I did it myself. I also do my boat myself and have tried a couple products over the lastvcouple years. I have settled on this product. People are scared of this process for no reason.

https://psdetailproducts.com/collect...amic-coating-1

I spoke to the owner and I've always used the Inspiration, but will upgrade to the Legend this year.

It is a Massive difference. On the boat I used to get black stripping after a few weeks each summer, now I don't get anything and everything washes off.

You will be able to obviously tell the difference when washing your car. I washed mine last night. My quarter panels and bumper have been repainted due to the headlight rubbing issue and I was told to wait 90 days before re-ceramin coating, the difference in the way dirt and grime washes off is VERY noticable and the way the water beads and dries off is night and day.

Fantastic product

 

Do yourself a favor and find a reputable detail shop near you that does both ceramic coatings and paint protection film and visit them to see their work. While I do admire the people who do this themselves you can’t buy the products the professionals use. Companies like Ceramic Pro and Xpel require shops to be certified so they can warranty their work.

I’ve had the same shop coat seven vehicles for me in the last six years. I only added PPF to my C8. As others have mentioned clean up is a breeze. The vehicles always shine even after being driven in the rain. My red Silverado 2500HD hasn’t been washed in three weeks because it’s been so rainy here but you could never tell unless you looked at the running boards. Same with my wife’s Denali. I love ceramic.

 

PPF is Paint Protection Film (i.e. Xpel or other). As the name states this a is a protective film that will protect against rock chips, bird poop, etc. Most modern PPF will "self-heal" if you let it sit out in the sun on a hot day. Be aware that no PPF can protect against everything, but I've found it does a really good job and eliminates he concerns of driving the car literally anywhere. I didn't do it on my '13 GS and had to repaint the front bumper cover twice, I had it just on the front bumper cover on my next '15 Stingray, and now on my '12 ZR1 I have the entire front half done. I will say, if you can afford it, do the at least the front half (if not the entire car), but at a bare minimum, do at least the front bumper cover and mirrors (where 80% of the impacts are). Also, make sure you find a good shop that will paint correct the car before applying the film, as once it's on, any swirls, scratches, etc are going to be "locked" under the PPF. Also, don't do ceramic coating before doing PPF as it'll have to be stripped off before applying the PPF.

Ceramic coating to me is well worth it on just about any car you want to look good. As others have said ceramic doesn't really protect, but it does make maintenance so much easier. I usually just use a pressure washer to hose the ZR1 off and it looks great. The only time I use a wash mit (microfiber of course) is when it's really dirty. Either way, I don't ever touch the car with a towel, but rather use a strong leaf blower to blow the car dry, which is so much easier after it's been ceramic coated (even 3 years later).

 

Ceramic coating certainly provides a brilliant shine but it depends on the product because there is a lot of crappy ceramic products on the market. The higher end ceramic coating is very expensive to have professionally applied and has to be reapplied after just a few years. Anyone telling you it lasts a long time is selling you sand in a desert or don’t know what they are talking about. For the money PPF (often referred to as clear bra) not only prevents actual protection and the new Xpel products have an amazing clear coat and comes with a 10 year warranty.

So if you are looking to protect your C8 clear bra is the clear winner. If you still want the brilliant shine a good ceramic provides then have it put on over the PPF

BTW, ceramic coating is to be put OVER the PPF…NOT UNDER IT. You can confirm that fact by calling Xpel directly (they are the market leader) they’ll tell you to put it over the PPF. Xpel: Toll Free: 800-447-9928. Xpel also developed and sells FUSION PLUS PAINT & PPF its 9H ceramic coating, purposely developed to perform with (over) PPF (paint protection film).

https://www.xpel.com/products/paint-protection-film

 

2 years in on pro detail ceramic. Love it. Get the wheels done too! No more drama cleaning the barrels. Don’t require any special wheel cleaner or brushes.

 

Yes - ceramic coat it. Totally worth it. I'd do it again over and over. Makes cleaning the car so much easier - any shinier too :-)

 

I am glad I took the advice from all of you! I have a friend who does "high end" wrapping and ceramic coating






. My 2023 C8 was done this week. Wow!!!

 

It makes cleaning so easy. I got the wrap on the front to protect from rocks and stuff then ceramic on the whole thing. Would do it on all my vehicles.

 

Pricey....but worth it!

 

Anyone have a recommendation in the Houston area and ballpark pricing they can share for what/when they had done?

 

Yellow Lab & Aussie ?

 

Yellow Lab & Aussie ?

 

I do get all of my vehicles ceramic coated. It's nice to come through a rain storm with enough dry road between where it got wet and my home and watch the water just roll off of it.

 

Exactly right

 

I also had the rims coated. I assume it works well with the brake dust?

 

It did not help mine what so ever. The only thing you can do is change your brake pads.

 

I had my 23 recently ceramic coated. Love it, but since everyone says never touch the car. How do you handle getting bugs off when driving to a car show? Leave them until your next wash. I use a foam cannon and a leaf blower never touching the paint with anything.

 

I find the nearest you spray it car wash. Drive,then soak up the few remaining droplets with micro fiber.

 

the big question...............how much did you pay?

 

Not sure why that matters, but $1200.00