To clear bra(xpel) or ceramic coat...

[Never thought]

I have the clear bra in front and hood, going to do nano coating later after my trip. I wish they made dust with full water/rain and fingerprint repellent coating, black cars are hard to keep clean.

The ceramic pro is amazing. I got stuck in a dust/ quick rain storm that muddied my car. The car literally got cleaner over the following week. And the ceramic pro was only on 5 days at that point so not even fully cured.

 

[Ruturaj]

I've got a quote to do the xpel for $850 out the door for side mirrors, entire front bumper, partial fender, and partial hood.

That's a pretty good quote for Xpel product. What did you end up doing?

 

[Socalstinga]

That's a pretty good quote for Xpel product. What did you end up doing?

Couldn’t get scheduling and ended up not doing it. I’ve been using hydrosilex and it’s been good enough.

 

[Kelly]

I think I’ll do the coating and then the expel later if possible. I’ll ask the vendor tomorrow

I believe you have need to xpel before you ceramic...the xpel may not stick..just do your research. ..

 

[Ruturaj]

Couldn’t get scheduling and ended up not doing it. I’ve been using hydrosilex and it’s been good enough.

Thank you for the update.

 

[JVsGT]

I'm actually doing both. I got a partial X-Pel PPF days after buying the car. This is actually my 2nd Stinger and I can tell you from experience, rock chips are inevitable on a car that sits this low and has so much surface area in the front. I got the PPF done at the X-Pel dealership in SA. Pricing was $895 for partial front (basically everything from the first 24" of the vehicle, plus side mirror caps). I have already priced the Ceramic Coating and I'm getting that done this week over the entire car, including the glass and wheels.The ceramic coating was offered at $650 using CQuartz UK that has a 2yr. warranty and $1200 using Jade Quartz that has a 5yr. warranty. I'm kinda torn as to which to get. I'm just waiting on my new badges to arrive since the detailer is going to swap those out for me as well.

 

[Ruturaj]

I'm actually doing both. I got a partial X-Pel PPF days after buying the car. This is actually my 2nd Stinger and I can tell you from experience, rock chips are inevitable on a car that sits this low and has so much surface area in the front. I got the PPF done at the X-Pel dealership in SA. Pricing was $895 for partial front (basically everything from the first 24" of the vehicle, plus side mirror caps). I have already priced the Ceramic Coating and I'm getting that done this week over the entire car, including the glass and wheels.The ceramic coating was offered at $650 using CQuartz UK that has a 2yr. warranty and $1200 using Jade Quartz that has a 5yr. warranty. I'm kinda torn as to which to get. I'm just waiting on my new badges to arrive since the detailer is going to swap those out for me as well.

I am getting quote of approx 100 more than that for X-pel PPF. Ceramic coat quote looks good to, I received 900 quote for similar service.

 

[GTA Jay]

I did expel on the whole front clip, A pillar, rockers, and behind the rear wheel. Then ceramic pro over the whole vehicle, ceramic tints, and vinyl wrapped the roof. Very happy with the results.

 

[POS VETT]

$1200 for glass coating?? LOL.

To think that good buddy of mine just raised his price to $500 for paint correction including glass coating.

 

[washguy]

Use your money for the clear bra...I did bout 90 percent of the car...no roof of course.....front fascia and hood for sure....I saw a pic of a white stinger's front fascia with rock chips all over....looked like hammered crap.....the ceramic you could even do yourself...no big deal....sure its hard n shiny but it doesn't stand a chance against a rock chip....always do your clear bra quoting with the biz that has the pc hooked to a giant plotter and cuts the pieces himself....tells you a couple of things about that guy....hes in business and is solvent, cause the plotter and software is big bucks....he can enlarge the pieces to give him better wrapping.....you want the wrap that actually does wrap around the edges to the back side....not a decal that may or may not wrap around the edge......and a solvent business will do the job inside a shop...not come to you and do it in your drive...a 10 year warranty is no good if the guys out of business in your area... Wash

 

[compujas]

I just got an estimate of $1,690 for CeramicPro 9H Gold (lifetime warranty, full car including wheel fascia and windows, plus a full paint correction). They could also do $1,290 for CeramicPro 9H Silver (only a 5 year warranty). I also asked about PPF and they said they could do a "highway package" of Xpel for $895 which would include impact area of the hood, entire bumper, mirrors, and impact area of the fenders.

Seem like a good deal? $1700 for a one-and-done ceramic coating seems like a good deal to never have to worry about it again. $400 extra to go from 5 year to never worry about it again seems like a no brainer if I'm going to do it at all. Not sure if I want to do xpel also though. My car is black, so I think ceramic would be better to do so it's easier to keep it looking good. I see some have said to do PPF before ceramic though, so I guess if I'm doing ceramic I need to decide now if I want Xpel also.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I just got an estimate of $1,690 for CeramicPro 9H Gold (lifetime warranty, full car including wheel fascia and windows, plus a full paint correction). They could also do $1,290 for CeramicPro 9H Silver (only a 5 year warranty). I also asked about PPF and they said they could do a "highway package" of Xpel for $895 which would include impact area of the hood, entire bumper, mirrors, and impact area of the fenders.

Seem like a good deal? $1700 for a one-and-done ceramic coating seems like a good deal to never have to worry about it again. $400 extra to go from 5 year to never worry about it again seems like a no brainer if I'm going to do it at all. Not sure if I want to do xpel also though. My car is black, so I think ceramic would be better to do so it's easier to keep it looking good. I see some have said to do PPF before ceramic though, so I guess if I'm doing ceramic I need to decide now if I want Xpel also.

To me, the ceramic coating comes down to exposure. If the car is out in the elements all the time, probably helps. If not, a lot of money. I’ve had metallic candy reds and blacks my whole life. And a little work (polishing/sealing/waxing) every month or two with proper chemicals/HW keeps the finish showroom perfect. And I enjoy doing the work. I’d personally invest in PPF before ceramic coating. Ceramic isn’t going to stop chips/scratches realistically.

 

[compujas]

To me, the ceramic coating comes down to exposure. If the car is out in the elements all the time, probably helps. If not, a lot of money. I’ve had metallic candy reds and blacks my whole life. And a little work (polishing/sealing/waxing) every month or two with proper chemicals/HW keeps the finish showroom perfect. And I enjoy doing the work. I’d personally invest in PPF before ceramic coating. Ceramic isn’t going to stop chips/scratches realistically.

I keep it in the garage at home, but it's parked outside all day at work. Historically I tend to overestimate how much work I'm going to put into cleaning cars when I buy them. I say "I'm going to take care of this one", and then after a few weeks I realize how much work it is and how little time I have and end up being lucky to wash it once a year and maybe wax it. This is what has happened through two previous cars, and as much as I like to think it will be different this time, I doubt it will considering I now have a kid that just takes up even more time.

I also live in NJ where we use salt on the roads liberally, plus a lot of rain and dirty roads. If ceramic coating makes it easier to maintain and lets me save time on my washes, it might just be worth it for me.

I don't know if I can convince my wife on the ceramic coating though let alone ceramic and PPF. Heck, even just PPF might be a tall ask. If I can sell it as being easier and quicker to maintain and never having to wax it, it might help.

 

[NoVAGT2]

The ""highway package" of Xpel" sounds like it partially covers the hood which might leave a line visible to you (but not anyone else looking casually). Something to consider:

Paint Protection Film Pre-Cut Kits

Cheers

 

[nhcowboy28]

I keep it in the garage at home, but it's parked outside all day at work. Historically I tend to overestimate how much work I'm going to put into cleaning cars when I buy them. I say "I'm going to take care of this one", and then after a few weeks I realize how much work it is and how little time I have and end up being lucky to wash it once a year and maybe wax it. This is what has happened through two previous cars, and as much as I like to think it will be different this time, I doubt it will considering I now have a kid that just takes up even more time.

I also live in NJ where we use salt on the roads liberally, plus a lot of rain and dirty roads. If ceramic coating makes it easier to maintain and lets me save time on my washes, it might just be worth it for me.

I don't know if I can convince my wife on the ceramic coating though let alone ceramic and PPF. Heck, even just PPF might be a tall ask. If I can sell it as being easier and quicker to maintain and never having to wax it, it might help.

I think in your case, PPF the whole car. Offers far better protection and will look/behave similar. Spending that kind of money on lifetime ceramic and THEN considering partial PPF is too much.

 

[MikeJr74]

I did Ceramic Pro Lifetime over the Xpel.

 

[compujas]

I did Ceramic Pro Lifetime over the Xpel.

How have you liked the ceramic? I've been reading more about it over the past few hours and it seems like ceramic in general still needs maintenance, you can still get scratches and swirls, and the CP Gold specifically needs annual inspections which is an extra cost for new applications of CP Light to maintain the warranty. I'm starting to question whether ceramic is right for me at all. If I'm going to spend that much money up front and still have to pay them around $100 every year just to keep the warranty, I almost might as well pay them $100-200 a year for a full exterior detail with sealant and wax and whatnot and then wash it normally the rest of the year.

 

[MikeJr74]

How have you liked the ceramic? I've been reading more about it over the past few hours and it seems like ceramic in general still needs maintenance, you can still get scratches and swirls, and the CP Gold specifically needs annual inspections which is an extra cost for new applications of CP Light to maintain the warranty. I'm starting to question whether ceramic is right for me at all. If I'm going to spend that much money up front and still have to pay them around $100 every year just to keep the warranty, I almost might as well pay them $100-200 a year for a full exterior detail with sealant and wax and whatnot and then wash it normally the rest of the year.

I have zero issues or complaints. The dirt and bugs literally just fall off. I did some research and found RESET car wash shampoo. It is specifically designed for ceramic coating, as it does not have any wax or chemicals to attract dirt.

I did the Ceramic Pro lifetime which is four coats on all painted surface as well as one coat on all glass and the wheels. This was done over my Xpel.

My black chrome is spotless because it is all wrapped in Xpel. Bugs just fall off the front of the car when it rains or sprayed by the hose. The RESET really works as I have found that I don't get nearly the road dust and grime on the car that I did prior to switch from standard car wash soap to the RESET.

As far as swirl marks, I use the two bucket hand wash method and I use micro-fiber drying towels. Hard to imagine how you would get swirls in the ceramic coating or clear coat unless a abrasive fabric wash towel is used.

 

[MikeJr74]

BTW, with the Ceramic Pro coating on the wheels, calipers and hubs, they are spotless as far as brake dust. It just rinses right off.

 

[washguy]

Compujas 1700 bills for ceramic is way overpriced...and one and done isn't true....for 1700 you could get your car cleared...like I did....and then you can put on the ceramic yourself on the spots that arnt cleared..or even the whole car over clear..... when they clear they correct the paint before they lay down the clear.....its prolly the best thing ive done to the car finish wise....and then you yourself can ceramic coat the car one section at a time...its no big deal...you clay bar the paint wiper er down and then apply...if you can chew gum and walk at the same time you can ceramic coat the car.....and ceramic coating will not.. I repeat.. not stand a chance against a rock hitting your nano wax (ceramic) and leaving a mark.... Wash