Nexgen Carbon Flex Honest Review

Applying a high-quality ceramic coating like Nexgen Carbon Flex is the only way to enhance your vehicle’s shine and protection for multiple years at a time. I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of ceramic coatings from different brands over the years and I’ve been excited to write this review for what I think is the best do-it-yourself ceramic coating on the market today.

I’ve been a huge fan of Nexgen since they launched their ceramic spray back in 2019. But this is the first pro-level DIY ceramic coating they’ve released to the market, and until I tested it, I had no idea how it was going to perform.

So does Carbon Flex really last 6 years? What makes Carbon Flex different from other ceramic coatings? And why have their sales quadrupled in the last year?

I’m going to answer those questions right now.

Does Nexgen Carbon Flex really last 6 years?

With proper maintenance, Nexgen Carbon Flex is designed to last for 6 years, even in the harshest conditions. But you have to be careful! Neglecting to take proper care the coating could reduce its lifespan to only 3 years. Essentially, the better you care for this coating, the better it performs and longer it shines and protects your car’s surfaces..

Maintenance isn’t complicated and involves tasks you probably already do regularly. Hand washing your car every 2-4 weeks and applying a strong ceramic spray monthly is all it takes to maintain and extend the lifespan of Carbon Flex. (Click here to see my Top 10 Ceramic Spray rankings.) As you might expect, Carbon Flex is specifically formulated to work best with Nexgen Ceramic Spray, so they recommend applying it once a month to enhance the protective properties of your coating and revitalize the glossy finish. That’s the best way to make sure your vehicle looks freshly detailed for the full 6 year lifespan..

I’ll also note that Carbon Flex is freshly launched from the Nexgen lab, so its longevity remains untested by consumers over a full 6-year period. However, Nexgen is a trusted brand known for prioritizing integrity over profits, and their public lab results have shown Carbon Flex to last 6 full years on test cars treated with monthly ceramic spray. My initial results, focusing solely on shine and water beading after application, strongly suggest that this ceramic coating possesses the durability needed for a prolonged lifespan.

Some brands claim their product lasts 7-9 years, which makes me skeptical of their marketing. If you were to take your car to a professional detailer and have your car dressed in a true professionally applied coating, that coating would last a maximum of six years. It just isn’t possible that a DIY ceramic coating done at home would outlast what the professionals are using. That’s the cold hard truth these online brands don’t want you to know. Nexgen is one of the few trustworthy brands in the industry, drawing a line in the sand between quality solutions and exaggerated marketing aimed at driving profits.

Carbon Flex stands out with a perfect 10 out of 10 for longevity. This at-home ceramic coating solution goes the extra mile by providing lab results that prove the product’s lifespan. Unless your car resides in a sealed garage, no competing ceramic coating matches Nexgen’s solid 6 years of protection.

What makes Carbon Flex different from other ceramic coatings?

Carbon Flex stands out for its exceptional forgiveness during the application process, making it an ideal choice for amateurs (as well as pro detailers) aiming to enhance their vehicles at home. The forgiveness of Carbon Flex was obvious to me within the first 10 minutes of applying the product on my Jeep’s surface.

With ceramic coatings, it’s really easy for your hand to slip and create a small ridge on the surface of your paint. And when it does, it’s nearly impossible to fix the mistake and you end up with an uneven coating. My hand did slip while I was applying Carbon Flex to the hood of my Jeep, and I got worried I was going to leave an uneven ridge.

But the craziest thing happened – I followed Nexgen’s instructions from the packaging and used a dry microfiber towel to buff out the area, and the coating was completely smooth again. It was like nothing ever happened. I’ve never seen anything like that before with a ceramic coating.

This innovation allows you to fix application mistakes with a simple microfiber towel, and ensures a user-friendly experience, even for those applying a ceramic coating for the first time. You can be confident that you’re not going to harm your car’s paint or clear coat.

Another differentiator for Carbon Flex is that you can apply it in nearly any climate. Most ceramic coatings have variable set times depending on climate, so some of us have to wait until the spring or summer but Carbon Flex can be applied anywhere between 0% or 99% humidity, and in any temperature above 20°F.

It’s clear that Nexgen designed Carbon Flex with both amateurs and pro detailers in mind, and I think that’s pretty amazing. Carbon Flex represents a significant breakthrough after years of meticulous research and development, prioritizing simplicity in its application process.

The last thing I want to mention about this is that Carbon Flex is the only coating on the market that uses a carbon fluoride base. According to Nexgen’s lab results, this is what makes Carbon Flex have superior strength, chemical resistance, and hardness compared to other coatings. This is why I love companies that publish independent testing results – we customers have quality assurance to prove the reliability and effectiveness of the product before we buy. Well done Nexgen.

How strong is Carbon Flex compared to other Ceramic Coatings?

I’ll cut right to the chase – I gave Carbon Flex a rating of 10 out of 10 for strength. It stands out in this category because of its use of carbon fluoride-based carriers and bonding agents, which create an ultra-strong chemical bond with the vehicle’s clear coat. This results in a thick and sturdy coating with a unique flexibility that adds extra durability against physical, chemical, and environmental damage, compared to other ceramic coatings.

And here’s the bottom line: it’s chemically stronger than both traditional and graphene ceramics.

Not only does this unique base provide a stronger shield, it also provides a deeper shine, more depth of color, and superior hydrophobic properties.

What is Carbon Technology?

Nexgen talks a lot about the “Carbon Technology” used in Carbon Flex – but what exactly is it? They’re talking about Carbon Flex’s special carbon-based carriers and bonding agents. These unique components increase the amount of ceramic deposited on your vehicle, known as adhered solids. Carbon Flex is the first in the industry to use this innovative carbon-based surface technology, proven through rigorous testing in real-world conditions and third-party laboratory facilities. In simple terms, it boosts the quality of ceramic coatings by maximizing the amount of ceramic material that can bind to your vehicle’s surface.

How do you apply Nexgen Carbon Flex?

Before I get into the application process, it’s important to note: It’s common for detailing brands to change or improve their formulas every few years, so it’s best to always read any instructions that come with your kit. That being said – I’ll share how I applied it myself, and got incredible results.

Surface prep is crucial no matter what kind of ceramic coatings you choose to apply. You want the surface of your vehicle to be as smooth as possible to allow the maximum bonding of ceramic material to your car’s clear coat. Soapy water alone can’t clean out nano-particles that are stuck in your clearcoat’s pores, so it’s important to use a clay bar to extract contaminants. If you’re planning to try Carbon Flex (or really any ceramic coating,) I highly recommend adding Nexgen’s Clay Bar Kit to your order. You get a couple of bars of clay and some fresh microfiber towels, but it also comes with a detail spray you can use as a clay bar lubricant.

By the way – if you want to learn how to do a proper clay bar detail, check out this video from Nexgen’s CEO where he shows the whole process:

How To Prep Your Car for Ceramic Coating (CLAY BAR DETAILING)

Now that we’ve covered the prep, let’s get into the actual Carbon Flex application process.

Application

Pour 15-20 drops of carbon flex onto the applicator sponge included in the package, and wipe in a cross-hatch pattern – side to side, up and down, making sure you’re covering every inch of the panel.

Let the coating sit for 2-4 minutes. During this wait time, Carbon Flex is leveling itself so you don’t have to wait for any flashes or set a timer based on the humidity in your area. The final step is to buff the coating out with a clean microfiber cloth.

And that’s it. The application process should take less than an hour, excluding the preparation steps.

Thoroughly wash and dry your car exterior
Use a clay bar to extract contaminants from the pores of your clearcoat
Pour 15-20 drops of Carbon Flex onto the applicator sponge
Wipe in a cross-hatch pattern on all exterior surfaces
Wait 5-10 minutes for Carbon Flex to self-level
Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess product
Use a second clean microfiber cloth to buff it out
After 45-75 minutes apply Nexgen Ceramic Spray (optional, but highly recommended to extend the life of the coating from 3 years to 6 years)

Here’s a few of my notes I would also recommend to maximize the longevity of the coating:

Wear protective gloves
Avoid contact with water for 24 hours while Carbon Flex cures
Avoid contact with chemicals, soaps, and cleansers for 14 days after application

What are the downsides of Carbon Flex?

With any product review I make sure to include potential downsides to protect my readers from making a purchase they regret.

While Carbon Flex has lots of advantages compared to other coatings I’ve reviewed, I’ll mention a few things. Firstly, its price point is high compared to many “discount” brands found on platforms like Amazon or other online stores. However, it’s important to recognize that this higher cost reflects the superior quality and 6 year longevity of the ceramic coating.

I’ve also heard about customers having trouble obtaining Carbon Flex due to frequent sell-outs over the past few months, leading to slightly delayed shipping times. While this popularity is a testament to the product’s quality, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re in urgent need of a ceramic coating. Just be sure to check their Carbon Flex website – if they’re out of stock, you’ll see an “Out Of Stock” popup.

The Bottom Line: How Good Is Nexgen Carbon Flex? Is It Worth It?

When comparing ceramic coatings against each other, there’s one thing customers care about more than anything else: value. Which product is a better value?

One thing that drives up Carbon Flex’s value is that it can be used on all exterior surfaces, so you only need one bottle to protect your entire vehicle. Compare that to other ceramic coating brands that will sell you multiple products – one to coat your paintwork, and another to coat plastic and auto glass. If you want to coat your entire vehicle, Carbon Flex saves you money.

Additionally, if you were to use a wax you would be buying and reapplying it almost monthly. Even with the most successful ceramic spray, you’re looking at about $30-$50 per vehicle and reapplying every 2-6 months depending on the quality of the ceramic spray you choose. These things add up in cost, and won’t provide the same level of shine & protection Carbon Flex has to offer.

If all of the information above gives you the impression that this product is expensive, think again. This auto-detailing ceramic coating costs $169.95 (now discounted to $129.95.) If you break it down, you’re only spending $21.65 per year of protection.

So is it worth it? 100%.

Pros:

Six years of protection (with proper maintenance)
Uses carbon fluoride base, which is stronger than both graphene and ceramic
Heightened depth of color for your existing paintwork
Silky smooth finish
Highly reflective gloss
Easy to use, even for first-time auto detailers
Self-leveling and very forgiving formula
Flexible shield prevents cracking and slows down degradation
No UV light needed
Minimal set time
Can be applied in any temperature above 20°F (and any humidity level)
Application errors are rare and easily fixed

Cons:

Sells out quickly
More expensive than a lot of “discount brands”, but you get what you pay for

Conclusion

Frankly, Nexgen hit it out of the park with Carbon Flex. If you look at the features of any other brand’s ceramic coating against Carbon Flex, you’ll see major differences in the ease of application, longevity, and surface strength.

Since Carbon Flex is relatively new, I haven’t had it on my cars for the full six years. However, the transformation in the appearance of my Jeep is unmistakable. The glossy shine is so intense that it’s basically a mirror, and the water beading is the tightest I’ve seen from an at-home coating. So far, none of the properties have shown any signs of fading, reinforcing my confidence in the longevity of Nexgen’s Carbon Flex.

If you want to try Carbon Flex for 25% off, go ahead and click the button below. They’ll even let you try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.