Ceramic coating - Worth or waste ??

[boba fett]

Guys - just want your thoughts on Ceramic coating. I hear so many mixed reviews, and people saying its the best thing and some saying its a waste of money.

I have a good wax Dodo juice Supernatural Hrbrid, but just want to know your thoughts.

 

[F80 SM]

Interested in this topic also. It's something I'm considering having done soon along with paint correction...

 

[StuartK]

If done properly maybe.

I wasn’t greatly impressed on my M4

 

[moonstone]

Ok. First of all my only experience of ceramic coating is via a professional. Now most of the cost associated with a pro applied ceramic coat is actually down to the preparation. The car is machine polished one to three times depending on the state of the paint. Before that it gets washed, de-tarred, de-ironed etc etc.
The final stage is the ceramic application and curing.

Each time I’ve had it done it’s cost me around £600. When I got the M4 I had a proper chat with my detailer about it. He spent a full week correcting the paint as it was horrendous and I paid £600 just for correction and a wax.

His words were that if you’re an enthusiast and generally enjoy spending time pampering your car then ceramic coating isn’t for you. At the end of the day it is a high performances replacement for wax. That it protects the paint from physical attack from stone chips, scratches etc is a utter nonsense despite daft videos online appearing to show the contrary.

Also if you do end up with a couple of scratches and want to buff them out yourself, you’ll remove the coating and need to have it reapplied.

In addition, it’s usually recommended that the coating is regularly topped up with a “sacrificial layer”. In my case it’s been Carpro Cquartz and the recommended top up product is Carpro Reload. But you can also just use that on its own on non-coated cars.

So, taking my detailers advice this time I elected NOT to have my car ceramic coated. Can you tell the difference on the paint finish between my non-coated M4 and my coated M6 and RS5?




One thing to add is that if you’re paint isn’t too bad and you’re paying a detailer the guts of 600 quid to sort your paint out get it as good as possible, whats another £200 to get it ceramic coated?

Last point is that ceramic coats get swirled themselves or don’t fully protect the paint work from picking up swirls and so this is something that you still need to contend with.

Would I get it done again in future? ...maybe

 

[Schmeel]

Lovely cars mate!.

In you opinion did the coated cars stay swirl free for longer?

 

[moonstone]

Lovely cars mate!.

In you opinion did the coated cars stay swirl free for longer?

No. They didn’t to be honest which is one of the things that puts me off doing it again.

 

[Schmeel]

No. They didn’t to be honest which is one of the things that puts me off doing it again.

Right well that's a big no go then. Almost seems like a fad? or at the very least over hyped?

Granted the gloss levels seems epic but that can be achieved without CC.

 

[Burnsey]

Right well that's a big no go then. Almost seems like a fad? or at the very least over hyped?

Granted the gloss levels seems epic but that can be achieved without CC.

I'd disagree (sorry Moon!) on the swirl element. If you continue to maintain both the manner of cleaning and the level of ceramic from time to time, swirls can be a thing of the past. That said, I have someone looks after mine, so can't preach about how this is actually achieved, but a couple of years on from new, my car is swirl free.

If and when I change my car, I would 100% have PPF applied and have never experienced CC on top of PPF, so can't comment, but my car is in superb condition, apart from some stone chips which wouldn't be there with PPF. I'm a 'safe parker' so would probably just go front end.

The other thing about CC is how it maintains the car looking cleaner for longer, as contaminated rainwater runs off. I go three weeks between cleans. This week we took the dog to the seaside (sound posh, but it wasn't - nor was it far enough to be considered against Covid rules) and the parking was awful, so I made the best choice I could - yes, sad enough to carry out a risk assessment 😂. Even so, got back, big hairy arse pick up had parked and the driver had opened his door against mine. Got home, grabbed the detail spray and the mark has gone. The CC saved the door.

So, if applied well and topped up (especially on the lower parts of the car), ceramic is a cracking addition to a premium car, but all said, PPF would be my first spend.

Just taken - car is 18 months old and was cleaned a week ago. Coated in G Techniq crystal serum.

 

[Schmeel]

I'd disagree (sorry Moon!) on the swirl element. If you continue to maintain both the manner of cleaning and the level of ceramic from time to time, swirls can be a thing of the past. That said, I have someone looks after mine, so can't preach about how this is actually achieved, but a couple of years on from new, my car is swirl free.

If and when I change my car, I would 100% have PPF applied and have never experienced CC on top of PPF, so can't comment, but my car is in superb condition, apart from some stone chips which wouldn't be there with PPF. I'm a 'safe parker' so would probably just go front end.

The other things about CC is how it maintains the car looking cleaner for longer, as contaminated rainwater runs off. I go three weeks between cleans. This week we took the dog to the seaside (sound posh, but it wasn't - nor was it far enough to be considered against Covid rules) and the parking was awful, so I made the best choice I could - yes, sad enough to carry out a risk assessment 😂. Even so, got back, big hairy arse pick up had parked and the driver had opened his door against mine. Got home, grabbed the detail spray and the mark has gone. The CC saved the door.

So, if applied well and topped up (especially on the lower parts of the car), ceramic is a cracking addition to a premium car, but all said, PPF would be my first spend.

Just taken - car is 18 months old and was cleaned a week ago. Coated in G Techniq crystal serum.



View attachment 669

Ok that changes things. Very nice review and write up.

So in your opinion Swirls are greatly reduced with CC?

Any more pics? Love the m5!.

 

[Burnsey]

Ok that changes things. Very nice review and write up.

So in your opinion Swirls are greatly reduced with CC?

Any more pics? Love the m5!.

This will certainly get me and the Moon on a collision course 😂😂 but yes. I don't have a single swirl, so it must, but there is no science behind my statement Scmeel.

I'm going to do a full post on the M5 once I've sussed the posting out a little better, but safe to say I use it and I love it.

 

[moonstone]

In my own experience swirls still happen over time. The issue is that the ceramic coating itself becomes swirled. That’s fixable though by using certain complementary products.

I’m not saying ceramic coating is a waste of time, nor am I against it. Ive just taken a personal view, on the advice of my detailer (who applied it to my last three cars) that it’s not as beneficial to someone like me who enjoys detailing my cars myself. There’s many other options in terms of sealants and waxes that also create a similar finish and run-off effect but they need to be re-applied more frequently.

 

[Burnsey]

In my own experience swirls still happen over time. The issue is that the ceramic coating itself becomes swirled. That’s fixable though by using certain complementary products.

I’m not saying ceramic coating is a waste of time, nor am I against it. Ive just taken a personal view, on the advice of my detailer (who applied it to my last three cars) that it’s not as beneficial to someone like me who enjoys detailing my cars myself. There’s many other options in terms of sealants and waxes that also create a similar finish and run-off effect but they need to be re-applied more frequently.

Yes, as 'qualified', if you are handy and like spending time on your car, I'm sure there's loads of alternatives.

If you've a decent detailer, the initial purchase of coating will be left with you and then he simply tops up from yopur supply.

The most interesting element for me was the correction and learning pretty late in life what a 'perfect' car looks like.

For the OP, with a special car, it would be a definite for me, but accept he has had PPF applied and CC over the top is something I've no experience with.

You can get a bit carried away for sure!

 

[moonstone]

What’s the sort of cost of a full PPF on a car out if interest?

 

[Burnsey]

What’s the sort of cost of a full PPF on a car out if interest?

Before 'negotiation, mine was around four grand

Front end (bumper, bonnet, front wings, mirrors) was about £1,500, but was let down with many a Covid excuse and eventually got my money (deposit) back. Plus, there's then the issue of everyone jumping on the bandwagon - choose only by referral.

I would say a front end is a wise choice on anything of value, or if like me, you're riddled with OCD.

 

[moonstone]

Before 'negotiation, mine was around four grand

Front end (bumper, bonnet, front wings, mirrors) was about £1,500, but was let down with many a Covid excuse and eventually got my money (deposit) back. Plus, there's then the issue of everyone jumping on the bandwagon - choose only by referral.

I would say a front end is a wise choice on anything of value, or if like me, you're riddled with OCD.

That is a lot of dough.

 

[Burnsey]

That is a lot of dough.

Abusive amount I agree, but after spending so much on your car, just something else which may be worth considering.

Some say they'll just respray, which is fair enough, but with PPF there's no damage to live with.

As previous, for a premium car I'd do the front end only and wish I'd done mine from new, but settled with fair wear and tear.

 

[Schmeel]

Before 'negotiation, mine was around four grand

Front end (bumper, bonnet, front wings, mirrors) was about £1,500, but was let down with many a Covid excuse and eventually got my money (deposit) back. Plus, there's then the issue of everyone jumping on the bandwagon - choose only by referral.

I would say a front end is a wise choice on anything of value, or if like me, you're riddled with OCD.

Jees Louise 4k.

1.5k for front end seems reasonable for minty freshness.

What happens if say you have a full ppf'd car with a car pack ding on rear quarter. You get the dent puller guy to come out, but would that potentially mean you would have to get the ppf reapplied?

 

[Burnsey]

Jees Louise 4k.

1.5k for front end seems reasonable for minty freshness.

What happens if say you have a full ppf'd car with a car pack ding on rear quarter. You get the dent puller guy to come out, but would that potentially mean you would have to get the ppf reapplied?

Honestly don’t know mate. As I say, my PPF fell through, but once you’ve met the right installer, I’m sure there would be maintenance options.

I would expect the PPF to assist in those circumstances though, it can’t say for sure.

 

[Schmeel]

Honestly don’t know mate. As I say, my PPF fell through, but once you’ve met the right installer, I’m sure there would be maintenance options.

I would expect the PPF to assist in those circumstances though, it can’t say for sure.

100pc agree if you have a valuable car then for sure!

I also agree with what you are saying in terms of regularly detailing your own car. I'm not that guy. I let it get proper dirty. However when I clean it I go to town.

So perhaps CC is a good option. Definitely going to look into this.

Post up some pics of that beauty of yours when you can bud.

 

[moonstone]

100pc agree if you have a valuable car then for sure!

I also agree with what you are saying in terms of regularly detailing your own car. I'm not that guy. I let it get proper dirty. However when I clean it I go to town.

So perhaps CC is a good option. Definitely going to look into this.

Post up some pics of that beauty of yours when you can bud.

If that’s the case you should get it. 9 times out of ten a quick wash and dry will have it looking like it just came out the showroom.