Ceramic - worth it?

[BDay]

So are you saying that a sealant and wax won’t protect it?

Sure wax will protect your vehicle, as long as you keep waxing every 6 months, if stored outside. I used to put wax annually on my boat, and it never looked as good as it does after applying the ceramic coating, and so far I haven't touched it in a year and a half, and still looks brand new, stored outside in the sun. I'm sticking with ceramic on everything from now on. If you garage your vehicles, any good protestant will do well, though I still think the longevity and "wet look" are worth the extra effort of ceramic.

 

[Rabidtastic]

Protestants do keep things shiny (sorry couldnt resist)

 

[King Luis]

$60K + Truck and you want to cheap out on protecting it?

Cheaping out is doing nothing at all. But is ceramic coating that much of an improvement to cleaning and waxing? And it’s a $60k+ truck that I use every day, in all weather, hauling different things when needed. It’s not a sports car or rare car that you put a car cover on.

 

[Rabidtastic]

It makes it easier to clean. So if you're constantly trying to wash off all the bugs/road salt/whatever you pick up that could hose paint it'll all come off with less effort.

 

[mxvet]

If your paint is in good condition, I see no reason to do any correction unless you want a showroom finish. I did mine my self for under $200 using adams polishes. Buy their kit , watch the video, its easy. Also did my BMW M w/o correction when it was delivered. Looks amazing.

 

[Wallco1]

I have done my last 2 trucks myself. Not that hard. Saves money, time and labor waxing. Both trucks hold a shine and repel water for over 3 years. Recomend highly.

 

[JSchmidt]

If your paint is in good condition, I see no reason to do any correction unless you want a showroom finish. I did mine my self for under $200 using adams polishes. Buy their kit , watch the video, its easy. Also did my BMW M w/o correction when it was delivered. Looks amazing.

I think this is more of a "best practice" situation. Why spend the extra money for ceramic if you're just going to put it on top of a subpar finish. But, if your happy with your results, who's to tell you differently.

 

[mxvet]

I think this is more of a "best practice" situation. Why spend the extra money for ceramic if you're just going to put it on top of a subpar finish. But, if your happy with your results, who's to tell you differently.

On all accounts its subjective. Paint condition/age/quality, color, environment, expectations, etc.. If i had black or dark blue, I'd probably evaluate having correction done. New vehicle and white, prob not.

 

[JSchmidt]

On all accounts its subjective. Paint condition/age/quality, color, environment, expectations, etc.. If i had black or dark blue, I'd probably evaluate having correction done. New vehicle and white, prob not.

For sure, I had a white audi. Even though I did paint correction, its not as noticable as a black truck that shows every swirl mark and scratch. And now I own 2 black vehicle....im a glutton for punishment.

 

[rkrichter]

I have a guy who does this out of his house I'm pretty sure. I mean it's career, it's how he makes his living haha. It's only like a mile from my work. Quality seems good on his social media and I personally know people who have used him for detailing (not sure about ceramic). His prices are 3 year, $750; 5 year, $850; 7 year $1000. How does it work that some can last 3, 5, 7 years? Is it just the product used? The amount used? I imagine I'll have this truck another ~5 years so basically my question is would 3 and then refresh again for another 3 be a good idea or should I have no worries about going with 5 years? I have a lot of salt, bug, and rain/mud where I'm at. I have had my truck for 16 months and have put 25K miles on it so I drive it a good bit.

 

[CAMDENN]

I have a guy who does this out of his house I'm pretty sure. I mean it's career, it's how he makes his living haha. It's only like a mile from my work. Quality seems good on his social media and I personally know people who have used him for detailing (not sure about ceramic). His prices are 3 year, $750; 5 year, $850; 7 year $1000. How does it work that some can last 3, 5, 7 years? Is it just the product used? The amount used? I imagine I'll have this truck another ~5 years so basically my question is would 3 and then refresh again for another 3 be a good idea or should I have no worries about going with 5 years? I have a lot of salt, bug, and rain/mud where I'm at. I have had my truck for 16 months and have put 25K miles on it so I drive it a good bit.

Take the warranty info with a grain of salt.

 

[rkrichter]

The other option is a 6 month sealant for like $75. Thoughts on those?

 

[CAMDENN]

The other option is a 6 month sealant for like $75. Thoughts on those?

A good detail by you or a shop followed by a quality sealant or wax gets my vote.

 

[halo42]

Ceramic coatings are my friend's family business so I got a great price on two vehicles. He's super particular about doing a good job and it's not an easy thing to work with. When you apply his coating, you can watch it flash and harden, pretty cool

The different years they say it lasts has to do with the product and the number of coats.
I got the '5 year' and it's awesome. Everything cleans off super easy and making it shines up great.

The best is the windshield. Like rain x on steroids, I rarely have to turn on my wipers.

Totally worth it for me.

 

[252AMB5OH]

Had the front end wrapped with Autobahn Incognito PPF. Little pricey but comes with Lifetime warranty and there's multiple installers in my area so don't have to worry about not finding one. Then I had 2 layers of a 5 yr ceramic coating put onto my truck shortly after getting it. The guy that does it uses same compound on his 24 Cadillac CT5 Blackwing. I did it personally on my 2016 Mustang GT with a 3yr coating, but it stays in the garage so it should last longer.

Different strokes for different folks. I live in NE North Carolina, so my winters aren't as harsh as some others, I assume, but the summer sun, bugs, hurricane like winds and rain will take their toll on the finish of a vehicle. If you do the maintenance washes as needed, be sure to dry it after washing, and try to use the recommended wash and you'll get your moneys worth.

 

[Netranger6]

Been using nexgen. Love it.

 

[portabletaz]

I had mine done professionally. I say its worth it, makes it a lot easier to clean and I dont need to throw wax or anything on it all the time and water will still bead off it. The only issue, and I dont know how true this is, but the detailer told me that you cant leave mud on it for prolonged periods or itll stain the coating and its a pain in the ass to remove. A few days is fine but some trucks around me leave mud on for weeks at a time, and he could have been referring to the mud near me (orange clay) but idk for sure. As a precaution, anytime I get muddied up, I rinse things off a day or 2 after if not right after.

 

[Crnapilot]

I have seen a couple listed already, but what are your favorite Do it Yourself Ceramic Coating kits?

 

[Nomis 1]

Howdy,

Was wondering if anyone on here has ceramic coated their truck? I wanted to know your thoughts an opinion on if it it’s worth it or not? I’m on the fence about it.

I had mine done a few weeks after I bought it (a year ago now) I got the three year protection, my truck stays in my garage and is parked under a canopy while at work, that said, I have driven about 9K miles with the coating applied and it still works like it was new. Water beads right up and I can dry the truck with a shop or leaf blower! Pretty cool. I have taken the truck on several week-long camping trips to the woods, mountains and deserts, when we get home, the truck is trashed from the trip but it washes up nice and easy, looks great again after a normal wash.

A few things my guy told me, no automatic car washes (no big deal for me, those things are terrible on your paint) I never use them anyway. He recommended I IMMEDIATELY clean off any bird shit I see. The acids and other crap in the crap eat away at the ceramic, I guess. Wash the truck at two or three week intervals to maintain the coating, again, no problem for me.

I always clay bar my new cars, always. If you don't, do. You will be amazed how different/better the paint will look after the clay bar, one of the best things ever. I clay bared my truck before I decided to ceramic coat it, because of that, the detailer only charged me $50 bucks for the ceramic since I did the hard work (clay) for him.....sweet!!

This was my first ceramic coating, I believe in it so much that I will have this one recoated and will be getting my wife's new car done in the next few months!!

Hope this helps, enjoy that truck!!

 

[b-real]

I have seen a couple listed already, but what are your favorite Do it Yourself Ceramic Coating kits?

My preference: https://adamspolishes.com/products/graphene-ceramic-spray-coating™-advanced-basic-kit