HOW TO CERAMIC COAT YOUR RIDE (without polishing first!)

This video is for the person out there who thinks their car or truck already looks good -- and they want to protect it with a ceramic coating. Scratches or swirls? The owner -- whether it's you, or the customer -- doesn't see them. They see shiny paint, and they simply want amazing protection on there. This video is a step by step process to prep and coat your ride. Remember, a coating doesn't need "polished" paint -- it just needs clean paint in order to adhere and provide maximum longevity.
With that said, here are the products we used!
RINSELESS WASH: bit.ly/RinselessWash
LEGACY SPONGE: bit.ly/LegacySponge
DECONTAMINATION TOWEL: bit.ly/FineGradeClayTowel
PANEL PREP: bit.ly/DIYPanelPrep
COATING LEVELING TOWEL: bit.ly/CoatingLevelingTowel
3-YEAR GRAPHENE COATING: bit.ly/3yearGRAPHENEcoating
COATING APPLICATOR: bit.ly/CoatingApplicator
DIY Detail Podcast: • Costly detailing mista...
#autodetailing #diydetail #yvanlacroix #ceramiccoating #claytowel #detailing #detalingtips #howtodetailacar #detailing101

[@diydetailofficial]

RINSELESS WASH: bit.ly/RinselessWash LEGACY SPONGE: bit.ly/LegacySponge DECONTAMINATION TOWEL: bit.ly/FineGradeClayTowel PANEL PREP: bit.ly/DIYPanelPrep COATING LEVELING TOWEL: bit.ly/CoatingLevelingTowel 3-YEAR GRAPHENE COATING: bit.ly/3yearGRAPHENEcoating COATING APPLICATOR: bit.ly/CoatingApplicator

[@willoverkill8461]

Love it, for DIYers that want to put protection on their clean shiny car without polishing they should be encouraged to do so without the criticism from OCD pro detailers that the paint needs to be perfect!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@macallanvintage]

Fully agree with you🙏🏻👍👍. We all have different aspirations, motives and reasons behind doing everything. Many are even OCD and impractical. And we cant expect the average non-detailing Joe out there to be like many of us here. Eg: My retired dad…he just wants to enjoy the benefits of a coating (eg: less adhesion of grime, faster drying of car, the layer of something remaining on the paintwork longer vs most waxes) So, I just DIY-applied a coating onto his new, unpolished but glossy black BMW. Every 2 mths, he tops it up by using Turtle FLEX Spray.

[@stevenv9224]

Great video guys like the way you always have different techniques to clean an use the products 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@79blustone]

I like how you both work together swapping efficiency. You both make this ceramic coating from prep to finish extremely easy. There is absolutely no excuse not to use your methods and products 👍

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@east1666]

Going to be applying the 3yr coating to my wife's Mini today, these video's really help with getting it done properly. Thank you for the demo!

[@diydetailofficial]

Enjoy, let us know how it turns out.

[@DerPic]

Great video. Really enjoying both of your videos! Usually get bored watching longer videos but could have kept my interest if this was twice as long.

[@diydetailofficial]

Awesome, thank you!

[@user-hq8hz5cc9c]

Thank you guys, new to the channel. You’re very informative.

[@diydetailofficial]

Our pleasure!

[@craigkaeding3203]

Great video!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks Craig!

[@neilwalker5041]

It must have been tempting to show how the gold standard polish can improve a new car by ten percent. Here in Nashville it is always humid and I have a tendency to wait to long to level and end up with a grabby coating. The coating was already starting to gloss up and the customer is going to love his truck. Thank you for the video!

[@diydetailofficial]

You got it Neil!

[@williambooth7885]

Yvan, good man! I had a black 87 Z28. Miss that car

[@diydetailofficial]

I had an 84, 86 and 88, yes they were fun

[@RemedyAutoDetailOfficial]

Awesome yet again guys. I am a former Dodge service manager turned nuclear reactor inspector turned detailer!! I’ve seen the worst of the new cars coming in and the poor poor poor decon and wax techniques used . I will never buy a “Show Room Car” ….. more people are in them than anything !! And the “details” were horrendous. So much has changed since the early 2000’s and this is far easier than what the dealership prep crew think they need to do. I always told friends to make sure to tell their salesman NOT to have them detail their car when picking up. Now, I’m awaiting arrival of a full lineup of DIY detail products to continue doing the most efficient and “perfect to the customer” detail!!! There’s a lot of great products out there these days , but videos like these make it a no brainer to have my cart filled with your lineup and proudly back the name up… the finished results say it all!

[@diydetailofficial]

thanks so much!!!

[@MrChuckwagon55]

Sh*t, that’s exactly what I did. But it was the only one they had, but it was a showroom model (but only for 3 days). Why? Do the compound the clearcoat off or something?

[@diydetailofficial]

@MrChuckwagon55 tradition.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@diydetailofficial - What does tradition mean? They destroy the clearcoat or ruin the paint or something? Please Yvan tell me what that means? I’m going to have a stroke unless you tell me what that means. Does “tradition” mean they compounded off like 90% of the clearcoat? They do that at Lexus? The dealer had a really good rating that’s why I went there. Should I go back and use Jiu Jitsu on the detailing staff and my salesman?

[@MrChuckwagon55]

What’s so bad that they do to showroom cars paint?

[@rickp6689]

Great and informative video as always. Possible to use your coatings on shop vac, Milwaukee tools and all plastics to clean them up easier in the future?

[@diydetailofficial]

Go for it! I would clean them well, wipe them down with Panel Prep and then coat

[@shannaerickson6148]

Great video as always. Appreciate the detailed "why" reasoning as you demo the "how". Any recommendation for how long to wait before ceramic coating new paint? Just had a couple panels repainted.

[@diydetailofficial]

If they were properly baked no wait, if not ask the Body Shop for their recommendations.

[@shannaerickson6148]

@@diydetailofficial Thanks for the advice!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you for the questions

[@BXGreen]

Do u coat the door jams? Great video love the slow explanation.

[@diydetailofficial]

You sure can!

[@BXGreen]

Ur bucket what’s in it? I see a grit guard at bottom and what is the grid on the sides? Looks cool. And yes to drip catcher 4000!

[@diydetailofficial]

They are Dirt Guards walls

[@addisonwoelkers1775]

Hey! New sub and viewer! I’m just getting into detailing for people (I have some experience from detailing my dads septic trucks, work vehicles, etc. but that’s way different than personal trucks/cars I’m realizing). What recommendations do you have for building customers/customer base for a beginner? Not looking to make a full time business out of detailing (I do lawn care most of the week) but trying for a few days a week. Is word of mouth best? Website? Cards? What’s your experience!? Thanks and love the pod as well!

[@diydetailofficial]

Yvan has a great KZbin channel called Detailer's Business Academy. Here's a podcast we also did about stepping into the pro side of detailing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7FdYaCl7GKj6c

[@jdtrio1309]

Thanks DIY Detail really helpful explanation and demo. Question after done ceramic coating the leveling towel gets disposed, how about your buffing towel does that get tossed too?

[@diydetailofficial]

You can actually soak your coating AND leveling towels in your bucket of Rinseless Wash after the coating is done. Soak a minimum of 30 minutes and then after that you can wash them and they can be re used 😀

[@jdtrio1309]

Great thanks for the tip 👍@@diydetailofficial As usual DIY Detail responds to your questions promptly YOU GUYS ROCK! Now I can’t wait to finish applying my 8 year coating (I started on the door jambs & rocker panels etc, to build my confidence (first time applying ceramic coating) I found in my case flash time was quick about 1 minute but feel good now tackling the large panels BTW your products so far are awesome keep up the great work!

[@MrLIVELINESOLUTIONS]

Would be cool if you could do a before and after with a gloss meter.

[@diydetailofficial]

We will

[@1TornMonkey]

Great video fellas! I do have a question/challenge? What would you reccomend for a complete wash gear set up, if you HAD to fit it in a 5 gallon bucket? I have no access to a garage/running water, or shade, but want to keep my F150 in good condition.

[@diydetailofficial]

DIY Detail Rinseless Wash DIY Detail All Clean DIY Detail Ceramic Gloss Legacy sponge Drying towel Wheel and body brush IK sprayer.

[@1TornMonkey]

@@diydetailofficial Will the rinseless also do wheels/tires?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@RvFlip19]

First, thank you for creating these videos. I've learned a lot and have appreciated the insight into your product line. Thank you! Second, would there be any harm in taking this approach to my 2-year-old car? This car is my daily driver, but I've hand-washed it since buying it new. I really like the idea of adding a ceramic coat, but I really don't want to have to do/learn how to polish. : )

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, as long as the paint is clean, decontaminated and to your satisfaction, yes.

[@RvFlip19]

@@diydetailofficial Thanks for getting back to me. Be well!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Ready to roll

[@diydetailofficial]

See you soon!

[@tylersp9952]

Hi sorry question is unrelated to video but every hydrophobic coating (ie rain x, soft99) i put on my windscreen the windowipers seem to take it off and im unsure as to why. The rest of the windscreen will have the coating remain on it but where the wipers cover the coating dissapears. I may need different window wipers but if you have any tips or advice that would be great thanks

[@diydetailofficial]

That actually makes sense, coatings do wear down with abrasion (think machine polishing). The windshield motion will eventually wear down a windshield protectant, especially if it's a store brand like you mentioned. Try our 3 year ceramic coating with Graphene: bit.ly/3yearGRAPHENEcoating

[@joshweber9095]

Do you guys recommend washing either the buffing towel or leveling towels prior to first use?

[@diydetailofficial]

nope, no need

[@joshweber9095]

Thanks!@@diydetailofficial

[@d.r.1806]

Do we have to mask up the black trims before polishing the paint?

[@diydetailofficial]

No, but you want to avoid directly polishing trim with the wool pad. It’s great with yellow waffle

[@liampoore2038]

Would you also use this approach on a car that is old and does not have much clear coat left on it? I have a 96 Land Cruiser that is showing its age in the paint. I am hesitant to polish because I want to save as much clear coat as possible. Is this correct or would it be better to polish so I have a clean surface?

[@diydetailofficial]

That’s a good plan.

[@patcap535]

I washed and decontaminated my vehicle yesterday can I polish and coat it the following day, if yes would I have to use a panel prep prior to polishing? The vehicle is garaged kept.

[@diydetailofficial]

No need, blow off dust if there’s any, and enjoy.

[@SirMcNugzLuver]

What is your prep process for vehicles that do need polished? Should I still take the same care with my wash that I normally do? Currently I foam, rinse, foam, then use a sponge followed by iron remover and clay, rinse, polish, alcohol prep spray, coat.

[@diydetailofficial]

Excellent, you need to treat them with care as well.

[@diydetailofficial]

That sounds about right! Better to use a dedicated Panel Prep for the coating you’re using but otherwise great. It’s nice to use water spot remover in the mix as well before or after Iron Remover to work on the embedded salt contaminants

[@SirMcNugzLuver]

@@diydetailofficial ok gotcha. Good to know on the salt contaminants. The only reason I haven't bought a dedicated panel spray is because I don't know much about them.

[@glenzee9083]

Ivan. If the dealership touched the vehicle it probably needs polishing. As well as removing any garbage products they applied. Does this make sense? Not bashing just learned experience.👍👍👍 I think too much.😁

[@diydetailofficial]

Correct

[@alfredautospa]

I wish all vehicles arrived with no abuse straight off the truck. Detailed a $110k black Denali ultimate that had 4 or 5 wet sanding marks that were never touched from the factory. I’m all for doing only what is needed, but be sure to do your pre-detail inspection before hand! If it doesn’t need it, skip the polish

[@diydetailofficial]

For sure! A lot tougher to do this process on black paint, that’s for sure. Unless the owner says they love the paint and it’s perfect already 😀

[@RideWithKong1992]

What about hand polishing then putting ceramic coating? Is it better than no polish? ☺️

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@layyronfrasier9713]

Hello guys I just bought some new headlights for my 2014 Honda Accord sport , I have the 3 year and the 5 year coating from you guys .. was wondering with coating would be good for plastic clear headlights ..or could I stack them both and with one should I start with first thanks 👍👍

[@diydetailofficial]

Use the 5 year

[@layyronfrasier9713]

@@diydetailofficial thanks .. one more question .. could I stack the 3 year on the five year on my car

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, we call that the stack! Apply the 5 year , then 2-8 hours later apply the 3 year

[@layyronfrasier9713]

@@diydetailofficial thanks

[@theredscourge]

Good luck getting a car fresh off the line that actually hasn't been washed, shipped half across the country, and doesn't have shitty rough paint from the start. But by all means if you can get one, then it totally makes sense to coat it without any polishing.

[@diydetailofficial]

Might not be very often that you don’t polish, but this video shows it *can* be done on the right vehicle

[@NeoMehta25]

Hi Team, I have purchased new 2023 Genesis gv70 white color from a dealer… I am confused should I polish the car, incredible suds, decontaminate and than ceramic cost or go with Rinseless wash and ceramic cost without polishing… The car has been in dealer’s lot for a month before I will get delivery… and I live in an apartment with underground garage and limited water supply (buckets of water that I can carry) I am confused because this is my first time doing things and I am someone who wants it to be done perfect everytime i do it… please guide

[@diydetailofficial]

Polishing is only needed if you feel the paint needs it.

[@NeoMehta25]

@@diydetailofficial I guess it will not as it is a brand new car from dealer… but I am worried it might as it is with dealer for 2 weeks now, and also worried of me spoiling it as I am full new in it and am planning to use power drill I have with waffle pad to polish it

[@goldendetailsnc]

My only hesitancy is with using the clay media. I've never clayed something and it not be covered in marring.

[@diydetailofficial]

With our Perforated synthetic decontamination towel, you really need to work hard to get it to cause marring.

[@thesamsquatch5224]

I understand absolutely, but with diy there is plenty of lubrication and the towel is non abrasive plus will push more lubrication through with pressure. It is the best way I've used Its a little scary at first but trust the system and it works

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@snsum2853]

You must have used the old school clay bars, perhaps one which did 'medium - heavy' claying, the clay towels are different, and using a good quality clay lube is important, if you can't get DIY Detail since it seems to be limited to US and UK, then the Carpro and Gyeon ones are quite good too

[@diydetailofficial]

We are in more than the USA and UK. More distributors are being added weekly.

[@paulgyro]

Crazy question, on a white vehicle what if we don't even level the coating after applying it?

[@diydetailofficial]

You will have high spots.

[@paulgyro]

@@diydetailofficial indeed but how visible would they be?

[@Adkdetail]

Send me out them pads guys, it’s car show week in Lake George!

[@diydetailofficial]

you know where to find us:) www.DIYdetail.com

[@derrickturner5864]

What do you recommend for a new car at the dealership put wax protection on but now the customer wants a ceramic coating

[@diydetailofficial]

Wash, Decon & Polish with our yellow waffle pad and Gold Standard Polish. Then Panel Prep and ceramic coating👍

[@derrickturner5864]

@@diydetailofficial should I use a strip wash to remove the existing wax protection? also, do y’all offer a strip soap

[@diydetailofficial]

If polishing no need. You can use DIY Detail All Clean as a strip soap

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@diydetailofficial- Polish with rotary or DA? I’m in this exact situation?

[@JustSoBallin]

I wanna ceramic coat my car but its a bit difficult without a garage any tips?

[@diydetailofficial]

No need for a garage. Stay out of direct sun if possible, and you need to make sure it doesn’t get rained on for 1 hour.

[@MC_Reds_Mark]

How long do I need to wait to drive it?

[@rooboy99]

Hi guys, Yvan you did a short video a little while back saying do you NEED to polish before a coating, no. Should you, yes, as its a deep cleaning process. So in this video as its a brand new , never driven car, you didnt need to polish as the paint work was pristine. But its still had to travel from the manufacturer , on rail, back of a truck etc, so it would only benefit from iron and possibly tar remover then synthetic clay towel. This would be considered enough of a deep clean hence no polish? In the case of a new vehicle thats got 500km on it, would this be a case where a polish is needed even if the paintwork looks great and client is happy how it is? I thought a coating had the best chance of bonding and achieving durability limits if polished (and obviously maintained) . Thanks again

[@diydetailofficial]

Polishing is the best way of cleaning the paint of course. Some people do not want their paint polished, so to give them the best chance of success we made this video.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@diydetailofficial- In this specific situation, would you recommend using a rotary polisher, or a DA? Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Your choice.

[@Noooname2024]

I have graphene spray wax. I use every second time. I was often my ride. I do not need expensive treatment like this

[@Noooname2024]

Wash *

[@diydetailofficial]

A spray wax isn’t a replacement for a true ceramic coating. Both provide beading and gloss, but only the coating provides chemical protection.

[@chevyguy-hf1yq]

9:14,,, we can't see ANYTHING,,, because you never ever zoom in or actually SHOW ANYTHING :(

[@diydetailofficial]

some videos we just set up the camera and press record, but we are actively working on getting A LOT more tight shots for future videos. Stay tuned!

[@IamDetailedAF]

This will make more noise than 5-5-5.... Either way facts are FACTS! Only not ideal to that detailer who doesnt make the labor profit from polishing 😮

[@diydetailofficial]

As long as the customer is happy and you are profitable 👍 that’s what it’s about. If it’s your car do what you like:)

[@IamDetailedAF]

@@diydetailofficial Agreed 💯. Customer best interest should align with yours and not your own. Excited for upcoming video.

[@diydetailofficial]

@@IamDetailedAFThank you, hope you enjoy it.

[@MikeGDetailing]

@@IamDetailedAF it already has. There is a reel on instagram already on this from many stating hack

[@diydetailofficial]

Good for them, hopefully it will get them new subscribers.

[@khimaniz]

If he is keeping the truck for only a year why is he even bothering to coat it and care for the abuse it's going to get through washes?

[@diydetailofficial]

He likes the best of the best but is also a fan of car washes because he doesn't like washing it himself.

[@macallanvintage]

The real answer lies in MONEY$$$$$. Most detailers need to use coatings in order to earn more money. When you charge such a relatively higher price and tell such a wonderful story about your “coating”, you have no choice but to impress the customer with greatly enhanced gloss. You need results that can be trumpeted/shown off..that will justify that super-premium price and also because you bragged about INSTALLING such a liquid (without screws, nuts, bolts, brackets etc). Yes, on such a new paintwork, it really doesnt need polishing before applying (not installing😂😂) “coating”. But if you dont do extensive machine work, then you cant really charge a super premium price if you’re just gonna “wash and coat”….a fast job. The customer might say “hey, is that done??? It doesnt look much glossier vs before”. So, it all depends on how you wanna price your job, and how much time the customer gives you to complete the job. For such a cheaper “wash & coat” job, you might not be able to use high-end brands that give much higher gloss on unpolished paintwork. Hence, the cheaper stuff you end up using on such cheaper jobs might not appear glossily impressive to your customer who’s knowledge level and perception are very different from yours.

[@diydetailofficial]

And if it’s your car? This is also a DIY friendly option for someone who likes their new car and is satisfied with the paint as it is 👍 so it’s good for the consumer at home as well who might not want to or feel comfortable polishing

[@macallanvintage]

@@diydetailofficial On our own personal cars, it depends on our own “standards” and also the colour and type of paint system. If my new car has a regular white paintjob, simply “washing & coating” wont produce an impressive look. Others might be OK with it. But as a professional detailer who started my career using Matrix Micro Coatings in 2007, i need my car to look great. But if my daughter’s new vehicle is a Mazda with its highly pearlescent Soul Red, it already looks very glossy and impressive without any polishing. Hence, I can just “wash & coat” since she knows nuts about detailing.

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s all about the owners expectations.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

When do I do the windows and windshield? After I do the paint? Is the application and leveling process the same with glass? Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes in both cases

[@MrChuckwagon55]

I bought a brand new showroom car (that the dealer obviously waxed or something because the black paint looked like mirrors). However I have the 8 year coating package I bought from you and wanted to ceramic my new car without polishing. Do you think using rinseless and a lot of panel prep is enough to remove the stuff they used to put it on the showroom? Or should I do more before I apply the ceramic? Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

At a minimum, Iron remover, DIY Detail All Clean, and Panel Prep. Best case is a light polish.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@diydetailofficial - I only have a rotary polisher with a 6” plate (and a DIY yellow pad). What speed should I use it on? Thank you!

[@MrChuckwagon55]

How come you didn’t ceramic coat the rims? Is it just better to use ceramic gloss? I only say because to me the rims seemed like they would really benefit from regular DIY ceramic coating

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes they would, but this owners rims don’t have time to get dirty. In the span on one tank of gas he goes through the car wash 5-6 times ( about every 5 miles).