Ceramic Coating

Instrument 41 · 02-29-2020, 07:38 PM

I seeing a lot of advertising on Ceramic Coating. Has anyone used these? Is it worth it? Can it be applied over existing wax? I am currently hooked on the Turtle Wax Spray ICE and love it. Used a clay bar before I applied it and is really holding up well. The best part is that you can spray everything, glass, rubber trim and it offer protection for that as well. I am type A when it comes to my cars maintenance. So, now looking at this cearmic Coating. Any info on your experience is appreciated.

JackDidley · JackDidley's Garage

Good question. It is so expensive it needs to be really good. Winter has been hard on my Cayman so I hope to give it a nice detail when its over.

Arizona_928 · 02-29-2020, 08:29 PM

Like engine parts exposed to high temps?

JackDidley · JackDidley's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Like engine parts exposed to high temps?

It goes on the paint, like wax.

Bill Douglas · 02-29-2020, 08:51 PM

Great for reducing UV damage.

Evans, Marv · 02-29-2020, 09:01 PM

I'm interested too. I just got a new van and will be putting a couple of coats of wax on it soon. But the ceramic is also an option if it's better in terms of protecting the paint while giving it a nice look and lasting a long time.

freeform911 · freeform911's Garage

I have it applied on my jaguar xfs..
Before it can be applied you need a paint correction, it will show all imperfection in the paint if not..
It does make washing the car a breeze. Dirt basically sprays right off.
I have it on the entire car, paint, windows, and wheels.
Best thing about it, it last around 5 years.
At the end of the day it was well worth the $1400 I spent to have it done(to include paint correction) granted my paint was in pretty good shape.
Plus no clay bars, polishing, waxing, detail spray needed after its done..

freeform911 · freeform911's Garage

I think the product used was called gtec... it's been about a year and I have no complaints...
It doesn't protect against rock chips

Evans, Marv · 03-01-2020, 09:01 AM

I bought a bottle of Mother's CMX ceramic spray coating I'm thinking of applying over the paint of my 911. After hearing the $1,400 quote, I'm wondering if this stuff is just another inferior spray coating. Anybody know?

john70t · 03-01-2020, 09:22 AM

Not sure if it's worth a couple grand, ymmv, but mom had it done at the dealership with a new car.
It has lasted a few years just using water and minimal effort.
It doesn't protect against scratches chips and bumper parking.

freeform911 · freeform911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I bought a bottle of Mother's CMX ceramic spray coating I'm thinking of applying over the paint of my 911. After hearing the $1,400 quote, I'm wondering if this stuff is just another inferior spray coating. Anybody know?

Real ceramic coating takes a little skill to apply properly..
If applied to thick you'll get high spots that'll stand out..
The only way to remove ceramic coat is by cutting compound..
Imo worth having the real ceramic done by a professional..

stealthn · 03-01-2020, 10:39 AM

Got it applied for free to my Panamera, pretty nice after a good wash. Should last a couple of years and no more waxing so that’s good. I’ve seen really nice cars with PPF then Ceramic coating, best of all worlds.

john70t · 03-01-2020, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeform911

If applied to thick you'll get high spots that'll stand out..
The only way to remove ceramic coat is by cutting compound..

So it's like clear coat in a jar?

freeform911 · freeform911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

So it's like clear coat in a jar?

Yeah... something like that...
It's applied with a sponge...kind of a slow process...then needs something like 12hrs to cure...
It took about 3 days for my car to be completed...to include the paint correction...

Sooner or later · 03-01-2020, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I bought a bottle of Mother's CMX ceramic spray coating I'm thinking of applying over the paint of my 911. After hearing the $1,400 quote, I'm wondering if this stuff is just another inferior spray coating. Anybody know?

It is a labor intensive process.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

I had my old El Camino ceramic coated as my first test. It is single stage paint like the 911 and as a high mileage (370,000 miles) daily driver has recently gone for many weeks at a time with no wash job due to weather.

I just did the checkbook version. A local guy uses Mr. Beasly's product line. His process is to clay bar the old dirty paint, them do a power buff, and wash and then he starts on the ceramic coating. He also detailed the entire car inside and out but I told him to leave the engine compartment alone except to hose off any dust. He does the door jambs and tail gate area, and cleans the wheels, and uses Bon Ami on the windshield. All for $550 for the Elky. It made it a LOT shinier.

I liked the results a LOT. I brought him my baby, the 911. The interior was clean and needed little more than clean the windows. He did clay bar it, and then put on the ceramic coating. It did not get any more shiny, but it is easier to wash and keep clean. I drove 900 miles to my brother's house in Alabama. He asked it I stopped and washed it before I came over. All I did was drive throughout a heavy downpour in Mississippi and that cleaned all the bugs off. The 911 was just $450 since it was really clean to start with and it is a small vehicle.

We even had my wife's 2018 Macan coated. It just makes it easier to clean the car.

I just came in from washing my El Camino. We have been in a cycle of a little rain every few days, and it was fitly nasty gross for my standards. Today was mid 70s so it was just too nice to not clean it up. The weeks of dirt and grime just wipe off with minimal effort. It has been over a year since I had it coated.

Overall I highly recommend it if you like a clean car. I do know it takes a lot of work, and I am too old an lazy to try it. My money was well spent.

Paul LeFevre · Paul LeFevre's Garage

Bought a 2003 M5 two years ago with a ceramic coating recently applied. Lasted about a year. For $1500 not really worth it, I think. I live in SW, hot, and sunny. It is Black, though. My brother had it done to his S550 but the guy will renew it every year. We'll see how it works out. I still have shelves of different waxes I've tried in the past.

Instrument 41 · 03-01-2020, 03:47 PM

A number of the comments have been describing a professional Ceramic Coat. I am looking at products I can buy off the shelf and apply myself. I do think there is a difference between the two...I think???

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

is the Turtle Wax Spray ICE a "ceramic wax"?

I used a Meguairs "ceramic wax" on the camper (Vanagon) and it holds up really well

Type A means you might want to go for a real ceramic coating (usually applied by a pro) - esp. if BTR air quality is like I remember it...

biosurfer1 · 03-01-2020, 05:55 PM

I went the DIY route using the Avalon product. I think it was around $40-50.

I've had similar results as mentioned previously, and from the reviews, it should last a year or two.

Like most anything, it's 95% prep. I was a detailer for years in college so that wasn't too hard. If it lasts a year, it's worth it for me. As said before, a wide fan pressure washer removes darn near everything.

I did paint correction, then ceramic coating, and then waxed like normal. It's so easy to reapply wax after coating and it's supposed to help extend the life of the coating...time will tell.