Everything You Need to Know About Gtechniq Products
Quick answer: which Gtechniq product do you need?
Gtechniq is best known for ceramic coatings. For most DIYers, the place to start is the Complete Ceramic Coating Kit (CSL & EXO), prepped with Panel Wipe. Want easy protection without a full coating? Try C2v4 Ceramic Sealant. Gtechniq also makes great cleaners, glass coatings and interior protection.
Gtechniq's product names are mostly letters and numbers. That makes them easy to mix up. So we asked Anthony from our media team to walk through every Gtechniq product we carry and explain what each one actually does.
Prefer to watch? Here's Anthony's full breakdown.
A quick history of Gtechniq
Gtechniq started in 2001, founded by physicist Dr. Drew Gill. It began by protecting the finish on super yachts. Its first coating, C1, was made for those boats.
Around 2008 to 2010, a car-loving detailer found that C1 also worked great on car clear coat. It added a tough layer that beads water and resists scratches and chemicals. Today, Gtechniq is one of the biggest names in ceramic coatings.
How Gtechniq names its products
The letter tells you the category. Once you know that, the lineup gets a lot easier.
| Letter | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I / L | Interior | I2 Tri-Clean, I1 Smart Fabric, L1 Leather Guard |
| W | Wash and cleaning | W2, W5, W6, W7, W8, W9, GWash, W3, W4 |
| G | Glass | G1, G4, G5, G6 |
| T | Tires | T1 Durable Tyre Gel |
| C | Coatings and sealants | C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, CSL |
Gtechniq interior products: the unsung heroes
Anthony calls the interior line the unsung heroes of Gtechniq. The "AB" products are antibacterial. They kill bacteria and leave behind a surface that helps stop mold from coming back.
- I2 Tri-Clean: the do-it-all interior cleaner. Spray and wipe, or spray, scrub, then wipe. It kills 99% of bacteria and leaves an antimicrobial surface behind. Use it first, before any of the protectants below.
- I1 Smart Fabric: fabric and carpet protection. Clean with Tri-Clean, let it dry all the way, then spray on Smart Fabric. It repels water and keeps mold and bacteria from growing back.
- L1 Leather Guard: long-term leather and vinyl protection. Think of it as a leather conditioner that lasts much longer. Anthony's favorite part is that it resists rubbing. Jean dye on light seats wipes off with a quick spray of Tri-Clean.
- C6 Matte Dash: dash and plastic protection. It's not a cleaner. Clean with Tri-Clean, dry, then mist on Matte Dash and level it with a microfiber towel. It adds UV protection to help stop fading on dashes and door panels.
How often? Leather Guard and Smart Fabric last months. Reapply about twice a year.
Gtechniq exterior cleaners and decon
If you're putting on a Gtechniq coating, these are the products Gtechniq used when testing how long its coatings last. You don't have to use them. But they're the benchmark for prep.
| Product | What it does | Anthony's notes |
|---|---|---|
| W2 Multi-Purpose Cleaner | Strong all-purpose cleaner | Wheel wells, tires, wheels, engine bays. Dilute it for interiors when Tri-Clean can't lift a deep carpet stain. |
| W5 Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner | Citrus cleaner and degreaser | His go-to for the exterior. Cleans tires and pulls off browning and old dressing. Great on lower panels before snow foam. |
| W6 Iron and Fallout Remover | Removes iron deposits from paint and wheels | Spray on, watch it turn purple, let it dwell, rinse. |
| W8 Bug Remover | Breaks down bugs fast | Coating safe. Spray on a buggy bumper, let it dwell, then rinse well or wash. |
| W9 Water Spot Remover | Removes water spots | Works best within hours or days of the spots forming. Always rinse or wash with pH-neutral soap after. Don't just wipe it off. |
| W7 Tar and Glue Remover | Removes tar and adhesive | Great for emblem glue. Spray, let it dwell, then wipe or pick it off. Save it for special cases. |
| Quick Detailer QDv2 | Spray-and-wipe cleaner | More like a waterless wash than the old version. It doesn't add much shine, but leaves a very clean surface and smells great. |
Gtechniq glass products
- G6 Perfect Glass: glass cleaner. Anthony calls it the cleanest-feeling glass cleaner he's used. Nothing gunks up the towel, and streaking hasn't been a problem. It's easy enough for a quick spray-and-wipe person, and good enough for a perfectionist.
- G1 ClearVision Smart Glass: windshield rain repellent. A very water-repellent coating made for your front windshield. Anthony says it can last up to about 20,000 miles. It comes with G2 Residue Remover, and you need both. The leftover G1 haze is almost impossible to buff off with a towel alone. Wipe G2 on, it breaks up the haze in a pass or two, then flip your towel and buff.
- G4 Nanotech Glass Polish: glass polish and primer. Brings back clarity on any glass, by hand or by machine. It also helps G5 bond better.
- G5 Water Repellent Coating: coating for the rest of your glass. Use it on side and rear windows, after G4.
Simple rule: G1 for the windshield. G4, then G5, for everything else. Start with clean glass. A wipe of Panel Wipe is optional.
Gtechniq tire dressing
T1v2 Durable Tyre Gel is a gel dressing for tires, rubber and exterior plastic. It doesn't sling, and it gives a deep, dark look. What sets it apart is how long it lasts: a month or more.
Because it lasts so long, prep matters. Scrub the tires with W5 or W2 until no old dressing is left. Apply T1, then keep it dry for at least a few hours.
Gtechniq soaps
- W4 Citrus Foam v2: pre-wash snow foam. Foam it on a dry car (10:1 in your foam cannon is the starting point), let it dwell a minute or two, then rinse. The citrus helps break down grease and loosen stuck-on dirt. It has no harsh chemicals and is coating safe. Avoid direct sun.
- GWash: everyday car shampoo. The new version foams much more, in a bucket or a foam cannon, with lots of slickness. It's made for Gtechniq coatings but safe on any car, coated or not.
- W3 Ceramic GWash: wash and protect in one step. Made for hand washing, not the foam cannon. Wear gloves. After one wash, water beads like crazy, and it can last about three months. Clay or decon first to get the most out of it.
Pro tip: For a really dirty car, spray W5 on the lower panels, foam W4 over the top, let it dwell, then rinse.
Gtechniq protection: sealants and ceramic coatings
This is what Gtechniq is famous for. Here's the lineup from easiest to most serious.
C2v4 Ceramic Sealant
C2v4 Ceramic Sealant is an SiO2 spray sealant (the old C2v3 was called Liquid Crystal). The new version has better UV resistance and durability, and it feels slicker and spreads easier.
Wash the car, spray a panel, buff it in with a microfiber towel, flip the towel, and you're done. As a standalone sealant on a fully prepped car, expect 6+ months depending on where you live. It's also a great topper for a coated car, so you can keep the coating going without recoating.
Panel Wipe: don't skip this step
Panel Wipe is a must before any Gtechniq coating. It strips polishing oils and grease so the coating can bond. It's stronger than a basic alcohol wipe, but the new version is safer and won't pull touch-up paint. Wash, decon, polish, then wipe down each area right before you coat it.
The coatings
| Coating | Made for | Durability | Anthony's notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Serum Light (CSL) | Paint (also trim, wheels, side glass) | 3 to 5 years | The coating for everybody. Pro-level results that a DIYer can apply with the right training. Big gloss, strong water beading, and better resistance to bird droppings and bug etching. |
| EXOv5 | Topper for CSL | 2+ years alone; 5+ years on top of CSL | Extremely water-repellent. Layers with CSL to add pop and stretch durability. |
| C1 Crystal Lacquer | Almost anything, even porous surfaces | Long term | The original. Sticks to things other coatings won't, like fiberglass and gel coat. |
| C4 Permanent Trim Restorer | Exterior plastic trim | Up to 24 months | Brings back faded trim and locks in new trim. No dyes. |
| C5 Wheel Armour | Wheels, calipers, anything hot | Rated 2 years | One of Gtechniq's most heat-resistant coatings. Anthony has seen 3 to 4 years on well-prepped wheels. He also uses it on exhaust tips and engine bay parts. |
| HALO V2 | Paint protection film (PPF) and vinyl wrap | About 1 year | Flexes with the film, so it won't crack. Helps prevent yellowing and adds UV protection. Easy to reapply. |
Two trim tips: Apply C4 with a few drops on an applicator, let it flash, then level it with a microfiber towel. A pearl weave towel like The Pearl works great. Once trim is coated, dressings like T1 won't stick as well.
CSL vs EXO: do you need both?
No, but they're better together. Anthony has done jobs with just CSL and jobs with just EXO. CSL alone lasts 3+ years, and EXO alone 2+ years. Stack them and you can get 5+ years. The easiest way to get both is the Complete Ceramic Coating Kit (CSL & EXO).
One honest note: a ceramic coating isn't bulletproof. Your car can still get scratched. What you get is great gloss, water behavior, UV protection and easier cleaning.
Gtechniq FAQ
What is the best Gtechniq ceramic coating for DIY?
Crystal Serum Light (CSL). It performs close to pro coatings but is easy enough to apply yourself. Top it with EXOv5 for 5+ years of protection.
What's the difference between Gtechniq CSL and EXO?
CSL is the base ceramic coating for paint and lasts 3+ years. EXOv5 is a super water-repellent topper that lasts 2+ years alone. Together they can last 5+ years.
Do I need Panel Wipe before a Gtechniq coating?
Yes. Panel Wipe removes polishing oils so the coating can bond. Skipping it can shorten how long the coating lasts.
What's the difference between Gtechniq G1 and G5?
G1 is made for the front windshield and is the stronger rain repellent. G5 is for side and rear glass, and works best after G4 glass polish.
What is Gtechniq C2v4?
C2v4 Ceramic Sealant is a spray-on, wipe-off SiO2 sealant. Use it alone for 6+ months of protection, or as a topper on a coated car.
Is Gtechniq GWash safe for ceramic coatings?
Yes. GWash is made for Gtechniq coatings, and it's safe on uncoated cars and other brands' coatings too.
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