recommend a ceramic coating ?

[bembo449]

dont want to go silly , my days of pamper cars ended years ago but i would like to offer a bit more protection for all my cars paint work , who uses what ? how do you rate it ?
thanks
simon

 

[Alastairp]

Just been through this with my R230.

First question to ask yourself is do you want it done professionally or would you be doing it yourself.

If professionally done, it is likely that most of the cost will be in the preparation and paint correction process required for them to provide the necessary warranty etc. on the completed application.

If doing it yourself, how good is the existing paint finish etc.

I went down the professional application route and the finish is absolutely brilliant, although it was £900 all-in, including the wheels.

Single stage machine polish to remove 80% of swirl marks followed by Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light with EXO and C5 on the wheels inside & out.

5 year warranty on the coating

 

[bembo449]

i want to do it myself pal , the car looks great from a distance but close up it needs work , im happy to just protect it better between washes really

 

[V6Matty]

Look at at ceramic detailer spray, megs, turtle wax , or any others will likely do what you need between washes

 

[daveenty]

I used to be a fan of ceramic coating, not as convinced nowadays after having my car done in Gtechniq C1 Crystal Lacquer followed by EXOv4 by a professional detailer.

The car was new at the time, not been on the road and with less than 20 miles on it when I got it to my detailer. You'd assume that it would be pretty much perfect but it actually took the best part of the first day just polishing all the light scratches and other marks out. It was explained to me that a ceramic coating must be applied to as near perfect a surface as possible for it to bond correctly, so any marks are a definite no as it just won't last.

When I received it back it did look stunning, and needed little more than a quick wash and dry to remain that way though I kept wanting to do more to it, eventually starting with a QD to enhance the shine, at least to my eyes.

It's probably just me, though I have since spoked with others who share this view, but I think that a ceramic coating looks a bit too "clinical" lacking the warmth of a deep wax shine. Don't get me wrong, it's very good and helps with the cleaning routine certainly time-wise, just that it lacks a certain something, at least in my opinion. If I were still working long hours and far away I'd probably go for it again but I don't do that anymore.

I've now polished the best part of it off as it was starting to weaken anyway after three years. It took a while to get it all removed but it's nice to be able to experiment with various waxes and polishes again without keeping my fingers crossed that they won't streak or react due to the coating.

 

[Blobcat]

I used to be a fan of ceramic coating, not as convinced nowadays after having my car done in Gtechniq C1 Crystal Lacquer followed by EXOv4 by a professional detailer.

The car was new at the time, not been on the road and with less than 20 miles on it when I got it to my detailer. You'd assume that it would be pretty much perfect but it actually took the best part of the first day just polishing all the light scratches and other marks out. It was explained to me that a ceramic coating must be applied to as near perfect a surface as possible for it to bond correctly, so any marks are a definite no as it just won't last.

When I received it back it did look stunning, and needed little more than a quick wash and dry to remain that way though I kept wanting to do more to it, eventually starting with a QD to enhance the shine, at least to my eyes.

It's probably just me, though I have since spoked with others who share this view, but I think that a ceramic coating looks a bit too "clinical" lacking the warmth of a deep wax shine. Don't get me wrong, it's very good and helps with the cleaning routine certainly time-wise, just that it lacks a certain something, at least in my opinion. If I were still working long hours and far away I'd probably go for it again but I don't do that anymore.

I've now polished the best part of it off as it was starting to weaken anyway after three years. It took a while to get it all removed but it's nice to be able to experiment with various waxes and polishes again without keeping my fingers crossed that they won't streak or react due to the coating.