Yep, applied chemical guys ceramic coating to the car and bike about 6 months ago. Seems to be working well, as bike cleans up with basically just a wipe with damp cloth
@@gcntech every single one! But in particular the video titled “The Incredible Bikes & Cycling Tech Of The First World War” one of the best youtube videos I’ve ever seen!
Absolutely loved this video. I like when the Doctor side of Ollie comes out. He makes these topics so extraordinarily interesting. Need more of this please!. I will have to seriously look at this bike protector now. Well done GCN and Ollie.
@@gcntech I pretty biased when it comes to Ollie as I am a huge fan. I really like his videos when he dives into the science of biking such as wind resistance, weight comparisons and his tire episodes. I never get tired of his insights. Alex is a perfect sidekick for him too. Great team
My full time job is ceramic coating cars and looking after them after application in my 10 years of experience they don't really make it any easy to clean road grime will still cling to your car or bike and will need washing in the usual way also probably more noticeable on cars with large surface areas is if rain settles on the paint can leave a lot more water spots as the beads sit on the paint and eventually dry overall probably worth doing but not the magic hype they promise
Interesting perspective thanks for sharing - would you think ceramic coatings make a bike easier to dry e.g. with a leaf blower, which can therefore make it cleaner as the droplets aren't drying out on the bike?
Thanks for sharing your first hand experience, would you say it add shine or depth to the color? On carbon components that have no paint or clearcoat, would you say it changes the finish? thanks
@@cipo36an203 I've not coated real carbon fibre only wraps yes it can add an extra gloss aperiance in the same way that other products would such as a synthetic paste wax it's not really any better perhaps more longevity from ceramic coat but most coatings should last months on a bike frame it's a bit smoke and mirrors in my opinion I coated my own bike with 9H and yes it's hydrophobic but once your bike is dirty with road grime it won't sheet water till its clean I'm more mtb so my bike gets stinking straight away
I’ve always used Gtechniq ceramic coatings on my bike frames and cars for that matter, before any of my bikes go on the road the frames get polished, wiped down with IPA and a Gtechniq coating applied, it’s a great way of protecting the paintwork 👌
Can't believe I actually look forward to my dose of "Ollies Chemistry Class" 😀great content superbly delivered, to put it into context I hated chemistry at school and really hated it !
@@EditioCastigata works awesome. I ride in Northern Illinois in the US and the spring is notoriously volatile switching from sun, to rain, to even snow. The coating helps the water bead right off. The cleaners are just as good. I will say they are a bit pricey when you compare them with other cleaners but the coating was worth it.
Ollie said everything! You need super clean bike - that means, iron removal/clay, polishing, IPA and then you apply ceramic coating. The same principle you would do on a car. I coated mine in 2016 and it still looks like day 1 - super easy to clean, attracts less dirt and hydrophobic. The only thing you need to do is, after every couple of cleaning, top it with ceramic topper (like gyeon cure) and that's it. Your bike will be in good shape for a long time, attract less dirt and much more easier to clean. Also if you're coating your car, you will left with extra ceramic coating that you can put on your bike. BTW that 1 year thing is BS, use more expensive car ceramic coating and it will last for 5-7 years.
I have been using ceramic coatings for a while now. I tend to use Meguires Hybrid Ceramic Wax currently as this was being sold cheap and picked up 3 bottles. It works a charm and much less crud sticks to the glass like surface being hydrophobic. Basically I give the bike a nice deep clean every few months and just top up the wax, job done and only takes a short time.
I had my road bike professionally done last year before I built it.Remove your cranks so you can get the coating all around your BB area thoroughly. Remove your chain and wheels and don't forget to do your wheels.I'll do my gravel and mountain bikes myself this spring (or maybe one of these cold winter nights we're having). I was surprised just how well it works - dirt just sprays off. Will save a ton of $$ on Muc-Off 😀
If your bike isn’t new, I would suggest a clay bar treatment to remove the embedded nubbins that are stuck in the paint. It is easy to do and there are lots of automotive detailing videos on RUclips to show you how.
All this stuff will drip off and drain into the Waters. Many places are starting to ban wearing similar coatings on Sportswear. Like Fallraven. ☠ Nasty stuff 🧐 destroys nature and stays around for ages.
My question exactly. I've been using a liquid carnauba wax for those reasons. It does fade after a few washes, but is very easy and quick to apply, biodegradable, and non hazardous. A bottle squirt and mud sheds off, and the frame remains much cleaner on rainy rides.
@@nluisa I use a very high quality carnauba wax on my sports car and figured it would not hurt on the bike. Bikes just don't take much time to detail compared to the car so I think the ceramic coating might be overkill and the wax smells great too!
Did this for my Cervelo Caledonia in the beautiful oasis green to preserve as best as possible. Few pointers after 8 months: 0. Your bike will still get micro scratches after washes and rides. Just the ceramic coat will scratch instead. Benefit is that the scratches and swirls and scuffs won’t be as visible with the coating. 1. I did mine as Ollie with a brand new bike. If already ridden, do it proper with a full wash and clay bar before the IPA. 2. Applied on shifters and carbon wheel set. 3. I removed my crankset, chain, and wheels. Definitely a must. Covered the bottom bracket bearings with tape. 4. Great for peace of mind, but ended up putting on helicopter tape on downtube and seat stay anyways for the nasty asphalt and rocks. 5. Worth it, but not as great as I thought when protecting from micro scratches. 6. The flashing/curing of the coat happened really fast when applying outdoors under the sun, nearly 30-45 seconds. Only the rich have garages in Boston, so keep in mind.
Hi GCN Tech, excellent Video. I have all my bikes ceramic coated but I didn't know about the Gtechniq Bike series. I use the rest of crystal serum light and Exo V4 when I prepare my car (which is a bit cheaper than this GT RS) :-) Thanks a lot.
Actually, a slightly dirty bike could be more aero due to Boundary Layer Effects... Similar to golf balls (with indents), swimsuits (that mimic rough sharkskin) & sppedsuit &vaerosock materials (that are textured).
If wet, then theoretically a coated bike will be quicker as it will be "holding" less water on it (water will tend to fly off due to the hydrophobicity of the coated bike), and therefore be a) lighter and b) more aero due to better airflow over the frame (again, because of less water being ON the frame). Yep, I'm kinda joking, but, you know, theoretically it makes sense.
Sounds like the bike needs a deep clean. Try the Gtechniq bike wash. As with all surfaces, it will clog up with dirt, giving it the effect that it’s no longer there. The coating will need a deep clean now and then for the longevity 👍
I actually just repainted my bike like 10days ago and im going on continuing to use hydrophobic sprays/wax like I always do. This video just reminded me that ceramic coatings exists, I've totally forgotten about it. Since applying it is really easy, I'm now questioning myself why I haven't used it from the very beginning. Anyways I'm just going to wait for around a week more and ceramic coat my newly painted bike.
I did put many ceramic coat on matt surface for 2y. I can say not that much difference unfortunately. It gets little bit darker but no shiny finish at all.
Definitely useful if your bike is getting muddy/dirty regularly. Otherwise it doesn't make much sense spending money on it as you still end up having to wash your bike and of course the chain which wont get coated.
I use ceramic spray from a bottle I bought from AMZN.. Found out the Gtechniq has their own special formula in a tiny bottle for $70... Pricey. I'll just stick to washing my bikes and reapplying a few times as needed
Ceramic spray is not the same a ceramic out of a bottle and £70 for proper ceramic is cheap. If you buy the car size bottles they can be much more expensive
When washing a ceramic coated bike, DO NOT use dish soap, and ONLY USE ceramic wash products. You’ll be shopping in the car industry quite a bit. PanTheOrganizer has an amazing channel that has ceramic coating and cleaning doesn’t o a very easy to understand format.
I have been doing this for past 10 years and it's not just keeping the bike cleaner, but also reduce scratching as the surface becomes more slippery. now days I use it on all painted surfaces exposed to element such as car wheel, garage doors and it works perfectly in protecting against UV and beading water. one thing, do not apply coating stuff on matte paints as this will alert the shade.
During bad wheather season, I put on wax which is used for vacuforming parts, e.g. canopies for model airplanes. When I used it for what it is intended to use, I found out that little rests of that wax were not possible to remove even with alcohol, I had to use nitro thinner - which unfortunately turned clear plastic into non-clear plastic. I put it on with tissue cloth, polish it after a few hours, then wet dirt is completely removed by just using a garden can. If the dirt is already dry, I make it wet again by using a spray can. It takes two or three weeks, when I have to renew the coating. Especially polished alloy (like the hubs of my beloved Shamal HPW wheels) is very well protected by this wax. Yesterday ist was really nice to see the hubs blinking in the sunlight...
For all those who wonder if it has an aero advantage. I will save you time :) We have tested it years ago with Bicycle Armor. There is no advantage. At slow speeds like in cycling you need texture. Like they use on tt suits. It's called "the golf ball effect". The only aero advantage you will get, is that it's cleaner. At 60km/h we had a 0.3 watt advantage.
@@GtechniqUK If the ceramic product does smooth the paint and as such make the surface less sticky to air and the result is a faster time at a given power, then you will have a huge selling point for many cyclists. Even if it saves a few seconds over a mile, cyclists will want to buy your product. Now I’ve potentially increased your product selling point and income, could I have a free sample to try? I already use ceramic spray after a wash but it’s not the same Don’t ask don’t get 😏😏😉😉😆😆
I will save you time :) We have tested it years ago with Bicycle Armor. There is no advantage. At slow speeds like in cycling you need texture. Like they use on tt suits. It's called "the golf ball effect". The only aero advantage you will get is that it cleaner. At 60km/h we had a 0.3 watt advantage.
This was great. I’m glad my knowledge of middle school chemistry is at work. Breaking the single covalent bond and reducing the surface energy is brilliant. I am repainting a Canyon Ultimate CF SLR this winter. Many choices for coatings. Does matte versus glossy paint surface make a difference? Does Cerakote Ceramic Paint work the same as the ceramic coating? Ollie your knowledge and understanding is greatly appreciated.
More familiar with these products for cars where dealers like to try to charge £500 for them to apply the coating. They do certainly seem to make water ‘bead’ on the paint surface but as for mud and other dirt, you are still going to need to wash regularly and for me it’s the drive train that is always the issue not the frame.
How does it fare with the matte black paint on the Canyon? Any changes to the finish? Blemishes if not applied evenly? Improved resistance against "greasy" spots?
More of this please! Great vid and tips and I look forward to follow up with how it helps in ease of cleaning throughout the year. A Super Bonus would be a trip to the wind tunnel. Science!!!😁👊
I’ve been coating my bike with Muck Off silicone spray after each washing …. I find it easier to clean after cycling …. but need to reapply after wash ….
Ceramic goes on your vinyl protection no problem. Though it will be shed way faster, potentially dulling the tape. Might be no biggie on chainstays or bottom of downtube, but on top tube I'd apply ceramic first, then the vinyl. Hope that helps!
Ollie- I know you said you can put it on the wheels, what about putting it on 50mm carbon rims that are rim brake models? Does it effect the braking surface? Thank you
Love it when Science Ollie comes out. And you have me considering a hydrophobic coating for the all season commuter I'm building. And my winter Fatbike, if I could get it clean enough to do so.
Would be a very nice addition to any commuter bike! Need some tips on cleaning that fatbike, our GMBN friends could help? 👉 ruclips.net/video/DP8YL3DbbAE/видео.html
I’ve been ceramic coating my bikes since 2014…… I guess because I’m in the car industry it only made sense when I get a new frame, ceramic coat it asap. Also, all my cars are Xpel PPF covered and ceramic coating over the top.
Silly question…. Any idea if there is an aero benefit? I’m sure a clean bike is more aero than a dirty one, although only slightly I’m thinking. But does a ceramic coating offer anything measurable?
sorry in case my questions are redundant. 1. is the application frame only or also wheels and other bike parts 2. what about environmental issues? any toxicity and what happens to it once flushed into the ocean? 3. you've mentioned it's longevity (about a year or even longer). which factor apart from solvents would decrease life span (UV light etc.).
in my experience harsh solvents can take it off and friction can too. so your bike bag rubbing against it for example. regarding toxicity, i’m not sure, however they are based on siloxanes, which as a class of compounds are generally non toxic or have very low toxicity. flourocarbons are the nasty things used in waterproofs. not present here. you can put it on other parts. so chainset, derailleur body, hub shells etc. anything lacquered.
Ollie addressed it, but yeah- take the bottle cages, cranks, and wheels off. I personally prefer wax. Collinite #845 is absolutely amazing on bikes. Much easier to apply and dramatically cheaper too.
Thanks for the info. Seeing as these type of coatings bond to the paint, is there a similar product that would work on an unpainted titanium bike? Also, as they start to wear off, do they flake off like paint chipping? It sounds like the coating is so thin you wouldn't see it, but a degrading hard coating can make for an unsightly bike.
@@GCNuser123 For I do not have chemical degree, I had to real experiment to test my hypothesis 6 years ago with car product and litespeed frameset. Thanks anyway.
Ollie really does seem in his element in the lab space. Took me back to my PhD where I briefly looked at making aluminium oxide hydrophobic. Next time I'd like Ollie to do the full chemical mechanism 😉
The Hydrophobic Ceramic Coating works on a paint removed polished frame? You could try on Alex's frame and make a video. Thanks. Greetings from Brazil.
Great video, Ollie, thank you! I am sold, going to try it on my bike! One question: what do you recommend to do about the stickers? I have a couple of very thin stickers (with my name) that I plan to keep. Should I apply coating on top or is it better to remove the sticker and put it back onto the treated surface?
Looks really good! I heard of (not) similar product years ago but last fora month, tops. Now I'm curious if it will affect the airflow around the bike!
So, if it chemically bonds with the paint (clearcoat?) does that mean it doesn't work on raw parts - carbon, steel, aluminum , titanium that are unpainted?
Nice bikes, chemistry and sound of my dream car - what else to wish?! Btw. I think Dan Lloyd would have no trouble finding some IPA it his beer collection, but he probably wouldn't like to spray it on a bike.
No warnings on use? Presumably protect your discs/braking surfaces from application? Also what about lubricated points, presumably don’t want those being hydrophobic?
Have you applied a ceramic coating to your bike? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
I just use one of the many spray sealants I use on my car like Turtle Wax Seal n Shine or Meguiars Hybrib Ceramic Wax.
Not my bike just my car. But I wil do it with me next new bike. And I like how you do not butcher the pronouciation of Porsche. :)
Yep, applied chemical guys ceramic coating to the car and bike about 6 months ago. Seems to be working well, as bike cleans up with basically just a wipe with damp cloth
Would love this but I have invisiwrap on my bike. Does this bond to bike frame wrap as well?
@@liquidSpin Gtechniq has an wrap coating as well.
Combining his love of chemistry, biking, and immature jokes 😂
Oli is a truely amazing presenter, never fails to keep me glued to the screen!
This is great to hear! What Other Ollie videos have you enjoyed? 👀
@@gcntech every single one! But in particular the video titled “The Incredible Bikes & Cycling Tech Of The First World War” one of the best youtube videos I’ve ever seen!
@@AlfieVLOG0 thanks mate! not many people seen that one! 😉
Sounds especially useful for gravel bikes in the heavy rain and dirt, interesting stuff
Absolutely! The dirtier the conditions, the more useful it is!
Absolutely loved this video. I like when the Doctor side of Ollie comes out. He makes these topics so extraordinarily interesting. Need more of this please!. I will have to seriously look at this bike protector now. Well done GCN and Ollie.
We love to hear it 🙌 Ollie loves geeking out on these ones! What other Ollie deep dive did you enjoy? 🤔
@@gcntech I pretty biased when it comes to Ollie as I am a huge fan. I really like his videos when he dives into the science of biking such as wind resistance, weight comparisons and his tire episodes. I never get tired of his insights. Alex is a perfect sidekick for him too. Great team
My full time job is ceramic coating cars and looking after them after application in my 10 years of experience they don't really make it any easy to clean road grime will still cling to your car or bike and will need washing in the usual way also probably more noticeable on cars with large surface areas is if rain settles on the paint can leave a lot more water spots as the beads sit on the paint and eventually dry overall probably worth doing but not the magic hype they promise
Interesting perspective thanks for sharing - would you think ceramic coatings make a bike easier to dry e.g. with a leaf blower, which can therefore make it cleaner as the droplets aren't drying out on the bike?
@@HowP88 a decent wax job would have the same effect at that point, and at the fraction of the cost.
Punctuation. 😬
Thanks for sharing your first hand experience, would you say it add shine or depth to the color? On carbon components that have no paint or clearcoat, would you say it changes the finish? thanks
@@cipo36an203 I've not coated real carbon fibre only wraps yes it can add an extra gloss aperiance in the same way that other products would such as a synthetic paste wax it's not really any better perhaps more longevity from ceramic coat but most coatings should last months on a bike frame it's a bit smoke and mirrors in my opinion I coated my own bike with 9H and yes it's hydrophobic but once your bike is dirty with road grime it won't sheet water till its clean I'm more mtb so my bike gets stinking straight away
I’ve always used Gtechniq ceramic coatings on my bike frames and cars for that matter, before any of my bikes go on the road the frames get polished, wiped down with IPA and a Gtechniq coating applied, it’s a great way of protecting the paintwork 👌
I've been using these types of products for ages, surface prep and cleanliness is everything.great video Ollie 😎
Welcome to Dr Bridgewood's own new channel GCN -> Global Chemistry Network!
Can't believe I actually look forward to my dose of "Ollies Chemistry Class" 😀great content superbly delivered, to put it into context I hated chemistry at school and really hated it !
Glad you liked it! Ollie thrives on this kind of stuff 😉
10:10 "Just like Mr. Miyagi"😅
From 1984 to 2023 the good just keeps getting better.
Okay...I ordered my ceramic kit today. Will let you know how it goes when I get the bikes ready for the season.
And, what's the outcome? 🙂
@@EditioCastigata works awesome. I ride in Northern Illinois in the US and the spring is notoriously volatile switching from sun, to rain, to even snow. The coating helps the water bead right off. The cleaners are just as good. I will say they are a bit pricey when you compare them with other cleaners but the coating was worth it.
@@troykindle4539 Happy to hear, especially from IL! Thank you sir.
Ollie said everything! You need super clean bike - that means, iron removal/clay, polishing, IPA and then you apply ceramic coating. The same principle you would do on a car. I coated mine in 2016 and it still looks like day 1 - super easy to clean, attracts less dirt and hydrophobic. The only thing you need to do is, after every couple of cleaning, top it with ceramic topper (like gyeon cure) and that's it. Your bike will be in good shape for a long time, attract less dirt and much more easier to clean. Also if you're coating your car, you will left with extra ceramic coating that you can put on your bike. BTW that 1 year thing is BS, use more expensive car ceramic coating and it will last for 5-7 years.
The sparkles in Ollie's eyes when he plays with the lotus leaf!!!
I ceramic coated my orbea last week. Rode it yesterday for the first time and it was great
I have been using ceramic coatings for a while now. I tend to use Meguires Hybrid Ceramic Wax currently as this was being sold cheap and picked up 3 bottles. It works a charm and much less crud sticks to the glass like surface being hydrophobic. Basically I give the bike a nice deep clean every few months and just top up the wax, job done and only takes a short time.
I had my road bike professionally done last year before I built it.Remove your cranks so you can get the coating all around your BB area thoroughly. Remove your chain and wheels and don't forget to do your wheels.I'll do my gravel and mountain bikes myself this spring (or maybe one of these cold winter nights we're having). I was surprised just how well it works - dirt just sprays off. Will save a ton of $$ on Muc-Off 😀
If your bike isn’t new, I would suggest a clay bar treatment to remove the embedded nubbins that are stuck in the paint. It is easy to do and there are lots of automotive detailing videos on RUclips to show you how.
Ollie is the best GCN presenter to me
I second that. Although, Manon is a very close second.
When comparing it to non-stick/Teflon, any risk of this adding to the ‘forever chemicals’ issue?
good question. i’ll investigate.
All this stuff will drip off and drain into the Waters. Many places are starting to ban wearing similar coatings on Sportswear. Like Fallraven. ☠ Nasty stuff 🧐 destroys nature and stays around for ages.
My question exactly. I've been using a liquid carnauba wax for those reasons. It does fade after a few washes, but is very easy and quick to apply, biodegradable, and non hazardous. A bottle squirt and mud sheds off, and the frame remains much cleaner on rainy rides.
@@nluisa I use a very high quality carnauba wax on my sports car and figured it would not hurt on the bike. Bikes just don't take much time to detail compared to the car so I think the ceramic coating might be overkill and the wax smells great too!
Did this for my Cervelo Caledonia in the beautiful oasis green to preserve as best as possible. Few pointers after 8 months:
0. Your bike will still get micro scratches after washes and rides. Just the ceramic coat will scratch instead. Benefit is that the scratches and swirls and scuffs won’t be as visible with the coating.
1. I did mine as Ollie with a brand new bike. If already ridden, do it proper with a full wash and clay bar before the IPA.
2. Applied on shifters and carbon wheel set.
3. I removed my crankset, chain, and wheels. Definitely a must. Covered the bottom bracket bearings with tape.
4. Great for peace of mind, but ended up putting on helicopter tape on downtube and seat stay anyways for the nasty asphalt and rocks.
5. Worth it, but not as great as I thought when protecting from micro scratches.
6. The flashing/curing of the coat happened really fast when applying outdoors under the sun, nearly 30-45 seconds. Only the rich have garages in Boston, so keep in mind.
Hi GCN Tech, excellent Video. I have all my bikes ceramic coated but I didn't know about the Gtechniq Bike series. I use the rest of crystal serum light and Exo V4 when I prepare my car (which is a bit cheaper than this GT RS) :-) Thanks a lot.
Am I the only one seeing at 7 minutes, Olli creating the equation for a perfect 2up TT team?
Si+O(lli)
The Chemistry lesson took me back 45 years, thanks.
Please, please, please a video of Ollie’s new Speedmax. It looks faaaast.
But the real question is this - is the bike more or less aero with the coating? I want a back to back run video right away!
As they say, a clean bike is an aero bike… ;)
doesn't affect it at all, ceramic coating is just a thin layer onto your paint
Actually, a slightly dirty bike could be more aero due to Boundary Layer Effects... Similar to golf balls (with indents), swimsuits (that mimic rough sharkskin) & sppedsuit &vaerosock materials (that are textured).
If wet, then theoretically a coated bike will be quicker as it will be "holding" less water on it (water will tend to fly off due to the hydrophobicity of the coated bike), and therefore be a) lighter and b) more aero due to better airflow over the frame (again, because of less water being ON the frame). Yep, I'm kinda joking, but, you know, theoretically it makes sense.
I have been using ceramic coating on my car, motorcycle, snowmobile and bikes for years. Best thing ever.
Great to hear you love it! Would you be temped to use on the bike too? 👀
@@gcntech i do. Even with a Matt finish bike. I even use these products on my steel shed. Snow does not stick to roof in winter! ;-)
Thanks Ollie and crew...I have been using Muc-off silicone spray for a while . It works for a bit ...
Will you be taking the plunge into coating the bike? 👀
@@gcntech I’ve looked into it , it seems to be cost prohibitive for me . Thank you though. I appreciate all the various things you bring to light
I’ve used this in the past and although being quite impressed initially I didn’t get a year of protection at all.
Sounds like the bike needs a deep clean. Try the Gtechniq bike wash. As with all surfaces, it will clog up with dirt, giving it the effect that it’s no longer there. The coating will need a deep clean now and then for the longevity 👍
I actually just repainted my bike like 10days ago and im going on continuing to use hydrophobic sprays/wax like I always do.
This video just reminded me that ceramic coatings exists, I've totally forgotten about it. Since applying it is really easy, I'm now questioning myself why I haven't used it from the very beginning.
Anyways I'm just going to wait for around a week more and ceramic coat my newly painted bike.
Very interesting - just off to buy some lotus leaves to wrap around my frame!
Can you apply it to your wheels as well?
Ollie, does such a treatment affect the appearance of a frame with a matte finish? Will it look “shinier” after application?
It will enhance the colour and leave it with a darker, richer colour. It won't leave a glossy finish.
I did put many ceramic coat on matt surface for 2y. I can say not that much difference unfortunately. It gets little bit darker but no shiny finish at all.
Definitely useful if your bike is getting muddy/dirty regularly. Otherwise it doesn't make much sense spending money on it as you still end up having to wash your bike and of course the chain which wont get coated.
I detail cars for a living and have been putting spray ceramic on my bikes for a few years. Works great
Great to hear that you have adopted this method. Have you been offering it to your customers? 👀
Are there any detrimental environmental issues with this Ceramic Coating with all the solvents involved?
None as the coating drys fast n solid so no after residue or damage to the environment
I use ceramic spray from a bottle I bought from AMZN.. Found out the Gtechniq has their own special formula in a tiny bottle for $70... Pricey. I'll just stick to washing my bikes and reapplying a few times as needed
Ceramic spray is not the same a ceramic out of a bottle and £70 for proper ceramic is cheap. If you buy the car size bottles they can be much more expensive
Sounds like a different product
I bet their isopropyl alcohol costs a fortune too when it costs pennies per litre
Great video. Very interesting topic. Perfect for Ollie …
Wish you had done this a few months ago before the horrible weather came in, need to give this a bash!
Now you know for the next round of nasty weather 😂
When washing a ceramic coated bike, DO NOT use dish soap, and ONLY USE ceramic wash products. You’ll be shopping in the car industry quite a bit. PanTheOrganizer has an amazing channel that has ceramic coating and cleaning doesn’t o a very easy to understand format.
Pan has some good tips! 👌😉
Is it suitable for matte black paint on an aluminum frame?
I have been doing this for past 10 years and it's not just keeping the bike cleaner, but also reduce scratching as the surface becomes more slippery. now days I use it on all painted surfaces exposed to element such as car wheel, garage doors and it works perfectly in protecting against UV and beading water. one thing, do not apply coating stuff on matte paints as this will alert the shade.
Gtechniq took this into consideration when developing the bike specific ceramic 👍 it can slightly enhance colours but does not change a Matt finish.
During bad wheather season, I put on wax which is used for vacuforming parts, e.g. canopies for model airplanes. When I used it for what it is intended to use, I found out that little rests of that wax were not possible to remove even with alcohol, I had to use nitro thinner - which unfortunately turned clear plastic into non-clear plastic. I put it on with tissue cloth, polish it after a few hours, then wet dirt is completely removed by just using a garden can. If the dirt is already dry, I make it wet again by using a spray can. It takes two or three weeks, when I have to renew the coating. Especially polished alloy (like the hubs of my beloved Shamal HPW wheels) is very well protected by this wax. Yesterday ist was really nice to see the hubs blinking in the sunlight...
For all those who wonder if it has an aero advantage.
I will save you time :)
We have tested it years ago with Bicycle Armor.
There is no advantage. At slow speeds like in cycling you need texture. Like they use on tt suits.
It's called "the golf ball effect".
The only aero advantage you will get, is that it's cleaner. At 60km/h we had a 0.3 watt advantage.
Yes, but show us the efficacy after a week of curing or so! A long-term review would also be nice, like after a year.
Would this product if it fills in all the paint would it make your aero bike more aero by making it less sticky to air? 🤔🤔
interesting thought - it might be something we look at getting data for. In our mind, a cleaner bike is a more aerodynamic bike.
@@GtechniqUK If the ceramic product does smooth the paint and as such make the surface less sticky to air and the result is a faster time at a given power, then you will have a huge selling point for many cyclists.
Even if it saves a few seconds over a mile, cyclists will want to buy your product.
Now I’ve potentially increased your product selling point and income, could I have a free sample to try?
I already use ceramic spray after a wash but it’s not the same
Don’t ask don’t get 😏😏😉😉😆😆
@@GtechniqUK Yes, a clean bike is faster - but is a clean bike with ceramic coating even faster 🤔🤔
I will save you time :)
We have tested it years ago with Bicycle Armor.
There is no advantage. At slow speeds like in cycling you need texture. Like they use on tt suits.
It's called "the golf ball effect".
The only aero advantage you will get is that it cleaner. At 60km/h we had a 0.3 watt advantage.
This was great. I’m glad my knowledge of middle school chemistry is at work. Breaking the single covalent bond and reducing the surface energy is brilliant. I am repainting a Canyon Ultimate CF SLR this winter. Many choices for coatings. Does matte versus glossy paint surface make a difference? Does Cerakote Ceramic Paint work the same as the ceramic coating? Ollie your knowledge and understanding is greatly appreciated.
More familiar with these products for cars where dealers like to try to charge £500 for them to apply the coating. They do certainly seem to make water ‘bead’ on the paint surface but as for mud and other dirt, you are still going to need to wash regularly and for me it’s the drive train that is always the issue not the frame.
Totaly agree, frame is the easiest part to clean. I'm more interested in protecting from scratches and dents.
This took me back to school
How does it fare with the matte black paint on the Canyon? Any changes to the finish? Blemishes if not applied evenly? Improved resistance against "greasy" spots?
see my other reply!!
More of this please! Great vid and tips and I look forward to follow up with how it helps in ease of cleaning throughout the year. A Super Bonus would be a trip to the wind tunnel. Science!!!😁👊
I’ve been coating my bike with Muck Off silicone spray after each washing …. I find it easier to clean after cycling …. but need to reapply after wash ….
Also what if your bike has frame protection? Does the coating only work with the paint lacquer or does the same principle applies to vinyl protection?
Ceramic goes on your vinyl protection no problem. Though it will be shed way faster, potentially dulling the tape. Might be no biggie on chainstays or bottom of downtube, but on top tube I'd apply ceramic first, then the vinyl. Hope that helps!
Can it be applied on bare carbon ? I mean if my bike has bare carbon parts without paying or lacquer?
So that’s how Lotus got its name. It’s slick and ‘leaves’ the competition behind.
Ollie- I know you said you can put it on the wheels, what about putting it on 50mm carbon rims that are rim brake models? Does it effect the braking surface? Thank you
We would not recommend applying this to any braking surfaces as any coated surfaces become much slicker.
Love it when Science Ollie comes out. And you have me considering a hydrophobic coating for the all season commuter I'm building. And my winter Fatbike, if I could get it clean enough to do so.
Would be a very nice addition to any commuter bike! Need some tips on cleaning that fatbike, our GMBN friends could help? 👉 ruclips.net/video/DP8YL3DbbAE/видео.html
Ollie making chemistry simple for non-scientists. He so clearly cant resist going full nerd taking about covalent bonds
Does this work as well on matte paint finish?
I love it when Ollie goes nerdy
I’ve been ceramic coating my bikes since 2014…… I guess because I’m in the car industry it only made sense when I get a new frame, ceramic coat it asap. Also, all my cars are Xpel PPF covered and ceramic coating over the top.
Just put ridewrap on my new bike not been used yet I’m going to put a ceramic coating over the top of the ridewrap.
Silly question…. Any idea if there is an aero benefit? I’m sure a clean bike is more aero than a dirty one, although only slightly I’m thinking. But does a ceramic coating offer anything measurable?
We do not have any aero data, but our thought process is that a cleaner surface is a more aerodynamic surface.
You'd have to account for the extra few grams of weight too though 😁
Will it bugger up a matte finish?
I'd use it on a cassette
sorry in case my questions are redundant.
1. is the application frame only or also wheels and other bike parts
2. what about environmental issues? any toxicity and what happens to it once flushed into the ocean?
3. you've mentioned it's longevity (about a year or even longer). which factor apart from solvents would decrease life span (UV light etc.).
in my experience harsh solvents can take it off and friction can too. so your bike bag rubbing against it for example.
regarding toxicity, i’m not sure, however they are based on siloxanes, which as a class of compounds are generally non toxic or have very low toxicity.
flourocarbons are the nasty things used in waterproofs. not present here.
you can put it on other parts. so chainset, derailleur body, hub shells etc. anything lacquered.
@@GCNuser123 Great. Thanks a lot!
Wil these coatings work for sweaty turbo training sessions?
Yes, I’m coating my turbo bike next as there’s enough in the pack to do 2 bikes
6:25 Nice
Ollie addressed it, but yeah- take the bottle cages, cranks, and wheels off. I personally prefer wax. Collinite #845 is absolutely amazing on bikes. Much easier to apply and dramatically cheaper too.
I found wax to be more time consuming to apply personally, although very satisfying to do. The ceramic was much simpler overall.
@@dh7314 plenty for both of us! Ceramics are better on plastics and every other surface, zero doubt.
Could i use this product on a matt finish bike??
Does the coating make the bike more slippery through the air.?
More aero.? More faster.?
Does the UCI have jurisdiction over this product?
Thanks for the info. Seeing as these type of coatings bond to the paint, is there a similar product that would work on an unpainted titanium bike? Also, as they start to wear off, do they flake off like paint chipping? It sounds like the coating is so thin you wouldn't see it, but a degrading hard coating can make for an unsightly bike.
Great Video! Thanks. Does this only work on lacquered parts? So no option for my Ti-Bike?
Does this also work on raw titanium or stainless steel bikes?
if lacquered, yes.
I'd applied ceramic coating on ti frameset but not that much effect.
@@peterghimme9661 you need the lacquer to form the bond
@@GCNuser123 For I do not have chemical degree, I had to real experiment to test my hypothesis 6 years ago with car product and litespeed frameset. Thanks anyway.
Ollie really does seem in his element in the lab space. Took me back to my PhD where I briefly looked at making aluminium oxide hydrophobic.
Next time I'd like Ollie to do the full chemical mechanism 😉
The Hydrophobic Ceramic Coating works on a paint removed polished frame? You could try on Alex's frame and make a video. Thanks. Greetings from Brazil.
Is it more aero?
@GCN Tech But, Is it Aero Ollie?
Can the coating be applied to a matt finish without affecting the appearance?
Any aero implications?
What about fingerprints? Any issue with that?
Will it work on a matte finish?
Doesn't the Ultimate CFR have the matt finish?
Yes, it can be applied to matt finishes/paint.
Yep!
Is that your new Speedmax Ollie? Love the Wattshop extensions!
I'd rather watch Dr. Oliver Bridgewood speak chemistry all day than to spend 1hr class with my actual chemistry professor 🤷🏻♀️
Great video, Ollie, thank you! I am sold, going to try it on my bike!
One question: what do you recommend to do about the stickers? I have a couple of very thin stickers (with my name) that I plan to keep. Should I apply coating on top or is it better to remove the sticker and put it back onto the treated surface?
it’s so effective, you’ll struggle to stick a sticker on the treated surface. i would advise leaving the sticker on and coating over and around it
Looks really good! I heard of (not) similar product years ago but last fora month, tops.
Now I'm curious if it will affect the airflow around the bike!
Maybe it's time for some wind tunnel testing 👀
Love the fact G techniq have joined in in the comments 👌🏼
That's the power of the GCN community! You guys get direct access to us 🙌
What if my bike is a Lotus but its finish is not lacquer? In my vernacular, IPA is a nice after-ride beverage. That other stuff I call isopropyl.
So, if it chemically bonds with the paint (clearcoat?) does that mean it doesn't work on raw parts - carbon, steel, aluminum , titanium that are unpainted?
sooo cool....I want it on my bikes!....
very curious why cost wasn't mentioned?
I paid £55 for mine. Will do 2 bikes easily
Yeah, but what does the water beads do to the aero? Gotta be 5w of drag or more!
can you clean it like any other bike with the coating on.
I ride wrapped my bike which seems to my limited experience provide the same properties as a ceramic coating.
Does this also work on matt painted bikes? I have an 3T Exploro Ultra in Copper
Nice bikes, chemistry and sound of my dream car - what else to wish?! Btw. I think Dan Lloyd would have no trouble finding some IPA it his beer collection, but he probably wouldn't like to spray it on a bike.
Oli would of made an amazing science teacher.
No warnings on use? Presumably protect your discs/braking surfaces from application? Also what about lubricated points, presumably don’t want those being hydrophobic?
all good questions. but as i say in the video, i just wanted to cover the main points and not go into too much detail, as the video would be too long.
I have one question. If I would use ceramic coating and some frame protective stickers should I use stickers before or after applying ceramics?
after
@gcntech are there any studies that these products are safe to use? Like no cancer inducing particles like agreed on California proposition 65?