Few pics of car at the detailer's shop after the ceramic coating was completed. Looks wet and glossy and the detail you can pick out in the paint of the shop around it is pretty great! In love with the way it looks. Now to keep it up...
Hey- what’s your thoughts 2.5 months later?
Still worth the investment?
Easier to keep clean? Have you been able to make it shine that bright again since you left the detail shop?
It's been well worth it. Cleans like you can't believe. I live in a wooded area and commute 60 miles through rural, agricultural areas so lots of bugs daily and I mean lots. When I get home in the evening, I get a microfiber cloth wet with water, go outside, and even the thickest, stickiest bug goo wipes away with one or two swipes. It does water spot if not dried properly but if you do dry it, it shines just as in the photos I posted previously. I'd do it again and when I get my Fairmont on the road, I'll have it done as well.
It's been well worth it. Cleans like you can't believe. I live in a wooded area and commute 60 miles through rural, agricultural areas so lots of bugs daily and I mean lots. When I get home in the evening, I get a microfiber cloth wet with water, go outside, and even the thickest, stickiest bug goo wipes away with one or two swipes. It does water spot if not dried properly but if you do dry it, it shines just as in the photos I posted previously. I'd do it again and when I get my Fairmont on the road, I'll have it done as well.
To prolong the look of your coating get a bottle of CarPro Bug-Out (or similar) and spray on and hose off the bugs, spray a little Ceramic Quick Detailer and dry. (less contact = longer life) for really stubborn stuck on ones you may still need to agitate
I did a combination of PPF and ceramic along with the paint correction 10 months ago immediately after taking delivery of the car. I assume you’re washing the car in the shade. With a good ceramic coating you should be able to use a leaf blower to remove the majority of the water. Prevents spotting or streaking from using a towel.
I use system X renew on my other car to refresh the ceramic coating. The other option is Car Pro Hydro2. I’ve used that on previous cars. each have there benefit. If you were to use Hydro2 make sure you watch videos of how to properly apply it. If left on too long prior to power washing it it will leave spots that are hard to remove. When done properly it’s great for using on wheels (drastically reduces brake dust) and odd parts. One bottle of either option should last well over a year.
Thanks for the tips on additional products. I always wash in the shade early in the morning so the body is as cool as it's going to get. I have been using a leaf blower! Works great but I hate when it suddenly blows water out of the door jambs or from around the hatch LOL. Ah well, let's me use one of my power toys...Stihl for the win!
Update: twenty months in and there's no coating left. I'm trying to decide if I will spend the cash again or just keep using the ceramic washes and waxes. Anyone have better luck with ceramic coating longevity? Maybe a brand name?
Update: twenty months in and there's no coating left. I'm trying to decide if I will spend the cash again or just keep using the ceramic washes and waxes. Anyone have better luck with ceramic coating longevity? Maybe a brand name?
I know this response isn't to suggest a ceramic brand, but an alternative way of looking at keeping a car clean.
I've never ceramic coated my now well over six-year-old-car. It's just as shiny as brand new. Swirling is still at a minimum, only visible at all in direct sunlight. My "secret" is frequent, even weekly washes, and when it gets stormed on I wash it off as soon as possible. The answer to preserving finish is to not let it stay grimed in the first place. I use Optimum No Rinse and white, folded terrycloth for cleaning and microfiber drying towels. Never use a towel twice, not even if it was only used on the lightest of touchup jobs, always launder after every use. When cleaning/washing, if the road grime is looking somewhat heavy, spray it off in a wand - touchless - car wash first before ONR. When using the terrycloth - or microfiber if you prefer - only make a single pass over an area then check the towel, and if any greying is there, it's dirt, and flip the towel to a clean side and repeat the washing pass and then check the towel - it should come back clean before moving on. Obviously, all of this is in the shade, and it works year-round as long as it isn't freezing. I tend to use the wand wash more in the winter, even exclusively, when there is salt on the roads and I need to get the undercarriage. My go-to drying towel for ninety percent of drying is Griot's "extra-large PFM edgeless drying towel", used as advertised, "matador style", in one pass. On the sides, I hold the towel so that it hangs down past the bottom edge and pat the water up and move on, never rub across the area.
95oRANGEcRUSH - Not sure of the brand now. I looked through my info and can't find it. The guy who did it relocated to Florida last year so asking isn't really an option. As for why I feel nothing is left - maybe my measure is wrong but - there is no beading of water when clean, things stick to the paint that didn't when the coating was newer, and there's a lack of slickness after washing. Also, bugs are very difficult to clean off. When the coating was newer, I could spary them with a bit of water, let it stand for a couple of minutes, and they'd wipe off without effort. Not true anymore.
I know the coating needs to be updated/gone over every so often. My guy said at the two year mark but apparently that's not accurate. Perhaps my expectations of ceramic coating isn't fair.
Snicklefritz (love this user name - it's what my late father called me until the day he passed) - What you've described is what I try to follow as well. I do have some physical impairments that make washing a car painful so I'm not as diligent as you. That's the main reason I had the car coated to begin with. I refuse to go to automatic car washes, touchless or not, because of the chemicals used and/or scratches left.
I appreciate the responses. I'm going to have the car redone but not until I have confidence in the product used and the shop. I'm also thinking about finding a detailing shop and seeing about setting up an agreement wherein I bring the car in on some set schedule and they clean it up (again, because of the issues with movement and pain I have) at some slightly reduced cost. I'm hoping that if they know the business is assured, they'll be open to something like this. If not, I get it. No harm, no foul.
Before redoing the car I recommend getting a bottle of CarPro Descale and washing with that - if the coating is just clogged it will clean out, and save you recoating, and if it's actually dead, you will have the first step of recoating done.
It is not uncommon for ceramic coatings to experience diminished or even a complete loss of beading. Like RedCal said, the coating could be contaminated and just need its hydrophobic properties restored. Of course, without knowing the brand this is a generalization for your issue.
I have GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra which is warrantied for 9 years. Part of that requires it to be inspected each year. I’m at year 3 and it’s not beading as well as new, so, will probably be topped with EXO.
must have been popular with their generation. my dad's childhood nickname was Snicklefritz. Funny/sad follow up, when he was near death, in a "facility", and they were testing his memory, they asked for his name, and he shouted, "Snicklefritz!"
GTechniq EXO. It’s a hydrophobic coating you can either use as a standalone for 12-24 months of protection, or, as a topper for something like GTechniq Crystal Serum Light or Ultra. Most brands offer similar products in their lines.
First off I’ll say my car is only a year and half old and is garaged.
I had my car paint corrected to remove swirls. Then PPF on the front end and A pillars to prevent bugs and rocks from damaging the front end. The remainder is ceramic. I wash my car every few weeks using carpro reset. I’ve twice used System X Renew. Very easy product to use.
if you dont want to receramic the car you could use Carpro Hydro2. Just be sure to follow the directions carefully. Removing it off after misuse is very difficult. I put on 2 coats every 4-6 months. Works well over the entire car. Very hydrophobic.
