Just ordered a brand new IS500 and my plan is to have it fully PPF'd right away to protect the paint. I'm also contemplating having ceramic coating done on top of the PPF. My dealership uses Suntek so I have requested Suntek Ultra. I've been trying to learn about PPF, different types of ceramic coatings, detailing in general etc. I'm a noob with all these but I've tried to read up as much as I can and watch a lot of videos. I've watched a number of videos on YT from Pan the Organizer and Chicago Auto Pros. I would like some advice and suggestions as to which products are recommended for PPF and ceramic coatings. I'm looking to have both professionally applied so I'm not looking for DIY products. I've read that a lot of it comes down to prep work and that that is more important than the actual PPF itself. Some people advice against going with dealerships installing PPF as apparently a lot of them are not the best at it especially compared to a detailing shop that specializes in it. My thought process of going with the dealership is that I am a bit anxious with going with a 3rd party in case they mess something up with the paint seeing as it's a brand new car. I'm thinking that worst case scenario, at least if Lexus is the one doing it and they mess it up, I can easily go after them for any reparations. I'm in Canada btw and the dealership I'm dealing with has a decent reputation and I feel fairly confident about their competence with installing PPF. I've also read that Suntek seems to be a popular choice over XPEL by a small margin due to supposedly clearer glossier finish, resistance to yellowing and better self healing properties. Those properties are high on the list of importance for me as the car color is Caviar.

So my questions are:

1. What are your thoughts about my choice of Suntek Ultra for PPF? Is there a better PPF that I should consider taking into consideration that I want the glossiest finish?
2. Which ceramic coating is best on top of PPF? I'm looking for highest gloss and hydrophobicity. Not as concerned about how long the ceramic coating is good for as I will have PPF underneath. My dealership uses Graphene Oxide and quoted me $2,800.
3. I've seen pics of cars ceramic coated without any PPF underneath and I love how glossy they look. Is this look achievable if the ceramic coating is done on top of PPF?
4. I know Ceramic coating can't replace PPF for rock chip protection, but I'm wondering if there are advancements in Ceramic Coatings where they can achieve close to the same level of protection for rock chips that PPF provides (probably not eh?). The reason I'm wondering this is because if you can't achieve the same level of glossiness with ceramic on top of PPF vs no PPF, then I may reconsider.
5. Should I reconsider having my PPF applied by my dealership and seek out the best PPF installer in my city? Are my concerns about a 3rd party applying PPF to a brand new car and potentially marring anything unwarranted?
6. Any other advice you guys may have for me regarding these issues..

Thanks in advance!

 

1. Suntek Ultra is one of the best PPFs, great choice.
2. Best would probably be a coating that is made for PPF/wraps. I will recommend GTECHNIC HALO v2. Its a coasting that the advertise as being able to flex a little bit. $2800 for just the coating/application is way too much. Dont use the dealership, find a independent detail shop/person. Dealerships probably act as a middle man between a real shop at best, at worst they will have their "detailers" apply it, which I would not recommend.
3. Yup! You wont notice a gloss difference between PPF and non-PPF once its ceramic coated.
4. No. Ceramic coatings are microns thick and none offer any rock chip protection. There is this company/coating touting that they can (I think its called Icon Rocklear or something) but its marketing BS.
5. Yes, go with a independent shop 100%. I promise you they do much more exotic cars than yours on the regular and know what they are doing assuming you go with one with a numerous good reviews.
6. Do not go through a dealership for PPF or ceramic coating. Best case scenario, they outsource it to a actual shop and just charge you more for being a middle man. Worst case scenario they do it in-house and do a crappy job. Dealership detailers are not the same as shops that just do detailing/PPF
   1. Full PPF will run you a lot, expect like $5000ish for full car. Ceramic on top of that, if you go with the same shop, might run $500ish since they wont have to polish the car since it just got PPF'd.

 

Thanks for the detailed response, really appreciate it! Yeah Lexus quotes $6500 for full PPF while my buddy got his CTR done at a shop for about $4,500. The extra cost is probably the middleman mark up. I will do as you advised above. Thank you.

 

1. Not sure what brand my PPF is, pretty sure it's SunTek and I know I have the brochure somewhere. My car sits outdoors 24/7 and it's held up very well over the last 3 years.
2. I'm a fan of Adam's Polishes advanced ceramic coating. Not too expensive and straightforward to apply.
3. It is achievable but it won't be as glossy as just ceramic coating on paint. That being said, my car, in the ultrasonic blue at least, looks pretty glossy from afar even with a layer of dust/dirt on it, including where I have PPF on the front end.
4. No, no ceramic coating can achieve the same level of protecting as PPF. You're talking about adding a thin layer of coating versus adding a full layer of PPF.
5. Yes, go to an independent, and the PPF can be far higher quality. Besides, when you go to dealerships to PPF, unless the port options were selected, so the 1/4 hood PPF, they outsource it to an independent shop anyway.
6. You will sacrifice gloss with PPF, period. Do you want to protect from rock chips or do you want the shiniest car possible? I part outside 24/7 and I wash my car every week and it's glossy enough for me. The paint hides dirt really well, except for the rainy season. I chose PPF and then ceramic on top and that makes me happy cause I get the best of both worlds, protection and enough glossiness. I daily drive my car, it's not a garage queen, and I'd choose protection for it over gloss anyway. My only slight regret is not putting PPF on other areas of the car, but oh well. Since then I've collected rock chips on the driver's side door panel and also a scuff on the front passenger door handle which I imagine happened in a parking lot.

 

Reading up on Adam's Polishes and looks pretty straight forward. I've got Eminent White Pearl & was told due to the pearl color PPF could make the front end look a bit different than the rest of the vehicle as I intended to just have the front done. Also cost was a factor. I'm doing this primarily to make it easy to wipe bugs off. Anyone else have experience with Adam's or another ceramic that is easy to apply? TIA

 

I've been using Griot's Garage products since the 90's, the 3 in one ceramic wax is fantastic, plus I use the Ceramic Speed Shine and my RX still beads up after one year! That's all I use.