1 year, 3 year or 6 year ceramic

Local detail shop offers the following for ceramic coating.

1 yr- $350
3 yr- $1500
6yr- $2500

The 3 and 6 year include clear bra application in all the heavy spots doors, handles, bumper, hood, etc

Is that really worth the jump in price? I don’t know which way to go? I will not be selling my truck anytime in the next 6 years minimum. Any feedback is appreciated, hopefully someone with good experience chimes in.

 

Does your truck sit outside mostly or garaged?

 

About half and half, garage at home, outside at work.

 

Just bought a car that had a Ceramic coating finish. Took some expermenting with products to get used to but I think I'll say I may be a believer. Not sure I can buy into getting a Ceramic finish and walk away from it for 3 or 6 years expecting it to look like it did when installed.

I would recommend you getting the "entry level" finish and learn how to keep it looking like what you paid for. It seems to me, expecially with a black car, it is easy to make yourself a mess. Fixable but a mess.

I'd also highly recomment maintence treatments if you want it last. What I've found that works best for me is Griots Ceramic 3 in 1 on occassion and Griots Ceramic Speed Shine for routine clean-ups. I don't know yet but can't see why what I have won't last 3 years or more with just a little care.

Car's got to look good on the track...

 

Do not get the dealer ceramic. It’s garbage and a rip off. Do it yourself. Plenty of easy consumer brands , spray type u can do yourself .grits, Meguiars, Adams,Immortal,

 

What’s your main concern? Looking shiny? Chip prevention? Ease of cleaning?

 

What brand of coating and protective film?

 

All three

 

$2500 bucks?

You could buy front and rear offroad bumpers for that price.

I'd just get some $20 wax from the autoparts store, and keep my distance from the dumptrucks on the highway.

 

at a minimum do the 3 year coating since it includes the paint film.

Please tell us how an off road bumper protects the hood? Only dump trucks throw debris?

 

Off road bumpers don't protect the hood, limb risers do. The paint is still vulnerable. Yes anthying can throw debris. The guy has an OR, probably wants a scooped hood anyway.

It's a detailing thread, and there's nothing wrong with keeping your paint looking good, and nothing wrong with PPF if you want to use it.

Just seems like a lot of money to protect the paint on a Tacoma. These trucks are expensive, and there's no reason not to keep them looking good.

The OP's truck does look nice.

 

I’m a person that hunts and goes camping, I use my truck but I don’t beat it up. I am also a person that cleans and washes the truck immediately after the weekend fun is over and doll it up for the weekdays of running kids around, going to work, and grocery getting. I am mostly interested in this to protect from light scratches (tree limbs and brush) and easy cleaning once the fun is done.

 

I’ll have to call again, but the place is a top notch detail outfit.

 

Given how you use the truck, you may want to opt for full body film protection. Ceramic will not prevent scratches. It’s a common misconception with coatings.

 

I don't know about all Ceramic but I know the finish I have on my car was also done by a "top notch detail outfit". I too had some "expectations" after I found out the car I bought had a Ceramic finish. What I've now know, it can be one of the best finishes I've experienced for a car once I learned how to take care of it. Wish you the best; you deserve the opportunity to lean. Let us know how it works out for you