Ceramic coat...self or professional?

Whos done it themselves? Was quoted $1200-1600 depending on amount of polishing needed. Figured i would figure up what the products cost to do it myself then decide but would hate to buy the stuff, not be satisfied with prep work and end up taking it to a pro. Just curious how many have tackled this themselves and how satisfied are u with results? Ive watched some youtube vids. Doesnt seem too difficult but ive never used a clay bar or polisher either.

 

Check out @2020Platinum He’s got a video of his first time ceramic coat. Came out amazing.

 

If you have the right tools you can do it yourself. But this is an example of where the right tools, knowledge and experience counts. You can screw up your paint quickly with a powerful polisher if you cut too much or use the wrong pads, techniques.

These may help
https://www.tundras.com/threads/coating-experiences-multiple-brands.97136/#post-2510269

https://ceramicpro.com/ceramic-coating-myths-the-truth-about-diy-ceramic-coatings/
https://adamspolishes.com/collections/ceramic-coating-kits-diy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAq6_rl009U

 

If you’re a detail oriented perfectionist go for it. “Good enough for govt work” doesn’t cut it with paint correction and ceramic coating.

 

I can wrench some yet by the sounds of replies, I'd shell out the bucks for a Pro on this!

 

There are more the one article out there now that says ceramic is not worth the money. These have came out in the last four months or so if I am remembering correctly?? I don’t know if it is good or bad? I know people that have done it,, I have not. I hope no one has a cow over this if so call the doctor immediately.!!!!Just saying.???

 

just curious why they say its NOT worth it ?

 

How old is the vehicle? Is the paint well kept? Which coating are you going with?

You can do it yourself but I'm concerned about you not having experience with polishing paint before. This is where 90% of your shine comes from. It is also an easy step to screw up and will cost money for the proper materials need to perform a paint correction. Depending on what coating you are thinking of applying, this can also be unforgiving. If you misapply it you'll get highspots which typically require a correction to remove. Also depend how much your time is worth too. If you know what you are doing you can bang it out in a day (not counting cure time) but it could take longer as well, really depends on the starting condition of the vehicle.

I wouldn't recommend attempting it unless it is a passion project.

 

Newer cars have thinner clear coats and it's easy to burn through.

 

Do it yourself and save a ton!…did my 2020 Platinum and my wife’s RAV4, came out great…I have this step by step guide, and also just posted a 1 year review on my channel as well…lemme know if I can help ya at all


Ceramic Coating For Beginners (step by step guide for DIY)
https://youtu.be/qxcymSqnqco

 

Here’s the 1 year review showing how it’s holding up


Ceramic Coating Follow Up, Was It Worth It and How Is It Lasting???
https://youtu.be/7vUwpPLJROw

 

My main concern is ive never polished a vehicle or even used a clay bar. Id probably screw something up some kind of way during the whole prep part of it lol. Plus i dont have an inside garage. I might could get access to one tho. Maybe.

 

I have an older truck, I used a clay bar, finishing compounded, and Griots 3in1 Ceramic. Not sure if its anything special, but a year later water is still beading and dirt is easy to wash off. I'm not a detail guy but I think your pretty safe as long as you use a DA.

 

With your lack of experience with things like clay bar and polish, it has me hesitant to say to go for it.
I've done 3 vehicles.
2019 White Honday Odyssey after owning for about a year with Armour Shield IX. Still seems to be holding well. I top with beadmaker every 3-4 weeks after a wash for maintenance, but also for gloss and slickness.
Did it to my 2017 Blazing blue tundra with the same coating and topper bead maker. Did it around 2020 or 2021 though then traded it in. But did well.
Recently bought a 2021 Lunar Rock Sequoia and coated it within about 3 weeks of owning it I think with Cquartz UK 3.0 then later topped it with carpro hydro2. I've gone 3-4 weeks without a wash on it and the water beaded like it does after weekly washes before I even washed it.

PREP IS EVERYTHING!
I'm a weekend warrior and dont' detail for a living. But on the sequoia, it took me around 16 hours i think all together from start to finish. Wash, decon, clay, wash/rinse, polish, ipa wipe down, coated, then reload topped. I enjoy doing detailing though as thats my "nothing box" (as my wife says).

Watch lots of videos, ask lots of questions, and dont' be too hard on yourself. Everyone starts somewhere. Some just start paying someone first. YOU decide what you're going to do.

 

Not having a garage makes it more challenging and increases the risk of something going wrong.

 

Yea thats what i figured as well. I know a guy with a shop i MIGHT could use but i dunno. May just fork out the cash so i know its done right

 

You have to be a complete moron to burn through paint with a DA polisher.

 

Guilty. But I was trying to clear a brillo pad job on paint, lol.

 

Self

 

Seems like there’s plenty of step by step instructions out there… give her hell!

 

You can pick up a fender or trunk lid at a junkyard for dirt cheap and practice on it. Thats how I got confident with a polisher. If you dont want the hassle of the clay you can try this synthetic clay bar, its a little more forgiving to work with but wont give you the same results as real clay.

$21 Griot's Garage Brilliant Finish Synthetic Clay for Car Detailing, Creates a Smooth Paint Surface and Lasts Longer Than Traditional Bars, 10691

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garag...t=&hvlocphy=1013462&hvtargid=pla-568784249419

 

I let a pro do it. Turned out great

 

Heres a quick pic. Its been 3-4 days since washing and using the quick detailer from shine supply.

 

I paid a professional to do the ceramic coat.

 

I paid $500 to have my crewmax tundra ceramic coated. This included a lot of buffing as the body shop wet sanded a lot of dust nibs out of my paint after I had 2 doors replaced because a deer ran into the side of my tundra. They didn’t know how, or chose not to, properly buff out the wet sanding scratches. So this would have added greatly to the time to ceramic coat my truck. Still $500 and it’s been over 2 years and 2 long winters and it’s still very hydrophobic.

find a reputable back yard detailer that’ll save you a lot of money. This spot I went to has done a lot of high end vehicles, much more expensive than my tundra, so don’t always judge a book by it’s cover (the shop).

 

DON'T BUY CERAMIC COATINGS BEFORE WATCHING THIS !! - YouTube

 

Good ol’ Scam the Organizer.

 

just curious.... why you call him a "scammer"?

 

I paid a pro to do it. Paint correction and a 9 year warranty on the Gtech ceramic coating. Best thing I ever did for my Black Tundra, my first vehicle with a ceramic coating. No more paint swirls/scratches and washing it is so much easier, I love it. The water beads are gratifying to see.