Ceramic coating

ok, who personally has it on their vehicle and recommends it?

I’m quoted about $1500 for a ‘lifetime” coating

 

All of my vehicles are coated with Opti-Coat Pro Plus ceramic coating. I will continue to get every vehicle coated.

 

If it is a dealer??? Then no. If is a reputable detailer that has been in business for a while? MAYBE. There are a lot of smoke and mirrors with all of this. Most "waxes" are sealers for example. I guess it comes down to "lifetime" and what determines as to whether or not it is still sealed? Others will chime in, but call a GOOD detailer and ask for a quote. We call them "stealerships" for a reason.

I am a sealer guy. I use Jescar's power lock, as well as collonites 845. Wizard's detail spray after washing.

 

We had ceramic pro done on the wifes black 4runner. Honestly for me since I enjoy waxing, detailing etc I could take it or leave it. It does help to keep it clean and since it is black its a big help but there is no way they can give you a lifetime guarantee.

I think they are banking on people selling the vehicle in a couple of years or not going through the hassle when the coating is no longer working.

There are some great do it yourself options (Cquartz) if you’re up to it and if I was to do it again I would go this route myself. I paid $1000 for the ceramic pro silver and if i did it myself I couldve saved $900 easily.

 

I don’t mind detailing myself. Have been doing it forever. Don’t enjoy it in Texas weather.


I want the ceramic to protect from superficial scratches. The price point is also insane, though.

 

It won't protect from superficial scratches. If your looking for scratch protection get the clear film like Xpel

We still get water spots on the truck with the ceramic pro, very annoying to me as I thought it would at least protect from that.

 

I have it on mine and I would recommend it. It makes the truck look wet and shiny all the time. Water besds up great on it. Soap falls right off along with dirt and other debris making cleaning a breeze.

That said I havent heard of a ceramic coat being life time. 3-5 years and it will need it again. It breaks down just like anything else.

1500 seems like a lot though...but that may include paint correction. You dont want to ceramic over scratches and paint defects...it will really show afterwards.

 

Did you have to do any paint corrections? How was the process like?

 

It was with paint correction.

They do an annual inspection and if it isn’t up to par they reapply I guess.

There’s like 50 shops that offer the service. $300 to the one I just saw at 3500. Hard to say who’s ripping ya off

 

1500 with paint correction isnt bad. I had a buddy do mine in his detail shope for 700, and that was a steal for around here.

If the inspect yearly and correct as they go then I'd be jumping on that deal.

 

Do you still apply waxes/sealants or just wash?

 

I just wash. Only thing I have other than soap is coverall for tires and 303 for inside detailing right now.

 

I have been a sealant guy for several years. But it was always a twice a year deal to prep and apply. Recently started down the ceramic journey. Have done both my truck and wife's car. Love the way it washes up now. Very little effort and it always looks like I've spent the entire day detailing them. Jury's still out on how long it will last. If its 6-8 months like a sealant I'll probably go back to that because its easier to apply and not as expensive.

I always attend SEMA so this year I'll check out whatever is the latest and greatest and see whats out there.

 

I ceramic coated mine and my wifes Rav4

The Rav4 looks amazing. I did a paint correction on it and cleaned up the small dings etc in it, buffed it out and then applied the coat with a boaster.
My neighbor asked me how much to do his (he thought I got it done) I told him he couldn't pay me enough to do it again.

I like the detailing gig but wow was I beat up afterwards.
I used VSS as a compound and had to buff it twice and in some spots three times using a lot of pressure

 

Lifetime ProtectionThat's a joke. This is a subject always up for debate. Some people prefer the wax and seal over ceramic. Ceramic does not leave a smooth as ice feel it’s kind of tacky but it has its advantages. $1500 is way to much if you ask me. Most I see is $800-900 with paint correction. You still have to maintain ceramic as well

 

I had my black truck done last October. I like it but it won’t protect against scratches. It makes cleaning and drying a breeze, especially with a CR Spotless rinse. Mine is a 5 year warranty but the jury is out on that. Lifetime seems unrealistic. On darker vehicles, I probably would do it again. I haven’t done it on my wife’s pearl white vehicle - and probably won’t as I don’t mind a little detailing. I would not paint correct and coat myself - that seems like a brutal undertaking.

 

I thought with enough coats it protects against scratches (superficial stuff)

 

We may be talking about different things, but they only put one coating of ceramic coat on my truck as I understand. Not sure you can put more then one coat on - maybe I am wrong. I will get swirl marks if I am not careful, and I have sustained some light scratches since the coating.

 

Yeah I think that’s where the yearly warranties come in. Typically one coat is for a year, more coats = more time from my understanding

 

https://youtu.be/8-T5tMHMlhE

 

I really don't think multiple coats = scratch protection. Ive seen a car done with 8 coats of ceramic pro 9H and it had scratches from the car wash.

 

Got it. As I said, I have a 5 year warranty so maybe I have 5 coats, not sure but they didn’t mention that at the shop. My truck is also parked outside 24/7 so I am sure that will have a negative impact on longevity as well. Rest assured, for the money, I will take it back for warranty work before the 5 years is up.

 

Ceramic coating is a harder surface than typical clear coats so in that sense it will be better with scratches but definitely not scratch proof. Imo a ceramic coating is for the guys looking for that extra shine or just don’t want to wax their vehicle anymore. You still need to take care of it like regular paint. If you’re looking for protection I’d do an xpel film on it instead. My truck is coated with modesta and my wife’s suv has the xpel ppf.

 

Yeah, ceramic doesn’t protect from scratches. Mine has plenty, and polishing them out removes the ceramic.
Only a PPF is gonna protect from that.

 

I would but that shits expensive!!

 

It's cheaper than new paint.

 

Just did my truck with cquartz uk 3.0. Truck looks nice and shiny.. ceramic coatings work great on our tundras because of the thin paint and clear coats Toyota uses. Adds a little extra thickness. Save yourself $1500 and do it yourself. Takes all day but worth it.

As for longevity, it last for 2-3 years. Depends on how it was prepped. Nothing lasts a lifetime.

 

"Paint Correction" referenced above....is this just a basic multi-step polish with cutting pads of varying degrees? Basically just eliminating the appearance of surface blemishes before applying the ceramic coat?

 

Basically. Also any scratches or swirls. As once the ceramic is on, every imperfection can and will be seen.

 

Yes. It also depends how bad the surface is. With certain polishes and pad combos you can get away with a one step correction. If it’s bad then yes a multi step from cutting to finishing is needed. Follow up with top inspection or eraser to get residue of, rewash, top inspection again, then good to go.