How to apply Graphene Matrix PRO 3.0
Step-by-step instructions for our 10-year, 5,000-wash rated rGO graphene coating. Prep well, work one section at a time and inspect as you go.
What you need
- ✓Graphene Matrix PRO 3.0 + applicatorIn the box. Shake well before use.
- Detox panel prepStrips polishing oils and residue so the coating bonds.
- Clay mitt or clay barRemoves bonded contamination before you coat.
- Plush microfiber towelsAt least 4–6 clean towels for leveling and buffing.
- ✓Nitrile glovesKeep coating off your skin.
- ✓Flashlight or phone lightFor spotting residue before it cures.
- Polish (if needed)Remove swirls first. The coating seals in whatever is underneath.
- Spare applicatorsSwap to a fresh one if the suede gets stiff.
Apply out of direct sunlight on a cool panel, in a clean, dry space. We recommend 65–75°F. Heat and humidity shorten the flash window, so always test one small section first.
Step 1: Prep
Prep decides everything. PRO 3.0 seals in whatever is underneath it, so the paint needs to be clean, smooth and defect-free.
Wash
Wash the vehicle and remove all loose dust, dirt and contamination. Dry it completely.
Decontaminate
Clay bar or clay mitt the paint to shear off embedded contaminants. The surface should feel perfectly smooth before you go further.
Run the back of your hand in a plastic sandwich bag over the paint. If it feels gritty, clay it again.
Correct
Polish or compound out any defects you do not want permanently sealed in, like scratches, swirl marks and oxidation.
Strip with Detox
Wipe down every panel with Ethos Detox to remove polishing oils, waxes and residues. Skipping this is the most common reason a coating will not bond.
Purge trapped water
Open and close the doors, hood and trunk a few times, then dry panel gaps, mirrors, headlights and taillights completely. Water that drips out mid-cure will ruin the finish.
Step 2: Apply
Work one small section at a time: wipe on, wait for the flash, level, inspect.
Shake and glove up
Shake the bottle well and put on nitrile gloves.
Load the applicator generously
Saturate the applicator's suede face until it is wet, not just damp. You cannot over-apply PRO 3.0. A dry applicator drags, lays down an uneven layer and leaves streaks. Excess coating simply buffs away.
Cross-hatch one section
Work one 2 ft × 2 ft section at a time, roughly a door or half a hood. Wipe the coating on top to bottom, then side to side, so every inch is covered.
Plan your panels in advance and finish each one before moving on.
Keep it wet
Re-load the applicator whenever it stops gliding smoothly. Drag means you need more product, not more pressure. Never stretch the coating by pressing harder.
Watch for the flash
Within 1 to 3 minutes (up to 5 in cooler conditions) the coating will start to sweat and bead up on the surface. Those tiny beads are your cue that it has flashed and is ready to level. Do not buff before you see them, and do not let it sit long past them.
Do a small test section first to learn your timing for the day's temperature and humidity.
Level and buff
With a clean, plush microfiber towel, lightly buff the section in small circles with almost no pressure. The first pass levels and lifts most of the residue. Flip to a clean side for a second pass to bring it to a high gloss. The surface will turn ultra slick as you work.
Inspect before moving on
Check the panel, and the panels next to it, from several angles with a flashlight or phone light. Any residue left behind will cure into a high spot that needs polishing to remove. Make sure you have not pushed excess coating onto neighboring panels.
Repeat across the vehicle
Work section by section. Paint, plastic trim and glass, including the windshield, all take the same process.
Layering (optional)
One coat delivers full protection. To add a layer, let the buffed coating sit for at least 15 minutes before the next coat. Do not apply more than 3 coats in 24 hours.
Step 3: Cure
- 2 hrsBefore driving the vehicle
- 24 hrsBefore any water or rain touches it
- 7 daysBefore the first wash, while the coating finishes hardening
The coating keeps hardening for several days. The longer you keep it dry, the better.
Step 4: Maintain
A coating is a sacrificial layer, and how you care for it decides whether it lasts its full rated life. Your warranty requires a pH-neutral, coating-safe wash every 1–2 weeks, a compatible top-up every 4–6 weeks, iron and fallout decontamination every 6 months, no polishing and no brush car washes. Ethos products are formulated to this spec and are logged automatically against your registration.
Wash
Hand wash with a pH-neutral, coating-safe shampoo and a clean mitt. No brush car washes.
Shop Cleanse →
Top up
Mist on a compatible spray top-up after washing to keep the surface slick and beading.
Shop RESIST →
Decontaminate
Remove embedded iron and fallout so the coating can keep shedding water.
Shop Iron & Fallout →
Maintenance kit
Everything you need to keep the coating performing for its full rated life.
Shop the kit →Activate your 10-year warranty
Register within 30 days of installation to activate your 10-year warranty. You will need your VIN, install date and proof of purchase. To keep coverage active, follow the maintenance schedule above, keep your receipts and complete the annual digital check-in. Coverage is transferable with the vehicle. Read the full warranty terms.
Questions about your install? Our team is happy to help. Reach us through the contact page.
- High-gloss finish
- Durable hydrophobics
- Ultra-slick feel
- 10-year protection
Do it right.
See the difference.
Drag to compare.
Your coating, year after year
01Day 1: Instant gloss
Deep, wet shine and an ultra-slick feel the moment you buff it off. Water beads tight the first time it rains.
02Every wash: Rinses clean
Dirt and grime release with less effort, and drying takes minutes instead of a full towel workout.
03Every season: Stays protected
Bird droppings, bug guts, road grime and UV bead up and rinse off instead of etching into your paint.
04Year 10: Still beading
Rated for 5,000 washes in internal wash-cycle testing, so the protection and gloss keep going long after sprays and waxes quit.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Quick answers from the Ethos team.
I found a high spot or streak. What do I do?
If you catch it right away, apply a little more coating to the area to re-wet it, wait for the flash and level it again. Once it has cured, a high spot needs to be polished out with a finishing polish and the area re-coated.
How much PRO 3.0 do I need?
50mL covers trucks, SUVs and larger vehicles, or a sedan with multiple coats. 100mL covers multiple vehicles or maximum-build layering on one.
Can I apply it in the sun or a hot garage?
No. Work out of direct sunlight on a cool surface, ideally 65–75°F. Heat makes the coating flash too fast to level cleanly.
What surfaces can I coat?
PRO 3.0 can be applied to any painted, plastic or glass surface, including the windshield.
What if it gets wet before 24 hours?
Keep the vehicle covered or indoors for the first 24 hours. If water does reach it, gently blot it dry with a clean microfiber towel. Do not rub.
When can I wash my car?
Wait 7 days before the first wash, then hand wash every 1–2 weeks with a pH-neutral, coating-safe shampoo like Cleanse.
Can I wax over the coating?
Skip the wax. Use a compatible spray top-up like RESIST every 4–6 weeks to keep it slick and beading.
How long will it last?
PRO 3.0 is rated for 10 years and 5,000 washes in internal wash-cycle testing, when the vehicle is maintained on the schedule above.
How do I register my warranty?
Register at ethoscarcare.com/pages/warranty-registration within 30 days of installation with your VIN, install date and proof of purchase.
