Ceramic coating
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
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From: Ohio
Ceramic coating
So my new 2025 ES has Ceramic coating. The dealership has a free car wash. As I read about Ceramic coatings I am seeing that using a automatic car wash is not recommended!? Anyone know if that is true?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Alberta
Using an automatic car wash is never recommended regardless of what coating you have or if you don't have one at all. A "touchless wash" is better since the only contact is water but they don't clean all that well. Plus the detergents auto car washes use are generally super harsh.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
A ceramic coating will be degraded more quickly by an automatic carwash, but they are very stout and incredibly chemical resistant, and will still last through carwashes. I use automatic carwashes and a ceramic coating lasts me 2-2.5 years.
This is the real question...if the dealer did it its not a real ceramic coating.
Originally Posted by Striker223
Do you have a real coating or a spray on dealer upcharge thing?
This is the real question...if the dealer did it its not a real ceramic coating.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
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From: Ohio
Its was a Dealer add on thing. They apparently added it on their own and then wanted me to purchase a $900 warranty on it (which I didn't do) when I purchased the car. My real question is that the Dealer provides free life of vehicles car washes at their repair facility. I have been led to believe that their car wash was designed to not damage the Lexus only vehicles they let use it washing them the "correct" way. I have owned multiple Lexus vehicles over the years and have been a regular user of their car wash. Never had a problem or any issues. The Car Wash is a really nice perk and I thought I would continue to be able to use it. Looking like that is not the case.
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: North Carolina
Dealer car washes are usually NOT brushless / touchless. Over time they'll put tiny abrasive scratches you'll see in your paint as swirls. Ceramic coating will not protect your car from these.
What color is your car? Darker colors will show those swirls more than lighter whites and silvers.
Car will still look clean and you can get the paint corrected from those scratches - just costs more money.
If you don't want to take care of it yourself, find a local detailer who will wash with a 2 or 3 bucket method
What color is your car? Darker colors will show those swirls more than lighter whites and silvers.
Car will still look clean and you can get the paint corrected from those scratches - just costs more money.
If you don't want to take care of it yourself, find a local detailer who will wash with a 2 or 3 bucket method
Last edited by DaveGS4; Jan 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
Dave is right. And the dealer ceramic coating is likely not of much value anyways.
At this point in my life I have my cars washed in an automatic carwash just out of ease, but I can show you the damage they cause easily.
At this point in my life I have my cars washed in an automatic carwash just out of ease, but I can show you the damage they cause easily.
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