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I took delivery of my 2023 HTC a few weeks ago. 3 miles on the ODO. I've driven it a few times in order to break the 500 mile barrier. Garaged.
im having a graphene ceramic coating applied along with some window tint. This place is excellent in terms of their attention to detail and care. Young man owns it, very cool story. I digress.
Take a look at these pics they sent over. They're finding stuff and sharing it with me in real time.
Brakes look like they had to have some adjuatment at factory, explains the 3 miles on the odo? Compare this to the next photo. Notice the difference?
My experience - New car, ceramic pro, lifetime warrantee, wheels off (wheels and calipers), full paint correction, 5 days in the shop - $3k. 3 Days of that was paint correction work. I think a one day job they call a "sport coat" and it's like $800? It also only lasts like 6mo, and little to no paint correction.
My detailer used a hardness meter to ensure the clear coat was even all over the car and buffed down any high spots. He said mine was one of the best he'd seen so far from BG, but most of the BG cars need very little correction. Typically there's a few points where the clearcoat can pool when they apply it, so he pays special attention to those areas. 70% of the shine is from the paint correction, 30% from the ceramic. I'm considering doing every car I own, even my 7 year old truck. I'm not made of money, but the work is just that good.
I highly doubt he would have emailed me about anything that didn't disappear with the paint correction (scuffs, swirls, etc.) That's why you're having it paint corrected...
Your brand new car that needed little paint correction needed 3 days of paint correction?
$800 “sport coat” last six months? Lol
A normal carnauba wax job on a garage kept Vette will last more than 6 months.
Hardness meter on the clear coat…unreal. Does he really expect a factory clear coat to not cure to the correct hardness?
I’ve never seen a dull brand new car in my life. You car was shiny before he did anything.
You people are spending more on paint correction than it cost to actually paint your car.
A graphene ceramic coating from IGL costs $150.00 bucks and you wipe it on let it flash and wipe it off. You have a brand new car it doesn’t need MUCH before applying the coating. Is he showing you things to justify the crazy price he’s going to charge you ??
The parking brake caliper photos represent passenger and drivers' side of the car? The scuff marks on the roof line easy to remove in about 2 minutes of polish applied by hand. If you were to take a good LED light source and take a hard look at the fit and finish you will find flaws that are easily to correct. If you guy is going to document them all, you will have plenty to share! What color is the body of the car, assuming you have the HTC top section in CF black.
A graphene ceramic coating from IGL costs $150.00 bucks and you wipe it on let it flash and wipe it off. You have a brand new car it doesn’t need MUCH before applying the coating. Is he showing you things to justify the crazy price he’s going to charge you ??
The price was agreed upon before they started, and it's definitely not cheap. I know there is a healthy debate between ceramic vs wax vs ceramic (pro-intalled) vs ceramic (DIY)... don't want to start one of those in this thread there are enough already out there...
I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like after paint correction w/ceramic. They do a lot of crazy cars there... my car probably doesn't even move their needle.
The parking brake caliper photos represent passenger and drivers' side of the car? The scuff marks on the roof line easy to remove in about 2 minutes of polish applied by hand. If you were to take a good LED light source and take a hard look at the fit and finish you will find flaws that are easily to correct. If you guy is going to document them all, you will have plenty to share! What color is the body of the car, assuming you have the HTC top section in CF black.
body is all black, same with roof and hi-wing spoiler & wheels. yellow accents on calipers & interior.
A graphene ceramic coating from IGL costs $150.00 bucks and you wipe it on let it flash and wipe it off. You have a brand new car it doesn’t need MUCH before applying the coating. Is he showing you things to justify the crazy price he’s going to charge you ??
Well the overall cost is much more than the product itself. It's the prep work prior and ideally some level of paint correction. I have a shop and also a C8, after thorough wash, spent about 4hrs polishing, wheels off clean, and then ceramic for everything. All in, spent about 8hrs. The paint was good enough without polishing but I saw all the minute flaws that most people never would. I always ask the customer to what level they want because sometimes the way it looks is just fine for them so then no need to charge higher price if no extra work.
Now don't get me started on graphene nonsense but too each their own .... it's more of a marketing ploy that actual significant improvement with dust traces. But, if the person is happy with the result vs $$ then a win win.
Well the overall cost is much more than the product itself. It's the prep work prior and ideally some level of paint correction. I have a shop and also a C8, after thorough wash, spent about 4hrs polishing, wheels off clean, and then ceramic for everything. All in, spent about 8hrs. The paint was good enough without polishing but I saw all the minute flaws that most people never would.
unrelated but comical aspect of time not equaling money. I have seen many 3rd party freight haulers under charge for their services (a business I owned used a lot of these types of carriers)... they never accounted for their own time, too wrapped up in fuel costs + direct maintenance cost.
Time IS $$$$... but alas, yes... the rate I was charged for the car definitely will keep the gas flowing to this guys super car collection. I don't care though, they do great work and they take care of the car like it's their own. I'd rather over pay a tad or pay premium, for superior customer service...
OP, 3 miles on the odometer is pretty common at delivery. Driven off the line to the parking lot, Then onto a car carrier, then off to your dealer's holding lot. They should fill it up for you, perhaps adding a couple of more miles. I had 3 on mine and it was an NCM Delivery (they get trucked to the NCM just like anyplace else).
A graphene ceramic coating from IGL costs $150.00 bucks and you wipe it on let it flash and wipe it off. You have a brand new car it doesn’t need MUCH before applying the coating. Is he showing you things to justify the crazy price he’s going to charge you ??
Even a new car can benefit greatly from a good clean, polish and clay bar before coating. If you're not doing that, you're just trapping contaminents under the ceramic.
Brakes look like they had to have some adjuatment at factory, explains the 3 miles on the odo?
The 3 miles is just driving it from the plant out to the parking lot, loading it up on the truck, unloading it at the dealer, driving it around the dealer lot and in and out of the service area for PDI. Once the car rolls out of the assembly plant, it gets no adjustments unless QC found some problem. A small percentage of production gets a short QC drive. Those arrive at the dealer about 10 to 12 miles on them.
Originally Posted by OkieVette84
Brakes look like they had to have some adjuatment at factory, explains the 3 miles on the odo?
Notice the difference?
No. I'm not sure what you're pointing out as a difference.
My experience - New car, ceramic pro, lifetime warrantee, wheels off (wheels and calipers), full paint correction, 5 days in the shop - $3k. 3 Days of that was paint correction work. I think a one day job they call a "sport coat" and it's like $800? It also only lasts like 6mo, and little to no paint correction.
My detailer used a hardness meter to ensure the clear coat was even all over the car and buffed down any high spots. He said mine was one of the best he'd seen so far from BG, but most of the BG cars need very little correction. Typically there's a few points where the clearcoat can pool when they apply it, so he pays special attention to those areas. 70% of the shine is from the paint correction, 30% from the ceramic. I'm considering doing every car I own, even my 7 year old truck. I'm not made of money, but the work is just that good.
I highly doubt he would have emailed me about anything that didn't disappear with the paint correction (scuffs, swirls, etc.) That's why you're having it paint corrected...
Even a new car can benefit greatly from a good clean, polish and clay bar before coating. If you're not doing that, you're just trapping contaminents under the ceramic.
I don't have all their steps outlined, but wash/claybar/paint correction (it's own 3 step process)/ceramic coating...
doing all glass, wheels, and painted surfaces on exterior w/coating.
OP, 3 miles on the odometer is pretty common at delivery. Driven off the line to the parking lot, Then onto a car carrier, then off to your dealer's holding lot. They should fill it up for you, perhaps adding a couple of more miles. I had 3 on mine and it was an NCM Delivery (they get trucked to the NCM just like anyplace else).
Mine delivered last Oct with exactly 3 miles. Be happy that’s all. Therefore, I 100% agree with @Zymurgy
My experience - New car, ceramic pro, lifetime warrantee, wheels off (wheels and calipers), full paint correction, 5 days in the shop - $3k. 3 Days of that was paint correction work. I think a one day job they call a "sport coat" and it's like $800? It also only lasts like 6mo, and little to no paint correction.
My detailer used a hardness meter to ensure the clear coat was even all over the car and buffed down any high spots. He said mine was one of the best he'd seen so far from BG, but most of the BG cars need very little correction. Typically there's a few points where the clearcoat can pool when they apply it, so he pays special attention to those areas. 70% of the shine is from the paint correction, 30% from the ceramic. I'm considering doing every car I own, even my 7 year old truck. I'm not made of money, but the work is just that good.
I highly doubt he would have emailed me about anything that didn't disappear with the paint correction (scuffs, swirls, etc.) That's why you're having it paint corrected...
Sounds awesome. This is similar timeline to my own ride, I think I am $2,400 all in. 3-4 days from drop off to delivery.
Your car will be impressive when the detailing is completed! You will easily recognize the quality of the work on a new black car. Nothing looks better than a black car that is dialed in. Challenging to keep it that way, appreciate those who are up to that challenge! I certainly wouldn't be shopping for a bargain when trusting someone with a 100k car. Post up some glamor shots when completed!
Even a new car can benefit greatly from a good clean, polish and clay bar before coating. If you're not doing that, you're just trapping contaminents under the ceramic.
Ceramic coatings are easy to apply and it takes minimal effort to prep a new car for one. I manage a bodyshop at a GM Dealership. I have no problem with ceramic coatings. I take issue with how they are sold and the crazy claims those selling them make. They make the crazy claims to go with the crazy prices.
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Detailer finding nuggets
