Higher quality full ceramic only or combo of average ceramic and partial PPF?

[young at heart]

I’m finding in my area full ceramic pricing seems to fall into roughly 3 price tiers: $1450, $1850 and $2500, all including some degree of polishing/paint correction. Pretty pricey but it is what it is. Partial PPF on the critical areas adds around another $1000 to $1500.

Given that my car is garaged and only comes out to play on good roads and nice days, I’m tempted to forget about the film and spring for the higher end ceramic. In this case the product is Ceramic Pro 9H, using 4 basecoats and 2 topcoats. Lifetime guarantee. They do the entire car including glass, wheels/calipers and seal the convertible top.

Please critique my thinking if you will. I really want the paint to pop on the car and they do nice work. In the past I’ve never really had much of a problem with stone chips, and I’d be hopeful the ceramic would help with bug splatters.

Sponsored

 

[20ducks]

Seal the convertible top? I think someone is selling you some snake oil. Bur then again....Ask your detailers if they quoted using 9H or 10H coating.

 

[young at heart]

Seal the convertible top? I think someone is selling you some snake oil. Bur then again....Ask your detailers if they quoted using 9H or 10H coating.

Yeah the top thing sounded sketchy and I only mention it because they did. Not a big deal.

They’re quoting 9H. Unless it’s new I’m not even sure Ceramic Pro comes any harder.

 

[Bobn57]

if you have the time and capability, do it yourself. I just sealed mine with Gyeon MOHS EVO last week. It did take 3 days including time prepping and polishing but if you have the tools, patience and knowledge, its relatively easy. And will save you $1000s. No comment on the convertible top but I'm sure there are products available for that as well.

 

[young at heart]

Really don’t care about the top thing and probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.

I wish I had the physical ability to DIY but do not. My options pretty much come down to what I outlined.

 

[mrgooden]

Spend the money on equipment and ceramic and do it yourself.

Richard

 

[DougS550]

Really don’t care about the top thing and probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.

I wish I had the physical ability to DIY but do not. My options pretty much come down to what I outlined.

Getting old sucks. I plan on doing my hole car in 9H or equivalent this Spring. I too just don't want to do it. So il pay a reputable shop. I was quoted last year but didn't do it $1300 for the 4 application, prep job. Good luck

 

[Bobn57]

Really don’t care about the top thing and probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.

I wish I had the physical ability to DIY but do not. My options pretty much come down to what I outlined.

Getting old sucks. I plan on doing my hole car in 9H or equivalent this Spring. I too just don't want to do it. So il pay a reputable shop. I was quoted last year but didn't do it $1300 for the 4 application, prep job. Good luck

I have to admit....after spending 3 full days it would have been worth it to pay a good shop. I was sore for a week after. ...but that's just not in my nature As long as I can still turn a wrench and am healthy (knocking on wood) I'll do it myself. Getting old does suck. We have our first grandchild on the way so I'll have to get him/her ready to take over!

 

[young at heart]

Getting old sucks. I plan on doing my hole car in 9H or equivalent this Spring. I too just don't want to do it. So il pay a reputable shop. I was quoted last year but didn't do it $1300 for the 4 application, prep job. Good luck

Yeah, you ain’t lying about the getting old thing. I’d do it myself in a flash if I could, but zero chance. The irony is that having done a lot of detailing over the years when I could makes me a little picky about having someone else do it now.

That $1300 sounds like a great price for sure. As I said, I did get a price of $1450 for a 2 layer ceramic job with a 2 year guarantee up to $2500 for 6 total layers with a lifetime guarantee. I don’t put much stock in any of the warranties except as a possible frame of reference for the quality of the product. These detail shops aren’t noted for longevity and when they’re gone IMO so is any warranty. So I say just count on what you see when you pick it up. Having said that, I’ve seen the $2500 job and it’s spectacular. Show quality pretty much.

 

[DougS550]

Yeah, you ain’t lying about the getting old thing. I’d do it myself in a flash if I could, but zero chance. The irony is that having done a lot of detailing over the years when I could makes me a little picky about having someone else do it now.

That $1300 sounds like a great price for sure. As I said, I did get a price of $1450 for a 2 layer ceramic job with a 2 year guarantee up to $2500 for 6 total layers with a lifetime guarantee. I don’t put much stock in any of the warranties except as a possible frame of reference for the quality of the product. These detail shops aren’t noted for longevity and when they’re gone IMO so is any warranty. So I say just count on what you see when you pick it up. Having said that, I’ve seen the $2500 job and it’s spectacular. Show quality pretty much.

One thing you have to remember, a ceramic coating CAN NOT protect your car paint from rocks debrie. What it does is give you a paint job which is easy to clean, and keep that real deep shine that last.

 

[20ducks]

9H coatings are supplied in those little bottles all over the web. The bottles are worth more than the liquid it holds. Do some research and you'll be surprised how much $ is made. Thousands of this stuff is sold on alibaba, etsy and other sources.
Good luck in whatever choi

 

[young at heart]

One thing you have to remember, a ceramic coating CAN NOT protect your car paint from rocks debrie. What it does is give you a paint job which is easy to clean, and keep that real deep shine that last.

I have no expectations that ceramic would help prevent rock chips. I would hope that it might help with etching from bug splatters that stay on the car a little too long and then make it easier to get them off. Over the years I’ve had a *lot* more trouble with bugs than rocks.

 

[lizardrko]

Theres no such thing as a lifetime ceramic coating. There is such thing as a 7 year coating but thats only in optimal conditions and proper maintenance.

As per the comment about the top coat...top coats are normally recommended for ceramic coating of any kind because they to not protect against water spotting very well, that is where top coats come in.

 

[DrZed]

I’m finding in my area full ceramic pricing seems to fall into roughly 3 price tiers: $1450, $1850 and $2500, all including some degree of polishing/paint correction. Pretty pricey but it is what it is. Partial PPF on the critical areas adds around another $1000 to $1500.

Given that my car is garaged and only comes out to play on good roads and nice days, I’m tempted to forget about the film and spring for the higher end ceramic. In this case the product is Ceramic Pro 9H, using 4 basecoats and 2 topcoats. Lifetime guarantee. They do the entire car including glass, wheels/calipers and seal the convertible top.

Please critique my thinking if you will. I really want the paint to pop on the car and they do nice work. In the past I’ve never really had much of a problem with stone chips, and I’d be hopeful the ceramic would help with bug splatters.

My experience:

1) Haartz makes most of the convertible tops for all manufacturers, vinyl and fabric. They do sell sprays to "seal" both and it is valuable "RaggTopp" is the product. I've used Haartz cleaner and sealers on a fabric top before (amazing), but a different product for the Vinyl top I also had (Miata).

2) I can only speak for PPF, as I did my entire car. I did not paint correct before having it applied. The car is so easy to clean, extremely robust to impact damage and cleans any bug/road grime with 99% iso alcohol: super cheap and easy to clean. A monthly spray (if you want) of PPF detailer if you really want. This stuff is a game changer and if I hadn't had it on the car I have four spots where rocks/debris would have gone right down to the metal. It has saved much damage from the car. Washing the car is so easy it always looks like the car was waxed immediately after, so satisfying! PPF seems to make the paint look slick and glossy, but not as much of a "pop" as ceramic coating. Darn close, looks good, but now we are talking very fine details, almost imperceptible. You can see reflections like a crazy wax job, but in a slightly warbled way if that makes sense. Protected, easy to wash, lifetime warranty, always looks good, self-healing from scratches... .. .PPF (I used Xpel). Honestly, I'd post pictures but it doesn't do it justice, it all looks the same clean PPF, fresh ceramic, lots of wax.....

3) Ceramic coating. You can ceramic coat PPF if you wanted. I will say from the pictures I've looked at (never seen in person) ceramic coating seems to make the car pop slightly more than what PPF does, but again, just pictures.

I've PPFd two cars now. Do it and walk away without any worries of regular wear and tear damage, especially if you're daily driving it.

 

[20ducks]

2 words for me describe ceramic coatings: Snake Oil

Good Luck!!

Sponsored