1. Preparing Your Surface
The surface to be coated must be clean, dry and free from dirt, oily residue, grime, loose oxidation, spores (mildew), or any other contaminants that could affect product performance. If you have a wax, polish, sealant, or coating on the surface it must be stripped (removed) before Crystaleen can be applied. (To strip a coating use TopCoat UnCoat and follow the directions on the bottle.) It is imperative to fully and completely clean the surface, as Crystaleen adheres through chemical bonding and must gain direct and proper contact with the original virgin surface. Additionally, Crystaleen will enhance the surface its applied to in addition to protecting it, so it's important to note that what your surface looks like before will show through after Crystaleen has been applied. Therefore, it is important to do any paint or surface corrections BEFORE applying Crystaleen. This can include; buffing, polishing, clay bar-ing, stain and scratch removal, and more. The better your surface looks before you apply Crystaleen, the better it will look after application.The surface to be coated must be clean, dry and free from dirt, oily residue, grime, loose oxidation, spores (mildew), or any other contaminants that could affect product performance. If you have a wax, polish, sealant, or coating on the surface it must be stripped (removed) before Crystaleen can be applied. (To strip a coating use TopCoat UnCoat and follow the directions on the bottle.) It is imperative to fully and completely clean the surface, as Crystaleen adheres through chemical bonding and must gain direct and proper contact with the original virgin surface. Additionally, Crystaleen will enhance the surface its applied to in addition to protecting it, so it's important to note that what your surface looks like before will show through after Crystaleen has been applied. Therefore, it is important to do any paint or surface corrections BEFORE applying Crystaleen. This can include; buffing, polishing, clay bar-ing, stain and scratch removal, and more. The better your surface looks before you apply Crystaleen, the better it will look after application.
Detailing 101:
Do all prep work, washing, and ceramic application out of the sun, in ambient temperature. Do not do any work in freezing conditions.
Surfaces Crystaleen Can Be Applied To:
- Painted surfaces
- Clear coated surfaces
- Denim/Matte surfaces
- Metal
- Chrome
- Plastic
- Glass/mirrored glass
- Wheels
- Carbon Fiber
2. Preparing Crystaleen For Use
Each Crystaleen kit comes with the following:
- Stage 1 solution in bottle
- Stage 2 solution in bottle
- Applicator pad
- Buffing towels
- 1 pour cap (for stage 1)
- 1 spray trigger (for stage 2)
Important Note
Crystaleen is a real ceramic formula that comes sealed against air. Do not puncture the seal in either bottle until you are ready to use. Once punctured, the formula is now exposed to air which immediately starts its shelf life of 6-8 months once opened. The product must be used within that time frame or it will not perform & must be discarded.
- Always keep caps on tight when not in use.
- Stage 1 can be refrigerated to slow the reaction process, extending the shelf life even further.
3. Work In Sections
One of the most important aspects of successful Crystaleen applications is understanding the concept of “sectioning”. For best results watch the demonstration video above.
Key takeaways from the video:
- Work in smaller 2ft x 2ft sections
- Slightly overlap your sections
- Crystaleen bonds to itself so there is no need to worry about “dry edges” where your sections touch. It will not happen.
- ALWAYS final buff the Crystaleen coating by hand with a clean and dry TopCoat premium MycroPro 18” white microfiber polishing towel to ensure proper mixing, shine, and coating adherence.
4. Crystaleen Application
For best results watch the video and see exactly how Crystaleen is applied.
Basic Application Instructions:
- Pour Stage 1 onto the applicator pad until wet but not dripping. Then wipe onto the surface in a 2’x2’ section making sure the whole area is covered.
- Immediately spray Stage 2 evenly over the 2’x2’ section you just applied Stage 1 to.
- With a clean & dry premium white microfiber towel, buff both Stages together into the surface to a smooth and lustrous shine. (Always buff a slightly larger area than the 2’x2’ area you coated to get missed spots.)
- With a 2nd clean premium white microfiber towel do a final buff until clear, smooth, and polished. (Always buff a slightly larger area than the 2’x2’ area you coated.)
- Repeat process until entire vehicle is done.
- Always use Stage 1 & Stage 2 in equal amounts when applying.
Important Note
Wipe off and buff in any overspray, drips, or drops of product outside the area you are working in immediately to ensure they do not harden up in place.
5. Crystaleen Curing & Off Gassing Process
Once Crystaleen is fully buffed in following the instructions and/or the application video, Crystaleen has already cured 75% and is safe to be used. This means that you can drive the vehicle, get it wet or dirty, get rained on, or just used as a regular vehicle directly after applying Crystaleen. The coating will be cure 100% in 7 to 10 days after the initial application (depends on atmospheric conditions). During the 7 to 10 window, Crystaleen is “off gassing” and reacting with itself and the atmosphere to completely cure into its final fully hardened 7H state
Important Note
Do not apply any other product (polish, cleaner, wax, sealant, glosser, etc.) over Crystaleen® until the 10 days have passed. Doing so will hinder the curing process and could cause product failure. Once the coating completely cures you can wash it and coat it like you normally would using PolyWash® or F11Pro+® . For best results TopCoat your vehicle, including the Crystaleen® ceramic coated surface with F11Pro+® to maintain and ensure all surfaces have been properly treated and protected against the elements, inside and out. (See the video in the “enhance your results” section below.). Only use TopCoat® products after treatment.
6. Post Use Crystaleen Product Care
As mentioned above, puncturing the seal exposes the product to air which immediately starts the its shelf life (pot life) of 6 to 8 months. If you do not use all of your Crystaleen, put the hard caps back on, tighten firmly and store in a cool, dry location. To make it last longer, store Stage 1 in a refrigerator. Crystaleen can be layered for multiple coats on a single vehicle or used to do a single coat on multiple vehicles.
7. Enhance Crystaleen With F11PRO+
Even though Crystaleen® is a true 7H hard coat ceramic that will last 5 years, you still need to wash, clean, and maintain it and your vehicle. That's just common sense, but you can actually ENHANCE the performance and protection of your Crystaleen® by applying TopCoat® F11Pro+® over it.
Topcoating your Crystaleen coated surface with F11Pro+ will…
- Enhance its depth of image
- Improve optical clarity
- Provide further corrosion protection
- Provide Anti-Stat properties that repel dust, dirt, & debris
- Protect against sun damage & UV Rays
- Increase hydrophobicity and water shedding
- Create a hyper slick surface that dirt, bugs, and debris won’t stick to.
- Coat, enhance, & protect all the other surfaces & materials Crystaleen® can’t, including the inside
F11Pro+® will also Amino-Functionally bond to Crystaleen® coated surfaces and in doing so will renew, revitalize and protect your ceramic coated surfaces.
Using Crystaleen® and F11Pro+® together gives you the best protection & performance money can buy!
- Ensure your treated vehicle remains as new as the day you bought
- Significantly increase your vehicle’s resale value
- Get years of easy maintenance with ridiculously low maintenance costs
- Save time, effort, and money with an average cleaning cost of only $25 a year!
