Ceramic coating worth every penny

Mirak said:

It makes a difference, for a while, but whether it is “worth it” is quite subjective. For me, it is quite expensive for the minimal value received. If there was an easy and inexpensive DIY option, that would change my mind, but I’m not aware of one.

By contrast, adding the partial front PPF cost about the same as was DEF worth it. Way better use of money in my opinion.

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You’re correct, everyone will have a different set of circumstances that will influence their decisions. Factors may include: cost, ability and willingness to do the prep work for ceramic coating (or waxing for that matter), how the car is kept (garaged or not), environmental considerations, and the like.

Out here UV light is the primary killer of car paint jobs. It’s stunningly high here even compared to the desert southwest. That means garaging your car and/or getting something that blocks or reduces uv light. Ceramic coatings do that. PPF isn’t an option here as most PPF is not UV resistant or blocking and it will bind with our paint on this island, and it happens quickly.

There’s really no panacea. I chose to have the MME and Raptor professionally coated. I’m happy with that. I did the prep work and coating on our Jeep Wrangler using Avalon King Armor IX. I’m happy with that as well but it’s not nearly as long-lasting and has a bit more upkeep.

Really, it’s going to come down to what each person’s tolerance is for the upkeep and initial coating. My experience is nothing more than a data point for someone else. As they say, YMMV.

Mirak said:

See, I would be inclined to do this, but then other people say “well, you really need to do paint correction first” or “gotta use a clay bar” or “it only takes about a day and a half.” None of that sounds easy or quick to me.

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Depends on the paint if in good condition correction is not required. Wash it with dawn, clay bar it with detailing spray, and apply first coat with micro applicator. Apply second coat 24+ after first. If the day and a half is too much for you for great protection you can throw your cash away on it. If you wax it all the time 1.5 days for a year of protection is a time savings. I will never go back to wax now I have tried this stuff.

If one knows what they're doing in regards to paint prep & polishing, and is wiling to put the time in to do it right, you can get the same level of protection with something like Adams Graphene ceramic coating as you would paying a couple thousand for a "professional" grade ceramic.

Ceramic coatings really don't do much for the appearance, but they're mindblowingly good for repelling dirt/water/etc. The appearance one gets after getting ceramic coating is the locked in paint prep/polishing work the shop did before applying the coating.

sgriffin130 said:

I had frontal PPF and full ceramic coating done on my Mach E and Escape PHEV and feel it is well worth the money. But with a limited budget I would recommend PPF and DIY ceramic coating.

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That is exactly what I did (DIY ceramic) and I think it's the best bang for the buck.

Superfly-Vic said:

Thanks they are Vossen 22’s HF-4T’s they are made with the Mach-e in mind with the offset look even though they are all 265 35 R22’s

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The wheels look great, but if they are anything close to my 255/20's you're seeing at least a 10-15% efficiency hit, right?

PPF and ceramic coat a must on MME.
Our Bolt just has PPF on front, no ceramic - far superior paint. Almost five years now, still looks great.

Scooby24 said:

I'd argue there are quite a number of inexpensive and relatively easy DIY coating options out. It's just a matter of having the time and patience to do it yourself.

And if an sio2 coating is a bit too intimidating there are other very durable alternatives like Meguiars Hybrid Coat or Gyeon Can Coat which will last at least a solid year.

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+1

I picked up a bottle of Mothers CMX Ceramic spray on a whim for $25 and was pretty happy with the results. Definitely very slippery once buffed, rain beads nicely, and polished up well. Also using the CMX wash, and although not very sudsy, keeps the coating "topped up" I suppose. Happy w/ the DIY route so far...

AlpaChino said:

The wheels look great, but if they are anything close to my 255/20's you're seeing at least a 10-15% efficiency hit, right?

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For sure, I don’t know %wise but the hit is def worth it

I’m a ceramic coating proponent. Had two cars with it now and plan to do it on every car after this one.

If you don’t wash your car yourself then it’s not really worth it. But if you shudder at the thought of an automatic car wash and hand wash your car yourself, a good ceramic coating makes it so easy. Grime and bugs etc all come off so easily, sometimes I just need to use spray foam and power washer to get a good clean.

And I don’t understand people saying the upkeep on a ceramic coating is too much. Every month or so after I wash the car I also spray some Beadmaker all over the car. Aids the ceramic in a nice way. Beadmaker is a wonderful product that’s nice to apply.

Ceramic coating will not protect your car from dings or scratches as some salesmen will tell you, but it makes it just that much easier to clean, and keeps it cleaner longer.

I tried the hybrid ceramic sprays and was not impressed. Nothing compares to the real thing. Gtechniq is on my GT, highly recommend.

MellowJohnny said:

+1

I picked up a bottle of Mothers CMX Ceramic spray on a whim for $25 and was pretty happy with the results. Definitely very slippery once buffed, rain beads nicely, and polished up well. Also using the CMX wash, and although not very sudsy, keeps the coating "topped up" I suppose. Happy w/ the DIY route so far...

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I just pick mine up at Canadian Tire and it protects it. Beads really well with two coats. May not be the best but I do not need to spend a huge amount of money on hype or a few more months. Not like you are not going to be doing it again. Beats wax for me.

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Stang68 said:

If you don’t wash your car yourself then it’s not really worth it.

snip

And I don’t understand people saying the upkeep on a ceramic coating is too much.

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I go to an automatic car wash every other month. It gets the “ceramic spray” for an extra $5.

Car beads up nicely and repels dirt and water for about two months.

Paint looks great.

Doesn’t get any lazier than this. If I were retired, it might be a different story. But I got a job, wife, kids and shizzle to do.

So what’s the consensus on the best ceramic coating I can add myself to give this a good shot.. I’m kinda down in the promises of third party people promising crazy results.. and no I don’t have 2 days to do this

I did System X Ceramic Protection (Crystal Nano Coating). Definitely worth it,

Mach1E said:

I go to an automatic car wash every other month. It gets the “ceramic spray” for an extra $5.

Car beads up nicely and repels dirt and water for about two months.

Paint looks great.

Doesn’t get any lazier than this. If I were retired, it might be a different story. But I got a job, wife, kids and shizzle to do.

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What looks great to one person may look different to another. Automatic car washes are just not for me since I see every swirl and the spray ceramic has left me underwhelmed in the past.

But I hear you about the time commitment. I love washing/detailing my car, it’s a nice hobby so I’m lucky to be able to find time to do it after work or while the little ones are at school and such.

Going to be tough when the kids want to “help” me wash the car

Stang68 said:

What looks great to one person may look different to another. Automatic car washes are just not for me since I see every swirl and the spray ceramic has left me underwhelmed in the past.

But I hear you about the time commitment. I love washing/detailing my car, it’s a nice hobby so I’m lucky to be able to find time to do it after work or while the little ones are at school and such.

Going to be tough when the kids want to “help” me wash the car

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Something good about doing a mundane task to clear the head. I also do not mind spending the time relaxing and is one of many enjoyable hobbies. Break out the lawn chairs and find some shade.

Ceramic it, wet and soap it yourself to show them how it is done then give the kids their own soapy buckets and let them go wild. Count how many times their micro cloths hit the ground. Mundane meet hectic