Ceramic coating?

[jamo13]

I have a new F150 and am looking for ceramic coating in NJ. There are a lot of people advertising it and I have a few questions.

1. Is it ok to just get ceramic coating without PPF?
*Yes but PPF will help protect against rock chips. If you can swing it, I recommend the following surface areas for PPF: get the hood (you decide how much coverage), front bumper, headlights, B-pillars, rocker panels, door edges and handles, side mirrors, and a partial roof section above the the glass.

2. My garage is not available. So should I skip mobile detailers in favor of someone with a shop?
*I would recommend a shop, especially for a 5+ year coating and/or ppf. Provides a clean environment for the process and most likely, a better result.

3. Is it necessary to get rims and glass ceramic coated too?
*Not necessary as wheels will usually come with a clear coating just like paint. But , a coating will add an extra, sacrificially layer, and make the wheel easier to maintain. There are some very good spray on "while wet" and rinse off products on the market that can provide instant protection and helps with maintenance cleaning. Just don't constantly use caustic chemicals/wheel cleaners on the wheels on a regular basis. Then you can just reapply a spray-on during a wash. I highly recommend "Gyeon Wet Coat" spray. For a more permanent coating and to also save some money, the wheels would be an easier area for self application at home. Ideally, the tire wouldn't be on the rim, but you still could get decent results. Otherwise, car wash soap or a rinsless wash, water and a good water spot remover as needed for mineral removal/decon and you should be good to go.

4. What are some of the things to ask for when you talk to someone who does this?
* Have you done trucks (F150) before? Do you do a two-step (better) or 1-step paint correction -- the most time consuming and the most important part of the application process. They have coatings that can also be applied to PPF (e.g., I have Gtechniq Halo applied to mine) so if interest, you can inquire about that. Do they have references or videos or pictures of a truck (F150) they have done? What coating and/or ppf they use (you need to research and decide on the brand, level of protection-longenvity that suits your needs). Do you add a topper to the coating? How long have the been using (most professional coatings require approval and certication/training from the company to purchase and apply) Some brands of PPF can yellow over time (check out the vast amount of detailer related tests on youtube-- see "Scott HD" channel for longetivity test results ).

Note, if you have a truck with the BAP package, the hood would be the toughest area to apply "full" ppf due to the ridges and hood vent cervices of the BAP hood may need to be fixed/ reeapplied . Had to take it back after the PPF settled as it was lifting due to the ridge areas.

I went with Stek DYNOshield 10-yr PPF, Gtechniq CSU 9-yr since this vehicle is isn't garaged, is used for outdoor activities, and for the fact that I plan on keeping this vehicle for a long while. Although, I wasn't seeking this intially, my choosen detail shop coated the wheels, glass, and seats as part of their packaged (ceramic+ppf) service.

5. One person said her used Adams graphene. Is this good? He says it offers 7 years protection and he has one more Adams graphene which offers 9 year protection? His price is $700 for the 7 year and $1000 for the 9 year. If he includes rims and glass he could do the 7 year for $1000. Is this a good price? Is this a good brand?
8. Is there anything else I should know?
* Adams is a good value coating, but there are better. Adams, at least from what I have researched, is used is an popular option for the DIY guys. In certain applications it can last longer than the professional coatings. But, in general, the products that professionally "certified" detailers use are better and longer lasting due partially to the application process preformed. However, coatings don't live up to their longevity claims. There are some great enhanced (better) products on the market now. The technology has really evolved the last couple of years since I had my truck done and even surpassed graphene (recommend you visit Pan the Organizer's youtube channel). New products are taking the previous coatings best strengths and combining them with the lastest application specific chemical technology.

It's only been a year, but so far, I'm very pleased with my coating and ppf choices. Very easy to clean and the added gloss obtained to the truck to another level. Good luck.

Sponsored

 

[Bossharp]

I feel the main benefit of ceramic is ease of cleaning. Bird crap dust and dirt wash right off making it much much easier to keep clean. You CAN claybar and do paint correction yourself BUT it's a learning process and to do it correctly be prepared to spend hundreds for tools and supplies. Budget $50.00 at least for quality microfiber cloths and absolutely take care of them. It's not easy to get a great job! Lots of separate steps and stages. Lots of different products needed too. A big reason you pay a lot for a truly professional job is he will have all the right tools and products. No getting around all the hours it takes and a guy who has invested the time is not going to work for $12.00 a hour..

 

[BILDOZER]

You dont need to invest a bunch of cash or machines. Just a Claybar and microfiber cloths from Amazon and sealer thats it! The only ones that can tell you didn't paint correct your new truck are the ones that paid the big money and want to justify what they paid.

Also note, the detail guys doing the work of claybar, paint correction and seal the car barely make more than the state minimun wage : https://www.zippia.com/salaries/car-detailer/

Don't be fooled by the snake oil claims. I would suggest you try a couple otions before wasting your hard earned cash to only find it wasnt worth it a year from now. All of these products are under $100.00 and a couple hours.

Suggested products:

 

[anonymous1977]

You dont need to invest a bunch of cash or machines. Just a Claybar and microfiber cloths from Amazon and sealer thats it! The only ones that can tell you didn't paint correct your new truck are the ones that paid the big money and want to justify what they paid.

Also note, the detail guys doing the work of claybar, paint correction and seal the car barely make more than the state minimun wage : https://www.zippia.com/salaries/car-detailer/

Don't be fooled by the snake oil claims. I would suggest you try a couple otions before wasting your hard earned cash to only find it wasnt worth it a year from now. All of these products are under $100.00 and a couple hours.

Suggested products:

So, doable as a DIY?

 

[anonymous1977]

I thought about ceramic and PPF and decided to spend $23 and pretend I'm a kid at the restaurant table coloring in the lines of the rock chips that have appeared over the last 30 months.

https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/touch-up-paint/ford/f150

So you just touch up the rock chip spots and it works?

 

[BILDOZER]

So, doable as a DIY?

Short answer : Absolutely! You will be very impressed at the results. Pan the Organizer and others on YouTube provide great how to videos showing how simple it is. Simply wipe on many ceramic sealers as directed and wipe off residue with a clean microfiber stand back and admire your job then count all the cash you saved!

 

[anonymous1977]

Don't waste your money. You can get the same results for far less. I woud use the Rain X for the glass and Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions ceramic sealer for the paint every 6 months with their other products as you like but be sure to use a clay bar first then apply the sealer. https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-53409-Solutions-Coating-16/dp/B07XYPS3PS/ref=sxin_17_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.5cde1a09-4942-4242-87c5-e66d2d3b6a3c:amzn1.sym.5cde1a09-4942-4242-87c5-e66d2d3b6a3c&crid=1P126X40XNI10&cv_ct_cx=turtle+wax+53409&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7W8C3ugSsFBpDOE5pS5F0Q.xmv3L3Ket1S747Z2wlk9385tpamkp0oCgdTdOUuqqNo&dib_tag=se&keywords=turtle+wax+53409&pd_rd_i=B07XYPS3PS&pd_rd_r=64199154-eaac-4b38-873b-d7103470ef83&pd_rd_w=leqON&pd_rd_wg=y3Ctd&pf_rd_p=5cde1a09-4942-4242-87c5-e66d2d3b6a3c&pf_rd_r=SJ6J9DEVMRR0340GDYCZ&qid=1717978753&s=automotive&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=turtle+wax+53409,automotive,289&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776&th=1

I am on my fourth year with 40K with on the truck with the Antimatter Blue paint looking better than the day I purchased it using the Turtlwax Hybrid Solutions products for very little cost, time savings that are minutes a month vs hours giving excellet results that I would compare with any $1000.00 coating with a worthless warranty that you wil never be able to use, I worked at a detail shop in my past and the expensive paint sealants are a complete rip off and are only worth about 50 dollars in actual product applied. The warranty will always point to a user error in how they care for the coating as a reason to deny any claim.

Check out the product line with Pan the Organizer.

How do i learn what is the right sequence of doing ceramic coating using turtle wax?

 

[anonymous1977]

Short answer : Absolutely! You will be very impressed at the results. Pan the Organizer and others on YouTube provide great how to videos showing how simple it is. Simply wipe on many ceramic sealers as directed and wipe off residue with a clean microfiber stand back and admire your job then count all the cash you saved!

What about paint correction?

 

[Gord0]

What about paint correction?

May or may not be needed. My 21 needs it, but the previous owner drove it through a car wash multiple times. You can see the fine horizontal scratches, almost looking like a haze. Could I go over it with a coating, sure. But I'll fix it.

 

[anonymous1977]

Hey folks - I have a local detailer willing to do the ceramic coating at a very good price. He says he can do a 3 year coating and the cost includes strip wash, decontamination, panel prep and ceramic coating application on all the paint, trim and front windshield. It does not include paint correction. He says paint correction is not needed on a new car. Can I consider this?

 

[Bossharp]

Well...Sure! We here on the forum can offer some insight from our experience's but only you can decide what you want to do. Utube is your best friend on how to clay bar or detail and how far or how well you want to prep the paint. It's really hard to see in most videos how the different levels of preparation effects the final results. If you REALLY REALLY want your truck to look like what you see in car shows and on high end cars.. mirror polished deep shine and glow you are not going to get it with factory paint and regular car wax. You can get decent results with minimum prep and a decent 'wax' but it's a simple fact that the surface of factory paint is very easily scratched and most dealership wash and prep on a new truck puts a haze of fine scratches that you are only going to get out with a multiple steps of polishing. Claybar is absolutely necessary for a great end result because dirt and containments are imbedded and it's the only way to get them out. In the end it's not a big deal one way or another. Especially if you plan to sell or trade in a year or two.

 

[jamo13]

Hey folks - I have a local detailer willing to do the ceramic coating at a very good price. He says he can do a 3 year coating and the cost includes strip wash, decontamination, panel prep and ceramic coating application on all the paint, trim and front windshield. It does not include paint correction. He says paint correction is not needed on a new car. Can I consider this?

It would be very rare that a new vehicle doesn't need some sort of paint correction. Even new high-end luxury cars will have some factory or pre-delivery introduced prep paint swirls, marring, chips, scratches or other imperfections. The average person assumes things are great with a new car paint job and may not look or notice, can't or doesn't know how to look for anything except for the obvious scratch or orange peel look to the paint. But, they are there and sometimes it takes the right lighting or angle to see it. I would recommend a 1-step or 2-step (better) paint correction if you are doing a coating. When you ceramic or ppf without correction, you are now locking in those defects that may become visible if the ceramic/ppf process also enhances glossiness.

 

[Ricksc]

My truck was 2 weeks old when I did the ceramic coat. I did the paint correction. If spending the money do it right. The shine is amazing. Then only hand wash truck. The shine is far above a hand wax job. The ease of cleaning is great. Again it’s all in how good you want it to look and how much you want to pay. The ceramic coat shine is worth the money. I would guess depending on color what you would see. Mine is dark metallic gray and it’s a mirror when clean.

 

[SemperVee]

My step son was a detailer and used Chemical Guys Graphine so I did too and his buffer. It took all day to do my brand new 22 lariat that included the wheels, chrome and all glass. It still looks like new and baby skin smooth. All I have done is wash it a few times. It is available on Amazon for $139 a bit of patience and a whole bunch of labor on your part for the day can produce amazing results>https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...al+guys+ceramic+coating&qid=1718050776&sr=8-3

 

[anonymous1977]

I need to learn how to do this.

Sponsored