Any Downside of ceramic coating?

Maintenance:https://www.opticoat.com/car-care-guide/

Warranty: https://www.opticoat.com/warranty/terms/

Did I miss anything?

 

YouTube, no need for links.

mad far your buddy is concerned I don’t give a damn if he is “nationally” known.

I to have run a detail shop and done vehicles from moms go cart to auction cars, last one I did was valued at over 2 mil. The same goes.

improper app of ceramic anything can fuck up all sorts of stuff and it is not easy to remove once the damage has been done. Ceramics are always fluid and slippery until dry, try cera coating a gun some time, same basic principal, fuck it up and the damage can be irreversible.

ALL auto parts store ceramics are 1 year life unless you diaper the thing everyday.

If the wax and polish jobs are dark ages you better go to every car show and help you buddy sell. Pebble beach people and the like still do it the old way.

none of my rides are near that kind show quality, I will still do the old way. I take pride in it and it enables me to see what if any areas are in need of more than a clean.

like I said, you have a vested interest in this stuff, I don’t and don’t care much for it, just like clay, new is not always better.

 

How much is that opti coat ceramic with 7 year warranty? I know it's hard to say since usually paint correction is needed. But I'd assume its $2k+ installed not including correction. If I could get a 7 year warranty for under $1.5k on a brand new vehicle I might go for it. The question at that point is should you do PPF at that price point. Very interesting.

 

Jeez this thread turned into a train wreck. OP there is no downside to ceramic. If you are going with a pro shop make sure it is reputable.

Between sealants and ceramics there really is no reason to use wax on a daily driver anymore. Ceramic will our perform the others if maintained. Just because you get a ceramic applied doesn’t mean you get to quit maintaining.

 

This is something that is a huge misconception, I have read countless posts about people thinking they dont need to wash or use any topper products once they get a ceramic coat done. It requires a lot of maintenance still.

 

Exactly. I find it easier to maintain while providing better protection.

 

sure if using a rotary. DA will take a while to burn through paint. You would have to be an idiot to burn through paint with a DA.

If you are talking a consumer version coating from like Autogeek, they are very forgiving. I find them as easy to work with as a wax or sealant.

 

And you botched a coating job that had to be corrected by a body shop? Not meaning to call you out, just reacting to how over the top you're coming at this.

I think one of the things often overlooked with detailing products and that we all want a product that lasts a really long time. However the product companies realize that they have to sacrifice longevity for ease of use some times. People often overlook ease of use with these products, we just take for granted easy on easy off. Now I don't know why Carpro cquartz is version 3.0, but my guess would be that a lot of that has to do with making it easier for consumers to apply successfully.

To answer OP's question, obviously the answer to the thread title is managing the expectations of the coating that is being applied can do.

 

This ^^
I really don't see a way of burning thru the clearcoat, never mind the paint too with a DA. I really believe one would actually have to try.
And I agree on the consumer level ceramic coatings, many of these, including cquartz UK 3.0 which is widely considered one of the industry's leaders is almost as easy to apply as a sealant or wax. Yes you do sacrifice some longevity by making a more user friendly version, but I know of guys who have made it 4+ years on cquartz with proper maintenance. I would rather spend about $100 to do 2 coats of cquartz, and another $100 on reset, ironx, ech20, and reload to maintain it for 3-5 years, than have to wax my truck every 2-3 months to keep it protected and shiny. On a side note, I think drying is MY biggest enemy, I use an electric leaf blower and Griots PFM drying towels, but every time I dry I fear the scratches I could be introducing. I worry more about drying than washing because I don't touch my paint more than once with any wash media. I really want a DI rinse system.

I am not too proud to admit I was wrong earlier when I said none would warranty a coating for 7 years. I was proven wrong with the professional version of optimum opti coat. I truly did not know they tout that kind of longevity. There were a few caveats listed and some serious maintenance requirements but they do indeed offer 7 years. Like any other coating, without proper washes, drying, maintenance sprays, you won't get 7 years and surely will void that warranty. Ceramic being maintenance free is a myth, but a coating does make maintenance easier, of that makes sense, and keeps your paint looking good for longer.

 

Nope never botched a job because it is always by hand. SEEN it happen is not the same as DOING it. Quite a few in this world have a vested or financial interest in oils, tyres, coatings, etc. just cause so and so knows somebody means nothing, I personally know Chuck Graves and Jessie James, does that make me a Yamaha Factory rider or a custom car builder? No, what I see or have seen is the issue here. YouTube is full of people diagnosing things wrong, stating poor facts, claiming x will do this on you car even though it was tested on a totally different vehicle.

I have been interested in the ceramics stuff for cars, hoping it was a “fix” for the wax process. Poor waxing can be corrected far easier than ceramics. A good job of waxing can last just as long if not longer IN CERTAIN environments with good maintenance.

tell you what, I’ll stick with the dark ages y’all can go for the new. If the old ways are still being used, well, I means it is still viable and requested.

now, exit stage right.

 

Some valid points, and much regurgitated false info in here.

Op, the bottom line is this, as far as longevity is concerned the order of things is as follows; wax- sealant- coating. Wax lasts the least amount of time and coatings last the longest.
As stated some coatings can last years, price will (generally) be reflective of its ability to withstand the elements. Most reputable shops will offer warranty, be aware though MANY factors can affect this, no garage, parking by railways etc.

I personally recommend a sealant to my customers, it's easier and cheaper to apply. I have had one on my last car that lasted from November to April before i started to notice it beginning to lose its effectiveness.
This topic is much like an oil or tire thread and there are a myriad of factors to consider with each of these protectants.

A ceramic coating will still need to be cautiously and regularly maintained, they are NOT a magic bullet. That being said they DO make it easier to keep your vehicle looking proper. Also provide a excellent barrier between birdshit, bugs etc and your paint.

 

More maintenance

 

Just got my 21 black Tacoma ceramic coated. Paid a pretty penny. I got it back, looked great , super glossy. I get it home in my garage and I see endless spider lines and swirls. Is this normal? I got the truck in June. Double bucked washed it once and did touch free twice. That’s it. I feel like it has more scratches now then when I first brought it in. Should I be looking to get my money back?? Anyone knowledgeable able to give some input would be much appreciated!

 

If you had swirls in from when you picked it up, then that is not normal. Almost sounds like they didn’t correct the paint before coating.

 

That’s what it seems like. I told the guy to do paint correction if needed… can’t stop seeing the swirls now. Thanks for your reply!

 

Try posting up some pictures of the vehicle in the sun. That will help us better understand what is going on.

 

A little tough to see. But I tried to snap photos. That doesn’t seem normal for just getting it coated. It’s covered in lines like that all over..

 

Has this been there since first day of coating? If not it could be something in your wash process.

 

I just picked it up Friday from being coated so I haven’t even done the first wash yet (supposed to wait a week he said). These lines may have been there from when I brought it to him. Would paint correction have removed them?

 

That type of damage is easy to do from carelessly drying the car off. With a dirty rag they could have done that right after polishing. I've seen this thread countless times across various detailing forums. Question is would you want them touching the paint again to correct their mistakes? Do you mind saying what you paid. I see you're in NY so I'd think this service would cost more in your area than say mine or ace's.

I would also think that as a pro coating installer, polishing would be part of the package. Or I'd be having you sign off on the fact that because you didn't pay for polishing you're out on any kind of warranty that I may otherwise offer. I'm not saying a 2021 has to be polished before coating, but there are so many reasons to polish, rather than not. The fact that you're seeing it now, tells me you should have had it polished.