only slightly resistant to your wiping it. You’ll know you’re wiping too early if the towel is simply gliding over the applied coating and mainly just smearing it around wet rather than removing it. When you find the right time, you’ll simply need to wipe it with one side and then a 2nd side and be done with it.
I’ll try and do a video soon for each of these coatings to better show the application process.
Thank you for the review. I was thinking of buying Cquartz to coat my wife’s new car, but the streaking and small removal window might make this coating a challenge for a hobbyist like myself. Would you say Optimum Gloss-Coat would be easier to apply?
P.S. I have un-opened Opti-Coat 2.0 syringe that I bought before they were off the market, but thinking of getting Gloss coat because of the better gloss.
I think Ivan would agree with me in saying that when it comes to ease of use and performance, you can’t beat 22ple VX3 Signature. I’d recommend giving it a shot. It is considerably easier to use than both CQuartz and CQuartz UK.
Thanks. To be honest, I’m skeptical of 22PLE because it seems to be from a little known company and DI is their only vendor, which is why I was looking at Opti-Gloss or CQuartz.
I do agree with Zach that 22PLE, whether vx3 or vx pro, is by far the easiest and most predictable coating to use. It’s tough to say if it’s the best as all companies these days offer great products, but I have had great results with it of 1-2 years of durability even on top of improperly prepped paint.
To answer your questions, GlossCoat is a bit easier to use than CQuartz from my experience.
22PLE isn’t the largest brand here in the states, but they are very well known throughout the world (especially in Asian markets where the coating industry is huge). Detailed Image is the US distributor for this brand, which is why they are one of the only providers here in the states. We’ve personally done a lot of testing of 22ple products compared to many larger, more well known brands, and each time 22ple has proved it performs as well, or better, than the competition.
We’ve also used gloss coat, and it is easier than CQuartz when it comes to application, but still not as user friendly as 22ple.
Zach or Ivan,
Great information! Have either one of you tested or tried Detailers Pro Paint Coating?
Thanks!
Also, 22PLE application similar to Gloss Coat or 2.0??? Thanks in advance!
Jon
Never tried the Detailers Pro coating. 22PLE is similar, but slightly different than GlossCoat or 2.0. I’m actually doing an article similar/same as this one for GlossCoat. Both are apply, wait, remove type products, but GlossCoat will slowly self level, indicating when it should be removed. You should also time it first section or two to make sure you don’t leave it on for too long, because unlike 22ple, it’s not as easy to remove once it dries too much.
Ivan, I see you are doing a review on Gloss Coat. Question…. CarPro has their HydroFoam and Spray Sealant. Would you recommend products like this as a sacrificial layer to protect the coating? Also, do you recommend a dedicated shampoo for coatings? Again, CarPro sells a dedicated shampoo specifically made for coatings. They claim their coating dedicated shampoo won’t clog the coating, changing the surface tension of the coating.
Thanks for any advice!
Hi Jon,
I definitely recommend applying a paint sealant on top of a coated car. It will not only extend the durability of the coating, but also help prevent or minimize swirl marks while washing and drying.
We don’t use a dedicated shampoo for coatings since I haven’t done enough/any research about the differences, so I really can’t recommend it one way or another. I know carpro has great shampoos so I’m sure you’ll get great results with it.
“Jeez this sounds complicated i bought two bottles from DI
So how the heck do i know when to whipe it off then.
Whats more messed up is the first car im doing is a white car.
Any tips at all when you know its ready or what to avoid”
This quote right here is why I have always thought that these two coatings, CQ and CQUK are better left as a Pro coating. Just as you stated, it is very dependant on temps and humidity and if left too long can cause problems.
I am the exact opposite of you in that UK is my go to. I have applied CQClassic and I did like it, but UK just works better for my area and shop. Great write up as always.
HUMP
Now a days everyone is passionate about their vehicles as they face the harshest elements, roughest challenges and everyday wear & tear. From gravel roads to sun exposure and from regular road hazards to ballistic threats, a vehicle comes through lots of challenges.
Protecting your most favorite vehicle is essential today to give it a new life. And protective coating is best for this.
Which coating provides more “gloss”. I have a new black durango srt and am more concerned with getting the most pop out of the paint vs longevity or ease of application. Thanks!
Unfortunately there’s really no right answer Rich. All the coatings I’ve tried over the years have given me great gloss and neither myself nor the customer ever said “wish it was more glossy”. Some of the pro coatings with multiple layers can definitely look more glossy and theoretically they should be with multiple layers. The consumer coatings, which I use quite a bit as well (mainly 22ple HPC and Gtechniq CSL) are great in terms of looks and performance. Most of the gloss will still come from proper polishing and prep.
Hey…clayed my Audi and then polished it with Meguairs M205. Wanted to use CQuartz UK on it but will first wipe down with GYEON Q2M Prep . Was also thinking of maybe using Blacklight to top off the M205 before prepping with GYEON Q2M Prep . Would that be okay to use with CQuartz?
Thank you, Ivan.
Do you know how long the leftover CQuartz will last in the bottle? I did one vehicle and still have enough to do another vehicle, but would like to wait until it gets a little cooler. Not sure if the product “expires” after being opened.
Thank you,
Frank
Frank – In general, we recommend using a coating within 6-12 months after purchase and asap after opening. The problem with coatings is once they are exposed to the air, they will start to cure. As long as you are storing at room temperature and the cap is on tight it should last a few months, but I have had coatings cure in the bottle after opening so we do recommend using them up asap to be safe.
Thank you very much for the response. It’s been a few months now since I opened so I think I will toss it out and buy another bottle just to play it safe. Thank you, Frank.