Recommendation for minimum effort paint care

[Peeso33]

What was the estimated length of protection for that? I can get something like a CeramicPro Sport coating for around $350.
For any of the >1yr stuff, the shops all want to do a paint correction first, and the cost just skyrockets.

Had CeramicPro Sport done almost 3 months ago..... tbh it makes the car very glossy, and gives a wet look, but doesn't really offer much in terms of protection. Just wiping away some bird poop will scratch that very thin (soft?) layer right up. Only paid $260 though, so can't really complain too much.

 

[Billy M]

Here is mine right after it was finished.

View attachment 19852 View attachment 19853

You in ATX? Who did your ceramic Coat? looked at a white with red GT2 there in dec. Man I want it

 

[ShannonC]

If your paint is in good condition and you're happy with it then just wash and clay bar. Let it dry properly then rub down with IPA (Isopropyl alcohol). Apply ceramic sparingly to small sections and wipe off after 2-3 minutes. Keep car in a dust free environment and repeat process after a few hours (or overnight), then repeat again. A 30ml bottle should be enough for 3 coats plus wheels, mirrors, and other chrome bits. Total cost <$100. Should last 5 years or more depending on garaging conditions.

 

[terrelltechsup]

You in ATX? Who did your ceramic Coat? looked at a white with red GT2 there in dec. Man I want itView attachment 19854

San Antonio. I drove to Austin to get mine on New Years Day. 2019 GT1 RWD. It was the only one in Texas that had the options I wanted. They stayed open late for us, gave us what we wanted for the trade and threw in tinting.

Had CeramicPro Sport done almost 3 months ago..... tbh it makes the car very glossy, and gives a wet look, but doesn't really offer much in terms of protection. Just wiping away some bird poop will scratch that very thin (soft?) layer right up. Only paid $260 though, so can't really complain too much.

Feynlab is pretty much the most resilient/hardest you can get from what I have heard. I did not go with the self healing option though. Too expensive. You have to use the slickest soap you can get to wash and let the soap do the work to lift the dirt before you wipe. Ill post a picture after my first wash that took literally 20 minutes and that was with a month of caliche caked on.

 

[terrelltechsup]

 

[terrelltechsup]

You in ATX? Who did your ceramic Coat? View attachment 19854

relentlessshine.com

 

[Billy M]

relentlessshine.com

TY

 

[ShannonC]

Ceramic coat DIY

 

[jatleson]

Ceramic coating is great, but if you don't plan on prepping the car correctly - don't do it. The coating will highlight any imperfection, will drive you crazy. Here is what I tell my detailing customers (the QR code is my profile picture for a reason) - it is a daily driver, it is going to get scratched, swirled, chipped, bumped, etc. A coating will not stop that. PPF will help, but it is pricey. Touchless washes only if going through a bay. At home, if you don't have access to water, get a good rinseless wash setup (bucket, product, lots of microfiber is all you need). Google the "Garry Dean Method" - his products happen to be really good too, but they are pricey. The industry standard for rinseless is ONR. That covers your washes and depending on the products you use, may cover it all. Garry's Forever Rinseless offers great protection that is restored everytime you wash the car with it. If the product you choose doesn't offer protection, my goto long lasting solution (~6 months if car is kept in garage) is a base of Jescar Powerlock sealant, topped with Collinite 845. Either of those by themselves is great, but combined they offer great protection, durability and a nice slick finish.

 

[terrelltechsup]

Ceramic coat DIY
View attachment 19860

I like what you did with the vents. Nice touch.

 

[TwiceStung]

I like what you did with the vents. Nice touch.

 

[ShannonC]

I like what you did with the vents. Nice touch.

Got the idea from another member but can't recall who to credit. I've only see 2 of us with this "mod".

 

[TwiceStung]

Got the idea from another member but can't recall who to credit. I've only see 2 of us with this "mod".

That would be me.

 

[CaliSting]

I’m convinced clear bra on front of my Stinger saved it from chips. As chips emerged in other locations. Seemed to chip very easily.

 

[LegacyGTv2.0]

Ceramic coating is great, but if you don't plan on prepping the car correctly - don't do it. The coating will highlight any imperfection, will drive you crazy. Here is what I tell my detailing customers (the QR code is my profile picture for a reason) - it is a daily driver, it is going to get scratched, swirled, chipped, bumped, etc. A coating will not stop that. PPF will help, but it is pricey. Touchless washes only if going through a bay. At home, if you don't have access to water, get a good rinseless wash setup (bucket, product, lots of microfiber is all you need). Google the "Garry Dean Method" - his products happen to be really good too, but they are pricey. The industry standard for rinseless is ONR. That covers your washes and depending on the products you use, may cover it all. Garry's Forever Rinseless offers great protection that is restored everytime you wash the car with it. If the product you choose doesn't offer protection, my goto long lasting solution (~6 months if car is kept in garage) is a base of Jescar Powerlock sealant, topped with Collinite 845. Either of those by themselves is great, but combined they offer great protection, durability and a nice slick finish.

Thanks for the perspective, that's close to becoming my conclusion. Thanks for the recommendations on sealants for durability. It's hard to find good recommendations that are focused on how it looks "today" as opposed to how it holds up two months from now.

So after some research, I think I'm going the traditional sealant route for the car, I'm still debating ceramic coating the headlights and rims with a DIY kit. Any thoughts?

 

[jatleson]

So after some research, I think I'm going the traditional sealant route for the car, I'm still debating ceramic coating the headlights and rims with a DIY kit. Any thoughts?

Ceramic coating will make the wheels easier to clean. This will sound like advertising, but it really is great stuff. Based on what I think you are looking for - Garry Dean's Ceramacrylix line (google it) will do the trick for you. The rinseless wash combined with the boost spray and you'll be good to go for washing and protecting (wheels, paint, glass, decent on tires). You may want an additional something to dress the tires (water based only) to add more shine if that is your thing. I prefer a dark matte finish on the tires.

 

[Billy M]

You may want an additional something to dress the tires (water based only) to add more shine if that is your thing. I prefer a dark matte finish on the tires.

What do you recommend for matte finish on tires? At work on our fire trucks we use “bleach white”.

 

[GenesisG70]

Did my self a install of Gyeon Syncro with amazing results

 

[LegacyGTv2.0]

Ceramic coating is great, but if you don't plan on prepping the car correctly - don't do it. The coating will highlight any imperfection, will drive you crazy. If the product you choose doesn't offer protection, my goto long lasting solution (~6 months if car is kept in garage) is a base of Jescar Powerlock sealant, topped with Collinite 845. Either of those by themselves is great, but combined they offer great protection, durability and a nice slick finish.

I figured I would post a follow-up update. I ordered a bunch of products to be able to handle everything myself. Two buckets for water washes, but I think I'm going to use Ammo Frothe as a good rinseless option.

I did my first full detail on the car. Ammo Frothe as the initial wash, then clay bar, 10% isopropanol wipe, Powerlock Sealant, and finally Collinite 845. The results were fantastic. To some extent, I'm glad I didn't go with a ceramic coating. The paint has a bunch of micro defects from dealer washes, so it would've needed a fully correction. It looks great with the sealant, I'm confident I can repeat the process, and I feel good about things being protected.

The results were so good, my wife wanted me to do her Lexus RX400h. I think that's the first time in 155k miles and 13 years that it had ever seen a clay bar. That was a lot of work....