Ceramic paint protection

I have a midnight black 2021. I am considering a ceramic coating for protection and swirl repellant.
Can anybody tell me about your experience with these treatments. As with everything, I know there are good ones and not so good ones.
Thanks for any advice.

 

I've considered it but decided against it. I just can't bring myself to spend over $1k for something you have to do again in a year or two. If it was permanent I'd be all in. That said, other people here swear by it. Do your research, especially about the shop that's going to apply it for you.

 

i did it myself. It is not hard. Go to Walmart, or other stores, and they have it in the auto accessories section. It is put on very similarly to the old waxing, but again, it is actually not as hard as waxing was. i put it on, wiped it off as instructed, and then went back over it with a circular buffer. Looks insanely great! After that, I bought one of those wash/ceramic polish bottles of car wash also at Walmart, and have never looked back. It has now been almost 3 years, and the truck beads up like nobody's bidness, and the shine is insanely fantastic. Also, one thing I really like about the wash/ceramic mix, is that it puts a great coating on the windshield and other glasses, keeping them crystal clear all the time, unlike with regular washing. i think I bought "Mother's" brand of the ceramic coating and I now use the Mother's brand of wash/ceramic coating to wash it. Hope this helps...

 

I had the simonize glass coat system done on my 2020 before taking delivery which took two solid days to complete. For me its been fantastic not having to wash or wax the truck in two years now having medical issues that limit my physical activity. The job added more depth to the paint with a clear hard surface still to this day that hasn't incurred any paint blemish's, or paint chips yet.
On another note, i've heard some don't recommend it, saying its bogus, but i'll challenge that all day. Imo, it likely comes down to the shop who does it right as its a tedious job just doing the paint correction to begin with.

 

I just did mine and I’m in New England .

 

It’s ALWAYS about the pre work. I used the turtle hybrid wax last summer and it was very good. After seeing a ceramic coating on a friends 5 year vehicle I was sold. The vehicle looked better than new. I immediately made an appointment with the same applicator. It’s imperative to find someone who knows how to do it and uses the correct product. As a data point, I’ve been spending $200 a year to get each vehicle externally detailed. I think the payback period is a wash and It’s a much better job. They did a print correction and worked every swirl out. This guy was meticulous and spoke with such a passion about the entire process.

 

This is what ceramic coating with proper maintenance looks like on 20yr old OEM paint !!

 

I did it and regret it. It was on a 2019 Golf R all white. Hatchbacks collect grime on the hatch so I was hoping for some miracle just rinse it off product, it was not. Second it is incredibly expensive. That much money buys a lot of carwashes and waxes. Third to take advantage of the coating "warranty" you have to go in for an inspection every year for 200 bucks. Like he is going to find anything wrong with the work he did!. I think it is all snake oil

 

I went back and forth between doing it myself, or taking it to a pro. Since i am super allergic to physical labor now adays. I took it to a pro. Skeptical at first, but was blown away by the results. Not only the immediate results, but how the truck keeps going back to that shine, after a simple wash. The place i took it to here in Florida offers a 5 year guarantee, self healing protection, and free detailing during those 5 years. It was pricey, but well worth it. I didnt need any paint protection, as the truck was less than a month old, but it still took them all day. Love it.

 

You bring up some very good points Matt. I’d disagree with you but I can’t because I’m suspicious that there might be more phonies or wannabes out there trying to do this and pocket the extra fee. These non professionals do an immense disservice to those honorable and legitimate applicators of this coating. Hurts the consumer too because many won’t take the step to do this because they don’t want to roll the dice. REFERENCES are IMPORTANT here.

 

LOVE your grill! Marine actually.

 

This is NOT ceramic coating your truck. This is an extremely water down version of a spray sealant with some Sio2 in it to say it's ceramic. The durability on these will be only 3-6months depending on what you use

Ceramic coating a car is not expensive and doesnt have to be as hard as people make it out to be.
You just have to wash the car and decontaminate the paint with a clay bar/mitt and some Iron remover products. Polishing is NOT necessary if you are happy with the condition of your paint. You have to make sure the truck is 100% dry no drips from any seams or anything. Give it a final wipe with some Iso 91% mixed 50/50 with some distilled water to make the paint free of any oils.

Now you just need to coat it and the easiest one I have found over the years is the Optimum opti-gloss. It flashes away and removal takes almost no effort any high spots. Plus it has zero VOC so no need to have any doors open.
Dont get the dealer junk as that has been proven to last about 3-6months. No better than an average over-the-counter sealant.

https://www.autoality.com/store/pc/Optimum-Gloss-Coat-20cc-New-Ceramic-Formula-407p8543.htm

watch some youtube videos on install and you will be comfortable in about 30min.
No need to pay stupid prices for a ceramic coating install. Guys who charge $1k i think are price gouging. I do some detailing out of my garage and I install it for anyone for like $245

I have coated all my cars in the past 9years so I have used a bunch of them. If you are a person who takes regular care and uses a wax or sealant atleast every 2 months you may not see the benefit of a coating. They do not make the truck scratch-resistant. They only will protect from very light marring. its still easy to scratch it. it also WILL NOT stop paint chipping. Dont believe anyone who says otherwise

 

Would you mind sharing some pics of your vehicles? Thanks!

 

Thanks Brother, Semper Fi!

 

this is something the detail guy i use posted near the holidays.. like already stated not all ceramic coating is created equal. results also depend on the prep work.. IIRC he uses the opti system.

 

Took my truck to get ceramic coating the day after I bought it, was about $1000ish and came with a 4 year warranty. Only thing they didn’t mention was that to keep the warranty you have to get an annual detail to check over the ceramic coating that costs $250 so after 4 years I’m actually into it over $2,000. If I had to do it again I would still get the ceramic coating, it’s amazing and definitely is peace of mind if you plan to keep your truck long term. I would just go with a different company, there are some like Ceramic Pro that offer lifetime warranties which is what you would want.

 

I dont really have any good photos of past cars. these are not all but some.
The White tacoma is my current 21 and its coated with Gtechniq CSL topped with Gtechniq Exo v4. My wife's is the 21 black explorer and it has Gtechniq CSL

My past 2016 tacoma I used Optimum Opti-gloss and Cqurtz UK 3.0 on it
the WRX had Gtechniq Exo v1
the black Mustang was a garage queen so it only got waxed for the depth wax provided.
The Xrunner was before coatings where around I just wanted to add it

also these are all my old cars. Not any cars I have done for people

 

I was quoted ~ $1,500 for a 5 year Ceramic Coating which seemed high, but man the shine on the trucks in this thread make me reconsider saying no.

 

That's right about what I paid for my 5 year coat.

 

Seems to be about the going rate, and if you can stomach it, the results look incredible! I might actually end up doing it after all.