Ceramic coating
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Ceramic coating
I recently purchased a Vette from a gentleman in Florida. He always used carnauba wax but I'm interested in changing to ceramic coating. Any recommendations on the process? Should I get a professional ceramic coating first or is the process simple enough for me (I'm not very experienced in detailing vehicles)? TIA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Plenty of advice in the Car Care Section here, Esoteric and Autogeek have YT videos on the process.
I did it myself with Kamikaze Miyabi + ISM coat. You just need to do a paint correction with a DA and compound so that the coating is applied directly to paint.
I did it myself with Kamikaze Miyabi + ISM coat. You just need to do a paint correction with a DA and compound so that the coating is applied directly to paint.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,082
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
The paint must be completely free of any previous non-ceramic coatings. A good clay bar and paint correction should leave you with a good surface to apply the ceramic. If you don't feel confident in a DIY project at this level, would suggest having it professionally applied.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
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From: New Jersey
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St. Jude Donor '25
Anyone can apply ceramic coating, it is the prep that takes the most time. I had my C5 professionally corrected and ceramic coated, well worth it!
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Converse TX
Here is how I did my wife’s Nautilus, I did a polish as this removed the dealer junk they use, then panel prep. I use Mohs followed up a day later with Can Coat, then every 6 months or so I top again with can coat. My C8 has 100% PPF and after 3 yrs I now just top with can coat every 3 or 4 months.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,008
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From: South Florida
I would suggest DIY. Search Auction Car Reconditioning on youtube, and go back and watch his paint correction and ceramic coating videos. I spent around $1200 for all the tools, pads, polishes, and ceramic to do my first car. Now it costs me $200-$300 per car that I do. Most of the "real" ceramic coatings you can purchase are user friendly. I prefer to use the pro grade because they last longer, but you should still get 1-3 years out of a DIY ceramic if you take care of it properly. None of them are lasting 5-10 years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
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From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I recently purchased a Vette from a gentleman in Florida. He always used carnauba wax but I'm interested in changing to ceramic coating. Any recommendations on the process? Should I get a professional ceramic coating first or is the process simple enough for me (I'm not very experienced in detailing vehicles)? TIA
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Kansas
I recently purchased a Vette from a gentleman in Florida. He always used carnauba wax but I'm interested in changing to ceramic coating. Any recommendations on the process? Should I get a professional ceramic coating first or is the process simple enough for me (I'm not very experienced in detailing vehicles)? TIA
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 906
From: Tulum, MX
I would suggest DIY. Search Auction Car Reconditioning on youtube, and go back and watch his paint correction and ceramic coating videos. I spent around $1200 for all the tools, pads, polishes, and ceramic to do my first car. Now it costs me $200-$300 per car that I do. Most of the "real" ceramic coatings you can purchase are user friendly. I prefer to use the pro grade because they last longer, but you should still get 1-3 years out of a DIY ceramic if you take care of it properly. None of them are lasting 5-10 years.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 490
From: South Florida
whatever you wanna call it, I just know with all the prep you put in before doing the coating, most of the consumer ones really aren't worth it. I havent done the ADS quartz pro yet, but the metal oxide coating was an absolute beast.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 906
From: Tulum, MX
That’s cool.I’m finding longevity here from any product reduced a lot. High UV and high humidity, they fail sooner and set up is a little more of a bitch. I don’t find the prep bad- maybe because it calms me down
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 490
From: South Florida
I'm sure the weather is similar to here. hot and muggy. Products will flash almost instantly unless you put them on in a temp controlled garage. We have all kinds of exotic plants and trees and if any of them get on your hood or roof they will destroy most coatings on the market. None of the coatings I've used hold up to the back end of cars that are not running cats, I don't there there's anything out there that could.