Ceramic Coating ?

bigdog · 06-23-2021, 04:39 PM

What are folks thoughts regarding 'ceramic coating' for cars? Does it really provide long term protection?

Thanks !

TiltonBB · 06-23-2021, 08:46 PM

I had my car ceramic coated and it is great. The people that did it did everything, including the wheels.

Easy to keep clean and just rinse with water. I don't even bother with soap. About 3 minutes with the pressure washer and towel dry,

BroadHopper · 06-24-2021, 12:36 AM

As TiltonBB says if done right they are terrific. I hear a lot of bad things but it's all in the preparation. I have 5 years and still beading! 7-year guarantee!

My detailer did not recommend pressure washing but did tell me to 'microfiber wash' with an inexpensive detail spray. The spray acts as a lubricant against dirt scratching your finish.

Even the brake dust rinses off! The wheels were coated inside and out! The only thing that needs cleaning were the tyres! The windshield wipers could not wear it off the glass!

The new graphene coatings are supposed to be even better. It is too new to find out.

Descant · 06-24-2021, 02:59 PM

If I park outdoors and get pine pitch or bird droppings, how does the ceramic coating stand up? Same easy clean?

BroadHopper · 06-25-2021, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

If I park outdoors and get pine pitch or bird droppings, how does the ceramic coating stand up? Same easy clean?

Bird droppings rinse right off! Pine pitch, I was able to remove with my fingernails. Grease and tar come right off but gets nasty on the microfiber cloth. Microfiber is cheap. About .25 on sale at Harbor Freight. I buy by the bundle!

Detail spray goes a long way. So spend a little extra money. It actually add a little 'pop' to the finish! Attached is a 2005 MB and 2014 allroad. Both treated and look showroom!

LikeLakes · 06-25-2021, 09:27 AM

I had a boat done and whatever I expected, the result is 10x better. It just stays clean and looks like it was waxed the day before, now into the 3rd year. A little detail spray and wipe is all that's needed. Then I bought a used sports car and the prior owner did detailing and had coated it, again the car just looks great after a quick wash and I spray and wipe with Mother's quick spray wax. I can spray and wipe down the whole car in about 5 minutes and love how it looks.

I was thinking about trying to do one car myself, but think I'm going to chicken out and get it done at a detail place.

Descant · 06-25-2021, 10:53 AM

Ceramic coating sounds like the future, especially as we get more and more invested in our cars. I recall in the 70's when companies like Tuff-Kote Dinol and Rusty Jones sold after market rust proofing. Started as independent franchises, then the dealers picked it up and then manufacturers. Now, we don't hear much about it. I wonder if ceramic coating will follow a similar evolution?

TheProfessor · 06-30-2021, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Ceramic coating sounds like the future, especially as we get more and more invested in our cars. I recall in the 70's when companies like Tuff-Kote Dinol and Rusty Jones sold after market rust proofing. Started as independent franchises, then the dealers picked it up and then manufacturers. Now, we don't hear much about it. I wonder if ceramic coating will follow a similar evolution?

Rusty Jones and Ziebart used a Line-X hardening material. Moisture would get behind this hard black plastic - and cause normal rust.
Rusty Jones went bankrupt.

Oil undercoating or Fluid Film an annual procedure. Has nothing in common with the sprayed on sound proofing of the 1950's or the Rusty Jones/Ziebart of the 1980's.

Just a tidbit about ceramic coating. What happens if one has to have any body shop work/paint work ?

I use a high quality paste wax. Wash, paste on, dry, wipe off. My vehicle is 20 years old and still looks new. And it is not garaged.

Each to their own.

CampEye · 07-01-2021, 09:58 AM

For those who were happy with the results, where did you get it done, and what did it cost? Sounds very interesting.

TiltonBB · 07-01-2021, 11:14 AM

Both Getty Shine and Diamond Shine in Gilford do it and will do a good job. There are many people on the Forum who have used them for both cars and boats.

I had a sports car done in Florida and including the plastic protection film on the nose, A pillars, sills, and rockers it was $2,600.

BroadHopper · 07-02-2021, 09:45 AM

did a great job. Less wait than others, and pays attention to the details.

BroadHopper · 04-26-2022, 03:10 PM

My aunt was suckered into getting a ceramic coating at half the price on her brand new Equinox. The beading was OK until she decided to take it to the car wash. Now it looks like it is gone! No beading.

She went back to the dealer and complain she paid $400 for it and lasts only a few months. Their response was never to take cars to the car wash! They have a car wash available for all their customers!

Just wondering if there were similar experiences.

TiltonBB · 04-26-2022, 03:37 PM

If she paid $400 for "ceramic" she probably didn't get the true ceramic, maybe a wax with ceramic in it. The beading should last for years

I had a Lincoln Aviator done for $1,200. It is permanently shiny and the water runs off, better than any wax job I ever did. I had a sports car done for $2,600 but that included plastic protection film for most of the front end, and assorted other parts, so I don't know what portion is just the ceramic coating.

I use to pressure wash and towel dry, no soap. My new method is pressure wash and blow it dry with a battery operated leaf blower. It takes about 3 minutes to blow all the water off. I think the coating is well worth it.

fatlazyless · 04-27-2022, 03:38 AM

With a ceramic coated new Lincoln Aviator, you are just trying to make a wealth statement or show off your money more than having a car that's a reliable every day driver like my used 2014 Subaru which, by the way has a slot for cd disc music. Something that a Lincoln Aviator does NOT have! .....

Plus, this Subaru has a clutch pedal, too, something else the Lincoln doesn't get.

Now, if only Subaru's came with those vent windows that used to be there, up front the side windows, which had a swivel catch. Those vent windows were totally fantastic, and should be brought back into use.

Announcing 2025 ....... everyone! ...... the year the VENT WINDOW returns to Subaru Cars! ...... ha-ha-ha! .....

...... so, why does it take three years to re-introduce the vent windows ...... hey there Subaru! ...... why not like right now! ..... with a retroactive recall refit for my 2014! ...... viva le vent window with that old swivel catch! ....... fenetre d'aeration de voiture ...... in French!

BroadHopper · 04-27-2022, 07:06 AM

So $400 for a wax job is ridiculous! Even at 1/2 price. Buyers beware of dealers!

As noted on this thread, I have 2 vehicles ceramic waxed. MB in 2013 and allroad last year. Both like new. MB had a 10-year job. It's due last year but I see no need.

The MB for years was washed with PH neutral detergent and dried with a microfiber towel aided by a detail spray. After the Audi treatment, I was told to get a cheap electric pressure washer, 1500 psi is fine, and wash the car, with no detergent. Get a leaf blower to dry the car. Works fantastic! Even after a dirty winter!

Another detailer advises a graphene-based detailing spray after drying. I did that a couple of weeks ago. Beading was much better since the ceramic coating was not graphene-based. Graphene is more hydrophobic!

So yes, ceramic coating is expensive but worth it. You can DIY only if you know what you are doing.

lakershaker · 04-27-2022, 08:42 AM

So what about in winter with salt? I go to the carwash regularly to get the underneath clean and salt free. If I get ceramic, will going to the carwash hurt it, or you're saying its just unnecessary?

LikeLakes · 04-27-2022, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

With a ceramic coated new Lincoln Aviator, you are just trying to make a wealth statement or show off your money more than having a car that's a reliable every day driver like my used 2014 Subaru which, by the way has a slot for cd disc music. Something that a Lincoln Aviator does NOT have! .....

With your 2014 Subaru you are just trying to make a "I'm better than you, my car is more reliable and relatively inexpensive" statement.

I think you shouldn't accuse someone who chooses to own something and chooses to take care of it a certain way as "making a wealth statement", it's not nice to do so.

If I drove a 1994 Volkswagen Rabbit do you want me to accuse you of making a wealth statement or showing off your money by driving your fancy 2014 Subaru? It's all relative, and no need of making accusations of people contributing to a thread about automotive paint coatings.

TiltonBB · 04-27-2022, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

With a ceramic coated new Lincoln Aviator, you are just trying to make a wealth statement or show off your money more than having a car that's a reliable every day driver like my used 2014 Subaru which, by the way has a slot for cd disc music. Something that a Lincoln Aviator does NOT have! .....

Plus, this Subaru has a clutch pedal, too, something else the Lincoln doesn't get.

Now, if only Subaru's came with those vent windows that used to be there, up front the side windows, which had a swivel catch. Those vent windows were totally fantastic, and should be brought back into use.

Announcing 2025 ....... everyone! ...... the year the VENT WINDOW returns to Subaru Cars! ...... ha-ha-ha! .....

...... so, why does it take three years to re-introduce the vent windows ...... hey there Subaru! ...... why not like right now! ..... with a retroactive recall refit for my 2014! ...... viva le vent window with that old swivel catch! ....... fenetre d'aeration de voiture ...... in French!

Curiosity question: Is your cell phone a rotary dial?

fatlazyless · 04-28-2022, 05:38 AM

No such thing as a ceramic coating for the car in Brazil where they go with the 'carnauba/coffee bean/Juan Valdez w/ his donkey' wax by Simoniz.

And they have VW's which actually have a real, working vent window!

http://www.dyler.com/posts/99/a-stra...ound-in-brazil ...... just look at all these vent windows with that swivel latch/catch! ...

.... they still exist in Brazil, so why not in New Hampshire? The vent window was a very functional design use, and every car used to have two vent windows, one on both sides of the car!

You know that a 2022 ten wheel dump truck made by MACK in Pennsylvania will STILL have with the vent windows!

06-23-2021, 04:39 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,411 Thanks: 308 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Ceramic Coating ? What are folks thoughts regarding 'ceramic coating' for cars? Does it really provide long term protection? Thanks !

06-24-2021, 12:36 AM	#3
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	ceramic coating As TiltonBB says if done right they are terrific. I hear a lot of bad things but it's all in the preparation. I have 5 years and still beading! 7-year guarantee! My detailer did not recommend pressure washing but did tell me to 'microfiber wash' with an inexpensive detail spray. The spray acts as a lubricant against dirt scratching your finish. Even the brake dust rinses off! The wheels were coated inside and out! The only thing that needs cleaning were the tyres! The windshield wipers could not wear it off the glass! The new graphene coatings are supposed to be even better. It is too new to find out. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-24-2021, 02:59 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,035 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 1,513 Times in 984 Posts	Pine pitch, bird dropings? If I park outdoors and get pine pitch or bird droppings, how does the ceramic coating stand up? Same easy clean?

06-25-2021, 10:53 AM	#7
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,035 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 1,513 Times in 984 Posts	Tuff Kote-Dinol" Ceramic coating sounds like the future, especially as we get more and more invested in our cars. I recall in the 70's when companies like Tuff-Kote Dinol and Rusty Jones sold after market rust proofing. Started as independent franchises, then the dealers picked it up and then manufacturers. Now, we don't hear much about it. I wonder if ceramic coating will follow a similar evolution?

07-02-2021, 09:45 AM	#11
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Executive Detail in Wolfeboro did a great job. Less wait than others, and pays attention to the details. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-23-2021, 08:46 PM	#2
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,897 Thanks: 644 Thanked 2,153 Times in 900 Posts	I had my car ceramic coated and it is great. The people that did it did everything, including the wheels. Easy to keep clean and just rinse with water. I don't even bother with soap. About 3 minutes with the pressure washer and towel dry,

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (06-24-2021), trfour (06-23-2021)

06-25-2021, 09:27 AM	#6
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	I had a boat done and whatever I expected, the result is 10x better. It just stays clean and looks like it was waxed the day before, now into the 3rd year. A little detail spray and wipe is all that's needed. Then I bought a used sports car and the prior owner did detailing and had coated it, again the car just looks great after a quick wash and I spray and wipe with Mother's quick spray wax. I can spray and wipe down the whole car in about 5 minutes and love how it looks. I was thinking about trying to do one car myself, but think I'm going to chicken out and get it done at a detail place.

The Following User Says Thank You to TheProfessor For This Useful Post:
DotRat (06-30-2021)

07-01-2021, 09:58 AM	#9
CampEye Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Camp Island Posts: 27 Thanks: 31 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	For those who were happy with the results, where did you get it done, and what did it cost? Sounds very interesting.

07-01-2021, 11:14 AM	#10
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,897 Thanks: 644 Thanked 2,153 Times in 900 Posts	Both Getty Shine and Diamond Shine in Gilford do it and will do a good job. There are many people on the Forum who have used them for both cars and boats. I had a sports car done in Florida and including the plastic protection film on the nose, A pillars, sills, and rockers it was $2,600.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
CampEye (07-02-2021), Top-Water (07-01-2021)

The Following User Says Thank You to BroadHopper For This Useful Post:
CampEye (07-02-2021)

04-26-2022, 03:10 PM	#12
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Dealer application of ceramic sealant. My aunt was suckered into getting a ceramic coating at half the price on her brand new Equinox. The beading was OK until she decided to take it to the car wash. Now it looks like it is gone! No beading. She went back to the dealer and complain she paid $400 for it and lasts only a few months. Their response was never to take cars to the car wash! They have a car wash available for all their customers! Just wondering if there were similar experiences. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

04-26-2022, 03:37 PM	#13
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,897 Thanks: 644 Thanked 2,153 Times in 900 Posts	If she paid $400 for "ceramic" she probably didn't get the true ceramic, maybe a wax with ceramic in it. The beading should last for years I had a Lincoln Aviator done for $1,200. It is permanently shiny and the water runs off, better than any wax job I ever did. I had a sports car done for $2,600 but that included plastic protection film for most of the front end, and assorted other parts, so I don't know what portion is just the ceramic coating. I use to pressure wash and towel dry, no soap. My new method is pressure wash and blow it dry with a battery operated leaf blower. It takes about 3 minutes to blow all the water off. I think the coating is well worth it.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (04-27-2022), TheTimeTraveler (04-26-2022)

04-27-2022, 03:38 AM	#14
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	With a ceramic coated new Lincoln Aviator, you are just trying to make a wealth statement or show off your money more than having a car that's a reliable every day driver like my used 2014 Subaru which, by the way has a slot for cd disc music. Something that a Lincoln Aviator does NOT have! ..... Plus, this Subaru has a clutch pedal, too, something else the Lincoln doesn't get. Now, if only Subaru's came with those vent windows that used to be there, up front the side windows, which had a swivel catch. Those vent windows were totally fantastic, and should be brought back into use. Announcing 2025 ....... everyone! ...... the year the VENT WINDOW returns to Subaru Cars! ...... ha-ha-ha! ..... ...... so, why does it take three years to re-introduce the vent windows ...... hey there Subaru! ...... why not like right now! ..... with a retroactive recall refit for my 2014! ...... viva le vent window with that old swivel catch! ....... fenetre d'aeration de voiture ...... in French! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 04-27-2022 at 06:09 AM.

04-27-2022, 07:06 AM	#15
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	So $400 for a wax job is ridiculous! Even at 1/2 price. Buyers beware of dealers! As noted on this thread, I have 2 vehicles ceramic waxed. MB in 2013 and allroad last year. Both like new. MB had a 10-year job. It's due last year but I see no need. The MB for years was washed with PH neutral detergent and dried with a microfiber towel aided by a detail spray. After the Audi treatment, I was told to get a cheap electric pressure washer, 1500 psi is fine, and wash the car, with no detergent. Get a leaf blower to dry the car. Works fantastic! Even after a dirty winter! Another detailer advises a graphene-based detailing spray after drying. I did that a couple of weeks ago. Beading was much better since the ceramic coating was not graphene-based. Graphene is more hydrophobic! So yes, ceramic coating is expensive but worth it. You can DIY only if you know what you are doing. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

04-27-2022, 08:42 AM	#16
lakershaker Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rattlesnake Isl. - Simsbury, CT Posts: 271 Thanks: 90 Thanked 44 Times in 26 Posts	So what about in winter with salt? I go to the carwash regularly to get the underneath clean and salt free. If I get ceramic, will going to the carwash hurt it, or you're saying its just unnecessary?

The Following User Says Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
upthesaukee (04-27-2022)

04-28-2022, 05:38 AM	#19
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	...... vent windows in Brazil? No such thing as a ceramic coating for the car in Brazil where they go with the 'carnauba/coffee bean/Juan Valdez w/ his donkey' wax by Simoniz. And they have VW's which actually have a real, working vent window! http://www.dyler.com/posts/99/a-stra...ound-in-brazil ...... just look at all these vent windows with that swivel latch/catch! ... .... they still exist in Brazil, so why not in New Hampshire? The vent window was a very functional design use, and every car used to have two vent windows, one on both sides of the car! You know that a 2022 ten wheel dump truck made by MACK in Pennsylvania will STILL have with the vent windows! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!