Ceramic Coating??? Experiences?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 551
Likes: 263
Ceramic Coating??? Experiences?
I have had an offer from a local shop that does ceramic coating to do my car at a discount for some ad/photo use. The service is generally about $800 with 5 to 6 years guarantee and I'd get for less than half that.
Has anyone here gotten their previous cars ceramic coated and are there any downsides? As I understand it they do prep the pain extensively and the car must be cured indoors for 24 hours.
Anyone have experience with this? I'm planning Sebring Orange btw.
Has anyone here gotten their previous cars ceramic coated and are there any downsides? As I understand it they do prep the pain extensively and the car must be cured indoors for 24 hours.
Anyone have experience with this? I'm planning Sebring Orange btw.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 928
Likes: 633
I enjoy detailing my cars so spending $39.95 for a year's protection makes perfect sense for me.
https://www.autogeek.net/dr-beasleys-1201-coating.html
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 179
Likes: 179
If you’re having paint protection applied, yes. I have full clear wrap on my zl1 1le. Correction was done and the car looks shockingly good. Plus all it take to wash is a foam cannon, a quick power wash, and then a blow dry.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 520
From: West Columbia Texas
I have had an offer from a local shop that does ceramic coating to do my car at a discount for some ad/photo use. The service is generally about $800 with 5 to 6 years guarantee and I'd get for less than half that.
Has anyone here gotten their previous cars ceramic coated and are there any downsides? As I understand it they do prep the pain extensively and the car must be cured indoors for 24 hours.
Anyone have experience with this? I'm planning Sebring Orange btw.
Has anyone here gotten their previous cars ceramic coated and are there any downsides? As I understand it they do prep the pain extensively and the car must be cured indoors for 24 hours.
Anyone have experience with this? I'm planning Sebring Orange btw.
I have had the last 3 cars done right I picked them up. 2 Vettes and a truck. for that price, if its done properly with a quality produce, you can't go wrong. and I will get my C8 done as soon as I pick it up. I highly recommend it. look at one of the many youtube videos out there to see what it will do for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,648
Likes: 2,933
From: NW Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
$400 is a steal. We had our 2018 Audi TT, Black Mythos, professionally ceramic coated. Cost close to $1,000 because they did the paint, windows, wheels, calipers and inside the door jams. Because it was still relatively new, there was very minimal paint correction needed. It definitely helped the black paint remain swirl and scratch free. Easier to keep clean too. The orange would definitely shine bright
Last edited by golddog; Aug 29, 2019 at 11:03 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 862
From: Philadelphia Suburbs
I had my current F Pace done and I am really happy with the results after 2+ years. The car always looks bright and shiny. I detail my own cars, and kind of miss not polishing and waxing this one. However I do use special products to keep the slickness of the finish.
Though I know how to do extensive detailing, I would never take on ceramic coating myself. Making a mistake is extremely problematic.
The prices you guys are listing seem like great deals. I also had the entire front of my vehicle covered in PPF before having it coated. My F Pace is dark gray and, like with waxing, dark colors really pop!
Though I know how to do extensive detailing, I would never take on ceramic coating myself. Making a mistake is extremely problematic.
The prices you guys are listing seem like great deals. I also had the entire front of my vehicle covered in PPF before having it coated. My F Pace is dark gray and, like with waxing, dark colors really pop!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 395
From: Cary NC
I had my 2015 Z06 done in December 2014 by a pro and I will do it again. Even today the finish is still shiny, super slippery and very hydrophobic. I used to be a fan of Rejex, but a high-end quartz coating is shinier and lasts for a long, long time. I have a blade silver car and dirt sheds so well that I only have to wash it every two or three months.
After watching the pro work (clay bar, clean, apply coating) I would never attempt it myself. At least not on my own car.
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After watching the pro work (clay bar, clean, apply coating) I would never attempt it myself. At least not on my own car.
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Last edited by CaryBob; Aug 29, 2019 at 11:33 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I had my triple black C5 done a couple of years ago, best money I've ever spent on a car. It cost between $800-$1000 , I don't remember the exact cost, but it did include entire care being buffed out (paint correction),
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 609
From: Houston TX
Had my wife's '13 Mustang done recently, and agree with others here - the primary cost in ceramic coating is the paint correction / prep, prior to the application of the ceramic coating. For my wife's car, she had loads of swirls from washing over the years, and a few rock chips that needed correcting, then, they usually will offer varying levels of paint correction as well (like 50%, 80%, etc), for varying cost.
If I was looking to do ceramic coating on a brand new vehicle with little to no paint correction needed, I would absolutely look into doing it myself.
If I was looking to do ceramic coating on a brand new vehicle with little to no paint correction needed, I would absolutely look into doing it myself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 1,593
I did it myself... It was Wolfgang from Autogeek. Clayed the car, then applied... it is a 2-3 day process, and alot of work... if you can have it done professionally including materials for $400, well, its definately worth the money IMHO.
However, 4 years in, and the car still looks great... quick wash with mild carwash (I use clear baby soap), dry with microfiber towels, and then a brisk 20 minute drive, and thats it... I detailed cars to make money in college, and personally, I hate it... so this is a godsend.
One thing... mild scratched or abrasion leaves a white residue... (I think it is the coating "sacrificing" itself), so at least with this product, you need to buff out these streaks with a microfiber cloth, they come out with a bit of elbow grease, but do not leave any marks on the finish that I can see.
If you are buying a new car, I would DEFINATELY do the coating as soon as it is delivered... protects the paint, and cuts down on day-to-day maintenance...
However, 4 years in, and the car still looks great... quick wash with mild carwash (I use clear baby soap), dry with microfiber towels, and then a brisk 20 minute drive, and thats it... I detailed cars to make money in college, and personally, I hate it... so this is a godsend.
One thing... mild scratched or abrasion leaves a white residue... (I think it is the coating "sacrificing" itself), so at least with this product, you need to buff out these streaks with a microfiber cloth, they come out with a bit of elbow grease, but do not leave any marks on the finish that I can see.
If you are buying a new car, I would DEFINATELY do the coating as soon as it is delivered... protects the paint, and cuts down on day-to-day maintenance...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 479
Likes: 306
From: The Land of Enchantment
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
I've got a '19 Z and I had one of the local detail guys put a couple coats of OptiCoat Pro+ on her for $750. They had her for 2 days and did everything, the wheels, calipers, windows, exhaust and of course the paint. The results are impressive, well worth the $$$. I've got a vinyl wrap on my car, the ceramic coating is supposed to last 5 to 7 years and the wrap is supposed to be good for around 5. So by the time the wrap is ready to be replaced, it will be time to redo the ceramic coating.
We get a lot of random thunder storms in New Mexico this time of year. One struck while I was at a friends house a couple days after the the ceramic coat was applied. It poured cats & dog's for about 30 minutes then the sky was clear again. My Z was spotless, my GF's Jeep, not so much.
We get a lot of random thunder storms in New Mexico this time of year. One struck while I was at a friends house a couple days after the the ceramic coat was applied. It poured cats & dog's for about 30 minutes then the sky was clear again. My Z was spotless, my GF's Jeep, not so much.
Last edited by twiget; Aug 29, 2019 at 12:38 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I did it myself to both vettes, the work is in the paint correction step. Unless it was a brand new car, it would be a 2-3 day job. I did my new GS in about a full day of work, but I did not try to get out the orange peel and it needed very little otherwise for prep. My 88 took a couple days.
I would try to look at some other cars they've done and find out what product they are using. Really good ones can last 5 years or so.
I would try to look at some other cars they've done and find out what product they are using. Really good ones can last 5 years or so.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,238
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
As with everything preparation is the key. If the price they quoted you includes a contamination wash, clay bar and ceramic coating then yes that is a great price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,089
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Applying a quality coating really isn't overly difficult and if ya make a mistake, the polish that panel and reapply...no harm no foul for 99.8% of the products out there. A few pro-only products require a bit more aggression to remove but if you're a DIY'er, you'll not have access to those anyway.
As with anything, the GIGO principle applies; Garbage In, Garbage Out. While you can apply a coating successfully to a clean, decontaminated surface regardless of scratches or defects, its mostly pointless unless you correct the paint first. GIGO.
It actually took me 3 years and trying a boxload of different coatings to find one that was best *for me* and that's about as good as it gets...best *for you*. Despite what many might claim, there is no universal BEST coating...too many variables.
As for OP, if you trust the installer it's a no-brainer. What is put on the paint is usually secondary to Who is applying it.
As with anything, the GIGO principle applies; Garbage In, Garbage Out. While you can apply a coating successfully to a clean, decontaminated surface regardless of scratches or defects, its mostly pointless unless you correct the paint first. GIGO.
It actually took me 3 years and trying a boxload of different coatings to find one that was best *for me* and that's about as good as it gets...best *for you*. Despite what many might claim, there is no universal BEST coating...too many variables.
As for OP, if you trust the installer it's a no-brainer. What is put on the paint is usually secondary to Who is applying it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,184
Likes: 174
This multi year guarantee is a bunch of crap. Whenever you have to correct or remove scratches... you remove the coating. If your car is coated and driven in the 4 seasons your gonna have to correct and recoat at least annually. It's snake oil BS when they give ya this multi year nonsense. Just my opinion.
Last edited by charley95; Aug 29, 2019 at 08:46 PM. Reason: mis spell
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
This multi year guarantee is a bunch of crap. Whenever you have to correct or remove scratches... you remove the coating. If your car is coated and driven in the 4 seasons your gonna have to correct and recoat at least annually. It's snake oil BS when they give ya this multi year nonsense. Just my opinion.