Paint protection - ceramic

[flipper35]

I know ceramic is all the rage but the Engineering Explained channel seems to think the stuff works and shows a pretty good video on it.

So, is it worth having it done professionally or do the DIY kits work well. I have seen a few reviews that it lasts 2-5 years for some kits but some of those are not very hydrophobic so how do you know a good one?

I do use the Mother's CMX and it is very hydrophobic with a good depth to the shine if you stack it, but it lasts maybe 3 months. Hard to wet the car to wash it when the water just rolls off!

[petrolhead611]

I had the G3 ceramic coating done by the dealer when my car was new two years ago for £175. Still seems to be present on the paintwork . Has a 3 year guarantee.

[gtc]

My brother sells a system that applies like others, but includes a spray to maintain the original application... supposed to last indefinitely.

[freeform911]

I have g tech on my jaguar xfs...it's about a year old and has held up well..you do have to maintain it every few washes with a ceramic based detail spray..
The biggest thing is to have the cars paint corrected before applying...ceramic will show every paint imperfection(swirls, scratches ect..)
I paid something like $1500 for the paint correction and ceramic coating...applied to paint, glass, and wheels...

It does make washing the car a breeze..I used to spend most of a Saturday cleaning, claying. Polishing, and waxing, now a bout an hour..

[stealthn]

Originally Posted by freeform911

I have g tech on my jaguar xfs...it's about a year old and has held up well..you do have to maintain it every few washes with a ceramic based detail spray..
The biggest thing is to have the cars paint corrected before applying...ceramic will show every paint imperfection(swirls, scratches ect..)
I paid something like $1500 for the paint correction and ceramic coating...applied to paint, glass, and wheels...

It does make washing the car a breeze..I used to spend most of a Saturday cleaning, claying. Polishing, and waxing, now a bout an hour..

Yes, paint correction is a must before hand, had it done on my Panamera, luckily the shop was testing a new ceramic coating and asked if my car could be the demo unit, hellz yeah, free ceramic! I still believe a good wrap is better for stone chips though.

[freeform911]

^^^jealous ...wish I could get @#$% for free...

absolutely about a wrap or clear bra for chips...
The place that did my ceramic made it clear that it's not a product to protect against chips and scratches...

[stealthn]

It helps they are a client.

Yes some of the hyper cars I’ve seen are paint corrected, ceramic coated, film covers and ceramic coated again... crazy stuff

[911boost]

My GT3 RS had to have the ceramic that waS 2 years old removed after I took off some vinyl decals. The detailer paint corrected the car and applied the ceramic over the front end wrap and the entire car. It looks awesome and is about ready for its first wash, which he wanted to do after 30 days or so.

I also have a maintaining spray for it...

[flipper35]

Thanks for all the info.

I knew the paint had to be corrected and I knew it offers very little protection from chips. I have everything to do that if I did a DIY.

So on something like the Cobra, with those big fat fenders on the back that get chewed up by rocks if there are no spats, I can put the vinyl over that area and they can ceramic that as well correct?

Also, how long on fresh paint do you need to wait if at all?

[ErVikingo]

2017 R8 Plus, corrected, full car XPel then ceramic on top. Stays clean easily.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My body shop manager friend says by the book ceramic over fresh paint immediately is ok, but he prefers to wait 30 days. I had the E63 bumper repainted and will have it done in ceramic soon. Also my neighbor had ceramic done over his clear bra on his MP4-12C and is really happy, it looks great.

I had my boat done with Glidecoat ceramic, it shines up great and seems a little easier to clean. Unfortunately it still collects water spots and grime from the water, probably not as quickly but the difference isn’t as dramatic as I hoped. On the upside it should be good for 2-3 years.

[flipper35]

Matt, I have seen a few side by side tests where some product really improve the depth but have almost no hydrophobic properties so (obviously) they don't all work the same.

The reason I asked on fresh paint as that would be the ideal time to do it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I can definitely see improvement in how the boat sheds water, I just think the marine environment is more harsh. It’s like spraying your car with dirty water in direct sunlight for an entire day.

[flipper35]

You mean you don't go boating in distilled water?

[GH85Carrera]

My El Camino is single stage paint and needed wax all the time. It had some oxidization and needed a good professional buffing and wax anyway. I took it to a local guy that did a full detail on it, and then put on the ceramic coating. After two years is still has an amazing shine.

Right after I did the Elky, we bought a new Macan for my wife. We had a clear bra put on the front end parts, and the loading area for the rear. Then we took it to the same guy. The paint was only a few months old so he was happy to not to have to do much cleaning. It too looked great, and got shinier than factory new.

I finally even took my 911 to him. Again single stage paint. It is pretty shiny already and did not get any more shine to the paint, but it beads water really well.

One added bonus is dirt and bugs wash off easier. The 911 looks so good the young strangely dressed chicks just come hang out next to it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by flipper35

You mean you don't go boating in distilled water?

Lake Brita gets super busy on nice days.

[Bill Douglas]

Glen, the wife is looking GREAT. Car is looking OK I suppose.

Speaking of cars, what are the wheels on the back of the 911.

[GH85Carrera]

That is a set of 17 inch Euormiesters I bought on Pelican. They were designed to fit the G model body and with the 225/45s on the front and 255/40 in the rear. I don't remember the width of the Euromiester wheels off the top of my head, but they are the ones sold to fit the G body. No rubbing and perfect offset. I had to have a local paint shop paint the centers to match the style of the 15 inch Fuchs that came on the car.

The car is at stock Euro height.



Same car in 2008 with the 15 inch Fuchs, back when performance street tires were still available for highway and rain and summer fun. The car has always been well loved and waxed since I bought it in 1995.

[Nickshu]

I have had 6 cars professionally coated now. Most using Optimum Pro + but the most recent was with Owner's Pride (OP) coating. The OP beads better but both area great. I hate waxing cars so will never go back.
I have watched my detailer install the coatings, the install is easy it's the paint prep beforehand that takes skill before you permanently seal it in with the coating.

[911boost]

I was very impressed with the detailer I use in the fort Nick.