Ceramic Coating.... is it worth it?

[Karl Davlin]

I washed my car today after driving in the snow a few days ago. So far, I'm not very impressed with ceramic coat. I hand sprayed it at a car wash. Without a shammy, it would have looked terrible. I can't say I see any difference before ceramic coating and after. I'll see how I feel after the next wash, but so far I would not have spent the money.

 

[Ozstung]

Please define "it", then I can give an honest assessment.

I put ceramic coating on myself for less than $75.00 and it was worth it. I would never pay what some folks have paid to have it done elsewhere.

What do you value more, time or money?

Expertise.

 

[POS VETT]

Glass coating is worth it IMO. The major, 90% difference lies in the foundation work. The paint must be in ultra glossy, clear (not cloudy), concourse-quality condition prior to application, the glass coating itself preserves this condition and then enhances it with a bit more depth and significant durability. If I did not become afraid of driving the car and messing up the finish that had become near or perfectly perfect after a proper paint correction session, it was unlikely to have been done properly.

I'm sorry to have seen and to say that after witnessing several mediocre examples, glass coating has preserved less than optimum finish preparation. Just nearly anybody can apply glass coating by following directions closely, yet very very few have the OCD tenacity and the discerning eyes of a true paint correction specialist. I'm lucky to know two in my locality.

 

[mldavis2]

I have never been a fan of ceramic coating. Had it on my bright red G8GT done professionally by an auto body shop.

For my time and money, I just keep the car spotlessly clean by careful hand washing (something many do not have the facilities to do, unfortunately) and periodic waxing with a quality carnuba/silicone wax after a very careful use of claybar where necessary. I have a '05 Pontiac GTO that was my daily driver before I retired and it sat out in the sun, rain and snow five days a week. Fourteen years old now and it looks showroom new on the outside - bright blue metallic paint.

If I was dependent on car washes, pressure wands and the like, I'd do another ceramic coating. But I'm not, and I enjoy hand washing and waxing frequently. That gives me a chance to keep on top of any problems, tree sap or other flaws and correct them quickly before they become a problem. Good wax is quick and easy to apply and remove and is excellent protection against bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and the like. Once you get the paint prepped and waxed, you're home free.

 

[ShannonC]

Make sure they do two coats ...

View attachment 15463

Did 3 coats on my DIY application.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

I have never been a fan of ceramic coating. Had it on my bright red G8GT done professionally by an auto body shop.

For my time and money, I just keep the car spotlessly clean by careful hand washing (something many do not have the facilities to do, unfortunately) and periodic waxing with a quality carnuba/silicone wax after a very careful use of claybar where necessary. I have a '05 Pontiac GTO that was my daily driver before I retired and it sat out in the sun, rain and snow five days a week. Fourteen years old now and it looks showroom new on the outside - bright blue metallic paint.

If I was dependent on car washes, pressure wands and the like, I'd do another ceramic coating. But I'm not, and I enjoy hand washing and waxing frequently. That gives me a chance to keep on top of any problems, tree sap or other flaws and correct them quickly before they become a problem. Good wax is quick and easy to apply and remove and is excellent protection against bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and the like. Once you get the paint prepped and waxed, you're home free.

Although I have paint protection applied to my Stinger, I’ll have to agree re: Your 05 GTO & G8GT, both these cars were built in OZ & late model locally made cars had very good paint work that can stand up to the harsh Aussie weather, you only have to see 10 year old + Euro cars that are constantly exposed to our elements & they do not hold up well.

 

[mldavis2]

Although I have paint protection applied to my Stinger, I’ll have to agree re: Your 05 GTO & G8GT, both these cars were built in OZ & late model locally made cars had very good paint work that can stand up to the harsh Aussie weather, you only have to see 10 year old + Euro cars that are constantly exposed to our elements & they do not hold up well.

Fortunately I am now retired. The GTO spent 5 days a week out in the elements for about 9 hours every day for 8 years. My Stinger is pampered inside my garage, out of the sun and elements.

I should also commend you Aussies for building absolutely outstanding cars. My '05 GTO (purchased new) has 98,000 miles and the only repair was a clutch slave cylinder. My '08 G8GT (traded in at 200,000 miles for the Stinger) had only a trunk release solenoid replaced. Both cars had (have) factory brakes. You can be very proud of those cars, they are absolutely bullet-proof!

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Fortunately I am now retired. The GTO spent 5 days a week out in the elements for about 9 hours every day for 8 years. My Stinger is pampered inside my garage, out of the sun and elements.

I should also commend you Aussies for building absolutely outstanding cars. My '05 GTO (purchased new) has 98,000 miles and the only repair was a clutch slave cylinder. My '08 G8GT (traded in at 200,000 miles for the Stinger) had only a trunk release solenoid replaced. Both cars had (have) factory brakes. You can be very proud of those cars, they are absolutely bullet-proof!

Yes, they were bullet proof these are the cars that we all grew up with & they evolved into a world class car & we’re proud of our offerings given that we are a small population compared to the US, but alas to powers to be killed them off.
I had an 05 4 Door version SSZ, same colour as the Monaro (GTO) below.

 

[Ozstung]

First car Hq Monaro Ls 2 dr, third car Hq statesman chev 350, t400 with 4 barrel 680 hollies- never got beaten, how did I survive lol.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

First car Hq Monaro Ls 2 dr, third car Hq statesman chev 350, t400 with 4 barrel 680 hollies- never got beaten, how did I survive lol.

Amazing, note the colour of the 2 examples I found.

 

[Ozstung]

Amazing, note the colour of the 2 examples I found.
View attachment 15577 View attachment 15578

Ha, ha, memories, top one was metallic light green, bottom one gold! With beige vinyl roof lol- couldn't afford the petrol 8mpg when was 58c per litre. To keep to the thread none were ceramic coated.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

This is what the dealer applied to my car, love the finish & no need to polish again, also I’m lucky in the fact on most days my car is undercover at home & work out of the elements of nature & the environment.
Protektiv Surface Coating, for Vehicle Paint and Interior » MotorOne

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

I’m in NJ considering nano protection. I’m looking for quality product I applied by quality professional. Any input is welcomed.

 

[Ritz]

Glass coating is worth it IMO. The major, 90% difference lies in the foundation work. The paint must be in ultra glossy, clear (not cloudy), concourse-quality condition prior to application, the glass coating itself preserves this condition and then enhances it with a bit more depth and significant durability. If I did not become afraid of driving the car and messing up the finish that had become near or perfectly perfect after a proper paint correction session, it was unlikely to have been done properly.

I'm sorry to have seen and to say that after witnessing several mediocre examples, glass coating has preserved less than optimum finish preparation. Just nearly anybody can apply glass coating by following directions closely, yet very very few have the OCD tenacity and the discerning eyes of a true paint correction specialist. I'm lucky to know two in my locality.

You are correct. Getting very good deep shine and long-term reslience rests entirely on the preparation prior to application. Best results are after a thorough de-wax, claybar, then full polish and paint correction (if needed) prior to ceramic application. Then if you stick to touchless car washes you should be good for years of relatively maintenance free finish. I did this myself on my old Mustang GT and it still looked brand new the day I sold it two years later. It did take me about a half day to complete due to all the prep work though.

Cheers!

 

[King Bradentucky]

Set up an appointment to get mine done next week.