12% Military & First Responder Discount
12% Military & First Responder Discount
For those who enjoy washing their own vehicle or want to take on the challenge of applying a ceramic coating, this page is for you! Below are all the products we trust. Tutorial videos are coming soon!
A ceramic coating is an incredible technology that protects your paint and enhances its gloss and color. However, there are a few truths you should be aware of before you DIY.
1) Ceramic coatings do not fill in scratches, so you'll have to do a paint correction if necessary.
2) Brace yourself, you may spend thousands of dollars on tools, equipment, and chemicals to do a proper job.
3) The coating will quickly fail if the surface preparation is done improperly.
4) Consumer-grade coatings do not offer a warranty.
5) If you want the best coatings available, you won't have access. Professional-grade coatings are only available to certified installers. These coatings have superior performance and longevity when compared to consumer-grade coatings.
You'll need some basic equipment to get you going; a bucket is a good start.
Hudson Exchange (Amazon.com)
- There's no replacement for displacement! A 7-gallon bucket with a dirt lock insert keeps the water clean.
Detail Guardz (Amazon.com)
- The venturi filter lets grit pass through but not back up. This greatly reduces the chance of marring your paint while washing.
Detail Guardz (Amazon.com)
- Adds additional filtration and a scrub wall to keep your wash clothes clean. These are highly recommended.
Ik Foam Pro 2 (Amazon.com)
- Foams and dispenses car shampoos, detergents, and other cleaning agents onto your vehicle.
The Rag Company (Amazon.com)
- you'll need a good mitt. . . or two.
ProGrip Tire Brush (Amazon)
- strong nylon bristles to break up dirt. Good for tires and suspension.
Redline Finish (Amazon)
- safe on all wheel types.
EZ Detail (Amazon.com)
- Good for cleaning the wheel barrel and wheel wells.
Add a little more to your arsenal.
Non-serviceable
Active 2.0 (Amazon.com) $350
- Rated up to 250 hours of operation.
Serviceable
AR Blue 630TSS (Amazon.com) $1,000
- Fully serviceable. 10-15 year lifespan with proper maintenance.
Tired of annoying water spots? Get a filtration system for a spotless finish. (Amazon.com)
This is the really good stuff, and what we use every day. The cost is higher, but the results are well worth it!
CarPro Lift (Amazon.com)
- A highly concentrated alkali pre-wash that dissolves and softens dirt and grime. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.
Gtechniq W5 all-purpose cleaner (Amazon.com)
- A premium degreaser that removes dirt and grime quickly.
KochChemie (MWC) Magic Wheel Cleaner (Amazon.com)
- It really is magic. This cleaner works quickly to clean and brighten the wheels. DO NOT use on uncoated steel wheels.
KochChemie (AWC) Alkali Wheel Cleaner Amazon.com)
- This is the best alkali wheel and tire cleaner on the market. DO NOT use on uncoated aluminum wheels.
KochChemie (CES) Ceramic Effect Shampoo (Amazon.com)
- Save time by washing and sealing your car in one step. For an all-in-one solution, CES adds excellent hydrophobic properties to your paint.
KochChemie (GSF) Gentle Snow Foam (Amazon.com)
- High-foaming, pH-neutral cleaning foam with a cherry fragrance. Does not corrode waxed or sealed surfaces
Gyeon's Bug & Grime (Amazon.com)
- Softens up bug guts before removal. Their hard chitinous shell could scratch your paint!
Gyeon Glass (Amazon.com)
- This is our go-to. It just works so goooood!
Gyeon Wet Coat (Amazon.com)
- Instant gloss and excellent hydrophobic properties in an easy-to-use spray bottle.
Despite the lower cost, these chosen products perform very well! They're great for routine maintenance washes. For dirtier jobs, such as cleaning wheels and tires, we recommend going with a higher-end option. They cost a bit more, but you'll save a lot of time and elbow grease!
Adam's APC (Amazon.com)
- A strong degreaser to remove dirt and grime with ease.
Adam's Mega-Foam (Amazon.com)
- Pre-wash to loosen and encapsulate dirt. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Pressure washer or foaming pump sprayer required.
Tip: For additional cleaning power, add 1 ounce of all-purpose cleaner to every 2 ounces of soap. E.g., if you use 3 ounces of car soap in a foam cannon, 2 ounces should be soap and 1 ounce should be APC.
Adam's Car Shampoo (Amazon.com)
- grab a wash mitt and gently scrub the vehicle
P&S Brake Buster (Amazon.com)
- safe on all wheels, however, you likely need to apply multiple times. Dilutable up to 10:1.
Adam's bug remover (Amazon.com)
- Softens up bug guts before removal. Their hard chitinous shell could scratch your paint!
Stoners Invisible Glass (Amazon.com)
- It's affordable and does an awesome job!
Adams Graphene Boost (Amazon.com)
- Good hydrophobic abilities and very easy to apply.
Step 1: Strips existing waxes and industrial fallout.
Step 2: Breaks down and removes tar and iron from the paint.
Removes tree sap, paint overspray, adhesives, and apparently lipstick from carpet (so says my wife) (Amazon.com)
Removes embedded iron contaminates from your paint and wheels
Step 3: Removes deeply embedded contaminates from the paint.
Grabs onto and removes contaminants from the vehicle. Use with caution; the aggressive clay may mar the paint. (Amazon.com)
Spray onto the clay and vehicle while working (Amazon.com)
The last step before applying a ceramic coating
Removes oil and polish residue to ensure the ceramic coating bonds correctly. (Amazon.com)
It's the quickest and most secure motorcycle mount on the market, and I've tried em' all. (Amazon.com)
Wireless Charging Variant (Amazon.com)
Easily and quickly connect your phone to a 'Peak Design' Mount (Amazon.com)