Gtechniq Coatings Deep-Dive: Every Ceramic Coating, Sealant & Protector (2026)
Gtechniq is a UK detailing brand whose coating range spans, by durability: paint ceramic coatings (2–9 years) · ceramic sealants/sprays (3–6 months) · wheel & glass coatings · trim/leather/fabric coatings · tyre dressings · marine coatings. This guide breaks the coating family down by sub-category, with extra depth on the paint ceramic coatings.
How the numbers are sourced. Gtechniq's official .com domain is bot-blocked (403), so figures were verified from the official UK domain gtechniq.co.uk plus officially-cited retailers (Detailed Image, Ultimate Finish) and reputable reviewers. Where sources conflict we show both (e.g. I1 V3 convertible 2 vs 3 years); where none state a value we mark it "not stated" rather than guessing. Year-claims are best-case, professionally-applied figures.
Last updated: 2026-06-19 · 34 Gtechniq coating products · Data: gtechniq.co.uk (official) + retailers/reviews, via the Find Your Detail catalogue.
Paint Ceramic Coatings (유리막 코팅)
Gtechniq's core paint ceramic coatings, from the 9-year pro-only flagship to DIY coatings and hydrophobic toppers. Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) is accredited-installer-only (it can't be polished off, so it isn't sold off-the-shelf); CSL, C1, C0, EXOv5 and HALOv2 are DIY-applicable. Durability and hardness figures are maker/retailer-stated — note CSU's distinctive 10H-top-over-7H-base dual structure.
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) | 9 years (+9-yr guarantee) | 10H top / 7H base | Flagship gloss, scratch & chemical resistance | Accredited-installer only; ~12h bond |
| Crystal Serum Light (CSL) | 3–5 years | 9H, pH 2–12 | ~80% of CSU; the DIY ceramic benchmark | DIY (5–25°C, 12h indoor cure) |
| C1 Crystal Lacquer | Up to 5 years (5-yr guarantee if pro) | Nano-quartz hard crystalline film | Broad paint compatibility incl. matte/satin | DIY/detailer; cures via oxygen |
| C0 Aero Coat | 2 years | 6H, 110° contact angle | Motorsport-derived anti-adhesion / anti-graffiti | DIY (viscous); standalone or topcoat |
| EXOv5 Ultra Durable Hydrophobic Coating | 2 years (18–24 months) | 115° contact angle (hardness n/s) | Extreme-hydrophobic high-gloss topper | DIY single layer; standalone or over CSL/C1 |
| HALOv2 Flexible Film Coating | 2 years | Flexible film (hardness n/s) | For PPF & vinyl; preserves self-healing | DIY single layer (v2); 12h indoor |
Ceramic Sealants & Sprays (실런트·스프레이)
Spray and hose-on ceramic sealants — the maintenance/topper tier (3–6 months), easier and faster than a wipe-on coating, used standalone or to top up a base coating.
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 Liquid Crystal | Up to 6 months | SiO2 v4 (+4% angle/+7% oil/+13% SFE) | Spray-on ceramic sealant; also a drying aid | Topper / maintenance over coatings |
| C2 Ceramic Sealant 50ml Case | Up to 6 months | Same C2 v4 formula | 50ml multi-pack (detailer units) | Topper / single-job units |
| Easy Coat | Up to 3 months | SiO2, solvent-free | Hose-on liquid ceramic; gloss + hydrophobic | Safe on paint/glass/plastic/PPF; 500ml≈2 cars |
| Easy Coat Refill | Up to 3 months | Same as Easy Coat | Refill solution for Easy Coat | Reuse existing hose attachment |
Coating Kits (코팅 키트)
Base + top bundles. A hard, long-life base coating (C1 or CSL) paired with a hydrophobic spray/topper (C2 or EXO) — the combination most pros run. CSL + EXO layered together is rated up to 7 years.
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Crystal Lacquer + C2 Ceramic Sealant (kit) | C1 5 yr base / C2 6 mo topper | — | Hard C1 base + C2 hydrophobic spray topper | Base + top system |
| EXO + C1 Crystal Lacquer (kit) | C1 3–5 yr / EXO ~24 mo | — | C1 scratch/gloss base + EXO hydrophobic top | Base + top system |
| EXO + Crystal Serum Light (kit) | Dual-layer up to 7 years | CSL 9H base | CSL 9H hardness + EXO extreme hydrophobics | Dual-layer (CSL base + EXO top) |
Wheel & Glass Coatings (휠·유리 코팅)
Ceramic coatings for wheels (heat-resistant) and glass (rain visibility). Note G1 is for glass only and G5 also works on perspex/polycarbonate (e.g. headlamp lenses).
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5 Wheel Armour | Up to 2 years | Heat-stable to 600°C / 1112°F | Wheel/caliper/exhaust; repels brake dust | ~10 min per wheel |
| G1 ClearVision Smart Glass | Up to 20,000 miles | Chemically-bonded glass coating | Rain visibility, wiper-wear resistance | Glass only (not polycarbonate); 3 layers on windshield |
| G5 Water-Repellent Coating (Glass & Perspex) | Up to 4 months | Hydrophobic glass/perspex coat | Beads at low speed; works on perspex/polycarbonate | Incl. headlamp lenses; 2h no-water |
Trim, Leather & Fabric Coatings (트림·가죽·패브릭)
Protective coatings for exterior trim, interior dash, leather and fabric — several are anti-bacterial. The I1 V3 convertible-roof durability differs between the official page (2 yr) and a retailer (3 yr); both are shown.
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C4 Permanent Trim Restorer | Up to 2 years (24 months) | ~30nm molecular bond | Restores faded exterior plastic trim | Remove residue within 5 min (texture trim) |
| C6 Matte Dash AB | Reapply every 4 months | 99.9% anti-bacterial | Matte dash/trim, UV protection | Spray to applicator, buff with MF |
| L1 Leather Guard AB | 3–12 months | 99.9% anti-bacterial | Leather water-repel/UV/dye-transfer/abrasion | Clean first (I2 Tri-Clean), apply, buff |
| L1v2 Leather Guard AB | not stated (L1 line 3–12 mo) | Anti-bacterial (v2) | Leather guard, v2 formula | Same as L1 procedure |
| I1 Smart Fabric AB | Up to 12 months | AATCC ISO5, fluorocarbon-free, 99% AB | Ultra-hydrophobic, breathable fabric | Surface <15% moisture; 24h dry |
| Smart Fabric I1 V3 | 6–12 mo interior / 2–3 yr convertible (sources differ) | 99.9% AB, anti-mould | Breathable fabric, water+oil repel | Mist 20–30cm; full effect 24h |
Tyre & Trim Dressings (타이어·트림)
Tyre gels and dressing. T1v2 holds a shine ~1 month; the original T1 states only "long life"; T2 gives a deep-black biodegradable finish. (None for motorcycle/bicycle tyres.)
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1v2 Durable Tyre Gel | Shine up to 1 month | Hydro+oleophobic, non-sling | Tyre/trim gel; satin to gloss | Re-coat after 10 min for gloss |
| T1 Durable Tyre Gel | "Long life" (no number stated) | Non-sling gel | Tyre/trim, satin or gloss | Apply, level, remove excess with MF |
| T2 Tyre Dressing | not stated | 100% biodegradable, body-shop safe | Deep-black satin, repels dirt, non-sling | Foam applicator; T1 for higher gloss |
Marine Coatings (마린 코팅)
Boat-grade ceramics and protectors (above-waterline). Only Base (18 mo+), Fast Coat (6 mo) and Rinse-on (3 mo) state a duration; the rest are maker-unstated. Base + Top form a two-layer system.
| Product | Durability | Hardness·spec | Key traits | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Ceramic Base | Up to 18 months+ | Hard marine base coat | Gloss/UV/salt resistance; gelcoat surface | Above-waterline only; 5.5–7 ml/㎡ |
| Marine Ceramic Top | not stated | Anti-static, UV filter | Dirt-repel, gloss & slickness top coat | Over Base or direct on gelcoat |
| Ceramic Fast Coat | Up to 6 months | Non-yellowing, optically clear | Spray marine ceramic; crosslinks to gelcoat | Spray to MF, buff streak-free |
| Rinse-on Ceramic | Up to 3 months | Optically clear, non-yellowing | Hose-on hydrophobic marine ceramic | Apply every wash; hot/cold OK |
| Rinse-on Ceramic Refill | not stated (base ~3 mo) | Same as Rinse-on Ceramic | Refill for hose-on Rinse-on Ceramic | Same hose application |
| Glass & Plexiglass Coat | not stated | Lowers surface energy | Water-repel, improves wet visibility | Thin MF apply, streak-free buff |
| RIB Protector | not stated | PVC & Hypalon safe | Repels dirt, salt & UV on RIBs | Spray to MF, buff; 500ml/5L |
| Vinyl Protect | not stated | UV block, non-slip, waterproof | Marine vinyl: anti-stain, anti-crack | Spray to MF, buff |
| Fabric Coat | not stated | Fluorocarbon-free, breathable | Marine fabric/sails: water + UV repel | Mist to saturate, air-dry |
How to choose
- Max durability, pro install: Crystal Serum Ultra (9 years, accredited-installer-only). The DIY benchmark is Crystal Serum Light (3–5 years, 9H).
- DIY ceramic: C1 Crystal Lacquer (up to 5 years, matte/satin friendly); hydrophobic topper EXOv5 (2 years). For PPF/vinyl use HALOv2.
- Easy maintenance/topper: C2 Liquid Crystal (6 months) or Easy Coat (3 months, hose-on).
- Wheels: C5 Wheel Armour (2 years, heat-resistant). Glass: G1 (glass-only, 20,000 miles) / G5 (also perspex). Trim/leather/fabric: C4 · L1 · I1. Marine: Base + Top.
FAQ
What's the difference between Crystal Serum Ultra and Crystal Serum Light?
CSU is the 9-year flagship with a 10H top over a 7H base; it can't be polished off, so only Gtechniq-accredited installers apply it. CSL is its DIY version — 3–5 years, 9H, roughly 80% of CSU's performance — and you can apply it yourself.
Is EXO used alone or over a coating?
EXOv5 works both as a standalone hydrophobic coating and as a slick, water-repellent topper over a hard base such as CSL or C1. Layered as CSL + EXO it is rated up to 7 years.
What's the difference between the G1 and G5 glass coatings?
G1 ClearVision is a durable glass-only coating (up to 20,000 miles) and must not be used on polycarbonate. G5 is shorter-lived (up to 4 months) but works on perspex/polycarbonate as well as glass — e.g. headlamp lenses.
Can I apply Gtechniq coatings myself?
Most are DIY-friendly — CSL, C1, C0, EXOv5, HALOv2, C2, Easy Coat, C5. Only the flagship Crystal Serum Ultra is accredited-installer-only.
Sources
Gtechniq's official .com domain is bot-blocked (403); figures were verified from the official UK domain gtechniq.co.uk plus officially-cited retailers and reputable reviewers. Where sources conflict (e.g. I1 V3 convertible 2 vs 3 years) both are shown above. Key sources used:
- Gtechniq UK (official — auto & marine product pages)
- Gtechniq — Ultra Protection (CSU 9-year)
- Gtechniq — C1 Crystal Lacquer FAQ
- Detailed Image — Gtechniq product pages & reviews
- The Ultimate Finish — Gtechniq guides
- CorvetteBlogger — CSU 9-year / HALOv2
- carXplorer — Crystal Serum Light review
- Reflections Detailing — CSL review
- Canadian Gearhead — CSL long-term
- Clean Garage — EXO v5
- Car Club Rochester — C1 / C0
- Nick's Car Blog — C5 Wheel Armour
- 지테크닉코리아 (KR distributor — G마켓/인터파크)