Ceramic Coating

[Samzaknight]

Hello all, so the dealer has an option for ceramic coating on my truck. Has anyone have it done to their truck? Is it worth it?

 

[MikeXM]

Yes and no. Depends on what you are looking for.
See it as a more permanent wax (1-5 years). Truck is easier to clean, shiny gloss, water beading/sheeting.
What it does not: eliminate the need to wash or protect paint from stone chips.

 

[OuachitaAdventure]

Yes and no. Depends on what you are looking for.
See it as a more permanent wax (1-5 years). Truck is easier to clean, shiny gloss, water beading/sheeting.
What it does not: eliminate the need to wash or protect paint from stone chips.

100% Agree. I have mine ceramic coated and all the above is true. Truck gets just as dirty as it ever did and spraying it off doesn't help. It still needs a hand washing. Handwashing is much easier though.

 

[Lary0071]

Would depend on the price and the actual product being installed.

If it were one of those dealership "Auto Butler" paint treatments, it is a drive through machine that essentially uses a crude synthetic sealant with a hybrid ceramic component similar to what Meguiars/Turtle Wax and 20 other botique companies offer. It's not a true ceramic coating like what a true detailer would offer.

So it could be that the dealer will send it out to an actual detail shop for a proper coating? Or they could doing a dealership level (I consider it scam level) crappy coating/sealant for a high price?

I'm not a big fan of ceramic for most folks because paint still needs clayed, it still takes on micro marring and needs periodic correction, and you pay $1200 (or more) for a correction and ceramic that can last out to about 5 years, but the paint will still look rough long before that. Ceramic is best (in my opinion) for lazy owners or those who can't do maintenance on the finish. If your a car nut and you regularly wash, do at least a couple hand sealant applications a year and you clay it once a year.... Ceramic really isn't going to offer you anything. Your car will be clean, it will shine and it will still need hit with a polisher every couple years if you can't stand seeing the micro marring from handling. Same if ceramic coated.

But if you hardly wash, almost never seal/wax and you just drive it..... go ceramic. I'm way to anal about rubbing up on my vehicles, so I constantly wash, seal, spray wax, coat, treat, polish, buff and generally act like a nut with my array of a million car cleaning chemicals.

 

[MikeXM]

BTW, the only advantage you get by doing it at the dealership is you can put it on the final invoice and be part of the financing if that is what you do.
Other than that, a detailing shop will do a better job at a lower cost. Plus you will get options and they will explain exactly what it is they do.

Graphene coating is slowly replacing ceramic as the top tier coating. Longer longevity and less prone to water spots.

 

[jadmt]

Not sure why but I like waxing with a good carnuba wax once a month or so. Heck I clayed my new PW the day after I brought it home and waxed it and then a few days later put on a second coat of wax. The only place I thought maybe ceramic might help is on the windshield agains the little sand pits but reading here does not sound like it does..

 

[Lary0071]

Not sure why but I like waxing with a good carnuba wax once a month or so. Heck I clayed my new PW the day after I brought it home and waxed it and then a few days later put on a second coat of wax. The only place I thought maybe ceramic might help is on the windshield agains the little sand pits but reading here does not sound like it does..

So do I and my buddies. We drink beers and make vehicles shine. It's better than getting in trouble.

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