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Hi all, I have kicked around the idea of ceramic coating my 13 Nightraceblue convertible for a while. The whole process intimidates me. While my car is a very low mileage garage queen and the paint is perfect, I'm afraid to coat the car without following the proper preparation. My question to you fellas are: Do you think it's even worth ceramic coating the car? What are the real life benefits? And if you coated your car, what steps did you take? I am a big fan of Adam's polishes so that's what I would lean toward if I do decide to ceramic coat my car but I'm open to suggestions and opinions.
I did mine with Gyeon O2 Evo. I just used regular 91% alcohol for prep. The Gyeon is very user friendly, easy to apply and remove, similar to wax except you just do a panel at a time. To me the advantage to this is it's a one and done if you garage your car. No more waxing or applying product every couple months. Once, maybe twice a year I will use a ceramic speed detailer to enhance the shine and protection. It also will almost eliminate the need to wash the car, in fact I can't remember the last time my vette got a wash and the last time it did I just left it in the rain, used a Cali water blade squeegee for the water beads and then micro fiber dry. Rainwater does not leave spots like a hose will.
if your paint has been well maintained through the years, which yours sounds like it has been, there is really no need for all that prep. That prep is for a car that has been outside and has contaminants, water spots, swirl marks and such. Run your fingers down the hood and if you don't feel any thing on the surface alcohol wipe is all you need. Mine was semi garage keep but the PO was meticulous with the paint so all I needed was to remove any waxes/product that was on the paint. My cyber grey is one of those colors that the ceramic coat really brought it out.
Check out this crazy reflections I got right after doing the ceramic coat!
Last edited by vinny R; Jul 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM.
Reason: add info
I have our SUVs coated, it's worth it for a car that lives outside because it makes them stay cleaner, longer, and easier to wash. For a garage queen it's a total waste, especially a small car like the Corvette.
Ceramic coated cars are often not as nice looking as waxed cars. They get to be more reflective than actual deep wet paint look. It's worth it for a large outside SUV, just from a practicality standpoint.
The prep is all about getting the car to as nice of a condition as you want it to look. Polish it to as perfect of a finish as you want, then lock it in with ceramic.
FUAEE, might not agree with me, but I say it's worth it. Why not? If it adds protection and shine and makes it easier to clean when dirty, it can't be a total waste. I haven't done my Corvette yet, but I have done other cars. I keep saying I am gonna bring my Corvette to get it done, but just haven't yet. I don't wax or polish my cars, so to have it coated and it be good for a few years sounds good to me.
I recently did a paint correction on the wife's 2014 Charger (12+ years old, 120k miles), then did ceramic on it. I think it turned out great. So far it appears as though it stays cleaner after being driven in the rain and cleanup has been easier. I have Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic Quick Detailer to help maintain the coating.
I have a 'vert garage queen and I used the Turtle Wax hybrid solutions ceramic. It's good enough for a garage queen and extremely easy to use, and it lasts for a lot longer than any wax I've used before. I like Adams products too but felt their ceramic was overkill for me.
Hi all, I have kicked around the idea of ceramic coating my 13 Nightraceblue convertible for a while. The whole process intimidates me. While my car is a very low mileage garage queen and the paint is perfect, I'm afraid to coat the car without following the proper preparation. My question to you fellas are: Do you think it's even worth ceramic coating the car? What are the real life benefits? And if you coated your car, what steps did you take? I am a big fan of Adam's polishes so that's what I would lean toward if I do decide to ceramic coat my car but I'm open to suggestions and opinions.
Thanks much in advance!
Are you after an actual ceramic coating, or are you after ceramic coating buzzword(s) from brands like Griots, Adams, Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Turtle Wax, or whatever product you see at your local auto parts store/Walmart?
An actual ceramic coating, you will typically want a paint correction to verify surface integrity before application. However, we are talking about brands like Modesta, Kamikaze, Cquartz, Gtechniq, Optimum, etc. and you aren't getting away with an under $100 option here.
Ceramic coatings are a great idea for a daily driver or for someone who doesn't like to detail a car but there are better products out there that will give you a better shine, they will have to be re applied much more often though
Are you after an actual ceramic coating, or are you after ceramic coating buzzword(s) from brands like Griots, Adams, Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Turtle Wax, or whatever product you see at your local auto parts store/Walmart?
An actual ceramic coating, you will typically want a paint correction to verify surface integrity before application. However, we are talking about brands like Modesta, Kamikaze, Cquartz, Gtechniq, Optimum, etc. and you aren't getting away with an under $100 option here.
There's nothing special about those boutique brand coatings. The Adams coating for example tests better than most of those. The Meguiar's one is supposed to be really really good too.
Are you after an actual ceramic coating, or are you after ceramic coating buzzword(s) from brands like Griots, Adams, Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Turtle Wax, or whatever product you see at your local auto parts store/Walmart?
An actual ceramic coating, you will typically want a paint correction to verify surface integrity before application. However, we are talking about brands like Modesta, Kamikaze, Cquartz, Gtechniq, Optimum, etc. and you aren't getting away with an under $100 option here.
Please define for me what makes an "actual ceramic coating".
The Project Farm video does some pretty extensive testing, and some of the cheaper spray on products actually held up good.
None of the products I mentioned are compared there, and those are not typically defined as ceramic coatings but as ceramic based sprays, I do love me some Project Farm though. If you wanted to go cheap end of the spectrum ceramic coat, check out Avalon King. Just keep in mind there is a difference in the hardened proper compound vs the sprays, and you will pay for that. Otherwise you could argue why would you put anything on the paint at all, after all, it has a clear coat!
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Ceramic Coatings
