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Shine Armor “Fortify Quick Coat” is marketed as the only DIY detailing product to use ceramic waterless cleaning technology and wetting agents. The goal? To safely and effectively cut through daily-driven debris and filth in order to provide car owners with a spotless and ceramic “sealed” exterior.
Hypothetically speaking, combining the ease of a waterless wash, and infusing it with the protective and shine-enhancing perks of a ceramic spray coating really would provide the best of both worlds.
Just imagine. Impenetrable layers of UV resistance, glossy shine, H20 repelling hydrophobic powers, and a layer of protection that rejects both organic and inorganic contaminants could all be yours… or at least, so one might assume.
After doing a bit of digging, and absorbing both positive and unfavorable impressions alike, we were able to map-out an overview of what Shine Armor’s “Fortify Quick Coat” really does and does not do.
We were then able to compare it to the all-new SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray from AvalonKing. the goal? To see whether this three-in-one formula was truly better than the stoutest ceramic-infused surface protectant to hit the automotive market. Needless to say, the results were both unabashedly blatant and brutal.
How Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat is Marketed
The days of traditional quick waxes are officially numbered, as the silica dioxide/silicon dioxide (SiO2) and brightening particles within modern ceramic car coating sprays provides protective layer after stackable layer. Products publicized for their ability to last for months on end, all while resisting the filth found within freshly flung baboon feces and failed marriage prenups. Both of which are surprisingly similar in frequency, inconsistency, and repugnancy.
As with most ceramic-infused products on the market, nano technology plays a vital role in both Fortify Quick Coat’s genetic makeup, and how it is promoted.
Plugged as a product that will withstand the unwanted advances of Mother Nature and mankind alike, Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat late-night infomercial makes it clear that it’s the best invention since the “shake weight.” This is achieved via a simply spray and wipe away methodology, requiring little more than a clean microfiber cloth and a dash of due diligence.
Quick Nerd Note: If you read the directions on the back of a bottle of Fortify Quick Coat, you will not find a single mention of suggested cure times, or what SiO2 levels the product packs.
How Fortify Quick Coat is Supposed to Work
Being that Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat is a 3-in-1 water-based cleaning product, it relies upon soaps, wetting agents, and a ceramic/silica solution to supplement water, car shampoo, and other car detailing supplies. Engineered to “…encapsulate, lubricate, and dissolve…” this spray was created with superior protection, cleaning capabilities, and a brilliant shine in mind.
As a waterless car wash, paint sealant, and silica maintenance spray all rolled into one, Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat is built to be this easy-to-use spray, that doesn’t require the use of water or excessive buffing. No prep work, no pre-soak wash, just a single product and a clean microfiber towel.
Once fully cured, Fortify Quick Coat is endorsed as a product that can last anywhere from 2–3 months, all while bearing a striking resemblance to a pro nano ceramic coating job, rather than a DIY quick-fix.
The company goes on to explain that car owners can even apply this spray directly to mild scratches and swirl marks, providing you the chance to “…watch them disappear before your eyes.”
Riiiiiight….
Honest Reviews Reveal the Truth About Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat
While poking around online, we came across this in-depth detailer’s review video of Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat. Unbiased, honest reviews by DIY customers and professional detailing businesses are one of the greatest (and most damning) viewpoints consumers can access prior to purchasing a product, which is why here at AvalonKing, we love them so much.
We won’t get too deep into the details, but the video embedded above pretty much sums-up what a lot of people have experienced with this product, and effectively highlights both Fortify Quick Coat’s pros and cons.
Quick Nerd Note: Many companies loathe unpaid reviews, but here at AvalonKing we embrace the maelstrom that is unbiased information, as it exposes what is and is not a well-engineered offering. It also illuminates where we, as a company, can improve ourselves and our products.
4 Core Fortify Quick Coat Contradictions
According to Shine Armor, if you want Fortify Quick Coat to work, one must utilize the following “best practices” in order to gain favorable results. Some of these are fairly straightforward, others are a tad confusing, and the rest, well the rest just contradict everything that you just read in the company’s sales pitch.
Contradiction #1: Some Preparation Work Required
Despite toting that, “Fortify Quick Coat can wash through dirt and grease just fine,” install directions on the Shine Armor website reveal that you will more than likely still need to “…give your car a good washing beforehand.”
The company also suggests removing all contaminants from the surface (water spots or otherwise) before applying the product for the first time, which is in direct contradiction with its claim that this product cleans for you and does not require additional car wash or chemical assistance.
Not only does the company’s website recommend that you always prep a surface prior to applying Fortify Quick Coat, but that it should be thoroughly dried as well. That’s because the formula “…won’t stick quite as well to your car if the finish is wet, compared to if you dry everything.”
Contradiction #2: You’ll Still Need to Apply a Polish of Some Sort
The contradictions continue in the shine department, with Shine Armor explaining that, “If you plan to use any kind of polish for your car, be sure to do that before applying Shine Armor Fortify. While this
Marketing a product that “…drastically cuts down on the amount of time and hassle required to fully detail your vehicle,” and then informing the customer that they need to apply a polish beforehand is like telling someone that they eating an entire box of cookies will not cause them to gain weight, but only if they complete a triathlon beforehand.
Contradiction #3: Cannot Be Used Anywhere, Anytime You Please
On one hand, Shine Armor says that Fortify Quick Coat can be “…applied in direct sunlight and in hot climates.” This is in direct contrast with the company’s statement that you should “…only apply
The reason for this, Shine Armor explains, is because the heat from direct sunlight will cause its Fortify Quick Coat ceramic coating to “…bind improperly or dry out before it even begins to bind.” Further compounding the situation, is the fact that you can’t just spray this stuff anytime you please. Fortify Quick Coat apparently only works under ideal conditions, which translates to having ambient air temperatures somewhere in the 50–70°F range.
Contradiction #4: Extensive Downtime Required
The final, and perhaps most damning contradictory fact about Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat, is the fact that it cannot just be sprayed, wiped away, and put to use like the brand would have you believe.
According to Shine Armor’s online aftercare instructions, one must store the vehicle for “…about 24 hours before exposing it to the elements.” So no, this is not a quick “spray it and forget it” sot of ceramic coating solution, for not being able to access your own automobile for the span of a full day is one hell of a lengthy amount of downtime.
AvalonKing SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray vs Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat
Pitting Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat against the all-new SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray from AvalonKing in a head-to-head battle reveals some intriguing info. Actually it’s not very interesting at all. Unless you like to watch a good old-fashioned ass-kicking. Then feel free to read on, and enjoy the onslaught.
Longevity
Fortify Quick Coat lasts anywhere from 2–3 months, but only if “…you don’t take
In contrast, AvalonKing’s SiO2 Ceramic Boost Spray provides up to 6 months of security and shine, and is fully capable of serving as a stand-alone product in any environment, regardless of how much you drive.
Required Chemical Assistance
It is recommended that Fortify Quick Coat be used in conjunction with a surface polish in order to provide the best results.
The SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray from AvalonKing merely requires a clean surface in order to achieve a mirror-polished finish.
Mandatory Post Application Downtime
Fortify Quick Coat requires at least 24 hours of curing time in a 50–70°F environment in order to work.
AvalonKing’s SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray only needs 8–12 hours of curing time, and can be applied in a much wider range of ambient air temperatures, with anywhere from 45–85°F being deemed ideal.
Reapplication Scheduling
For daily drivers, or cars that see more highway and city driving, Shine Armor suggests “…applying the product at least once per month,” but goes on to stress that weekly application is a more ideal routine procedure.
AvalonKing’s SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray needs only to be applied every month or so, or if you are into getting muddy in your 4x4, after an intensive scrub session.
SiO2 Levels
In order to be marketed as a ceramic protection product, Fortify Quick Coat has to contain silica dioxide (SiO2), which it does indeed contain… in laughably minute amounts. An independent review of Fortify Quick Coat found that, on a molecular level, the solution “…contains less than 2% SiO2,” which in real world testing, translated to less than 10 days of surface protection. Shine Armor seems to be perfectly fine with this fact too, as even its marketing pamphlet decrees that Fortify Quick Coat relies upon what it calls “…a very light solution of ceramic coating.”
Further reading reveals that the brand recognizes that this product “…won’t fully repel dust, pollen and other tiny airborne contaminants…” and that due to its weak nature, “…will not eliminate these
AvalonKing’s SiO2 Ceramic Booster Spray comes fortified with 20% silica dioxide straight out of the gate, which is more than double that of the SiO2 found in competing ceramic boost sprays. This gives it the ability to repel all of the crap that Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat would normally absorb, with a longevity rating that is significantly lengthier. And by lengthier we mean months, not weeks.
Parting Shots
If you are looking for a DIY ceramic coating kit that provides long-lasting protection, impressive shine, even when spread across paint protection film and vinyl wraps, then Armor Shield IX is going to be the product for you. Just one 30ml bottle is more than enough to coat a wide range of surfaces outside of automobiles, with watercraft, motorbikes, lawnmowers, and ceramic coated snow blowers all benefiting from this super-slick product.
However, if you are looking for an even more effortless application process, then a silica-rich ceramic spray coating, like AvalonKing’s SiO2 Boost Spray, is going to be your best bet. This will not only provide the surface you wish to coat with a substantial level of protection against airborne contaminants and offer additional UV resistance, but ceramic coatings of this caliber will also create a professional detailer grade mirror-like finish.
As for milder forms of ceramic coating spray products, like Fortify Quick Coat from Shine Armor, the information provided today should tell you everything you need to know.
