ceramic coating?

I was in El Paso. made an appointment for a detail, since I roadtripped there in my newer truck and took my dog and managed to kill ALL the bugs along the way. the shop guy tried talking me into a ceramic treatment. it was $800. I checked and back in CA, it would cost me double that. turned out the shop owner called me later and told me he needed a break from work and would need to cancel my appointment.

oh well. not sure I'm willing to cough up double here.

my wife did her car using some coupon, and it seems to work okay. thought?

anyone loving it?

 

I asked a professional painter his opinion on the Ceramic.
He said it's all a gimmick.
Your paint is the best protection on your truck, all of the aftermarket stuff, waxes, build up a coating that deteriorates in time.
That's that. And I'm sure that there's a lot of other opinions as well.
Choose wisely!

 

We did the ceramic coating on my wifes 2022 RAV4. I have noticed no difference. Does not look different, does not repel road grime or clean easier. Does not bead water...
When I wash it, I still have to hand wash it to remove road film. I still have to wax it to bead water.

 

$1,600 For something I can't see, touch, smell, taste or hear?
Yea.... No.

 

Ceramic coating is the best idea to come along in a long time….for the people who charge thousands to apply it. Totally not worth the dough, but man do I wish I had thought of it first.

Just follow good practice taking care of your paint, avoid high pressure washes, and you’ll never regret not throwing money at ceramic.

 

yea. I told my wife I pass. lot of other good stuff to drop the money on. hahah

 

Use a DIY Ceramic coating. Cost around $100 and yes it makes cleaning the vehicle a lot easier. The bugs you killed come right off.

 

Its about the prep work and install. Up to the individual if it's worth it. A properly applied coat with good product will last a few years.

 

I had ceramic applied on my truck after I bought it. It still beads up water 2 years later and seems to stay cleaner longer. Biggest difference for me, bugs wash right off the paint even after being on for over a week, and no more twice yearly waxes needed. It is expensive though.

 

My truck got it's first and only wax in 2018 and still beads water.
I happen to use McGuire's wash and wax, but just about any wash and wax soap will bead water.

From arms reach, 99 out of 100 average Joes would guess my truck was recently coated with something laborious.
Over the years, I've found that a routine proper hand wash is all I need, outside of the land of love bugs.

Edit to note: This comes from someone that used to have a detailer in his pocket for a bi-weekly wash and monthly wax.

 

I'm a skeptic of ceramic in general but have witnessed one single example of awesomeness. I had to borrow a Raptor a few months back and decided to detail it to help repay the owner for lending it to me. The truck had some sort of professionally laid ceramic on it in 2016 when it was purchased used. God as my witness after I got through the grime layer that had accumulated...the ceramic was still there. I had planned to clay and wax it. All it really needed was a thorough wash. I remain impressed but still skeptical. Type of coating unknown. Applicator unknown. All I know is that it was put on in Las Vegas and ten years later still beads well.

 

If it's something you really want, do it yourself. Here you can find a few different kinds.

 

Biggest downfall I Had on my last truck (black ram) was when it scratched, I could not buff it out without removing the coating.

 

yeah, thats a problem. getting scratches out with ceramic coating is a pain.

 

Hmmm, after seeing/reading the positive posts about ceramic, maybe I should go back to the dealer on it. I don't remember the cost but we ( its the wife's car) did pay for it and delivered the car to the dealer for a day of applying ceramic coat. Ours does not bead water, bugs are hard to remove, and road grime sticks pretty drastically.
2022 RAV4 limited, ruby red.

 

My stepdaughter works at Ford.
The "ceramic" coating they sell is a spray and wipe, presumably after a quick run through the auto wash.
Not something I'd bother going back for, assuming for a moment that every dealer is equally unscrupulous.

Who knows, YMMV. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

$25 DIY ceramic here. Lots of kits on Amazon. The high end kits all feel like marketing wank, so why not get a china direct version.

I've used it for years on a number of vehicles and trailers. I love it. I do my vehicles about once every other year.

Here is what I use:

$25 FORETOO 10H Ceramic Graphene Coating,Upgraded Graphene UV Technology High Gloss Anti-Scartch Easy to Use,Stronger Than Car Wax,Use for All Car,Boat,Truck,RV Motorcycle 60ML 7 Years Warranty

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LCZ51BY

This is why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB0mqmM6NCs

 

I’ve had positive results with $100 kit. Wife’s car still beads very well after 3 years.

Here’s a quickie review and comparison from project farm.

https://youtu.be/O2lrXVV9kWU

 

Gone back and forth on ceramics many times. I will and have still just stuck with waxing the vehicles. I have read good things about self applicating it to your vehicle but expect to,spend 100-200 for a small bottle of a decent product.

 

I applied ceramic in my truck 2 years ago right after I got it. Between my husband and I we got the whole truck coated in about 4-5 hours.

It makes washing it much easier, especially the bugs. It still beads water as well. I use my own mix of CarPro products for soap and detail spray and apply Reload topper every other wash after the first year.