Ceramic coating?

"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/19/2018 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

Anyone here have any experience with ceramic coating to protect your paint job and make keeping the outside of your car in decent shape a bit easier?

I’m considering it to keep my new car in top shape for as long as possible. I unfortunately don’t always have the time it would deserve to do regular washes and waxes and such, plus no access to water at my parking spot means going up and down 5 floors for a bucket of water. So spending a bit on ceramic coating does not seem like the worst idea.

i30 N pic for your time:

DISCUSSION (14)

His Stigness > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 15:50

Check out Gtechniq’s Crystal Serum Lite and Exo V3. They’re great and keep a lot of crap off, but above all it makes car washes easier.

Svend > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 15:51

Are you wanting to do it yourself or have someone do it.

If your wanting to do it yourself, look at Gtechniq Crystal Serum Lite, it offers a degree of scratch resistance and super easy cleaning.

For an accredited applied coatings look towards Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra, high chemical resistance, super hydrophobic, super easy cleaning and a high scratch resistance with a seven year guarantee.

If you are going to do it yourself. Ask loads of questions about the products your interested, look into whats required and especially look into how the product is applied properly. Very few coatings are the same and require knowledge on the product.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 15:58

Ceramic coatings basically let you go years without waxing the car. You’ll still need to polish annually if you want to keep the scratches off.

For a DD I would recommend a clear bra on the front end, to minimise the impact of road debris.

LongbowMkII > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
06/19/2018 at 16:04

Clear bras are useful but ugly. The Evora has one and I’m leaning towards taking it off if I ceramic it since it’s not my DD. But there are obvious rock chips that were avoided with it. Maybe if the whole front was covered to avoid the obvious line

Mustafaluigi > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 16:39

I have it on all my cars. It can be very expensive to have done right at a detailer 1-2k depending on the size of the car and shape of the paint. It doesn’t make it that much more scratch resistant. Especially if you already have soft paint. It makes washing a lottttt easier as a simple water and soap and a soft wipe will get mostly everything off, which can help prevent scratches you might have induced during a hard scrub. Water beads all the time and you never have to worry about wax. The biggest draw in my mind for somebody who can’t wash as much is not having to worry about bird poop or other things that would normally etch paint. Leave it there till you can wash again. It doesn’t make my car stay clean like you would think. I’m going to switch over to another brand, CQuartz UK, as I’ve seen it last longer and self clean way better than the few I’ve tried already.

Jetstreamer > Svend
06/19/2018 at 17:15

I would have it done, there seem to be a few shops aimed at ‘premium’ car care here that seem to produce good results. Thanks for the tips!

Jetstreamer > His Stigness
06/19/2018 at 17:15

I would have it done, not do it myself. So will check with the shops what they use.

Jetstreamer > Mustafaluigi
06/19/2018 at 17:16

Ah, that’s basically what I’m after. Ease of cleaning and maybe some minor protection from scratches and bird shit and such. Thanks for the input and tips!

Jetstreamer > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
06/19/2018 at 17:18

It will be somewhat of a daily driver but I also accept that it’s an object to use and will show a bit wear and tear. So if a clear bra will affect the look of the car itself it’s not really worth it for me I guess. Thanks for the input though, everyone seems to be fairly positive about at least coating, so that’s good.

Svend > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 18:37

If you want to go the Gtechniq route, go to the Gtechniq website, gtechniq.com and click through to find an accredited detailer in your country, there may be one close by. All there work is guaranteed and their staff trained and assessed here in the U.K..

As your car is new there may only need to be a light polishing required and then they can get on with the rest (even dealership Pre Delivery Inspection washes can do fine damage and leave swirls).

If you were to go with someone else, do a thorough check on them, look at their work, look at testimonials, do a Google search on their name and see if they pop up in any websites with good or bad results.

A good detailer will be open to questions and give honest advice on how to maintain your car for the future.

If you want me to look up or at any people and let me know and I’ll run it by some others on Detailing World.

If you don’t mind me asking on the forum elsewhere I’ll ask if anyone in Hungary can recommend someone (it is Hungary your in, isn’t it?).

Jetstreamer > Svend
06/19/2018 at 19:34

Just checked it out, seems like there is one accredited detailer in Estonia (not Hungary, sorry ;)). As your reputation here on Oppo speaks for itself (“I Svended my car today”), they will be high on my list.

The detailer here is http://badabling.ee/ , will take a look to see if they have any reviews.

Svend > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 19:39

I’ve been using Gtechniq products for seven-eight years, they are great products that keep getting better.

Estonia, sorry, my bad.

If they are close by, pop in, have a chat with the team and talk through any questions or queries, they’ll be more than happy to discuss what’s needed and how best to move on with regards to car care and any maintenance.

Car care is a passion of mine, it keeps me sane ................ -ish.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Jetstreamer
06/19/2018 at 21:11

I used the sonax ceramic coating kit and it’s holding up extremely well after a year. Makes cleanup easier and my last car wash, which was the first hand car wash in almost a year (don’t judge) showed the paint to be still free from stick on crap a debris that would necessitate a clay bar. So I’m sold for sure. It went on easy and lasts.

Also, if you get an autogeek discount, you can pick up the kits for less than $60

Mustafaluigi > Jetstreamer
06/21/2018 at 06:57

Its not going help with scratches like they like to show with the back of a lighter or whatever. It’s not a tough shell. Putting a micro thin layer of something hard on top of something soft doesn’t make it invincible. It’s not clear 3M protection film.