Buying guide
True Series (DIY): consumer line without mandatory IR
10 minEstimated reading time — roughly how many minutes it takes to read at a normal screen pace.
- Three FEYNLAB® ceramic categories: True Series (DIY), Protection Series (Pro), and maintenance line.
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FEYNLAB® has three protection categories. Not one “more variants” line. Each category targets a different customer, process, and job — with different chemistry, not just different packaging.
True Series (DIY): consumer line without mandatory IR
For vehicle owners who want results without owning an IR lamp and climate-controlled bay. Slower flash, higher temperature and humidity tolerance, simpler wipe-off.
| Product | Lifespan | What it does |
|---|---|---|
Ceramic Lite | ~12 months | Entry hydrophobic coating. ~95° water contact. 1 layer, 20 min dwell. |
Ceramic V3 | 2–3 years | Standard DIY ceramic. ~115° contact angle. 1–2 layers, 15–25 min dwell. |
Heal Lite | ~2 years + ~60 % self-heal capacity | DIY self-healing. Micro-scratches recover at ~50 °C (sun, brief IR). |
True Series characteristics:
- Slower flash (15–25 min) → forgiving for beginners.
- Temperature tolerance 12–32 °C, RH 30–70 %.
- IR after application optional (speeds cure, not mandatory).
- Priced like “better consumer ceramic” with lab-grade chemistry.
Protection Series (Pro): professional line with IR
For certified applicators with controlled bay, IR lamp, and paint inspection lighting. Higher solids, faster flash, denser cross-link, longer life.
| Product | Lifespan | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
Heal Plus (Self Heal Plus) | 5–7 years | 100 % self-heal. Micro-scratches recover with heat. Elastic polymer (fits under PPF). |
Ceramic Ultra V2 | 7–8 years, ~9H hardness* | Patented bifasic self-stratification — base + top in one application. |
Ceramic Ultra V3 | 8–10 years, ~9H hardness* | V2 next gen with higher UV stability and chemical resistance. |
Matte Ceramic | 4–5 years | Bridging chemistry for matte paint. No filler effect. |
PPF & Vinyl V3 | 3–5 years | Two-part elastic system for PPF / vinyl. |
* 9H “hardness” refers to Mohs pencil scale per coating pencil standard — not SI units; see ceramic myths: TiO₂, graphene, marketing vs science.
Protection Series characteristics:
- Faster flash (2–8 min) → needs technique and pace.
- Temperature 15–27 °C, RH 40–60 % (tighter window).
- IR lamp after application (60 °C, 15 min, 75–90 cm) recommended for maximum cross-link.
- 5–10 year material degradation warranty on coating (not paint underneath).
Mid-tier: Ceramic Plus
Between True Series and Protection Series sits Ceramic Plus — compromise for experienced DIY users or small detailers without full Pro equipment.
- Lifespan: ~3–5 years.
- Self-heal capacity: ~40 % (partial micro-scratch recovery).
- Flash time: ~10 min (between DIY and Pro).
- Tolerance: 12–28 °C, RH 35–65 %.
- IR recommended, not mandatory.
Logic: if you have technique from Ceramic V3 and want more durability without Pro Series, Ceramic Plus is the bridge.
Maintenance line: daily life of the coating
Coating without maintenance loses hydrophobicity and sacrificial top layer faster. FEYNLAB® maintenance line addresses that:
| Product | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Overcoat V3 | Every 6–12 months | Maintenance topcoat for gloss ceramic. Restores hydrophobicity, fills micro-wear. |
Leveling Aid | Every 4–6 months on PPF | Maintenance topcoat for PPF, vinyl, softer substrates. |
Hybrid Detailer V3 | Each wash | Drying aid + hydrophobic boost. Applied wet on panel while drying. |
Overcoat V3 on PPF? No — Overcoat V3 is tuned for hard substrate. On PPF use Leveling Aid.
Hybrid Detailer V3 on matte paint? Yes, with care. Very light application; test 5×5 cm section first.
Category comparison by numbers
| Parameter | True Series | Mid-tier | Protection Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 1–3 years | 3–5 years | 5–10 years |
| Flash time | 15–25 min | ~10 min | 2–8 min |
| Temperature tolerance | 12–32 °C | 12–28 °C | 15–27 °C |
| RH tolerance | 30–70 % | 35–65 % | 40–60 % |
| IR requirement | Optional | Recommended | Required for full cure |
| Self-heal capacity | 0–60 % | ~40 % | 100 % (Heal Plus) |
| Availability | E-shop, DIY | E-shop advanced | Certified applicators only |
| Warranty | Material ~2 years | Material ~5 years | Material 5–10 years |
How to choose
4 selection criteria
1. Vehicle age and condition
New car (under 6 months) → Pro Series for maximum life. Older car with light swirls → DIY True Series (correction only pays off with Pro investment).2. Paint type
Gloss solid/metallic → any category. Matte →Matte Ceramiconly. PPF/vinyl →PPF & Vinyl V3(different chemistry).3. Your time and experience
DIY with polish experience → True Series, one weekend. Advanced DIY → mid-tierCeramic Plus. No experience or Pro result → certified applicator with Pro Series.4. Lifespan goal
1–3 years (selling car in a year) →Ceramic LiteorCeramic V3. 5+ years (keeping car long-term) → Pro Series + maintenance line.
Combinations that make sense
Some stacks work better than solo application:
- Self Heal Plus + Ceramic Ultra V3 + Overcoat V3. Self Heal as regenerative base, Ultra V3 on top for hardness and hydrophobicity, Overcoat V3 maintenance every 6–12 months. Pro segment.
- Ceramic V3 + Hybrid Detailer V3. DIY combo — Ceramic V3 long-term protection, Hybrid Detailer each wash as boost.
- PPF + Self Heal Plus underneath + PPF & Vinyl V3 on top. High-end body protection for Pro vehicles.
Combinations that do not make sense: standard Ceramic V3 on PPF (cracks), Ceramic Ultra on matte (filler — matte turns glossy), Heal Plus over Ceramic V3 (Heal Plus is base, not topcoat).
Key points
- True Series (DIY) = slower flash, higher tolerance, no mandatory IR. For consumers.
- Protection Series (Pro) = faster flash, tighter window, IR required. For certified applicators.
- Mid-tier (Ceramic Plus) = bridge for experienced DIY.
- Maintenance line (Overcoat V3, Leveling Aid, Hybrid Detailer V3) is integral to the system, not optional.
- Four selection criteria: vehicle age, paint type, your time, lifespan goal.
Further reading
- Anatomy of covalent bonding — what makes ceramic chemically durable.
- Self-healing ceramic in practice — which chemistries self-heal and how much %.
- Ceramic layering: flash & wait window — bifasic self-stratification in Ultra V2/V3.
- Ceramic myths: TiO₂, graphene, marketing vs science — what “9H hardness” does not measure.
- Choosing DIY vs professional installation
Topic: Ceramic & science
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