Ceramic Coating- Worth It or Gimmick?

My only concern with coatings is that you are locked into it. Wanna de-badge later? Nope. Wanna wrap in plastidip? Nope. But, if you aren't changing anything, you can't beat it.

 

The common trend in this thread, those with no experience with Ceramic Pro (I'm not speaking for the others) will be the ones to criticize it... While the ones that actually have it swear by it.

I still do a two bucket method, just as I have for the past 15 years... I don't care what you say, you'll still get imperfections no matter how careful you are without 9H protection. At least once a year you'll be doing a 3 step polish if you want to maintain 100% pristine paint.

With a proper 9H coating there will be none with following the same washing techniques. I've had this done on multiple black vehicles and they stay perfect.

I'm not a vendor nor a detailer so there's no personal gain by coming on here and sharing my experience. Just a guy who only buys black cars and now I finally found a solution that keeps me from wasting countless hours polishing cars.

 

Yes it prevents swirls but it does not prevent scratches in general although it does make it harder. But say you do get a scratch, the only way to fix it is to break it down past the coating then reapply in the particular area which will cost you more versus being able to use a compound on the vehicle and polishing it out. I’m not knocking the coating at all. I’m just giving my opinion on what is working for me at a fraction of the price. I’m able to wash my car and use a leaf blower to dry it off without using a drying towel preventing swirls

 

Lots of people talking out of their ass here.

A quality coating applied by a proffessional, with the proper tools, with the proper prep work and in the proper environment is not a gimick.
Company’s seling a cheaper alternative that claims to give the same or a similar result as an expemsive coating is a gimick.

A maintained quality coating will last for a year minimum and depending on the product can last for several years.

Are all expensive coatings equal, no.
It’s your job as a consumer to research or experiment and figure out what works for you.

 

Ceramic coated the 4Runner yesterday! Turned out great Incase anyone is curious I used CQuartz UK and finished with Carpro Reload. I did miss a tiny bug reminence on the front pillar that seems to be there forever now. Other than that it seems great so far. I had coated my wheels with CQuartz a month ago and they are holding up excellently.

 

Hey looks nice man. Ive been using carpro hydro2 foam for washes now and its crazy. It leaves the same refreshed silky feeling the reload does just by washing and rinsing. You should give it a try.