Should I ceramic coat my 4th gen?

I have a 2025 Tacoma Limited. My buddy had his 2016 ceramic coated and loves it even though it cost him $3k a couple of years ago so probably $4k today. What are the prevailing forum thoughts on getting it done? Worth it? Happy with it? I'm considering it but that's a lot of money but it had a $56k sticker. It's supposed to be my last automobile but I said that about my 2018 Tacoma Limited. And my 2004 Tacoma Limited.

Just as an extra thought, the 4th Gen is the first gen that truly deserves the Limited label.

 

After seeing my dad’s 2017 clear coat fail within a couple years it was a no brainer for me. I got mine done for like $2200 with a 8 year warranty XPEL. Love it although my Underground shows every little imperfection

 

I'll be curious what others have to say but $3k sounds ridiculous to me. Especially when you can get a well rated DIY kit for $130.

My 2017 has been parked outdoors in GA since for 8.5 years and the paint looks great with just the occasional wax. That said, it's under tree cover so it just sees partial sun unlike a truck parked in Sunstroke Acres with no cover at all.

Interesting article:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...eramic-coatings-can-and-cant-do-for-your-car/

 

I picked up a 2024 Tacoma Sport last August in Solar Octane. Had it ceramic coated at a shop the cost was $2300 and came with a 7 year warranty. The water just rolls off and that solar octane paint looks fantastic! Best investment in my truck. My advice is stay clear of the dealers which will probably charge you about $900 as they don't do that great of a job and that's from my past history. You get what you pay for.

 

The $3k I spoke of was with a lifetime warranty. I'm in Pensacola and I'm hearing that the local dealers send their vehicles to Vital Care. They don't do it in house from what I hear.

 

Ceramic will keep it shiny and easier to keep clean. Do you keep your truck in a garage? It won’t protect against rock chips so PPF would be an additional expensive to keep your paint looking good.

 

I am the type of guy that like to make decisions based of some sort of data.
And for that reason, I say “yes”.

Yes, you should ceramic coat the frame.
The paint, no.
Wax it 2x a year and call it good. Save some money.

 

No, it's always parked under live oaks.

I don't know what PPF is.

 

Paint Protection Film. A clear plastic overlay that prevents rock chips.

 

Ceramic coat it yourself. I did it to my 23 BRZ and it wasn’t that bad. I went with a 3 year coating and with new microfiber towels I think I spent just under $300.

 

Not gonna happen.

 

I'm amazed at the rate shops charge for ceramic coatings. It's a bit of labor, but I highly recommend it. Weekly washes are so much easier and you can dry the entire truck with a leaf blower in a couple of minutes.

I did mine myself with Gtechnic CSL and ExoV5. I think it was around $150 for the 2 bottles of coatings. Weekly washes with koch chemie gentle snow foam (gsf) and a spraying of P&S bead maker after it's dry.

If you have a random orbital polisher already (Adams swirl killer mini) just pick up some rupes foam yellow pads, sonax perfect finish compound and some coating removal microfibers from the rag company. Use Carpro Eraser and Gtechniq panel wipe before applying the coating. I like carpro foam applicator blocks for applying the coating on the panels.

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/collections/paint-coatings

You really have to know what you're doing with professional ceramics though. Youtube has several helpful videos from the rag company and obsessed garage.

 

What is the thinking on using drive through carwashes after getting the ceramic coating?

 

glass towels
https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-detailing-towels/products/ftw

coating removal towels
https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-detailing-towels/products/the-pearl

microfiber detergent

https://theragcompany.com/products/...SC5FjocsVICHvuCZkiK0-D1GjZ_79diIJGPgtMGtbyCkB

 

Might as well forget the ceramic coat and wash the vehicle with a Brillo pad if you're going to do that.

 

Lots of “how to” videos on YouTube

the dealer offered to do mine before I drove it off the lot for 1500

FYI

 

I guess it would depend on how long it was warrantied.

 

If you're choosing based on warranty ask about the specifics, does it require that detailer to wash it, does it required paid recharges and how frequently?

Its not a miracle product and if the paint is substandard its not going to change that.

 

I did it myself a week after I picked up the truck. I didn't do a paint correction first, so I 'sealed' in all the minor imperfections. I can definitely see a difference in how much easier it is to wash the truck.

 

I agree ceramic coating will help keep your paint looking great for a long time, price could reflect paint correction, i had mine done within 13km of picking up truck from dealer and it took about 4-5 hours of just paint correction before even starting the coating process so depending on colour paint correction can be time consuming but highly recommended as @stan23 said he "sealed" in the imperfections, although you can remove the coating its again very time consuming at that point, do it right not twice is my opinion