Is all this "ceramic coating" talk just hype?

[edwx]

My friend just bought this new stuff for his truck. He said it's the best he's ever used. He said it's ceramic, but apparently it's not. He got the Klasse kit. I did a little research, and it's supposed to be good stuff. Is it good enough, or are there real benefits to "ceramic?" Anybody had any luck with the new ceramic products, or are any other products that you could recommend? Thanks.

 

[peterk9]

Several members including blwnsmoke have had their Explorers ceramic coated by professionals.

Ceramic Coated!

Had my ST ceramic coated, here is a pic after a week driving and parking outside, with several days of rain, still looking pretty good. Had a local guy do it for me, if anyone is in Charlotte area, highly recommend the guy I used, PM for details. Will be taking my wife's X5 to him in a few weeks...

www.explorerforum.com

Dealer Add Ons

It's been 8 years since I bought a car and forgot about the gauntlet of dealer add ons that I have to run through. I was somewhat surprised that they still try to offer rustproofing/undercoating, which I immediately dismissed. My 2011 is doing just fine and it is exposed to salt in the winter...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[Mbrooks420]

I did the Kia myself. I missed a strip on the roof and it was obvious after it rained. I used to get dirt streaks where the body seams came together with the rear door. These aren’t there anymore, and I haven’t washed it in a few weeks.

Do I think it’s as magical as some claim? Probably not, but it does have a noticeable effect, and isn’t that expensive, especially if you do it yourself.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

My friend just bought this new stuff for his truck. He said it's the best he's ever used. He said it's ceramic, but apparently it's not. He got the Klasse kit. I did a little research, and it's supposed to be good stuff. Is it good enough, or are there real benefits to "ceramic?" Anybody had any luck with the new ceramic products, or are any other products that you could recommend? Thanks.

To my knowledge, Klasse does not have a ceramic kit. However, Klasses is solid and have used for many years.

Ceramic if prepped.right will last.

 

[peterk9]

The high cost of having it done professionally is due to the fact it is labour intensive.

Peter

 

[Mbrooks420]

I think the hardest part is getting the car impeccably clean. Actually applying the ceramic wizardry wasn’t that bad.

 

[Odrapnew]

To my knowledge, Klasse does not have a ceramic kit. However, Klasses is solid and have used for many years.

Ceramic if prepped.right will last.

I think the hardest part is getting the car impeccably clean. Actually applying the ceramic wizardry wasn’t that bad.

I agree with both.
BTW, none of what I've written below is from personal experience(yet), just the hours of videos, forums, reviews that I've researched over the last 2 months. I've done so much research on paint correction and DIY ceramic coating my head it about to explode, however, I'm taking on the task.

I picked up a used Golf R a few months back that is in excellent condition overall except for the paint. It's definitely a 10 footer for all the surface scratches that the previous owner added. It's definitely shiny, but when you start to look at it in the sun at different angles and close up, you can see scratches, swirls...etc. After lots of research, I picked up all the necessary products/tools to complete a full paint correction and apply ceramic coating.
I'm jumping in head first with this and I'd like to get it as perfect as possible and not have to really touch it besides wash for a few years (with the occasional refresh of the coating).

Once the paint is as perfect as can be(compound/polish), making sure it's completely clean is critical. Panel wipe (or IPA mix) cleans everything off the paint to allow the ceramic to adhere to the paint.

The actual application is 'simple' as long as you follow the directions and make sure you wipe off ALL of the excess before it starts to cure (we're talking minutes). If you don't wipe off all the excess, you get splotches/hazing that requires compound/polish (or possibly wet sand) to remove and you have to start over.

My plan: wash, Iron remover, clay bar(already have), DA polisher(multiple pads, compound/polish), panel wipe(IPA), Gtechniq crystal serum light and exo. It's going to be a long weekend coming up, but I'm excited to tackle it and see the results. I guess if the paint correction doesn't go as planned, I can always just wax it and call it good, but I have high hopes that I can get it almost perfect and ceramic coated.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Just washed a bunch of bird crap off of mine. Came of quite easily. If It holds up two years I’ll be happy.

 

[san~man]

Correcting the paint is the hardest part. It requires a polisher (DA are the most popular) and a slew of chemicals, depending on the condition of your paint and how **** you are about it.

Before mine landed, I gave instructions to my salesman to not wash the car. He seemed surprised, but understood after I told him why.

When I got it home, the wash, clay and badge removal took 3-4 hours.

The next day I corrected it, another 5 hours. Then I had it ceramic coated. That initial coat lasted a year (they all vary in terms of protection length), then I decided to redo the ceramic coat with a more "professional" version. I corrected what needed to be done, again, mainly the hood. Applied C Quartz 3.0, which was very easy to do. As the others have said, just time consuming.

As far as protection, ceramic absolutely helps. Dried on bird ****, which you're supposed to remove (but sometimes you miss, **** happens), comes off easily versus a car without ceramic coating. It's not the "end all" to protect your car, but it helps a ton.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Correcting the paint is the hardest part. It requires a polisher (DA are the most popular) and a slew of chemicals, depending on the condition of your paint and how **** you are about it.

Before mine landed, I gave instructions to my salesman to not wash the car. He seemed surprised, but understood after I told him why.

When I got it home, the wash, clay and badge removal took 3-4 hours.

The next day I corrected it, another 5 hours. Then I had it ceramic coated. That initial coat lasted a year (they all vary in terms of protection length), then I decided to redo the ceramic coat with a more "professional" version. I corrected what needed to be done, again, mainly the hood. Applied C Quartz 3.0, which was very easy to do. As the others have said, just time consuming.

As far as protection, ceramic absolutely helps. Dried on bird ****, which you're supposed to remove (but sometimes you miss, **** happens), comes off easily versus a car without ceramic coating. It's not the "end all" to protect your car, but it helps a ton.

Plan to apply that as well. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Pwerdbybeard]

Ive got a buddy who does auto detailing for a living and, at least in my area, if you pay the right price for actual ceramic coating, he says its very worth it.

I haven't done it yet because a proper coating is pretty pricey for our size of vehicle. What I have used tho, is these wipes from Cerakote specific for trim pieces. I dont know that its actually ceramic but from what Ive read and from what Ive seen, its dang good. I used it on all of the plastic trim on MY13; around the fenders, down the bottom doors, under the front bumper and the rear. It brought the plastic back to looking like new. I did it about 5 months ago and between several washes, haven't had to reapply since.

Made me a believer, thats for sure.

 

[san~man]

Ive got a buddy who does auto detailing for a living and, at least in my area, if you pay the right price for actual ceramic coating, he says its very worth it.

I haven't done it yet because a proper coating is pretty pricey for our size of vehicle. What I have used tho, is these wipes from Cerakote specific for trim pieces. I dont know that its actually ceramic but from what Ive read and from what Ive seen, its dang good. I used it on all of the plastic trim on MY13; around the fenders, down the bottom doors, under the front bumper and the rear. It brought the plastic back to looking like new. I did it about 5 months ago and between several washes, haven't had to reapply since.

Made me a believer, thats for sure.

I did the Cerakote too, that stuff is legit if your trim is new or in good shape. If it needs restoration, Solution Finish is the better choice.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SHJVK4G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Pwerdbybeard]

I did the Cerakote too, that stuff is legit if your trim is new or in good shape. If it needs restoration, Solution Finish is the better choice.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SHJVK4G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thats the exact one I purchased! Funny, when I clicked the link, Amazon told me when I bought it LOL This stuff is awesome. My plastic was all gray and washed out.. This stuff made it look like I replaced it all with new parts.

 

[san~man]

Thats the exact one I purchased! Funny, when I clicked the link, Amazon told me when I bought it LOL This stuff is awesome. My plastic was all gray and washed out.. This stuff made it look like I replaced it all with new parts.

It probably gets better results when applied to new trim. If you have older trim that's graying or fading, Solution Finish will work better. Haven't tried the cerakote over the SF though.

 

[metroplex]

How long do the professional ceramic treatments last?

 

[Pwerdbybeard]

How long do the professional ceramic treatments last?

From what I have heard, a good application with good products should last about 2-3 years.

 

[Pwerdbybeard]

It probably gets better results when applied to new trim. If you have older trim that's graying or fading, Solution Finish will work better. Haven't tried the cerakote over the SF though.

I will try and take a pic today and post it. I did the bumper covers but not the lower part that hangs below the plastic. I will definitely try the SF stuff next time!