Is ceramic coating worth it or a high-maintenance PITA?

enuru99

I'm looking at taking extra precautions for my new vehicle. I'm doing PPF on all the front-facing surfaces. From researching online, ceramic coating is the other common option. However, my detailer says it needs to be handed washed twice a month plus decontamination every 6mo. I can deal with the decon but having to either haul out my wash/bucket or pay someone else every wks every round sounds like a hassle. My vehicle is a Rivian so a really nice car, but not supercar nice.

For the people that have it, do you recommend it? What happens if you wash it more infrequently?

colm_mcm

If you’re going to run your car through an automatic machine, then I’m not sure you’re bothered enough by the paint condition to justify getting it ceramic coated.

new car from a new car company. I'd wait to see how bad the factory finish actually is especially if pursuing warranty.

Toyotafanboi

First poster, with a Rivian. 3/10.

While on the subject, I just go at my car with a very limited amount of care. I love my car looking clean but in my own head, i feel bad for the cant cope with swirls crew.

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118874621#Comment_118874621

It doesn’t take that much to minimise swirls to be fair. Even changing from a sponge to a lambswool mitt makes a big difference. I haven’t gone fully vegan detailer but there’s definitely something in it.

Toyotafanboi

Oh yeah, totally agree, a few small changes can and do make a huge difference. There's a line though.

I'd say you can achieve 70 to 80% of the look with about 20% of the time.

PsychoPete

If its a daily car then 80% swirl free is handy enough to achieve. Swirls are inevitable whether it's washing or drying the car. Don't fall into the trap of chasing perfection unless the cars paint is fresh and the car is only used the odd time

Gumbo

Don`t do it if you are going to sell the car soon or if you are not going to take a proper care of it in the years coming.

Don`t get it if you will not have time to wash it using Safe Wash method or you are going to use 8e car washes.

Do not get Ceramic Coating if you are expecting your car becoming scratch, dent and bullet proof. Unsafe washing will still produce swirls

Do not get Ceramic Coating if you believe your car will get a magic protective shield and it will wash itself.

Getting Ceramic Coating does not mean you can neglect the car nor wash it with dirty sponge or dry it with dirty drying cloth.

Ceramic Coating is only one piece of a puzzle. It requires regular service. I use an Si02 based quick detailer as a drying aid after every wash to keep it topped up.   

Paint enhancement / paint correction is labour intensive but is required to get the best finish

Ceramic Coating durability is much higher comparing to waxes or sealants. It is more expensive and you need to ask yourself if it adds value or not for you.

colm_mcm

Which ones are myths?

Toyotafanboi

The ones that are copied and pasted.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118875889#Comment_118875889

Copied and pasted from a well known Dublin detailer.

He done a breakdown post in a detailing group I’m in. If you’d like to refute any of them, I’m all ears.

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118876032#Comment_118876032

All I’d like to know is if you’re saying everything you mention in your post is a myth? There seems to be a mix of truths and myths in there

or are you saying some of the statements are correct and you’re dispelling myths

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118876197#Comment_118876197

The paragraph was posted after many people asking about ceramic coating as a means to stop stone chips happening.

Then people thought they’d never have to wash their car again.

Then people asked if they can still go to the local car wash afterwards.

I suppose the text was created to state that a ceramic coating is a great product but it needs maintenance.

You have to wash it with safe techniques. It will not stop swirls if you continue to wash with a sponge and bucket in the garden or use the local car wash.

It won’t stop stone chips.

It will make washing easier. It will maintain a hydrophobic coating on the car which means dirt will come off quicker.

Believe it or not, we had people asking in the group why their car was dirty after getting a ceramic coating. They were under the impression the dirt fell off and they’d never have to wash their car again!

Sexual Chocolate

I had the E90 paint corrected and a 6 month Sonax protection put on it around this time last year and it's only in the past couple of months it's beginning to ware off. If you look after it properly after it's polished its well worth it and very satisfying too.

route66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058240024/is-ceramic-coating-worth-it-or-a-high-maintenance-pita

Sounds like a poorly disguised humblebrag.

Let me have a go:

In my own case I own a 2005 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 which is no longer perfect because my (now former!) valet didn't maintain the ceramic coating properly. How I'd love to be able to afford a new Chiron Super Sport

Stallingrad

^ Does it hurt to take the OP at face value, seems like a fair enough question irrespective of the car, or is it important to derail the thread and come across as a smartass?

route66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118894605#Comment_118894605

Ah, but you see he didn't need to mention the car. I believe ceramic coating would work equally well on, say, a Fiat Punto.

WRT Smartass, some say I have a big arse, but smart? No.

I'm off now to look at other ways to invest my recent lotto win - the Bugatti is a bit too ICE for me. Perhaps a nice Rivian?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118888438#Comment_118888438

It’s kind of important to know the make/model/value/age of the car because this will influence weather its worth getting a ceramic coating or not. I sense some begrudgery from you but I didn’t sense any bragging from OP.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118905187#Comment_118905187

It really depends on the person you are and what you like. I was in with a local detailer here in D11 last week looking for tint and PPF for my piano black console trim and he was telling me a story of a returning customer who has spent more money with him on coatings for his Suzukis over the years than some people have spent on Porsches, and Italian supercars.