Ceramic auto coatings, worth the cost?

[Concrete Helmet]

Use a quality wax twice per year

Do you have any idea how much work that is? I did that wax thing one time...it took hours...

 

[Pablos Tunnel]

Do you have any idea how much work that is? I did that wax thing one time...it took hours...

You have to get a guy.

 

[Detroitgator]

'78 just pulled out of Walmart...

 

[78]

You really need a second car. Switching back and forth really makes you appreciate each of them more. It just so happens I know a guy who's selling a 2009 Shelby after it gets paint correction and ceramic treatment....25K miles and always babied, tastefully modified, never raced and drives like your Grandma's Buick....

I like having a second car. I don’t like paying insurance on a car that sits in the garage.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

'78 just pulled out of Walmart...

No....that one doesn't have "character" or rock chips...or 200k miles....

 

[Concrete Helmet]

I like having a second car. I don’t like paying insurance on a car that sits in the garage.

Neither do I so I hand the bill to my wife...

 

[Concrete Helmet]

So here's what I found out today from the local shop.
Convertible roughly $1,500 for both paint correction and a 3 year package on the ceramic, I didn't have that car with me so paint correction could be more or less...

Against my better judgement I drove the Shelby today because the weather showed no chance of rain...halfway to the office it started to drizzle and if I hadn't been halfway there I would have turned around and got my truck ...So anyway they got to look at it and here's what they quoted.
$1.200 for new vinyl over the top stripes and add rocker panel stripes. They source this out.
$900 to fix and reclear the hood. There is a little bubbling under the lip where it closes over the grill.
$1,500 to do the paint correction and ceramic.

Honestly I don't know if I'll do the ceramic on the Shelby. Maybe just clay bar and wax after getting the hood fixed and stripes redone. Not really sure how much longer I'm going to keep it anyway. Hmmm, I doubt it would be worth the trade difference to a dealer if I trade it anyway but possibly a private buyer...

 

[jeeping8r]

Do you have any idea how much work that is? I did that wax thing one time...it took hours...

Wax a crew cab long bed truck and a car will be child's play.

 

[Spectator]

I had my F150 ceramic coated and detailed just before it was a year old. I think a good detail and wax when needed is just as good. Mine is parked outside but soon I'll have a carport for it. It has 15k miles now. I'm thinking about adding vinyl graphics or a wrap just because I'm tired of all White vehicles.

 

[Ironhead]

I love cars and motorcycles.
I baby all my vehicles.
Oil changes, belts, plugs, tire rotations, brakes and any minor item that pops up as “check engine”, I do myself.
I enjoy it.

Ive always used a good paste wax and a buffer to keep that showroom shine as long as possible.

I use a Ceramic Spray called “Next Gen” for in between clay bars, and waxes.

I get a phenomenal shine plus, there is one thing Ceramic gives you that Carnauba can’t.

Ive found, multiple coats of the ceramic spray actually repels dirt and grime on my vehicles.
Sometimes? It’s hard to tell I just drove it in the rain....

All this to say, A professional Ceramic coating that costs quite a few bucks, is probably not worth it with today’s multi coat paints and clear coat finishes.

A good “detail spray” can help give you a showroom shine that lasts through a couple washes, at least.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

I love cars and motorcycles.
I baby all my vehicles.
Oil changes, belts, plugs, tire rotations, brakes and any minor item that pops up as “check engine”, I do myself.
I enjoy it.

Ive always used a good paste wax and a buffer to keep that showroom shine as long as possible.

I use a Ceramic Spray called “Next Gen” for in between clay bars, and waxes.

I get a phenomenal shine plus, there is one thing Ceramic gives you that Carnauba can’t.

Ive found, multiple coats of the ceramic spray actually repels dirt and grime on my vehicles.
Sometimes? It’s hard to tell I just drove it in the rain....

All this to say, A professional Ceramic coating that costs quite a few bucks, is probably not worth it with today’s multi coat paints and clear coat finishes.

A good “detail spray” can help give you a showroom shine that lasts through a couple washes, at least.

I've used a finishing spray that you apply with a micro fiber after washing and help repel dirt and water a bit but not more than a couple of weeks.
My biggest problem is I've washed the cars so much that I have swirl marks(both are dark colors) I may just go with paint correction and conventional wax or some sort of over the counter ceramic application....if I ever find time....seeing it's only been 3 months since I started this thread

 

[Ironhead]

I've used a finishing spray that you apply with a micro fiber after washing and help repel dirt and water a bit but not more than a couple of weeks.
My biggest problem is I've washed the cars so much that I have swirl marks(both are dark colors) I may just go with paint correction and conventional wax or some sort of over the counter ceramic application....if I ever find time....seeing it's only been 3 months since I started this thread

This stuff eliminates those dang swirl marks better than anything I’ve ever used.
Apply weekly until you get three coats on there and it will
Last as long as paste wax.

Try NEXGEN Ceramic Spray for 40% OFF | Limited Time Only

 

[bradgator2]

Used a hand-applied ceramic wax from The Chemical Guys today. Turned out pretty good:

 

[Concrete Helmet]

Used a hand-applied ceramic wax from The Chemical Guys today. Turned out pretty good:

Good job. I am having my Shelby restriped this week then paint corrected and my GT is going to the shop for ceramic as soon as the new exhaust is done tomorrow...Let us know how this stuff holds up so I can compare it to having it professionally done.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

You could write your name in the dust on my dashboard

 

[Gator-Don]

Ceramic coating and clay bar is like nitrogen in the tires or rust coating. Its all dealer/shop gimmicks. Use a quality wax twice per year. Do not over-wash the thing to the point the clear coat is dulled. If its garage kept the finish will last years.

Nitrogen in car tires??? What is their justification?

 

[Spectator]

Nitrogen is common in race tires for more consistent psi. Same theory for street, but not necessary or beneficial imho. I was at Daytona (road course) with psi display in the dash of a new street car. The air went from 32 psi to 40 in just 15-20 minutes. You don't slow as well entering a turn when that happens.

 

[Pablos Tunnel]

Nitrogen in car tires??? What is their justification?

Profits.

 

[Detroitgator]

Nitrogen is common in race tires for more consistent psi. Same theory for street, but not necessary or beneficial imho. I was at Daytona (road course) with psi display in the dash of a new street car. The air went from 32 psi to 40 in just 15-20 minutes. You don't slow as well entering a turn when that happens.

Just to piggy back here, Nitrogen is MUCH more stable than air in maintaining stable tire pressure, especially if you are located somewhere that the temperature has wide swings... it's also why it's used in all aircraft/helicopter tires.

 

[ThreatMatrix]

So here's what I found out today from the local shop.
Convertible roughly $1,500 for both paint correction and a 3 year package on the ceramic, I didn't have that car with me so paint correction could be more or less...

Against my better judgement I drove the Shelby today because the weather showed no chance of rain...halfway to the office it started to drizzle and if I hadn't been halfway there I would have turned around and got my truck ...So anyway they got to look at it and here's what they quoted.
$1.200 for new vinyl over the top stripes and add rocker panel stripes. They source this out.
$900 to fix and reclear the hood. There is a little bubbling under the lip where it closes over the grill.
$1,500 to do the paint correction and ceramic.

Honestly I don't know if I'll do the ceramic on the Shelby. Maybe just clay bar and wax after getting the hood fixed and stripes redone. Not really sure how much longer I'm going to keep it anyway. Hmmm, I doubt it would be worth the trade difference to a dealer if I trade it anyway but possibly a private buyer...

Hmm. When I leased the BMW they offered ceramic for $300. Had I known it was that expensive on the outside I would have gone for it. In fact I often wish I had. My finish looks really good when it's waxed. But that doesn't last long. I get compliments from strangers all the time but I really think that it's the striking blue finish (like Brad's but better). It's just a 3 series but with the M package and blue finish it does look purty cool.
I don't have a garage - long story. I bought the house as a foreclosure with intents to turn it for a profit. One of the downsides of the 4000 sq ft is that 900 sq ft is the enclosed, finished and air conditioned three car garage. The previous owner had three boys so he used the garage as a work from home office and play room for kids. Anyway my first job was to reclaim the garage which I haven't done yet. So in the mean time the car sits outside all the time. Fortunately I don't live up north. Scraping sunshine off your windshield is a lot easier than scraping ice and snow off your windshield.

Off topic: If you own a pick-up and take it to the car wash then ur gay.