Considering ceramic coat
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 198
Likes: 96
From: St. Louis, MO
Considering ceramic coat
Although my garage queen is rarely dirty I was forced to drive it in the lightest sprinkle for a mile or so. I just dove into a massive paint correction task.
Wash,
wash again with clay
With my pc7424 and a LC orange pad, meguiars ultimate compound.
switch to LC white pad, polish with meguiars ultimate polish.
Now, to wax or ceramic coat.
DIY suggestions on ceramic?
Wash,
wash again with clay
With my pc7424 and a LC orange pad, meguiars ultimate compound.
switch to LC white pad, polish with meguiars ultimate polish.
Now, to wax or ceramic coat.
DIY suggestions on ceramic?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,653
Likes: 1,827
From: Huntsville AL
While we're on this subject the local car wash place offers the following.
10 year ceramic coating -$1.995
1 year ceramic coating -$799
3 month ceramic coating -$49
What's the difference in all that?
10 year ceramic coating -$1.995
1 year ceramic coating -$799
3 month ceramic coating -$49
What's the difference in all that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 5,113
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm a big fan of Gtecniq Coatings, we use their Halo on all the wrap jobs we have come through the shop. I have their Crystal Serum Ultra on my Explorer ST. I've also had good luck with Kenzo/IGL in the past.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,339
Likes: 6,510
From: Melbourne, FL
I used Adams advanced graphene on my TBSS and X5. I think they're a must have for daily drivers and cars parked outside.
That said, for the garage Queens, I think waxes look better. The main perk of a coating is the self cleaning IMO. It rains and the car is washed. For a garage queen toy, you'll probably be washing it habitually anyways.
That said, for the garage Queens, I think waxes look better. The main perk of a coating is the self cleaning IMO. It rains and the car is washed. For a garage queen toy, you'll probably be washing it habitually anyways.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 464
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
LOL, ceramic. I tend to agree with @Fauee, although I don't think the "self cleaning" thing is for real.
I've done ceramic on several cars, I just don't think it's all that. On my wife's car, I actually did half of the trunk lid with ceramic, half with a good wax. No difference in looks, cleanliness or longevity.
I've done ceramic on several cars, I just don't think it's all that. On my wife's car, I actually did half of the trunk lid with ceramic, half with a good wax. No difference in looks, cleanliness or longevity.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,339
Likes: 6,510
From: Melbourne, FL
LOL, ceramic. I tend to agree with @Fauee, although I don't think the "self cleaning" thing is for real.
I've done ceramic on several cars, I just don't think it's all that. On my wife's car, I actually did half of the trunk lid with ceramic, half with a good wax. No difference in looks, cleanliness or longevity.
I've done ceramic on several cars, I just don't think it's all that. On my wife's car, I actually did half of the trunk lid with ceramic, half with a good wax. No difference in looks, cleanliness or longevity.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 248
Likes: 1
From: Charlottesville VA
I have used a couple different types, Nano Bond has been my favorite. With proper application, they will all look good. My preference is based on the performance of the coating when applied to the rear wheels of my Transit T350. With a rear-bias, aggressive metal pads, and towing duty, those back wheels can get pretty nasty. I have had Nano Bond on the wheels for over 2 years now, and they still wipe clean without any scrubbing. Previous application of another brand worked well for about a year. I love how easy it is to wipe my DD C6 clean. I started using Griots Ceramic Speed Shine to wipe it down about a month ago, and it seems to enhance the coated surface, giving it a deep wet look all the time.
My guess is that the 3mo is something similar the Ceramic Speed Shine I use 1-2x a week. 1yr will be a heavier ceramic spray wax, and 10yr is a proper ceramic coat application. As with anything related to paint, prep is everything.
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Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 359
Likes: 153
From: Clinton, Illinois
If you can wax...
Hi there,
If you can wax your car, you can also apply your own ceramic coating. It's not hard, and I think it is superior to wax. The catch here is that you must apply the ceramic coating to smaller areas and then remove it before moving on to the next area. If you leave it on too long before removing it, you will have a mess on your hands. Be careful and stick to the directions and you will be very happy with the results. I have used ceramic since 2016 when it first came out. It is better than wax IMO. Good luck!
Mike Fesi
If you can wax your car, you can also apply your own ceramic coating. It's not hard, and I think it is superior to wax. The catch here is that you must apply the ceramic coating to smaller areas and then remove it before moving on to the next area. If you leave it on too long before removing it, you will have a mess on your hands. Be careful and stick to the directions and you will be very happy with the results. I have used ceramic since 2016 when it first came out. It is better than wax IMO. Good luck!
Mike Fesi
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 198
Likes: 96
From: St. Louis, MO
Thanks for the replies all. I, myself have not been sold on ceramic yet. I last applied ceramic in 2018 to another car and I was not overly pleased. Seemed hard to work with and left streaks. Granted, I was probably not using a very good product.
The goal for me is maximum shine. The car is always garaged, I don't drive in rain, and is covered and stored during the winter months. I don't really even drive it much in the summer as life gets in the way.
I have been using a Chemical Guys Jet seal and followed up with Chemical Guys Butter wax and have never been extremely impressed with the shine.
The goal for me is maximum shine. The car is always garaged, I don't drive in rain, and is covered and stored during the winter months. I don't really even drive it much in the summer as life gets in the way.
I have been using a Chemical Guys Jet seal and followed up with Chemical Guys Butter wax and have never been extremely impressed with the shine.
