Ceramic coating - boost etc

[Freakuk]

Hi all,

after some help/advice. I recently had my car ceramic coated and front end PPF'd. The car was coated using XPEL's ceramic coating and I was given a bottle of the ceramic boost spray with the instructions below: -

https://www.xpel.com/web-assets/downloads/XPEL-Cer...

I was also told not to use snow foam as this can remove the coating if left to dwell too long??

Could anyone advise a) do I follow the instructions as provided, is there a better way to apply? b) how do I know when to use the boost/how many washes between applications? c) Can I use snow foam (I use AB snow foam currently).

Thanks

[roscopervis]

Did the person who installed the coating/PPF give you the advice about the snowfoam? Did they give you any other advice about how to wash it safely?

There are hundreds of products that are applied like XPEL Boost - it isn't hard so I'm not sure why you would want to apply it another way? It is typically expected that the Boost is applied when the visible level of protection in the form of the hydrophobic behaviour of the car's surface, deteriorates so that it doesn't readily bead up and sheet off quickly after a wash. It shouldn't be re-applied too often - just to add a bit more protection, as it doesn't work like that.

With regard to how to wash the car safely, I personally would use a snowfoam or safe product applied through a pressure sprayer. When you say AB snowfoam, I take it that means Magifoam? That is a very thick snowfoam that is more for looks than for effect. That can dwell a very long time and maybe that's what concerns the installer. I'd use a product that is runnier and pH neutral so that it doesn't stay on the car for more than 5 minutes and is only used as part of an overall safe wash procedure which starts with an effective pre wash, then a safe contact wash with good mitts and lubricated shampoo.

[Freakuk]

roscopervis said:

Did the person who installed the coating/PPF give you the advice about the snowfoam? Did they give you any other advice about how to wash it safely?

There are hundreds of products that are applied like XPEL Boost - it isn't hard so I'm not sure why you would want to apply it another way? It is typically expected that the Boost is applied when the visible level of protection in the form of the hydrophobic behaviour of the car's surface, deteriorates so that it doesn't readily bead up and sheet off quickly after a wash. It shouldn't be re-applied too often - just to add a bit more protection, as it doesn't work like that.

With regard to how to wash the car safely, I personally would use a snowfoam or safe product applied through a pressure sprayer. When you say AB snowfoam, I take it that means Magifoam? That is a very thick snowfoam that is more for looks than for effect. That can dwell a very long time and maybe that's what concerns the installer. I'd use a product that is runnier and pH neutral so that it doesn't stay on the car for more than 5 minutes and is only used as part of an overall safe wash procedure which starts with an effective pre wash, then a safe contact wash with good mitts and lubricated shampoo.

Yes the installer did comment on snowfoam, although he did specifically say auto finesse not AB, looking at the link for the boost it states to spray on wipe, then wipe off with another cloth, however on-line reviews state to spray on a cloth wipe on the panel then wipe off with a clean cloth.

Another question now I think about it, prior to the ceramic coat and PPF I was using AF citrus bug and tar spray and their fall out remover, I assume this may be a no no and not required now also?

[roscopervis]

Freakuk said:

Yes the installer did comment on snowfoam, although he did specifically say auto finesse not AB, looking at the link for the boost it states to spray on wipe, then wipe off with another cloth, however on-line reviews state to spray on a cloth wipe on the panel then wipe off with a clean cloth.

Another question now I think about it, prior to the ceramic coat and PPF I was using AF citrus bug and tar spray and their fall out remover, I assume this may be a no no and not required now also?

Auto Finesse’s snowfoam isn’t particularly aggressive, I’m not sure why he is recommending not using it. Maybe it is something to do with the PPF rather than the ceramic coat.

With the Boost, you can use it both ways - if you spray it onto the cloth rather than the panel you will use less product so will be more economical and will be less likely to streak through over application.

You will still need to remove tar, bugs and fallout, though maybe less often. Your installer should advise on this, though if he says that you won’t anymore, I would ask him why. If it is due to compatibility with the PPF, ask him what would be compatible as bugs in particular will still stick to PPF.

You can use fallout removers and tar removers on ceramic coatings periodically to keep them decontaminated and working it’s best.

[Freakuk]

Thanks, that all makes sense.

To be fair, I didn't ask many questions at the time. It's stuff that came to me when I came to wash the car after the work had been completed.

[Belle427]

I've never seen the point of foam, especially if you clean your car regularly.
Most coatings have their own ranges for specific ceramic care so I'd look at those options.