First complete detailing job, yikes!

[19gtMD]

I feel your pain. I clean the car and usually don't drive for a few days. Every single time it is dusty by the time I get ready to pull it out of the garage. I never thougth I would need in an indoor car cover, but I am beginning to do some research on them. The crazy thing is I know that as soon as I drive it, the pollen and dust will get on it anyway.

Im also looking at covers. But i was looking into wrapping the car. Now i love the color or yours. Is the dust or light dirt that visible on that color. Im assuming so with your responses, but is it bad? Like im looking at a grabber green, or silver as lighter colors that dust wont be too visible on.

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[m3incorp]

You know how it is when you notice things on your own car that most people might not.
It is not as noticeable as on some cars, like my black daily driver. Thanks for the compliment.

Im also looking at covers. But i was looking into wrapping the car. Now i love the color or yours. Is the dust or light dirt that visible on that color. Im assuming so with your responses, but is it bad? Like im looking at a grabber green, or silver as lighter colors that dust wont be too visible on.

 

[lizardrko]

I'm not sure where you obtained that info, LA, but I'm fairly sure it's exaggerated. A ceramic coating is only a couple molecules thick and despite being hard as a rock, over time, it will get abrated until it is gone.

So, how long one will last depends on a number of factors but IMHO, no coating would last seven years and I think five is a stretch.

I use CarPro Reload every few months to restore some of that sacrificial layer.

There are some very high end professional coatings that can last 7 years if properly maintained and in the ideal weather conditions. DS 1500 Xtreme comes to mind. But the normal consumer grade coatings can last 2-3+ years depending on the factors above

 

[DFB5.0]

There are some very high end professional coatings that can last 7 years if properly maintained and in the ideal weather conditions. DS 1500 Xtreme comes to mind. But the normal consumer grade coatings can last 2-3+ years depending on the factors above

No doubt that there are coatings on the market capable of delivering 5 to 7 years of protection...............if properly maintained and cared for.

The problem is though, these longer term coatings are quite often targeted and sold to people who want long lasting and care free protection with minimal effort. The reality is, a coating needs regular and specific care so as to reach those longevity claims, a contradiction to how they are sold to customers.

 

[kilobravo]

Lizard: I concur wholeheartedly with Deyon. Despite what you may read or here, IMHO, the best and most expensive ceramic coating liquids still only contain silicon oxide, it's the same molecule in every bottle of the stuff, no matter who sells it. There may be a higher concentration in some but when you're leaving a layer that is only a couple molecules in thickness, the extra probably doesn't affect the overall coating's lifespan.

IMHO, any coating by itself, no matter the brand or price, will never last seven years. It's the additional SiO2 that you apply (the maintenance) during the life of the coating that extends its life. My personal choice is CarPro Reload.

 

[lizardrko]

No doubt that there are coatings on the market capable of delivering 5 to 7 years of protection...............if properly maintained and cared for.

The problem is though, these longer term coatings are quite often targeted and sold to people who want long lasting and care free protection with minimal effort. The reality is, a coating needs regular and specific care so as to reach those longevity claims, a contradiction to how they are sold to customers.

Any detailing shop that sells and promotes ceramic coatings as "care free" need to be shut down. They need special care in order to work and be long lasting. This needs to be stressed to customers. Unfortunately there are tons of shops/dealers that promote ceramic coatings as they last forever, self cleaning, etc.

kilobravo: I am not a chemist so I am not even going to try to debate what chemicals make up a coating vs spray coating and what is better lol. But yes costings need to be maintained with a topper such as Carpro Reload to maintain the life of the coating.

 

[Tib]

I hear ya. I just spent past 3 days detailing mine. Complete strip off last years wax then clay bar, polish and ceramic coating applied to all paint and trim. Applied glass coating to exterior glass and finished today with interior. I’m beat

WOW! That Looks Amazing!

 

[Bobn57]

WOW! That Looks Amazing!

Thanks

 

[DFB5.0]

Any detailing shop that sells and promotes ceramic coatings as "care free" need to be shut down. They need special care in order to work and be long lasting. This needs to be stressed to customers. Unfortunately there are tons of shops/dealers that promote ceramic coatings as they last forever, self cleaning, etc.

I think any respectable professional detailer would be honest and informative on the pros and cons of a ceramic coating.

Where people get trapped though is when these coatings are sold through dealerships at the time of purchase. I have heard enough stories of people opting for paint protection or coatings "packages" prior to delivery only to have the coating fail prematurely, either due to rushed preparation and application or by inattentive owners.

 

[lizardrko]

I think any respectable professional detailer would be honest and informative on the pros and cons of a ceramic coating.

Where people get trapped though is when these coatings are sold through dealerships at the time of purchase. I have heard enough stories of people opting for paint protection or coatings "packages" prior to delivery only to have the coating fail prematurely, either due to rushed preparation and application or by inattentive owners.

Agreed. And the customer believes that they have the best protection because it came from the dealership. You have no idea how much I have heard "oh I never have to wax my car because the dealership put on a special coating that lasts a lifetime"

 

[gone_n_60]

Lizard: I concur wholeheartedly with Deyon. Despite what you may read or here, IMHO, the best and most expensive ceramic coating liquids still only contain silicon oxide, it's the same molecule in every bottle of the stuff, no matter who sells it. There may be a higher concentration in some but when you're leaving a layer that is only a couple molecules in thickness, the extra probably doesn't affect the overall coating's lifespan.

IMHO, any coating by itself, no matter the brand or price, will never last seven years. It's the additional SiO2 that you apply (the maintenance) during the life of the coating that extends its life. My personal choice is CarPro Reload.

+1 here. I bought my GT in November. Found some very nerdy details guys (folks who make a 5 minute chat into 40 minutes about their process and products) they did a great paint correction and ceramic coat using Xpel products. The coating guy told me up front that even if the product says it's guaranteed it's a) only that the contents are right and b) it will probably only last 2 or 3 years before wearing off a lot. I like to detail but don't have all the tools/products/space so finding the dudes who are totally nerds about was great, the job they did was outstanding.

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