DIY Ceramic Coatings. Who has applied?

[cabmandone]

To start, I'm not talking about the spray bottle stuff you buy at a parts store or Walmart.. I have a bunch of those! Now that the search is over and I bought a 2022 Rav4 TRD Off Road (hoping to pick up by Friday) in Blue Flame with Ice Edge roof, I'm thinking a real ceramic coating is in order.

So this brings me to... which ceramic coating? I have all the tools to do a solid detail and polish. Since it's brand new, it won't need any real paint correction. I'm looking into different ceramic coatings. Not the spray on from a bottle kind but a true graphene/ceramic coating that lasts up to or beyond 5 years.

Adams has this
https://adamspolishes.com/collections/ceramics-graphene-graphene-ceramic-coating%E2%84%A2/products/graphene-ceramic-coating%E2%84%A2

Chemical guys offers this
https://www.chemicalguys.com/carbon-force-ceramic-protective-paint-coating-system/WAC232.html?gtmListValue=Category%3A%20ceramic

I've called a couple shops that do ceramic. I had a price of $1300 to ceramic coat a new vehicle. That seems nuts! For that much, I'll buy two bottles of the Adams and use one on my "test vehicle" to perfect my method, then move to the Rav.

[mocha07]

How much was the dealer markup price,locally the markup is $5000.00!!!!!

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by mocha07

how much was the dealer markup price,locally the markup is $5000.00!!!!!

1k.. Local dipchits were at 3K. I drove their car, I asked if they were married to that 3K markup, they said they were. I said I found a better deal on the same car (actually the one I bought had more options) and asked again if they were married to their 3K markup. They said they were. I said okay! and bought the one from a dealer in Canton OH.

[porsche4life]

I’ve played with some cheap stuff of Amazon and it goes on easy enough. I’ve watched some videos about Avalon king and the adams ceramics, it seems easy. Just have to make sure that it’s applied evenly and has the appropriate cure time. I know some of the more expensive ones are heat or UV cured, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the price differential.

[berettafan]

I think there are quite a few brands to be looked at on this. CQuartz or something like that? Check out the detailing forums.

I looked into the high solids DIY products and opted to go with the Griots spray bottle version that is similar to a quick detailer (though not as easy to use). Happy with it and based on what i read much less chance of me screwing it up vs the high solids stuff.

Either way def go DIY on this. Nice paint is NOT rocket science and with a few basic tools is pretty easy to achieve. The pricing from the 'pros' (aka guy who flipped a coin between lawn service and detail service) is just obscene and the guarantees are only as good as the operator offering it.

[cabmandone]

I opted for the Adam's graphene ceramic coating after talking to my son about the options. I've watched a few videos and it seems pretty simple to apply. I didn't buy the UV light. I'll let everyone know how things turn out! I figured since they were offering 20% off I'd buy their iron remover spray for paint decontamination and their clay mitt.

[RANDY P]

This here. Not 'ceramic' but it works, very, very tough. Not sure if I buy the uber expensive "ceramic" business, myself.

rjp

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

This here. Not 'ceramic' but it works, very, very tough. Not sure if I buy the uber expensive "ceramic" business, myself.

The ceramic stuff basically makes it so you don't need to use that stuff you pictured. There's actually a hardness and a mil thickness specification for ceramic coatings. Just the cheap spray on stuff works well but I want to minimize applications so I'm going with the real deal this go around.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by cabmando

The ceramic stuff basically makes it so you don't need to use that stuff you pictured. There's actually a hardness and a mil thickness specification for ceramic coatings. Just the cheap spray on stuff works well but I want to minimize applications so I'm going with the real deal this go around.

I'm too much of a cheapskate to try. Let us know how it works.

rjp

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I'm too much of a cheapskate to try. Let us know how it works.

rjp

I'm right there with ya brother! But I started thinking, if it really lasts 5-7 years, that's a lot of time I won't be spending on waxing the car! And the stuff is supposed to make washing the car a breeze. I probably wouldn't have considered a full ceramic coating if I hadn't been using the spray stuff for a while now and liked how it made the car shine and the water repellency that just the "cheap" stuff achieved.

[Steve Carlton]

[911boost]

I had Ceramic Pro put on my Land Cruiser not long after buying it. For what its worth and how long I plan on keeping it, I did not mind the extra expense. I was getting the front clip covered in clear bra prior to the ceramic coating.

It definitely makes cleaning the bugs off from the highway easier, and when it got over spray on it from the local dealership (yeah I was a little hot), I used a clay bar and it came right off.

My 911 was ceramic coated when I got it, but I still do the old school wax on my truck.

[mgatepi]

I am currently having a detail shop apply a front bra and ceramic coating on my Turbo S. Should get it back early next week. $3K
I have seen their work and DAMN its good.

[biosurfer1]

I put one of the middle of road coating on my car about 18 months ago. Still shines great after a wash which is way easier now. Stuff just falls off during the wash now. Well worth the cost for DIY...not sure about the crazy mark up pro shops charge.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by 911boost

I had Ceramic Pro put on my Land Cruiser not long after buying it. For what its worth and how long I plan on keeping it, I did not mind the extra expense. I was getting the front clip covered in clear bra prior to the ceramic coating.

It definitely makes cleaning the bugs off from the highway easier, and when it got over spray on it from the local dealership (yeah I was a little hot), I used a clay bar and it came right off.

My 911 was ceramic coated when I got it, but I still do the old school wax on my truck.

Originally Posted by mgatepi

I am currently having a detail shop apply a front bra and ceramic coating on my Turbo S. Should get it back early next week. $3K
I have seen their work and DAMN its good.

I'm contemplating installing some PPF on the front

[911boost]

There are so many little rocks on the highways here, the PPF makes a huge difference. The license plate on my 2012 F350 looks like it has been sandblasted.

I would think with that bright blue chips may really show.

[stevej37]

I used the Chemical Guys Slick Ceramic Hyperwax.
It was easy to apply..but required a lot of buffing.
I found a small scratch on the roof and used their 'Correction Compound' and it took it right out.

[IXXI_carrera]

Steve - interesting. I've tried the CG Slick Hyperwax on my Taco and have not been impressed with durability.

For the 911, just old school P21S carnauba.

I did buy some 'fancy' ceramic that I may DIY on the Taco before trying on my other cars.

[juan ruiz]

As you mentioned, so many brands making it very difficult for the end user. Don't get caught up on the seven, ten or even lifetime duration, this is simply not true. I can help you with a 3 year 9H ceramic coating, with Free technical support and WhatsApp video guidance live and Free. Find someone in the industry that will match that.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

As you mentioned, so many brands making it very difficult for the end user. Don't get caught up on the seven, ten or even lifetime duration, this is simply not true. I can help you with a 3 year 9H ceramic coating, with Free technical support and WhatsApp video guidance live and Free. Find someone in the industry that will match that.

Which one do you prefer? Any tips for a noob? From watching a countless number of videos, it seems working small sections is preferred. I watched one video where the person using Adam's ceramic worked half the hood on a Honda CRV. I personally thought that was a bit much but as long as the product isn't flashing off before you finish the crosshatch pattern, I guess that's okay.