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I enjoy waxing my car and would miss the love I give my car doing it.... Was quoted $1800 to do a ceramic coating on my car. I asked if it came with a table dance or dinner first.
I've used a bottled product (my wife's SUV) and had my C7 done abut two months ago by a professional. What I can tell you is that a solid, professionally done coating will set you back come cash... but as long as it holds up I think it will be worth it. The car looks great and is very easy to clean. After a highway drive - nose and mirrors full of bugs - most of it hoses right off. The water dispersion is unreal.
I enjoy waxing my car and would miss the love I give my car doing it.... Was quoted $1800 to do a ceramic coating on my car. I asked if it came with a table dance or dinner first.
I was sold on getting ceramic coating until I did some research on the product. I came to the conclusion that it is just marginally better at protecting your finish compared to an occasional waxing. The cost benefit of ceramic coating isn't there for me. I grew up waxing my vehicles and see no reason to change now. My advice would be for you to do some research before you buy, then make a decision that is right for you. 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻
$1800 is waaaay too much! I paid $1,300 for a full body "paint correction" AND the ceramic coating. The paint correction took every swirl, stain and scratch out. Looks brand new.
When I brought my 2019 GS home from the dealer I thought about ceramic coating but all it took was one time hand washing and hand waxing my baby to realize that I really loved the one on one time with her. Call me crazy but I enjoy spending a day hand detailing my C7 and it's a source of pride seeing her sparkle and knowing it was my TLC that did that.
Do the ceramic yourself. I just got my 2017 last Thursday and put two coats of Chemical Guys Carbon Force. It was very simple to do and I saved a boatload of money.
I use CQuartz and like the results. Does not take much time to do. Takes a lot of time doing the paint correction prior to applying the coating. Ceramic does last longer than wax. They do make a wax that can go on top of ceramic, but it is very pricy. So I have not tried it
As the above states, the paint correction is the hard part, you have to get rid of all of the swirls and maring marks using a polisher and I also used CARPRO Cquartz UK 3.0. It's going on 3 years and the paint is flawless, but also is not driven in the winter. Good luck with your choice!!
Do the ceramic yourself. I just got my 2017 last Thursday and put two coats of Chemical Guys Carbon Force. It was very simple to do and I saved a boatload of money.
This. I have done 2 Ford Fusions, 2 F150's, a black ZL1 and a white C6. All the time is spent on the paint correction. I always applied 2 coats of the ceramic and can't tell the difference from a $1000++ professional job. Next up, my new to me 2017 C7 GS in Watkins Glen Gray.
This. I have done 2 Ford Fusions, 2 F150's, a black ZL1 and a white C6. All the time is spent on the paint correction. I always applied 2 coats of the ceramic and can't tell the difference from a $1000++ professional job. Next up, my new to me 2017 C7 GS in Watkins Glen Gray.
I just ceramic coated my new-to-me 2017 CG Collectors Edition.
I agree about the paint correction. Wash, clay, wash, correct pain, ceramic x2, glaze on top.
I did mine a year ago and its unbelievable as i never have to wash my c7. but make sure you do the PAINT CORRECTION first. both the paint correction and coating will cost about $2500 but well worth it. Do it with a professional only.
dave
I have good success using Avalon King Armor Shield IX after paint correction on several club members Corvettes. If you have a random orbital buffer and the confidence to do your own paint correction, the DIY ceramic coating is the easy part.
I did my mother in-laws brand new black cadillac the day it came home with Avalon King Armor Shield and it was an easy process. It's been over a year and still looks great considering the only time she washes the car is when she gets the oil changed and uses one of those automatic car washes.
I also did my wheels with it a year ago and other than rinsing them off with the pressure washer I haven't scrubbed them and they still look the same. The brake dust just rinses off. I am planning to do the whole car but plan to get it paint corrected first.
Esoteric Detail and some others have a lot of reviews on products and how-to stuff. I followed much of this when I applied Kamikaze to my GS. I'd always recommend doing it, unless you just love to wax every 2-3 months. I can leave this car alone other than washing with the right product (like CarPro reset) and its just as shiny as the first day I coated it.
Basically the process is mechanical decon (clay bar), chemical decon (tar/bug/iron remover), 2-stage polishing, wipe down with alcohol prep, then coat, then cure out of the rain for a week.
Do it on a day when you can pull the car outside into bright light to look for high spots, because they won't come off without repolishing.
