ScottJ175

Just finished step 1. Foamed with Griot's surface prep followed by traditional wash and dry.

I was going to synthetic clay with the wash water but the all day overcast I expected broke up so I wound up in the blazing sun struggling to keep panels from drying out and had a work meeting pending so I just pulled inside and dried and I'll traditional clay it later when I've cooled off.

I'm actually rather surprised at the amount of contamination on the paint even though it's spent 90% of its life indoors. Traditional clay is probably the better choice to absorb all that.

CaymanRotary

Its quite easy to apply the coating. I would recommend 2 coats but no more than that. After 2 coats there is no further benefit. Also, it allows you a 2nd go over to hit any spots that might have been missed. For me it took about 3 hours to do 2 coats using 1.5 bottles. Just take your time with it and be patient. The results speak for themselves.

ScottJ175

I figure coating itself will be easy. Like paint it's the prep work that's a bear.

CaymanRotary

Yea, its not very difficult. Follow the directions and you'll be just fine.

ScottJ175

And done. I'm tired and sore but it's coated. Now to wait at least 24 hours before getting it out.

ScottJ175

The ordeal part was the clay bar. Hard to believe a car that's spent 90% of its life indoors had that much goop on it.

CaymanRotary

Not surprised. Even indoors it doesn't matter due to how long its been sitting. That said, she looks amazing now. Make sure you keep it indoors for a bit and let that ceramic coating set for at least a few days. It takes some time for it to properly set but its weird because it kept looking better every day. I've had mine on more than a year and the water still beads like I put it on yesterday. Congrats!

ScottJ175

Thanks. I still have to clean all the glass. Also pondering coating the wheels.

I'll probably follow up this coating with Griot's 3 in 1 in a few weeks. I have that on my wife's 6 and on the Miata and I really like the look it's giving and how slippery it makes the finish.

CaymanRotary

I did my wheels as well. Mine were painted, but it would work just fine on yours. It does protect them and they do see a lot of abuse. I'm a true believer in Avalon King. Ill always use it. Keep in mind when a bottle is open it must be then used within 30 days.

ScottJ175

And now the glass is done. Hopefully attending my first ever cars & coffee tomorrow.