Point me towards my first ceramic coating

[Texchappy]

Yeah, Meguiar's Ultimate Polish is supposedly one of the least abrasive polishes out there. Still a risk though. Reality is on a car with failing or failed clear coat the battle is already lost. You're just buying time.

I'd rather slap layer of wax on top of any swirl marks / water spots / residues that don't come out after a wash, than attempt removal of those defects. Maintaining whatever is left of the clear coat is the priority at this point. Abrasives will do more harm than good IMO. Frankly, I think many of these compounds / polishes should come with a disclaimer / warning as just reading the label leads you to believe there are no consequences to their use.

Clear coat failure is definitely the deciding factor here. I wouldn’t polish either. Without it and we’d have more of a conversation. There’s a reason I have a paint thickness gauge.

 

[loneryder]

This is an easy to use ceramic coating that has lasted me for several years. If you don't think there's any wax on it you can use a strong solution of Dawn detergent to wash it before applying. Also use more product on your applicator than the directions say.

https://www.amazon.com/Technicians-Choice-Ceramic-Coating/dp/B07NBNJB4L/ref=sr_1_53?crid=12YF62B8JJ3U0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tO5Kk4G4wPPFBSz6DJF8tETVgdzDzKaOW2mviE326jiIqRJDskHZfGhvsj7VcdGaovowdc9FWu8zDd4WtNRBkSyGlMZyPnBPJzf9-dOkKZG4eWVBLEDR5adAUygOjvqGkplHcJ6PAPsMu514NzAxpZWgkIFyxM9QnE6-OF0EKxMb_cqb3MTdwDxkqUqO2umTEnwhY9qODL0vskIfoNKBx13W0w_2pshN87nutcdkThKEIT0H9JpwMuqkdQBGhcSww4Gn-nn98I0d93IAB8YIoOdLRlxu0CVHYaajung4z3E.tBZI9Xt8XWaT8P5Yo8Sbpi5POzMaRXg1EuobGMkiO3Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=tec+auto+coatings&qid=1755707319&sprefix=tec+auto+coatings,aps,99&sr=8-53

They also make a Quick Detailer that you can use after washing to preserve the ceramic coating.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Ordered Griotts surface prep cleanser and Griotts Ceramic 3 in 1, but Jeff Bezos says it might not be here until September 18th. Guess I will wait a bit and see, otherwise will need to get something else in the recommendations above a little sooner.

I will take a "Hack" (pun in intended) at it and let you know how it turns out - but probably not for a couple weeks.

 

[Revving2Redline]

With all the miles and rock chips I have i just go through the club car wash MVP wash so I get all the extra soap and hot wax and stuff , but once a year I use a cheap clay bar and a mix of car wash soap and water in a spray bottle and do the entire car. I then use a leftover bottle of Turtle Wax scratch remover and just applied to the areas that look rough and then I top coat with the Maguire's hybrid ceramic.

Eventually I will have the front bumper and Hood either repaired or replaced but for right now I just do the best I can.

 

[TomYoung]

I think this thread degraded a little. I think that there is an open question about how bad this paint it that means it can’t be clayed. Like most, I have lots of wax experience and a handful of claying experiences. My thought is that ceramic is much less forgiving than wax, and that ceramic amplifies imperfections. Ceramic lasts a lot longer, so these errors are with you. Wax is warmer, more forgiving, and makes the best of what you have. Both offer protection, but ceramic is hard as nails and therefore provides better protection.

I think that the OP would do well to consider wax. One other poster showed a picture of Meguiar’s Ceramic Wax liquid. I have used it on well worn black paint and it has held up great. (I did wash, decon, clay, compound, polish as though I was putting on real ceramic.

As far as ceramic products go, have used Nano Bond, which is easy to apply and with very good results. It is under $40 and would be a great choice. Also have used Ethos Max. Excellent results, far more expensive, and quite a bit more tricky to apply.

I did use Nano Bond on some very worn out, no clear, patina and fade paint one time. It did provide shine and protection. Best wishes.

 

[facility1]

nu finish ceramic liquid pump sprayer works good, so does mothers cmx. both are affordable too.