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Ceramic coating

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Catmann1972, Jan 3, 2021.

  1. Jan 3, 2021 at 7:49 AM
    #1
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    Not sure if anyone has seen this. It is a video I just came across on ceramic coating and it's effects on paint. Pretty good video, make me a believer in ceramic coating. When I purchased my 2020 Sport in July, they put a ceramic coating on my truck before I picked it up. After watching this video I understand a little more about ceramic coating.

    https://youtu.be/nUs0NjqQC1s
     
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  2. Jan 3, 2021 at 9:08 AM
    #2
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Did they tell you what they applied? Not sure I would want it done by a dealership but they probably outsource the install so you should be ok.

    Ceramics generally are well worth it in my opinion, the only catch is they require specific care. The other plus is some of the prosumer enthusiasts products are catching up to the professional line products too; you can expect some long lasting protection from some of these products.
     
  3. Jan 3, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #3
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    The dealership that I purchased my truck from actually has their own body shop. Grieco Toyota, is a very large dealership in my area. I know my truck was there being done, because i stopped by the body shop and took a peek inside and seen them applying the ceramic coating on my truck. My truck was in an area that was away from all other vehicles being worked on. I also could not pick up my truck for a few days. Which worked out for me anyway. After i stopped by the body shop, I had to take a short business trip and when i got back 4 days later, I picked up my truck. They also told me when i picked up my truck to not wash it for 7 days. So i guess they actually did it correctly.
     
  4. Jan 3, 2021 at 10:39 AM
    #4
    Fotnot

    Fotnot SSEM #69; LRCS#1

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    It sounds line they did it right. Glad you mentioned it was away from other vehicles. But it would definitely be nice if it was in it's own bay to prevent any dust or debris from getting on it...especially while applying. They're right on it sitting up to cure for a couple days as well as no wash for a week. Pretty standard. Find out what brand and kind they applied. That way you can get proper toppers/refreshers for it. Pretty cool to have a dealer with it's own setup. Mine outsources almost everything. Wouldn't surprise me if they outsourced an oil change
     
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  5. Jan 3, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #5
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    There is more to applying a coating than just......applying the coating. Much like a lot of things, prep is the largest part of the job. Do you know what they did to prep it? Was a proper decontamination done? Was the paint fully corrected prior to the application? I'm sure that you likely paid a premium for the coating, and for that premium, I would want to know every detail about what they did and what they applied. As Saltyhero13 said, different brands of coatings have specific maintenance processes that you need to follow for the coating to last, and if applicable, for any warranty to remain in place.

    When you said that you saw them applying the coating....how many days had it been there when you saw this being done? If you're happy with the coating they applied, then I'm happy for you. I have a tendency to not believe anything a car dealership tells me, so I'd be inclined to take your truck to a local detailer and have them look at it to see if the coating was applied correctly.

    I'm not trying to rain on your parade, or insinuate that the dealer did not deliver what they promised. Most would agree, that car dealerships are among the shadiest places on the planet. For your own peace of mind, and so that you get the true value of the coating going forward, you owe it to yourself to get the facts.
     
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  6. Jan 3, 2021 at 11:21 AM
    #6
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    I do not know what they did to prep the truck. I do know they had to do paint corrections, because i pointed out a few things wrong with the paint prior to me buying it and they were taken care of. The price of the ceramic coating is added to all of there vehicles on the lot as part of the dealer installed package, i don't remember the actual cost. I purchased the truck on a Sunday, finalized the agreement on Monday, minus me telling them i was going to pay cash instead of financing through Toyota...Little sneaky on my part. Seen the truck in the body shop in Wednesday before leaving on a business trip, and actually seen 2 guys working on it and picked up the truck from the dealer on the following Monday. I am not an auto detailer but i can tell you that I did notice a significant difference in the feel and look of the truck when i picked it up, my truck is MGM. 6 months later the truck still looks the same way as i picked it up and the paint surface still feels the same way. So, did they actually do it, i don't really know for sure. But i think they did. I hear what you are saying, dealerships are absolutely crooks. but unless you are holding there hands nobody has any idea what is happening to there vehicle. This is one reason why my truck will never go back to a dealer after purchase, unless warranty work needs to be done that is a safety hazard.
     
  7. Jan 3, 2021 at 11:51 AM
    #7
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    Understood....good luck with your Tundra
     
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  8. Jan 3, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #8
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    I think you should be ok, sounds like they followed proper protocol. I would still identify what product was used just to be able to maintain it properly; it will last longer for you if you can take care of it.
     
  9. Jan 3, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #9
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    I guess I have a question then. Would it matter if I used a different brand of ceramic coating than what the dealership used originally. I will keep up the ceramic coating process on the truck for sure, i'm a little OCD in that aspect, but i figured as long as I used a quality ceramic coating it wouldn't matter if I used the same brand as the dealership or not.
     
  10. Jan 3, 2021 at 12:21 PM
    #10
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    You do not maintain a ceramic coating with a ceramic coating. Different coating manufacturers have different maintenance protocols...that's why it's important to find out what brand they used. Some ceramics come with a warranty, and it would certainly be good to know if yours is one of them. I know that, in Europe, Toyota dealerships apply a product called Toyota Pro-Tect, which of course, they claim is better than any aftermarket coating.
     
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  11. Jan 3, 2021 at 12:27 PM
    #11
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    Good to know, thanks...I will look into what they used. My wife is in the market for a new Camary and we will be going to the dealership in the next few months. I will ask them.
     
  12. Jan 3, 2021 at 2:38 PM
    #12
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Did you have a specific brand in mind? No, you are not obligated to stick to the same brand. Also keep in mind some brands don't have supporting products so you may not have the option of staying in brand. If you don't have anything in mind you can't go wrong with CarPro Reset Soap and CarPro Reload Topper.

    Strongly concur with @briarpatch . Be careful with adding too many layers. There are toppers and sealants you can put over your coating, but avoid another long term ceramic coating. What you are looking for is something that "refreshes" the hydrophobic beading properties of the ceramic and/or "repairs" the underlying coating. If you stack too much, your coating will lose smoothness, sheen and clarity. There are other issues that can occur but these are the main concerns. More isn't always better. In situations where you over apply incompatible products, the only way to reverse it is by mechanically removing it; this includes the base coating.

    To answer your question: The best reason to stay "in brand" is companies will test their products' interactions in house to ensure no undesired outcomes will occur. With hundreds of products on the market it would be hard to know all the possible chemical interactions. Generally it is better practice to stick to the same brand, or at least follow their recommended maintenance routine. This will help maintain the life of the coating.

    Without knowing what coating you have and how often you plan on washing your vehicle, some general recommendations for ceramic coating maintenance are:
    • A ph Neutral soap - No exceptions on ph here, there are plenty of options. Avoid anything with wax and/or polymers.
    • Toppers/"Refreshers" - This is what I was thinking when you mentioned "maintaining with a ceramic coating". Assuming a SIO2 product was installed stick to SIO2 sealants/toppers. You can use some polymer products too, just avoid natural waxes. Also follow recommended application guidelines. Don't apply a yearly coating monthly as an example.
     
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  13. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #13
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    Well I have used CarPro reset soap and Carpro reload topper on my Tacoma. These are the products that i have used in the past and is what i was thinking about using on my new truck. Great information that you provided as well. I will keep this in mind for sure.
     
  14. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:35 PM
    #14
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Bro this is good information
     
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  15. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:36 PM
    #15
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Can’t go wrong with CarPro but find out what specific product they used. If it happens to be ceramic pro you should be good.
     
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  16. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:49 PM
    #16
    briarpatch

    briarpatch New Member

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    Solid info there....CarPro Reset is likely the most often recommended soap for coating maintenance. It is expensive....but some things are expensive because they're worth it
     
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  17. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:52 PM
    #17
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    Reset is the only soap I own.
     
  18. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:52 PM
    #18
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 [OP] New Member

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    Compared to spending 50K on a vehicle, the cost of Carpro product is pocket change...
     
  19. Jan 3, 2021 at 3:58 PM
    #19
    ToyoMafia

    ToyoMafia SSEM #15-3MW-RGBA#?-@toyomafiaworld Vendor

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    1 4l lasts me a year. It’s well wroth it.
     

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