A ceramic coating like HybridCoat seals your paint for up to 5 years. Whatever is on it when you coat, spots, swirls and all, gets sealed in too.
- A coating seals in whatever is on the paint.
- Remove spots, clay, then polish.
- The paint must be completely wax-free.
- Coat on the same day as prep if you can.
Why prep is most of the job
HybridCoat lasts up to 5 years. That’s great when the paint underneath looks its best, and frustrating if there were spots or swirls you didn’t deal with first, because they’re now sealed in for years. Professionals spend most of a coating job on prep, and the application itself is the short part.
The prep checklist
What you’ll need
- HybridCoat (with suede applicator)
- Several clean microfiber towels
- Clay bar and polish for prep
- Dissolve X2 and Spotless X2
- Good lighting or a flashlight
- Nitrile gloves, eye protection, ventilation
- Wash thoroughly. Get all loose dirt and grime off.
- Remove water spots and stains. Use Dissolve X2 on paint and Spotless X2 on glass.
- Clay the paint. A clay bar pulls out bonded contamination.
- Polish. A paint correction removes swirls and defects you don’t want sealed in. HybridCoat’s instructions strongly recommend it.
- Remove all wax and oils. The coating needs to bond to bare clear coat.
- Work in the shade on a cool, dry car.
Dissolve X2 is a strong acid cleaner: its Safety Data Sheet lists it as causing severe skin burns and eye damage. Wear gloves and eye protection, keep it off your skin, and read the label before you start. Every sheet is on our SDS page.
Then apply
HybridCoat is a highly flammable liquid: keep it away from heat, sparks and open flames, use it with good ventilation, and wear gloves and eye protection. See its Safety Data Sheet.
- Prep. Remove all water spots, dirt and wax. A clay bar and polish first is strongly recommended: you lock in the paint as it is.
- Apply. Shake well, put a few drops on the suede applicator and cross-hatch half a hood at a time.
- Flash and buff. Wait 3-4 minutes for the “rainbow” flash, then buff smooth with a clean microfiber towel.
- Layer and cure. After 5 minutes, repeat for a second layer. Let it cure 24 hours before it sees moisture.
Do the prep and the coating on the same day if you can, so nothing new lands on the paint in between.
Removing wax and oils
Wax and polishing oils sit between the coating and the clear coat and stop it bonding. After polishing, wipe each panel with a panel-prep product made for removing oils, and use fresh towels. Then keep the car clean and dry until you apply.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skipping polish. Swirls get locked in.
Leaving wax on. The coating can’t bond properly.
Prepping, then waiting days. New dust and spots land.
Coating in a dusty or windy spot. Debris sticks to fresh coating.
A simple care schedule
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Prep day | Wash, remove spots, clay, polish, wipe down. |
| Same day | Apply HybridCoat. |
| First 24 hours | Keep the car dry while it cures. |
Frequently asked questions
Why does prep matter so much?
A coating locks in the paint as it is. Spots and swirls left behind get sealed in.
Do I need to polish before HybridCoat?
HybridCoat’s instructions strongly recommend a paint correction (clay bar and polish) first.
Can I leave wax on the paint?
No. Remove all wax so the coating can bond to bare clear coat.
Do I really need to polish first?
HybridCoat’s instructions strongly recommend a paint correction first.
Can I coat glass and wheels too?
HybridCoat is used on paint, glass, wheels, chrome, trim and gelcoat.
