DP GR4 Graphene Coating How-To

DP GR4 Graphene Coating How-To

DP GR4 Graphene Paint Coating.

What is it?
A surface coating made from graphene-oxide resins.

What does it do?
Seals surfaces with a super strong graphene-oxide resin layer of protection.

When do I use it?
After washing, drying your car, then performing any paint correction needed and then after using a panel wipe to prep the paint for the graphene coating.

Why should I use it?
To provide rock-hard protection that also leaves the finish feeling smooth and slippery while making future washing and drying faster and easier.

From the manufacturer

DP GR4 Graphene Coating

Enter the world of graphene coatings with DP GR4 Graphene Coating. Featuring graphene-oxide resins and emulsions to create a rock-hard barrier of protection. The protection of DP GR4 Graphene Coating works on paint, glass, chrome and more. DP GR4 Graphene Coating has a self-cleaning affect that will easily repel dirt, water and other contaminants, creating a water beading power that will reveal a slick and glossy surface. Plus, DP GR4 Graphene Coating is easy-to-apply and will last you up to four years of protection.

But what exactly is graphene? Graphene is the strongest material known to man; you may know it is as graphite. Imagine it as a honeycomb sheet, thick with carbon atoms. So, the automotive world likes graphene because it can easily be added to plastics, metals or other materials to make it stronger.

Compared to ceramic coatings, graphene reduces heat on the surface of your paint, so water spotting is even less likely. And that honeycomb designed we mentioned earlier? That design allows for a high contact angle for water to bead off easier.

DP GR4 Graphene Coating enacts up to four years of protection on your surfaces. This protection is thanks to graphene-oxide resins and emulsions that when combine create a rock-hard, microns-thick barrier. Not only is the surface protected from environmental harm, but also a slick, deep glossy shine. Graphene is known to impart a wet, glossy appearance after all! Plus, DP GR4 Graphene Coating adds tremendous hydrophobic properties. Because of the high contact angles in graphene, amongst other properties, DP GR4 Graphene Coating will allow for water to bead up and roll off, rather than stick around creating water spots.

Another benefit of DP GR4 Graphene Coating is its anti-static or self-cleaning properties. One of the properties of graphene allow for electrical and thermal conductivity, simply meaning that it can easily repel dust and other micro particles, keeping the surface free of build up of dust and other contaminants. This makes it easier for daily or routine cleanings.

Best of all, DP GR4 Graphene Coating can work on a variety of different surfaces, including paint, glass, chrome, trim and even plastic headlights.

Apply DP GR4 Graphene Coating to your vehicle once you have washed, dried and corrected any paint issues. It's also best to use a prep spray, like DP Coating Prep Spray to remove and lingering oils that will hinder proper bonding. Once you're ready, apply several drops of DP GR4 Graphene Coating onto a microfiber applicator and apply back-and-forth in a 3x3 square foot area. Let it set for 1-2 minutes and then remove with a clean microfiber towel. After an hour, you can apply another coat, but let the surfaces sit dry for 24-48 hours for optimal results.

DIRECTIONS

  • Wash, dry, and correct paint if needed.
  • Shake well before use.
  • Use DP Coating Prep Spray to remove any oils that would prevent proper bonding.
  • Apply several drops of product onto a microfiber applicator and apply to a 3 x 3 sq. ft. area in a back and forth, cross-hatch pattern.
  • Allow for slight overlay to ensure even coverage.
  • Allow area to set for approximately 1-2 minutes and gently remove excess product with a clean microfiber towel.
  • A second coat can be applied after approximately 1 hour.
  • Keep coated surfaces dry for 24-48 hours for best results.

Test car - 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG

This beautiful Mercedes-Benz belongs go a good friend and good customer. It's actually his wife's daily driver. I ceramic coated this car about 1 year ago. Since coating this car, if they haven't hand washed it - they've taken my advice and only taken the car through "touchless" car washes to avoid spinning brushes, dirty floppy swirling mops or even dirty wash mitts that come with a 100% Hand Car Wash. The results are incredible. There's hardly any swirls, scratches or even light marring anywhere on the car. BUT - there is some type of bonded contaminants all over the outside of the car and also some type of film that is impacted onto the car. So to the casual onlooker - she looks brand new. But to use car guys, the finish quality is lacking and something needs to be done to restore the finish to pristine and pretty again.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG

Here's my 7-step process:

  1. Waterless Wash using SONAX Glass Cleaner.
  2. Mechanically decontaminate with detailing clay and SONAX Glass Cleaner.
  3. Machine polish all paint, glass and aluminum window trim - I used the CBEAST with RUPES CP Foam Pads and 3D One.
  4. Chemically strip using a 3D Wipe.
  5. Install the GR4 Graphene Coating.
  6. Machine clean and dress the tires with Pinnacle Rubber & Vinyl Cleaner and Conditioner.
  7. Hand clean the wheels.

Towels used were my new favorite - The Rag Company FTW or For the Windows orange microfiber towels. I use them for everything - not just windows.

Here's prepped and ready to machine polish

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG prepped and ready to coat.

NOTE: Look at the finish quality in the picture above. Looks good huh? Now look at the first picture of the car below - see the difference? See how the paint is actually crisper, glossier, wetter looking? It's one thing to take a neglected car to a respected car. It's actually more difficult to take a car in really good contion to a HIGHER LEVEL. Everything must be perfect. The process, your skills, everything. Otherwise - there will be no difference.

Back to the topic at hand...

The only way to remove the film on the car, glass and trim is to machine polish. This will also remove all the previously applied ceramic coating. A must-do in my opinion and experience.

Mercedes about to be detailed.

Products used to detail Mercedes.

Flex polisher used to detail Mercedes.

Products used to detail Mercedes.

Here's the results...

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

She came out BEAUTIFUL!

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

And she's showing a little attitude in this shot...

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic AMG after coating with DP GR4 Graphene Coating.

Review

I wasn't sure what to expect as this is the first graphene coating I've used, at least the first graphene coating that comes the normal way most of us think of a coating and that's a thin, liquid in a tiny glass jar. Like most ceramic coatings, it's clear and thin, almost like water. It spreads out super easy. I let the coating rest for about a minute per treated panel and then gently wiped that section to both level the coating and remove any excess and then moved onto the next section. It took about an hour to coat this Mercedes-Benz working carefully and timing the flash time.

Leveling and the final wipe-off was easy, no sticking or smudging of the coating to the paint. The results were perfectly clear, perfect looking paint. And after wipe-off the finish felt smooth and slick, unlike a lot of ceramic coatings.

The gloss was insane!

I was hesitant to use this new technology on a customer car. I checked with Andre, he's my co-worker that does all the pre-testing of new products. He's really grown into his new responsibilities for testing products here at Autogeek. I trust his judgement. When I asked him about this coating and let him know what I was going to use it on - he simply said,

It's a really nice product, you'll like it.

How long will it last? I don't know, that's the problem with this type of product review. The car I used this on is gone. I have asked the owner to AVOID taking the car through touchless car washes. While in theory it sounds like a good option for those times you can't do a normal water hose and bucket wash in your driveway. But the down side is - these types of car washes tend to use stronger chemicals to loosen road film and dirt since NOTHING is going to physically touch the paint to clean it.

While these harsher chemicals may not remove the coating - I "think" they are responsible for making the anodized aluminum trim surrounding the windows look horrible, spotted and splotchy. I apologize I did not take any before pictures, I know better. But I was in a hurry to crank this detail out. So I didn't take any before pictures of the splotchy looking aluminum trim. I did take some after pictures and all I can say is this trim looked HORRIBLE before I buffed it out. Now it looks brand new.

Freshly detailed anodized aluminum trim.

Freshly detailed anodized aluminum trim.

I coated the trim, but this type of anodized aluminum trim is sensitive to chemical corrosion - thus the reason I've asked the owners to not take this car through any touchless car washes.

In 6 months and then again in a year, I'll check with the owners to see how the coating is holding up and then update this review. That's the best I can do folks. But if the data about this coating is factual and accurate - this coating will do a great job of protecting the paint and my guess is this car will still glisten and look amazing as long as the coating/car is hand washed and dried.

If you're new to coatings, don't fear trying out this graphene coating as your first venture into the coating world. It's super easy to use. If you're a seasoned professional or an experienced enthusiast and you've heard a lot of chitter-chatter about graphene, I'd say go for it. Get a bottle and take it for a test drive. After having used in on a really nice automobile, I agree with Andre,

It's a really nice product, you'll like it.

Crystal clear, insane gloss and shine...

Crystal clear, insane gloss and shine...