We Say
The fourth generation of a ceramic coating favourite. More gloss, better slickness and up to three years of protection, with a more forgiving application.
CARPRO CQUARTZ UK has been around long enough to earn a reputation as one of the most recognisable ceramic coatings available to enthusiasts. It helped establish the idea that you didn't need to be a professional detailer to apply a serious, long-lasting ceramic coating to your own car.
With CQUARTZ UK 4.0, CARPRO has taken that familiar formula and made some worthwhile changes. The fourth generation is designed to deliver more gloss, greater surface slickness and improved resistance to water spotting, while also making the application process more forgiving.
We think that last point is particularly important. Ceramic coatings offer excellent protection, but their application can be intimidating, especially when the product flashes quickly and leaves little time to remove the residue. Miss a section or leave an uneven deposit behind, and you can end up with a high spot that requires polishing to correct.
CARPRO has addressed this by slowing the drying process, providing a more relaxed working window for levelling the coating. You still need to work methodically, use suitable lighting and inspect every section carefully, but there's less emphasis on racing against the clock.
The protection itself has also improved. CARPRO claims up to three years of real-world durability, alongside enhanced water repellency and better resistance to water spotting. Its revised hybrid polymer blend also produces a smoother, glossier finish, so you're getting a visible improvement in appearance as well as protection.
That said, no ceramic coating makes a car immune to water spots, wash marks or environmental contamination. CQUARTZ UK 4.0 should make paintwork easier to maintain, but regular washing and sensible aftercare remain essential. Water spotting is still possible, particularly where hard water is allowed to dry on the surface.
As with any coating, preparation has a huge influence on the result. We recommend thoroughly washing and decontaminating the paintwork, correcting any defects you want to remove and then carrying out a final panel wipe with CARPRO Eraser. Any polishing oils or residual contamination left behind can interfere with coating adhesion.
For removing embedded ferrous contamination before polishing, CARPRO IronX is a natural companion. We also like the idea of keeping the entire preparation and maintenance process within the same range, as CARPRO has developed products specifically to complement its coatings.
Once the coating is applied and properly cured, maintenance is straightforward. A regular wash with CARPRO Reset helps remove accumulated dirt without leaving unnecessary gloss enhancers or residues behind. For additional protection and water repellency between washes, CARPRO Reload 2.0 is also worth considering after the appropriate initial curing period.
For us, the biggest attraction of CQUARTZ UK 4.0 is the balance it offers. It's a proper long-term ceramic coating with a claimed three-year service life, but the revised application process is designed to be approachable for experienced enthusiasts as well as professionals. That's a combination we think makes it well worth stocking.
Key Features
Durability
UP TO 3 YEARS
(Manufacturer claim)
Water Beading
9/10
(Strong hydrophobic finish)
Gloss Enhancement
9/10
(Improved fourth-generation formula)
Description
CARPRO CQUARTZ UK 4.0 is the fourth generation of CARPRO's popular enthusiast ceramic coating, reformulated to deliver enhanced gloss, improved slickness, stronger water spot resistance and up to three years of real-world paint protection.
Its advanced hybrid synthetic polymer technology creates a smooth, highly water-repellent surface that helps minimise dirt adhesion and makes regular vehicle maintenance easier. The revised formulation also offers a slower, more forgiving application process, helping reduce the risk of high spots during coating installation.
Suitable for experienced enthusiasts and professional detailers, CQUARTZ UK 4.0 is designed to provide a durable protective finish without requiring the more demanding installation process associated with some specialist coatings.
Why you'll love it:
✓ Fourth-generation CQUARTZ UK ceramic coating
✓ Up to three years of manufacturer-claimed real-world durability
✓ Improved gloss and colour depth
✓ Enhanced slickness and surface smoothness
✓ Strong water-repellent properties
✓ Increased resistance to water spotting
✓ Helps reduce dirt adhesion for easier maintenance washing
✓ Slower flashing for a more forgiving installation
✓ Designed to reduce the risk of application high spots
✓ Suitable for enthusiastic DIY detailers and professionals
✓ Can be layered according to CARPRO's application instructions
Prepare the paintwork properly: Before coating, remove embedded iron contamination using CARPRO IronX. After any necessary polishing, complete the preparation with CARPRO Eraser to remove residual oils and leave the surface ready for protection.
For coating removal and levelling: Use clean, suitable microfibre towels. Our CARPRO 2Face Edgeless Microfibre Towels provide a short-pile side suited to controlled residue removal and a softer side for finishing.
Aftercare: Maintain the coating with CARPRO Reset, a shampoo developed for regular cleaning of ceramic-coated vehicles without leaving unwanted residues behind.
Please note: CQUARTZ UK 4.0 is a genuine curing ceramic coating, not a spray-on sealant. Thorough preparation, correct application, careful levelling and protection during the initial curing period are important. Actual durability depends on preparation, environment and maintenance.
Specification
| Adds Protection | Yes |
|---|---|
| Application Method | By hand |
| Durability | Up to 3 years |
| Ease of Application |
|
| Gloss Enhancement |
|
| Layerable | Yes, following manufacturer instructions |
| Protection Type | Ceramic coating |
| Size | 30ml, 50ml and 100ml kits |
| Slickness |
|
| Water Beading |
|
| Water Contact Angle | 115° (manufacturer distributor specification) |
| Water Spot Resistance |
|
How To Use
1) Wash and decontaminate:
Wash the vehicle thoroughly and remove bonded contamination using suitable products, including CARPRO IronX where required. Clay the paintwork if necessary, using an appropriate technique to minimise marring.
2) Correct paint defects:
Carry out any required machine polishing before coating. CQUARTZ UK 4.0 will not remove scratches or swirl marks, and polishing after application will generally compromise or remove the coating.
3) Complete the final panel wipe:
Use CARPRO Eraser to remove polishing oils and residual contamination. Ensure the paintwork and panel gaps are completely clean and dry.
4) Prepare your working area:
Work indoors or in a clean, sheltered, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, hot panels, dust and moisture. Wear suitable protective gloves and respiratory protection as appropriate to the current Safety Data Sheet.
5) Prepare the applicator:
Shake the bottle before use. Open it carefully, pointing away from your face. Apply a small amount of coating to a clean, suitable CARPRO suede or microfibre applicator.
6) Apply in small sections:
Spread CQUARTZ UK 4.0 evenly using overlapping cross-hatch passes. Work on manageable areas of approximately 60 × 60cm, adjusting section size to the temperature, humidity and available lighting.
7) Watch for flashing:
Allow the coating to begin flashing, then carefully level the residue using a clean, suitable microfibre towel. CARPRO's US guidance indicates approximately 5-15 minutes in typical conditions, but temperature and humidity can change this significantly. Follow the instructions supplied with your particular kit and judge the actual coating behaviour rather than relying on a timer alone.
8) Inspect for high spots:
Check each completed section under good lighting before moving on. Use a second clean towel for a final levelling wipe where necessary. Any excess coating left to cure may require polishing to correct.
9) Apply a second layer if required:
CARPRO's US guidance allows a second coat within a 45-90 minute application window. Follow the instructions supplied with your kit and maintain consistent working conditions.
10) Protect the coating while curing:
Keep the surface dry for at least the initial period specified by CARPRO, ideally sheltering the vehicle from moisture for the first 24 hours. Avoid detergents and chemical cleaners for at least three days. Follow any longer curing requirements printed on your supplied kit.
11) Maintain regularly:
Once the coating has completed its initial curing period, wash using CARPRO Reset and a suitable wash mitt. Remove bird droppings and other aggressive contamination promptly, and avoid allowing hard water to dry on the surface.
Important Notes:
✓ Follow the current CQUARTZ UK 4.0 instructions, not those for UK 3.0
✓ Never apply to hot surfaces or in direct sunlight
✓ Surfaces must be clean, dry and free from polishing oils
✓ Use clean applicators and suitable microfibre towels
✓ Watch for flashing rather than relying solely on fixed timings
✓ Inspect carefully for high spots before the coating cures
✓ Do not reuse contaminated or hardened coating cloths on paintwork
✓ Protect the freshly coated vehicle from water and chemicals
✓ Water spot resistance does not mean immunity to water spots
✓ Actual protection durability depends on preparation, use and maintenance
✓ Follow the current product label and Safety Data Sheet
Safety Data
CARPRO CQUARTZ UK 4.0 is a solvent-containing ceramic coating and must be used in accordance with its current product label and Safety Data Sheet.
Apply only in a well-ventilated environment, away from heat, sparks and other ignition sources. Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves and suitable eye and respiratory protection as required by the product's safety documentation.
Do not inhale vapours or allow unnecessary skin contact. Keep the product securely closed and away from children. Dispose of unused coating, contaminated applicators and used cloths in accordance with the applicable safety and disposal instructions.
Safety documentation: The current formulation-specific Safety Data Sheet should be obtained from CARPRO or the authorised UK distributor. Do not substitute an older CQUARTZ UK 3.0 Safety Data Sheet for UK 4.0.