AvalonKing Armor Shield IX vs Adam's Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced

Protecting a vehicle against the adverse effects of bird droppings, direct sunlight, windblown debris, acid rain, and whatever else the open road throws at you is just part of automotive ownership. But with so many brands claiming that they have just invented “the latest and greatest” surface protectant on the planet, shopping can be a real pain in the ass.

Take Adam’s Polishes for example. Over the years, this company has made a name for itself due to its wide array of detailing brushes, sponges, odor eliminators, electric polishing tools, foam guns, cleaning chemicals, and a slew of other automotive oriented goods.

One of the brand’s most recent product launches, is a “Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced” ceramic car coating kit. A graphene-infused product that boasts insanely high levels of protection and shine, and a longevity rating of damn near a decade.

But what exactly is in this intriguing elixir? Does the addition of more graphene really make a difference in how a ceramic coating product performs or holds-up over time? And if so, do these perks justify this coating’s premium price point?

Furthermore, what are customers and professionals saying about this latest protectant product from Adam’s Polishes? And how does it stack-up against AvalonKing’s industry-leading DIY nano ceramic coating, Armor Shield IX?

We decided to find answers to all of these questions, and here is what we discovered…

 

How Adam’s Polishes Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced is Advertised

Engineered to be applied on top of the coatings offered within the Adam’s Polishes line-up, or “any ceramic product” for that matter, this product brings with it an intriguing question. With all of the unfounded schlock being hawked as ceramic coating, how is one to know if this latest product from Adam’s Polishes is legit or not?

According to Adam’s Polishes, this particular graphene product has “improved characteristics” over its regular formula, regardless as to whether it has been applied atop clear-coat, paint, glass, plastic, polycarbonate, wheels, and… rubber molding? We’ll get to that last part here in a moment, for rubber and foam substances are notorious for not playing well with nano ceramic coatings.

In the interim, here’s an abbreviated list of the details and perks that Adam’s Polishes says its Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced formula offers.

• >10H hardness
• 9+ years of protection
• 50% more coating resin
• More silicate resin
• Less prone to water spotting
• Higher stain resistance against bugs, saps, droppings, etc.
• Higher scratch resistance during the washing process
• Increased depth and clarity
• Lower sliding angle with water evacuating at angles less than 10-15°
• Higher contact angles averaging more than 110-118°
• Patent Pending, UV Tracing Technology

The Truth About the “Advanced” Version of Adam’s Polishes Graphene Ceramic Coating

Unlike the company’s watery ceramic spray coating, the “advanced” graphene product seen here is quite viscous, even more so than the normal graphene ceramic coating that the brand offers. According to Adam’s Polishes, this stronger formula utilizes “45% of the raw, active ingredient” found within its milder graphene-infused liquid polymer offerings, claiming that this makes it more resilient over the long run.

The brand goes on to state that the durability level between its graphene ceramic spray, regular graphene ceramic coating, and advanced graphene formula are all the same, it’s just the long-term durability that differs between the products. Essentially, this means that all three of the company’s graphene products will wear-away at the same rate, it’s just that the premium price of the stouter formula that buys you a higher life expectancy.

But being that we have yet to encounter a spray-on ceramic coating product that can withstand the same levels of abuse as a highly concentrated version, the claim that all three of these chemicals offer the same grade of protection is “curious” to say the least.

Are 10H-Rated Hardness Levels Really a Thing?

One of the major claims Adam’s Polishes makes in its Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced nano coating marketing campaign, is that it boasts a “10H pencil scratch resistance rating.” Evidence for this testing procedure appears to have been provided via an independent third party testing facility, complete with images of the pencil used and the scratch testing plate.

These findings lead us into a dark-grey area, and here’s why.

Being that there is no such thing as a 10H hardness rating on the “Wolff-Wilborn” pencil hardness scratch resistance test, and that just a single test with this particular graphene coating appears to have been conducted, it is impossible to determine the legitimacy of this claim.

In order for a product boasting a 10H scratch resistance rating to be verified, the entire pencil hardness scale would need to first be overhauled. This would need to be accompanied by the implementation of a plethora of tests on a wide array of varying materials, all of which would need to be coated in various 10H-rated surface protectants, and not just from one manufacturer.

So until the Wolff-Wilborn pencil hardness scale recognizes 10H pencils as a legitimate scratch resistance rating, the jury remains out as to whether Adam’s Polishes Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced is indeed as tough as they claim it is.

Mixed Reviews, Missing Rainbow Hues, Graphene Headaches, and Urinal Cakes

We talked a little bit about the unfounded hype and headaches associated with graphene coatings a while back, and apparently not much has changed since then. While installation does not require the assistance of a professional detailer, graphene coatings are a hot mess to work with, even for those who are well-versed in all things ceramic coating.

Online reviews have also claimed that this stronger version of the regular graphene ceramic coating offered by Adam’s Polishes is prone to leaving high spots, and that it does not come off evenly when removal is required.

Even Adam’s Polishes admits that working with the higher thickness levels of it’s advanced graphene formula can be a challenge, due in part to the fact that it is, “… much more tacky and a little bit harder to use.”

Another issue with this graphene coating, is that unlike a nano ceramic coating, it won’t generate the rainbow/flashing effect that reveals where the product has been applied. Instead, Adam’s relies upon its signature “UV Tracer Technology,” which in order to conduct inspections, requires the use of a UV flashlight. And yes, if you wish to see the coating with a UV light, you’re going to have to cough-up some additional dough.

Speaking of cash, this particular product costs a full $40 more than the normal graphene ceramic coating from Adam’s Polishes, making it notably more expensive than many of the other gladiators in the nano ceramic coating arena.

But it’s not just steep price points that have customers concerned. Here is what DIY detailers and pro installers alike are saying about this advanced graphene formula.

“Followed the directions and it worked as described. The only other suggestion for Adam’s would be to figure out how to make it not smell like a urinal cake…but maybe that’s how you know it’s working…”

“Did the 3×3 section as stated, less than 30sec later the rainbow disappeared and good luck levelling out the product. It was like it permanently dried on the black paint. Tried putting more on to reactivate it, nope didn’t work. High spots all over, micro suede towel does nothing… reapplied a second time and immediately removed it. Disappointed especially at the price I paid for this. Won’t buy it again, will stick with AvalonKing as I’ve done 5 cars this year with it and never had an issue.”

“I’ve been detailing for years and also had a friend help who has applied the Adam’s Graphene Coating multiple times with no issues. We followed the instructions but no matter what we did, we could not get a clean panel. There are a bunch of high spots and I was not about to polish the entire car by hand. It’s too bad my brand new black car shows the high spots. Overall, product works as advertised but visually is not acceptable.”

What Makes Armor Shield IX Nano Ceramic Coating the Better Buy?

There’s a reason why Armor Shield IX remains the undisputed king in the DIY nano ceramic coating ring. Super easy to apply, strong enough to last for 2–5 years, and packing levels of protection and shine that rival professionally installed products, it’s no wonder that Armor Shield IX retains a five star rating after damn near 4,000 certified reviews.

AvalonKing also allows DIYers the ability to order multiple Armor Shield IX ceramic coating kits via a bundle, thus making the protection of larger vehicles, watercraft, RVs, and even airplanes a far more straightforward affair. Accompanied by AvalonKing’s recently launched SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray, Armor Shield IX provides the ultimate value for those in search of surface protection and shine.

The AvalonKing Armor Shield IX Advantage

• No need for UV lights or working in the dark
• Easy-to-apply formula will not leave high spots and is not “tacky feeling”
• Can be easily cleaned with AvalonKing Ceramic Maintenance Shampoo
• Does not require blending or additional products; just apply, wait, and wipe away
• Provides 2–5 years of protection when routinely rejuvenated with AvalonKing’s SiO2 Ceramic Boost Spray
• Costs just $69.99 per kit
• Bundle deals available for larger/multiple vehicles
• Does not smell like a urinal cake

Parting Shots

When you compare the strengths and weaknesses of the “advanced” graphene ceramic coating offered by Adam’s Polishes to Armor Shield IX by AvalonKing, the benefits of the latter far outweigh its briefer life expectancy.

The level of protection found within a single 30ml bottle of Armor Shield IX is one of the highest-rated on the market, and compared to gooey graphene, offers far more of an easy application and removal process.

So if you are in need of impressive levels of UV protection, scratch resistance, and a hydrophobic surface that repels both water and airborne contaminants alike, all while leaving an ultra glossy finish, then be sure to check out Armor Shield IX. But don’t just take our word for it.

At AvalonKing, we prefer to let customer reviews represent our products, as it is ultimately you, the consumer, who is the true judge of what works and what doesn’t.