When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A number of car detailers in my area are offering ceramic coating. It's not cheap. Depending on the number of coats, it runs between $450 to $1,500. In theory, it sounds great albeit spendy. I'm considering it for my black 05. I'm all ears if anyone has input. Thanks.
If it includes paint correction not a bad deal, if your paint is not near perfect (nothing more than light scratches that are not visible unless close and with light at an angle) it's not worth it at all.
You really need the right person doing it. When my car had it done, the detailer spent almost 30 hours on the car. Two stage polish and then two parts of ceramic. Really looks great and it makes washing the car so much easier. I spent $1,000 on mine which is a lot, but for me, it was worth it.
Make sure you do your homework and find the right detailer in your area. You want one who is really going to be excited for the project.
You really need the right person doing it. When my car had it done, the detailer spent almost 30 hours on the car. Two stage polish and then two parts of ceramic. Really looks great and it makes washing the car so much easier. I spent $1,000 on mine which is a lot, but for me, it was worth it.
Make sure you do your homework and find the right detailer in your area. You want one who is really going to be excited for the project.
This is so unbelievably important, as damn near EVERYONE is offering "Ceramic Coating", even the local cheap carwashes say they have something .
IG is a great way to vet local detailers. You can see their work and their process as well. I looked at quite a few people before I settled on the one I used.
A number of car detailers in my area are offering ceramic coating. It's not cheap. Depending on the number of coats, it runs between $450 to $1,500. In theory, it sounds great albeit spendy. I'm considering it for my black 05. I'm all ears if anyone has input. Thanks.
Originally Posted by Romanova
You really need the right person doing it. When my car had it done, the detailer spent almost 30 hours on the car. Two stage polish and then two parts of ceramic. Really looks great and it makes washing the car so much easier. I spent $1,000 on mine which is a lot, but for me, it was worth it.
Make sure you do your homework and find the right detailer in your area. You want one who is really going to be excited for the project.
Originally Posted by kos
This is so unbelievably important, as damn near EVERYONE is offering "Ceramic Coating", even the local cheap carwashes say they have something .
If the local car was is offering it, the local car wash should also tell you that you that you should no longer bring the car though the wash after having it ceramic coated. Running a ceramic coated vehicle through a line car wash compromises the ceramic coating and it is a big no-no. One of the issues with a car wash is the wax applied during the wash process. Even choosing to not add wax to your car wash does not stop wax from being applied, as every line car wash adds wax in the process whether or not you add the carnauba or whatever other wax the car wash sells as an extra. (Yes, you get wax in a line car wash whether you want it or not. Otherwise the line car wash would be unable to either blow dry or have attendants quickly towel dry a vehicle.)
Last edited by 430SLOwner; Mar 15, 2021 at 10:11 AM.
Reason: added Romanova quote
There are plenty of good ceramic waxes and coatings available. Last year I spent a couple of days, laying down about 8 different layers, and it worked really well. Granted, it was not a professional grade coating, but it close enough for me, since I do a couple of big wax jobs a year on my car.
There are plenty of good ceramic waxes and coatings available. Last year I spent a couple of days, laying down about 8 different layers, and it worked really well. Granted, it was not a professional grade coating, but it close enough for me, since I do a couple of big wax jobs a year on my car.
Vehicles which have been ceramic coated should NOT be waxed if one wishes to preserve the ceramic coating....
My local car wash is offering a $ 300 exterior detail including a "ceramic coating" and paint correction. What can you expect from such a service, and what exactly is "paint correction"?
My local car wash is offering a $ 300 exterior detail including a "ceramic coating" and paint correction. What can you expect from such a service, and what exactly is "paint correction"?
For $300 you’ll have to spend an additional $1,500 with someone to fix what the $300 guy did.
Detailing, you get what you pay for. Paint correction is polishing the clear coat to remove any scratches. More scratches means more correction. A good detailer will do the headlights and tail lights and everything in between so there are no scratches or imperfections to be found anywhere yet, while still preserving the clear coat and not burning through it.
If it includes paint correction not a bad deal, if your paint is not near perfect (nothing more than light scratches that are not visible unless close and with light at an angle) it's not worth it at all.
Black cars show every little thing. Would the same observations hold true for a black car?
I use Mothers CMX spray ceramic after clay bar and orbital polishing twice a year. Dirt doesn't even stick to the car. Its a lot of work, but looks damn good and lasts.
I use Mothers CMX spray ceramic after clay bar and orbital polishing twice a year. Dirt doesn't even stick to the car. Its a lot of work, but looks damn good and lasts.
I used CMX as well. It's easy to use. My paint has numerous flaws and it doesn't make them look any worse. Places where wax would cause white spots are no problem. The shine is good and washing is easy.
Black cars show every little thing. Would the same observations hold true for a black car?
Yes, however I managed to get my grandfathers 06 that I bought from a forum member here perfect with ease since the paint was well kept up to that point. It was a 64k mile garaged car though......my 202k mike garaged car that is white didn't have a hope since some of the scratches were too far into the clear to polish safely so I just opted to 5 layer wax it then buff it smooth. It looks okay but it's not the same as ceramic on good paint that has been worked over
I'll link pictures showing what I mean that unless you get it perfect it just won't reflect properly
Ceramic Coating - Good Idea? Bad Idea?
.
