Where did you apply 3M?

[voon]

Find a proper coater, though. This is also a hype product and there's a few eeedjits out there

 

[Euljiro1ga]

Oh boy, I can't miss out on this discussion. lol

First, a question, what's the point of doing four ceramic coats? - 1,600USD is insanely expensive.

When I looked into it locally, a four-coat ceramic application was around $1,600, and the 3M application that I got was half of that. The ceramic undoubtedly looks amazing, however, it is still only rock chip resistant - of the shops that I was looking up they all had a disclaimer saying as much. That's what I was most worried about since where I live, every time it snows significantly the city puts down gravel. The gravel doesn't get cleaned up until the spring, which can leave ~3 months of rocks spitting up from the vehicles in front of you. If I lived in California, Arizona, etc. (little or no-snow places) I think I would have opted for ceramic only.

I live in Korea, the land of ceramic coating and high-end detailing products (CarPro, Fireball, etc.). Thus, ceramic (aka 'glass' coating in Korea) coating is relatively inexpensive (actually cheaper than getting your car waxed), due to the relative ease of applying and since most of the ceramic coating agents are made in Korea anyway. Film wrapping is another story - way more expensive in comparison. There are a bunch of already cut/made films for different car models you can buy and apply yourself but even that is way to expensive (e.g., 20 USD a piece for the door cup.).

I think the ultimate protection is clear film wrap, the ultimate look is high-end Carnauba-based wax. Ceramic coating is somewhat in the middle in terms of protection and looks but it wins in terms of convenience. The reason it is very expensive in some market is probably due to the hype people creates around it - therefore, I think if your market is not ready for ceramic coating (e.g, still unreasonably expensive) then go for something that is reasonable like wrapping.

Wrapping for me is nice if you can wrap the entire car - then, you can still apply wax on top of the wraps or ceramic coating. Partial coverage makes me goes a little crazy, even if others do not notice, I do. I think those who like car detailing may understand. lol

So to conclude, just go with whatever you like and whatever justifies the price for you. If possible, try visiting a detailer shop and see for yourself the difference between wrapping and coating. Pictures/Videos can never give the true impression IMO. But, getting coated or wrapped as you take delivery of your car will always going to be cheaper than after driving around a bit - less preparation/paint corrections needed.

 

[leftwing]

First, a question, what's the point of doing four ceramic coats? - 1,600USD is insanely expensive.

Ha ha, I have no friggin’ idea. According to the Ceramic Pro guys, that’s the gold standard that gets you the best mileage out of the coating, but that could easily be BS - I haven’t a clue, which would make me their target demographic. I told my wife tonight that I was thinking of getting the ceramic on top of the extra 3M and she asked me if I was high. She said that in 10 years of owning the Camry we traded in the paint looked just fine with 3M only.

Hmm, I don’t know what I expected her to say, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I know that there are a bunch of detailing fanatics over here that would take umbrige with that comparison, but I know where she’s coming from. So whatever I do to protect the non-filmed parts of the car, it’s going to have to be significantly more inexpensive than the Ceramic Pro guys’ gold standard. I might have to re-watch the Karate kid to remember that solid waxing technique..

 

[Euljiro1ga]

Ha ha, I have no friggin’ idea. According to the Ceramic Pro guys, that’s the gold standard that gets you the best mileage out of the coating, but that could easily be BS - I haven’t a clue, which would make me their target demographic. I told my wife tonight that I was thinking of getting the ceramic on top of the extra 3M and she asked me if I was high. She said that in 10 years of owning the Camry we traded in the paint looked just fine with 3M only.

Hmm, I don’t know what I expected her to say, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I know that there are a bunch of detailing fanatics over here that would take umbrige with that comparison, but I know where she’s coming from. So whatever I do to protect the non-filmed parts of the car, it’s going to have to be significantly more inexpensive than the Ceramic Pro guys’ gold standard. I might have to re-watch the Karate kid to remember that solid waxing technique..

Sounds like the protective film market is quite mature where you are (considering you got it for your Camry 10 years ago) - then I would assume film should be the logical route for you. Probably it also means the film suits the type of protection the cars need on your roads than other types.

The protective film is a fairly new trend where I am, thus, you gotta pay a premium to be hip.

 

[Melissa Rothburg]

Thank you @Euljiro1ga for bringing this to light. My question is: what would it cost to do a single layer of ceramic coating instead of 4? Anyone know?

 

[Chris]

Thank you @Euljiro1ga for bringing this to light. My question is: what would it cost to do a single layer of ceramic coating instead of 4? Anyone know?

Here is a good web page that describes the different options with prices.
Note: I might be a little Leary of anyone quoting prices without seeing the car as the correct prep work will make or break how well it looks. If they haven't seen your car I'm not sure how they can know how much prep work is involved.

http://www.padautodetailing.com/ceramic-packages.php

 

[Melissa Rothburg]

Here is a good web page that describes the different options with prices.
Note: I might be a little Leary of anyone quoting prices without seeing the car as the correct prep work will make or break how well it looks. If they haven't seen your car I'm not sure how they can know how much prep work is involved.

http://www.padautodetailing.com/ceramic-packages.php

Thank you so much, @Chris! That is a HUGE difference in price per number of layers. If I do ceramic coating I'll start from the bottom and if it wears off in 6 months or I'm not satisfied with the quality I'll consider moving up a level or two next time.

 

[More Power]

When I got my car I had the dealership apply 3M to the hood (just past the lights), the head lights themselves, bumper, A pillars, that bit of roof between the windshield and the pano-glass and the side mirrors. However, the chrome accents on the front of the car (around the grilles) wasn't done, and since that are is basically the most susceptible to being hit by road stuff, I'm wondering if I should have it done.

Also, without mud guards (still can't order them yet, at least in Canada) the area of the panels directly behind the tires seems to be prone as well - so I'm thinking about getting those four areas done, regardless of if/when I get the mud guards.

What did you guys get done, and did that include the chrome in the front of the car?

I had the front of the car done to the vents on the hood, including lights chrome mirrors, all the door edges, bumper back of the hatch. Cost 1200.00 Cdn as they had no template and had to custom cut all the pieces, can hardly tell it's there. With the amount of sand (looks more like gravel) they put on the roads here it's pretty much a necessity if you don't want stone chips.

 

[Craig]

I had a 2014 charger wrapped, but not fully. It was something like $800. They did the front, about 6 inches up the hood, 1/4 way up the door panels and the rear view mirrors. Then I bought some precut film and did behind the front wheels and in front of the back wheels, the rocker and the headlights. Actually easy if there are not a ton of dips and valleys (The Hood has a couple and I was scared that I could not do it. I think I would try it today)
As for ceramic coatings, I have read they are pretty good. There is a ton of information at: https://www.autogeek.net/

Remember to have the paint corrected(swirls and orange peel buffed out) before you put on the film. I did not and now with film on the car, I dont know if it would look funny.

 

[Andres]

At the moment my car is getting full facial paint protection (full hood, side fenders, Side mirrors, Headlights and small parts here and there. Then applying ceramic pro to the whole vehicle. Should get the vehicle back next Monday, I will post some pics. Everything will cost 3500k.

 

[AndyGT]

And yes, for a proper car coating, you'll work several days. Shampooing, handwashing, then again the whole car with flying rush speck remover, then degreaser and sometimes claying ... depending on the dirt/age. And only then coating. That is why it costs 1000+.

Let‘s say it would be done to a brand new Stinger, the preparation procedure should be very easy, right?

 

[voon]

Depends. Some cars come full of hairscratches right from the dealer as they managed to scratch it with their preparation. Usually it's okay, though.

But you will still have to completely wash it carefully and maybe apply various prepping solutions (tar removal etc) so that alone keeps you busy for a while if done professionally. Do this diligently, you don't want to run your applicator pad later into dirt and scratch your car again or throw away to many pads and coating.

Claying shouldn't be necessary on a new car that just drove a few kilometers.

And then carefully apply the coat, maintaining proper delays before buffing off, so work panelwise. Don't get impatient there. Use good lighting to see where you forgot some residue.

I usually plan a weekend for this as it'll take about a day with pauses etc.. It can be quite some work with all the kneeling and bending down to do the lower parts of the car and constantly breathing in all the chemical crap, since few of us have a perfectly ventilated pro garage