Ceramic coating and replacing decals.

[F26_Raider]

I'm looking to have my car ceramic coated in the near future and I'm still torn on what to do with the decals. The hood is beginning to fade a little but the side stripes look good still. I'm definitely wanted to stick with OEM but they are very expensive. The shop I'm at suggests replacing the hood decal and then applying the ceramic over it and extending its life. Right now I'm leaning on replacing the hood, keeping the sides, and coating over them. Just worried about having to then replace the side decals in the future as well. Any suggestions would be great. My Mach 1 is a 2021 with the original decals.

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[Skye]

The direction your taking sounds fine. If you're just dealing with fading on top, you could try ceramic coating first, to see what that looks like. For the sides, you might try some rock guards.

To the top, Sun exposure and engine heat will probably be the biggest threat. To the sides, impacts from rocks.

The matte portion of my hood decal has faded a touch, but not enough to do anything about it. It's at a level where I might notice, but not a passerby. It's not coated. Some Mach owners have had their decals ceramic coated and do like the results.

My side decals still look good, but if you get down and look real close, there are a few blemishes. I have installed some ZL1 rock guards to lessen the amount of impacts over time.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/rock-guards-zl1-addons-vs-autofanatic.171611/

^ See post #25.

Each of us probably has their own sweet spot when to swap these out, if ever. I do expect to replace my decals over time. Maybe several more years from now. IDK. For now they are OK. If one had a noticeable blemish, like from a scratch or chip, I'd replace immediately.

 

[ABEcoBoost]

@F26_Raider-- how much are paying for the full detail? Did you get any quotes yet? I'm looking to do this as well, but I don't know if it's worth it based on the quote I got from my trusted tint and decal guy. Thanks.

 

[m3incorp]

Ceramic coating can't make anything look better than its current condition...that is why you hear of the two-step paint correction process. Ceramic coating will lock in whatever the paint condition currently is. Find a shop that does a good two-step paint correction, and you will be surprised at the outcome.

 

[F26_Raider]

@Skye Thanks for that info! I actually just installed a set of rock guards not too long ago and I'm happy with them. The side decals have no blemishes whatsoever so I'll likely leave them and ceramic over.

 

[F26_Raider]

Ceramic coating can't make anything look better than its current condition...that is why you hear of the two-step paint correction process. Ceramic coating will lock in whatever the paint condition currently is. Find a shop that does a good two-step paint correction, and you will be surprised at the outcome.

Understood! The shop I'm going to is a reputable, well reviewed one in the north SF Bay. He has lots of super cars coming through there. When I came in for the consultation he was currently working on a badass GTD! The bulk of the cost from the quote was from the multi step paint correction before the ceramic. To your point, this is why I'm considering addressing the decal issues prior to ceramic. I'm thinking the faded hood decal needs a swap, side decals are in perfect condition still so I'll likely stick with em.

 

[F26_Raider]

@F26_Raider-- how much are paying for the full detail? Did you get any quotes yet? I'm looking to do this as well, but I don't know if it's worth it based on the quote I got from my trusted tint and decal guy. Thanks.

I'm looking at 1,800 for full ceramic. The bulk of that cost seems to be for the multi step paint correction. Lots of money up front but theoretically you'll save money in the long run from what I understand. All the cars in this shop were immaculate. Reviewed extremely well. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger.

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