Gtechniq crystal serum + Exo

[ChrisQP09]

I am looking into getting the QP a ceramic coating as per title.

Got a quote for £250-350 for prep (swirl removal etc) & coating of gtech serum and exo. I feel the price is cheap or is this ballpark figures?

 

[lofty]

Sounds cheap, but if he's good then go for it. The guy I use charges closer to £500 for full detail inc Serum, which is almost double what he charges for a standard Gtechniq detail.

 

[ChrisQP09]

Sounds cheap, but if he's good then go for it. The guy I use charges closer to £500 for full detail inc Serum, which is almost double what he charges for a standard Gtechniq detail.

i understand you have to be accredited by gtechniq to buy this stuff? is there any downsides to the serum?

 

[conaero]

Speak to EnzoMC he uses this product on his car. It looked fabulous in Modena when I saw it.

 

[lofty]

i understand you have to be accredited by gtechniq to buy this stuff? is there any downsides to the serum?

I think the only downside is the price, as like you say its accredited dealer application only. I was interested in it even though I wasn't totally blown away with the standard Gtechniq stuff I had applied a while back. So when the guy I use had a red F-Type in a few months ago I thought I'd go for a look. To be fair it did look good but I'm not sure it looked any better than any other just detailed car, I guess the Serum is supposed to last a long time but apart from that, to my eyes it was no better, it also has that slightly sterile look that other sealants give, I think I'll always be a wax man at heart

 

[ChrisQP09]

I think the only downside is the price, as like you say its accredited dealer application only. I was interested in it even though I wasn't totally blown away with the standard Gtechniq stuff I had applied a while back. So when the guy I use had a red F-Type in a few months ago I thought I'd go for a look. To be fair it did look good but I'm not sure it looked any better than any other just detailed car, I guess the Serum is supposed to last a long time but apart from that, to my eyes it was no better, it also has that slightly sterile look that other sealants give, I think I'll always be a wax man at heart

Very true, but I understand the main purpose of the serum is to form a protective layer over the detailed finish, thus safeguarding paint from chips and damage.

 

[lofty]

It may help prevent swirl marks but it won't protect from chips that's for sure. I'd possibly consider it on a black car to help prevent swirls, but I don't think its worth it on a light car. It will be interesting to see how durable it is once it's been around a year or two.

 

[ChrisQP09]

It may help prevent swirl marks but it won't protect from chips that's for sure. I'd possibly consider it on a black car to help prevent swirls, but I don't think its worth it on a light car. It will be interesting to see how durable it is once it's been around a year or two.

No it does from what Ive googled and what the dealer told me. He said it took a body repair shop hours and 9000 grit sandpaper to remove it from a damaged M3.

 

[lofty]

I'd love to be proved wrong as a coating to stop stone chips is the holy grail of the automotive paint world, but I'd be truly amazed if a coating developed by a tiny company like Gtechniq gives that amount of protection. Paint lacquer, which is far thicker than a sealant has to be sanded off, but it doesn't protect against stone chips.

 

[ChrisQP09]

I'd love to be proved wrong as a coating to stop stone chips is the holy grail of the automotive paint world, but I'd be truly amazed if a coating developed by a tiny company like Gtechniq gives that amount of protection. Paint lacquer, which is far thicker than a sealant has to be sanded off, but it doesn't protect against stone chips.

yea ill certainly do more research but this was the motivation for me getting it. If its not the case, I may think again.

 

[EnzoMC]

I am looking into getting the QP a ceramic coating as per title.

Got a quote for £250-350 for prep (swirl removal etc) & coating of gtech serum and exo. I feel the price is cheap or is this ballpark figures?

hi Chris

cost is about right without the Crystal Serum and I would say for a QP maybe without the Exo aswell - you will need 3-4 days for this job. I did an RS4 with Exo and this took 3 days. however if you can get this done and its this price with a great finish then go for it, maybe see some other cars the detailers done and agree the work in detail up front

I would also be carefull getting Serum done at this time of year, its best applied when the panel is warm unless the detailer has heated unit.

Crystal Serum is great, dirt will have major trouble bonding to the bodywork, even washing has issues working - it just slides off as soon as it hits the car, the protection is just fanstatic - my only niggle with any nano products is the finish is not close enough yet for me to what gloss finish a wax would provide.

not sure your location but more that happy to show you what it looks like on the car and the protection it provides.

 

[Yeti]

I had the Stradale clear "wrapped" by Paintshield. They covered the bonnet, nose, wings, wing mirrors and even the headlamps. Am extremely pleased with the result as it's impossible to tell from paint unless you find an edge with your fingers.Apparently, even quite a big stone impact can be removed by judicious use of a hair dryer.

I'd love to be proved wrong as a coating to stop stone chips is the holy grail of the automotive paint world, but I'd be truly amazed if a coating developed by a tiny company like Gtechniq gives that amount of protection. Paint lacquer, which is far thicker than a sealant has to be sanded off, but it doesn't protect against stone chips.

 

[lofty]

I had the Stradale clear "wrapped" by Paintshield. They covered the bonnet, nose, wings, wing mirrors and even the headlamps. Am extremely pleased with the result as it's impossible to tell from paint unless you find an edge with your fingers.Apparently, even quite a big stone impact can be removed by judicious use of a hair dryer.

Yes it would be great if a sealant gave the same level of protection as a paint film, such as the one you've had applied. I think a film is the only way to avoid stone chips, Gtechniq etc are purely for aesthetics and to save having to wax your car, Serum is said to prevent swirls, it will be interesting if it does.

 

[hoyin]

I have the gtech serum thing on my car.

 

[ChrisQP09]

hi Chris

cost is about right without the Crystal Serum and I would say for a QP maybe without the Exo aswell - you will need 3-4 days for this job. I did an RS4 with Exo and this took 3 days. however if you can get this done and its this price with a great finish then go for it, maybe see some other cars the detailers done and agree the work in detail up front

I would also be carefull getting Serum done at this time of year, its best applied when the panel is warm unless the detailer has heated unit.

Crystal Serum is great, dirt will have major trouble bonding to the bodywork, even washing has issues working - it just slides off as soon as it hits the car, the protection is just fanstatic - my only niggle with any nano products is the finish is not close enough yet for me to what gloss finish a wax would provide.

not sure your location but more that happy to show you what it looks like on the car and the protection it provides.

Thanks for the post. Ive had a revised quote of £350 which includes:

-Bigfoot Paint Correction using rupes
-1 Application of Crystal Serum
-Applications of Exo

Total Perfection car detailing can do this if I leave car early on a Sat and collect Sunday lunchtime. He also said he has a heated unit, I am just not sure whether this is the right price. The guy Mark is an accredited Gtechniq user.

 

[EnzoMC]

thats a good quote and great the unit is heated. under 2 days work, thats quick.. some of their work looks very good, maybe your getting a good discount...

either way go for it and post up some pictures when its been done.....

would recommend getting some W1 shampoo for up keep.. you will be amazed how the Serum and Exo perform...