Ceramic Coating My Paint

[ultrafxr]

Kevin based on your review and experience I went all in and purchased the ceramic coating and all the preliminary products to prep the paint. Washed it yesterday while you were out enjoying the beautiful sunny day! Gotta say washing and cleaning it was the hardest part of the process.

Today I double checked everything in the garage under portable flood lights so I could get off any bug residue that didn't wash off and is darned hard to see otherwise. Then I used the prep polish which cleans the paint of old wax and then put the ceramic coating on. It really was much easier than I thought it might be but then I didn't strip my Tri-Glide like you did your Softtail, lol.

Anyway it looks good and I hope my results are as spectacular as yours. I plan to do it to my SUV next but that will be a much bigger and more involved project just to get the paint prepped.

Thanks much for this thread or I might not otherwise have done this.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin based on your review and experience I went all in and purchased the ceramic coating and all the preliminary products to prep the paint. Washed it yesterday while you were out enjoying the beautiful sunny day! Gotta say washing and cleaning it was the hardest part of the process.

Today I double checked everything in the garage under portable flood lights so I could get off any bug residue that didn't wash off and is darned hard to see otherwise. Then I used the prep polish which cleans the paint of old wax and then put the ceramic coating on. It really was much easier than I thought it might be but then I didn't strip my Tri-Glide like you did your Softtail, lol.

Anyway it looks good and I hope my results are as spectacular as yours. I plan to do it to my SUV next but that will be a much bigger and more involved project just to get the paint prepped.

Thanks much for this thread or I might not otherwise have done this.

Yes, it is all in the prep...better that is, better it turns out.

Can't wait to see your TG with the coating!

Kevin

 

[ultrafxr]

From what I think I understand there really isn't any 'touch up' using the ceramic coating itself. I think you just maintain it properly and probably go back through the same prep when needing another application. Hopefully not for a couple years!

But I'm no expert. Good question for whichever company's product you use.

 

[DK Custom Products]

There are so many different coatings, and each one has their own protocols.

For the McKee's 37 that I used (and each different type of coating may be different), the procedure is:

Prep your paint to how you want it to look. Once you put the coating on, whatever it looks like, that's the way it is going to be (except for brighter).

After it is prepped, put your coating on. It is now sealed. There is nothing more to do for X number of years.

They give a 2 year guarantee. We'll see.

No touch ups, no more prep, no waxing, no polishing...nothing except rinsing it off, and optionally drying it with a microfiber towel. I guess the rinsing is optional too. :laugh:

McKee's 37 does make a wash that has a high foamy suds value to encapsulate the dirt. It also has a small amount of the ceramic in it that is supposed to help the coating last longer.

Mary has rinsed her truck twice with just water since last August. Looked better than new each time.

A few weeks ago she used the McKee's 37 wash by simply applying it with a brush and then rinsing it off. Looks the same as when she just rinsed it off (better than new), but maybe it will make it last longer.

On the Softail I have not done anything yet. When I do wash it, I will use the same foamy wash.

The reasons I've done this is:

I don't like spending time cleaning, would rather be riding. It is a One & Done deal.

It looks better.

I am hoping that the thousands of bugs killed will not stick. So far that has been our experience with the truck, we will see with the bikes/trike.

Kevin

 

[MDO]

Kevin, do you have plans to do your TriGlide?

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, do you have plans to do your TriGlide?

Yes, gonna do the Sporty first, it'll be pretty easy. Then, when I feel really energetic (cause it's gonna be a big project) planning on doing the Tri Glide. Besides all the nooks and cranny's on the TG, I also have a bunch of 3M protectors on it that I am going to need to remove.


Get better man!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

From what I think I understand there really isn't any 'touch up' using the ceramic coating itself. I think you just maintain it properly and probably go back through the same prep when needing another application. Hopefully not for a couple years!

But I'm no expert. Good question for whichever company's product you use.

Jerry,

Did you remove your Tour Pak so you could get up under and around it better?

Kevin

 

[ultrafxr]

There are so many different coatings, and each one has their own protocols.

For the McKee's 37 that I used (and each different type of coating may be different), the procedure is:

Prep your paint to how you want it to look. Once you put the coating on, whatever it looks like, that's the way it is going to be (except for brighter).

After it is prepped, put your coating on. It is now sealed. There is nothing more to do for X number of years.

They give a 2 year guarantee. We'll see.

No touch ups, no more prep, no waxing, no polishing...nothing except rinsing it off, and optionally drying it with a microfiber towel. I guess the rinsing is optional too. :laugh:

McKee's 37 does make a wash that has a high foamy suds value to encapsulate the dirt. It also has a small amount of the ceramic in it that is supposed to help the coating last longer.

Mary has rinsed her truck twice with just water since last August. Looked better than new each time.

A few weeks ago she used the McKee's 37 wash by simply applying it with a brush and then rinsing it off. Looks the same as when she just rinsed it off (better than new), but maybe it will make it last longer.

On the Softail I have not done anything yet. When I do wash it, I will use the same foamy wash.

The reasons I've done this is:

I don't like spending time cleaning, would rather be riding. It is a One & Done deal.

It looks better.

I am hoping that the thousands of bugs killed will not stick. So far that has been our experience with the truck, we will see with the bikes/trike.

Kevin

I too used the McKee's product(s) and queried them about 'touch ups.' They said yes you can do so if needed. Just apply the coating after the area has been cleaned and prepped.

I also purchased the 'special' wash to use after the coating applied. And their 'special' 'waterless wash' for when I'm traveling. For cleanups on the road I've been taking a bucket (well a waste can from the motel room actually, lol) filled with hot water, soaked a microfiber towel and used that to clean the trike. McKee's said water is not all that good a lubricant and it will cause small scratches / swirls over time. Their waterless wash does say it has high lubricity. Hopefully it'll get the job done while on the road. Hate having a grimy dirty trike!

 

[TWISTED1]

Yes, gonna do the Sporty first, it'll be pretty easy. Then, when I feel really energetic (cause it's gonna be a big project) planning on doing the Tri Glide. Besides all the nooks and cranny's on the TG, I also have a bunch of 3M protectors on it that I am going to need to remove.

Kevin,

I also have paint protective film on my TG. I believe it was XPEL. I think they are probably all about the same, anyway when the ceramic coating was applied it was applied over the PPF. So far it is working out just fine. It repels water as well as the painted sections that are only painted.

I also use a wash to enhance the ceramic coating. I have only used it a couple times. Most of the time I just spray off the dirt and grime. As you stated each type of coating may be different.

Steve

 

[ultrafxr]

Good deal Alan. It's not really all that difficult. As I said the initial washing / cleaning was the most difficult and tedious part. Once you have it cleaned it's easy peasy.

 

[MDO]

I don't think you should risk it on Jessica.

When I come there for the 4 Corners Rally over Labor day weekend, You should test your process on my Freewheeler 1st, merely as a quality check.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I don't think you should risk it on Jessica.

When I come there for the 4 Corners Rally over Labor day weekend, You should test your process on my Freewheeler 1st, merely as a quality check.

Put him to work whilst you sit in the shade

 

[bikerbillone]

Egads, what a mess, think I'd stuff it all in a good sack and send it back. There has to be a better way. No way I'd be using what they sent, they need to make it right. Too bad Fuzz, just coming off knee surgery, and now this, you are not having a good day.

 

[Dave59]

I haven't used any of this treatment but I would definitely contact the company for a replacement or refund. Good luck.

 

[DK Custom Products]

That is messed up.

I well know that damage can happen during shipping, but that looks like it was packaged incorrectly, contributing to the likelihood that it would be damaged during shipment.

I would call them, even though you've used it some. They should help you out.

Regarding what you got...that is not what I used, nor do I believe it is what Jerry used.

What I got can be seen in the photo I posted previously in this thread-

Here's a link to it on Amazon-

https://smile.amazon.com/McKees-37-...spons&keywords=mckee's+37+paint+coating&psc=1

[FONT=&quot]McKee's 37 paint coating is a Nano-glass ceramic coating that provides paint protection measured in years, not months. Formulated using Nano-glass ceramic particles and state-of-the-art cross-linking polymers, McKee's 37 paint coating creates a hard-as-nails protective barrier and a glass-like, liquid shine. The self-cleaning effect created by the immense amount of surface tension keeps your paint looking its best in between regular washes.[/FONT]

I also got some coating prep, specifically made to prep the paint prior to the ceramic coating. What I got can be seen at this link-

https://smile.amazon.com/McKees-37-...spons&keywords=mckee's+37+paint+coating&psc=1

I did not get the swirl remover. Of course, that would have been better to use the swirl remover, then the coating prep, and then the ceramic coating. I simply did not want to do that much work.

All that said, the results you showed looked nice, but I don't think they are meant to last for years like when you do the ceramic coating.

Kevin

 

[ultrafxr]

Alan, they make a Coating Prep Polish which is what I used. Just google it and you can find it on Amazon also.

I dealt directly with McKee's and went 'all in' and bought their complete package - the 'Daily Driver' since I plan to do my SUV and maybe the wife's car.

https://www.mckees37.com/mk37-7100.html

The kit includes everything you need - all the prep products and the coating. The iron remover and the clay bar were really overkill for the TG but on the autos I think they will be worthwhile.

Give a call or drop an email to McKee's and communicate with Nick. He is very knowledgeable and informative. Good videos on their website also.

 

[Fearless]

+1 on option number 3 for my way of thinking... just sayin from the Ole Pennsylvanian

 

[MDO]

I'm riding from Missouri with a Wing 2 wheeler & a Wing trike conversion.