not corvette related, I purchased a 2021 SS camaro for the wife to drive. It went from the dealer to the detail shop to have ceramic coating put on it and expel put on the hood and front end. The rep at the detail shop said that it would be a good idea to have the ceramic coating refreshed once a year. Does that sound right? Once a year

 

I can't speak for all application materials but my System X does not require a redo annually and is guaranteed for 6 years. The company makes a spray-on product (System X Renew) that you use after each wash that takes about 10 minutes to put on my car with a microfiber towel to wipe it off and that is all I need to do to keep it glassy/shiny.

 

Here's a non-detailed quick answer, come by the Car Car Discussion thread for further discussion:


You can maintain a coating just about every time you wash it by using SiO2 infused products like CarPro Reload and also by adding a sacrificial layer to the coating in the form of a topper - I use TAC Systems 1 Step Master, but there are a bunch of great ones. This will greatly extend the lifecycle of the coating.

Basically, by the time a year rolls around, the primary coating has not degraded much at all - hence you are refreshing by means of proper maintenance.

Again, this is a basic overview of care and feeding for a coating....please let me know if you need more info.

Loki6

 

No it need not be refreshed yearly, especially if its a good product, you just need to take care of it properly when you wash the car. Use the right product to wash with, maybe a top layer detail spray, and don't take it in for someone else to do it.

My cheap Blackfire coating on my truck is 1.5 years old and needs no such refresher coat. I just wash it with the right things.

 

As others have said, the answer depends on the coating applied and the care it receives. Consumer-applied spray-on versions aren't designed to last multiple years, while professionally-applied versions usually are. The life of both can be extended with proper care (e.g., use of pH-neutral shampoo, application of ceramic "boost", etc).

My professionally-applied Gtechniq coating is rated to last 9 years. A free annual inspection by a certified installer is required to maintain coverage. (Most will probably try to up-sell additional services, but there's no obligation to purchase.)

 

Seems your post has a bit of a contradiction to it. You say your coating lasts 9 years only through attention to proper care. You then indicate a free inspection will accomplish this. Are we to be believe the professional detailer will be working for free when he applies boost coats of expensive SiO2 top coatings? Should the detailer not perform these services applying maintenance coatings there goes your 9 year rating. Are these maintenance coats free? BTW, what exactly is a certified installer? Who certifies them?

 

Most ceramic coats have at least a 3 year warranty and upto 7-9 years. I wash and dry, that's it, Once every couple of months I use a detail spray, but that is because I like doing it. This stuff is strong and should last without any refresher for several years, otherwise, why bother?

 

Hi Joe,

Not to correct or discredit your process, only to kindly offer a different perspective if I may please....

I do agree that coating lifecycles run all over the place - based on pro level or consumer level - sure my pro install only Modesta BC-05 coating would likely outlive CQuartz UK3.0 that I could have done in my own driveway.

Regardless, each coating (pro or consumer) will naturally tend to degrade over time based on nature, the elements, garage kept or not, and (most importantly as a mitigating factor) care and feeding - a.k.a. maintenance. It's simply the nature of things.

Because of this, and the fact that I (and many others in the detailing section) enjoy working on our cars, we look after the coatings with different maintenance products along the way that will:

1. extend the lifecycle of the coating - if we select the correct ones!
2. add to the gloss and slickness of the base coating - if we select the correct ones!
3. aid in the self cleaning properties of the coating itself - if we select the correct ones!

We will wash our cars a few times a month and use some type or types of LSP (last step products) to aid in the aforementioned process. Just as you enjoy your detail spray every couple of months, we (no life, compulsive freaks of nature) will attempt to coax any additional gloss and radiance out of the clearcoat.

If any of this piques your interest, please come and hang with us over in the car care discussion section, we love to chat with anyone who enjoys detailing or simply wants to expand their knowledge base.

Kind Regards,
Loki6

 

Hi Loki:
What you said is music to my ears, there is a Detailing Section in this forum!! The highlight of my weekend is turning on the music in the garage and detailing my Vette or Subaru or my wife' 4Runner.
Can you please tell me how to get to that section, I would love to share and learn from a group of people who enjoy getting a car to sparkle.
Many thanks for your message, I really would live to join in that group, Joe

 

here you go, welcome aboard!!!!

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...discussion-10/

 

Installer is incorrect.

I have ceramic coating on my Corvette. It's all about maintenance of the ceramic coat to extend longevity.

First, don't take it to a car wash. Wash the car yourself or use a detailer. You have to wash with a pH neutral soap. A cost effective one is the Meguiar Gold Class, $6 at walmart. Stay away from SiO2 infused wash products, unless it's from the same manufacturer as your ceramic coating company.

Second, you can refresh your ceramic coating periodically by using a topper, ideally from the same manufacturer. For example, my ceramic coating is CarPro. The recommended topper is CarPro Reload. I have also used The Bead Maker which in my opinion had the best results.