Are nano-coatings really worth it?

[Stripes]

I'm flip-flopping back and forth between nano-coating and traditional waxing for my car... Nano-coatings are expensive (I was quoted $940 for Opti-coat Pro, and $640 for Ceramic Pro, taxes in for both) and claim to last 5+ years.. Obviously, these will have diminishing returns (year 5 protection is not the same as year 1).

For the same money, I can get a beginner's Dual Action buffer (Porter Cable 7424XP) and enough wax for the foreseeable future... With a DA buffer, I can wax a lot faster than doing it by hand. That being said, I am a beginner to rotary polishers, but obviously willing to learn. I'm not too concerned with fine swirl marks (I'm really just looking to using it as a more efficient way to apply wax)

So I guess my question is, do nano-coatings offer that much more protection than the conventional wax approach, or is it just marginal, at best? Because if nano-coatings are just marginal, the money would be better spent on a DA polisher/buffer, correct?

Thanks!

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[CooterK]

You don't need a buffer unless your paint needs to be polished. Get yourself a synthetic sealer (I prefer Chemical guys Jet Seal) and do it by hand. Its insanely easy and lasts 6 months to a year depending on weather conditions. You can also wax on top of it for a a show quality shine every other month or so, but IMO the jetseal is more than enough shine for a daily driver.

 

[Stripes]

What's the biggest difference between a nano-ceramic coating and regularly waxing/sealing? Other than the time spent?

I'll look into the CG Jet Seal, I didn't know you can layer on top of that, thanks!

 

[Blk2015GT]

Until I see evidence that these nano ceramic coatings actually do anything, wasting $600-900 is insane. It's like paying for "paint protection" from the dealership :doh:

Get yourself a good wax and synthetic sealant for under $100 and save you money.

Hell you could get a DA, various polishes, wax, sealant, microfiber towels, clay, and various detail sprays etc and STILL have money in your pocket- a whole detailer's kit

If you really want to try Opticoat just buy a tube for $60 or so and try it yourself. It's like any other sealant, wipe on with a foam applicator, sit and buff off. But I think any good paint sealant is just as good and probably a little cheaper.

 

[gsxr1300]

Until I see evidence that these nano ceramic coatings actually do anything, wasting $600-900 is insane. It's like paying for "paint protection" from the dealership :doh:

Get yourself a good wax and synthetic sealant for under $100 and save you money.

Hell you could get a DA, various polishes, wax, sealant, microfiber towels, clay, and various detail sprays etc and STILL have money in your pocket- a whole detailer's kit

If you really want to try Opticoat just buy a tube for $60 or so and try it yourself. It's like any other sealant, wipe on with a foam applicator, sit and buff off. But I think any good paint sealant is just as good and probably a little cheaper.

yep what he said.

 

[Stripes]

Hmm, what you guys are saying actually makes a lot of sense.

I'm actually looking into getting a DA polisher, the Porter Cable 7424XP and some products that should go with it.

I was looking as Collinite 925 and Collinite 476S.. I know 845 is the go-to wax, but if I can get a DA polisher and some finishing/finessing pads, I can pretty much go for the 476S (heavy duty version of the 845).

What's the difference between a wax and a sealant? I thought waxes were sealants?

I feel like I'm going to go this route now, as opposed to a nano-coating. Makes sense!

 

[CooterK]

Sealants are a synthetic wax. They form a bond with your cars finish at the molecular level that let's it last quite a bit longer than regular waxes. On some colors of paint like black or blue, sythentics leave a bit to be desired in the "lustor" department, and they also won't bead quite as well as a fresh coat of wax, so some people choose to wax over it. I think paste waxing over a sealer is way overkill, a nice liquid wax looks just as good.

 

[EngineerDave]

Your Opti-coat pro price was high. Do you have lots of paint swirls and scratches already on the car? Mine was $540. The reason why it's so expensive is the guy has to spend hours buffing/polishing out any scratches in the current paint before he can apply it which can take 2 - 9 hours depending on how bad a state your paint/clearcoat is.

Benefits from the Opti-Coat Pro that I had done to my car that made me get it:

It has reduced any scratches on my black paint from washing. I use all the proper techniques and equipment for a scratch free wash, and yet will still pick up a swirl mark here, or a light scratch there. Since I had it applied I can't find any scratches/swirls after 3 washes. (this may change as time progresses, we'll see.)

No waxing/Sealing ever. The only thing you need to do to the car is claybar it 2 - 4x a year depending on how often you drive it.

Strong chemical resistance. nearly everything shoots off this car now. Water? Gone. bird/bugs? come up with a damp microfiber, even after sitting for a few days. No rings or water spots yet. Splash a little gas on your car from that stupid gas cap (anyone else have that issue?) No fear of it damaging the paint. (I still use the blue paper around the nozzle just in case.)

The new stuff has a higher gloss factor 9+ Months out than anything else that's been measured against it, and still higher gloss rating than standard paint. (sorry I don't have a link to the test, but it was a very large google doc that tested 12 different products independently just to see how long they kept their shene.)

For me the sub $600.00 meant I was saving money since I use a detailer for the big 4x a year treatment, if the thing keeps for 2 years. A 5 year warranty makes it a no brainer for me.

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