Ceramic Coating- Worth It or Gimmick?

I recently posted this in the Detailing Thread, but thought I would post in here too seeing as this gets more views.

So after doing a good bit of research, I made the decision to get an appointment to have my truck ceramic coated with the Ceramic Pro Gold Package (4 layers of 9h + 1 layer of the light).

While speaking with a guy in the auto paint/collision industry, I mentioned ceramic coatings to him and he informed that they are a gimmick and not what it's all cracked up to be and advised me that I shouldn't do it and stated that I should just get it waxed with a Teflon based wax. He compared the ceramic coating to that of the ceramic coating that's done on pottery. He also did not know what 9h meant.

For all you guys who have had the ceramic coating (preferably the Ceramic Pro), what is your advice? Is it too good to be true with its claims (i.e. scratch resistant (to a certain degree), hydrophobic, etc.)? Were you happy with your decision? Can I get similar results with getting it waxed a couple times a year? Thanks!

 

Some people swear by it, many think it's a gimmick. I think it's just a way to separate you from your money.
Ask some techs or engineers you know what they think. People who have no reason abd nothing to gain by telling you a line. Then make your decision.

 

it’s original coat only lasts about 7 months. coworker has had 2 vehicles done (amg wagon and audi q7)

 

Why don’t you just get Xpel or Suntek protection films. They protect from minor scratches small rocks. I have them on my front end and so far they are great. Had a couple of rocks hit my front on the highway and it just scratched the film. All you have to do is pour hot water on the film and it’ll heal itself.

 

Not a gimmick.

If you are afraid to spend the big bucks getting it professionally done try some Gyeon Wet Coat or Can Coat. DIY friendly.

 

Thanks, I have a friend who's in engineering, maybe they might know something about it.

 

Do they like it though? With the place I'm going to, I have to go back once a year for maintenance, and to also keep the lifetime warranty valid.

 

Hmm, I haven't looked into those. I'll do some research on them though. Thanks!

 

It's not really about the money, just as long as the quality is good and it lasts and performs like they claim. I don't want to spend the money and it bogus.

 

Yup no problem. Make sure you look into the more recent reviews. Cause about 5-8 years ago, they were horrible since they started to turn yellow over time. Now they redid the whole film with newer technology and chemicals so it doesn’t do that anymore. It’s also backed by 10 yrs of warranty that replaces it or if it damages your paint, they will cover the cost to repair/repaint on vehicle.

They are clear by the way.

 

A lot of folks think ceramic coatings are magical, really it is a super hard "sealant" that goes on your paint. It is harder to apply, and lasts longer with proper care. It will NOT make a magic self cleaning bubble around your vehicle.

As long as you have realistic expectations, you will be happy.

 

would he do it again? no.

 

I find that 2X a year with Meguiar's Ultimate Wax, plus some Meguiar's Fast Finish 1X a year is all I need. The paint looks incredible and beads water very strongly all year. I don't think a coating do do any better.

 

I put Cquartz UK on my tacoma myself, I don't know how that compares to Ceramic Pro (I think H is the level of hardness). I've only had it on my truck for about 10 months but washings are much easier and I haven't seen a change in beading since I put it on. I do see some swirl marks from washing but it's nowhere near the scratches I've gotten in prior cars/washings. This is me comparing my black subaru, to my now black tacoma. Traditional waxes/sealants don't last very long in Hawaii, after trying out a ceramic coating I would do it to every car I own after this. I would read other detail forms and their reviews (autogeeks) if you're unsure.

 

The dude you talked is not a detailer. They only know how to fix accidents and do a mediocre paint jobs. Ceramic coating is the real deal as it actually adds layer to your clear coat. The only issue is you need to have either a brand new paint job (unmolested by the dealer) or a full paint correction so you don't coat over scratches or swirl marks.

Teflon based waxes a gimmick. Teflon is applied basically just like powder coating and is baked on (IIRC). Putting it onto a wax doesn't do anything. If you ask any professional detailer, none of them will recommend a teflon based wax.

Ceramic coatings are not a magic cure to protect your paint from everything, but definitely worth the investment in my opinion (if you're not going hardcore wheeling every day).

 

Sealants are not the same thing as ceramic coatings. They actually cure and add (tiny though) layers to your clear coat. If you wash your car with a stripping soap like Dawn, you'll take your wax/sealant off. You won't do that to a ceramic coated vehicle. In order to take off ceramic coating you will need to use a DA polisher.

A sealant lasts up to about 6 months depending on your weather conditions. Ceramic coatings last at least several years to even life long warranties.

I would check out this old thread on a ceramic coating test.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...-opti-coat-review-update-after-15-months.html

 

Yes. I know this - was trying to break it down in layman's terms. Dawn soap and non-coating friendly products can cause early failure of the extra tiny layer of liquid ceramic glass unobtanium. Sealant is much closer to ceramic coating than wax as others have posted they use.

 

Oh yeah, I know its not an indestructible armor around it. But from what I've seen it does make it easier to clean and what not.

 

Super hydrophobic. Real cool stuff, like I said try out McKees HydroBlue or Gyeon Wet Coat (~$20) and it will give you a taste of what an actual coating will do.

 

Gimmick yo

I mean, Yea, freshly ceramic coated cars look great but it doesn't last. You will get a few months out of it and then the coating will start to diminish. After a year its basically back to square one. Not worth the $800ish cost IMO.

You can achieve the same results with some high quality chemical guys etc. Products.