Multi Year Ceramic Coating - When is too much?

[Ballistica]

Just curious to know what peoples thoughts are on this topic. I've been using a local detailer who offers ceramic coatings between 6 months to 5 years. At what point do you start to see diminishing returns? Would it be the most cost effective to do a 1 year coat and then a 6 month maintenance or does it make more sense to do something longer?

Here's a link to his Services page for your reference:
https://orbisx.ca/app/booknow/VSVxd

I want to take proper care of my Mustang but don't want to waste money on something that is above and beyond what is actually needed. Thank you in advance!

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[Bikeman315]

Good afternoon Scott. Threads on professional detailing tend to become long and repetitious so I'm glad to be the first one in.

My rule of thumb is easy. You do not buy the products you buy the detailer. He/she is the one you're giving your money to so you have to trust them with your prized possession. Prep work is most important followed by products they choose. In this case I've looked at the one you have chosen and they look really good. My advise would be to sit down them and have them explain exactly what they offer.

I also looked at his menu and his pricing seems reasonable for what is being offered. There doesn't seem to be a big difference between 3/4/5 year coatings. Honestly I would go for the best I could afford but your needs may be different. Let your detailer help you with this.

In looking at the menu I also saw they offer PPF. Are you considering doing this, at least for the front clip? If you're not you should. Unless, of course, you have no issues with rock chips and scratches.

Good luck with whatever you decide and posts of pics when the car is done.

 

[Ballistica]

Good afternoon Scott. Threads on professional detailing tend to become long and repetitious so I'm glad to be the first one in.

My rule of thumb is easy. You do not buy the products you buy the detailer. He/she is the one you're giving your money to so you have to trust them with your prized possession. Prep work is most important followed by products they choose. In this case I've looked at the one you have chosen and they look really good. My advise would be to sit down them and have them explain exactly what they offer.

I also looked at his menu and his pricing seems reasonable for what is being offered. There doesn't seem to be a big difference between 3/4/5 year coatings. Honestly I would go for the best I could afford but your needs may be different. Let your detailer help you with this.

In looking at the menu I also saw they offer PPF. Are you considering doing this, at least for the front clip? If you're not you should. Unless, of course, you have no issues with rock chips and scratches.

Good luck with whatever you decide and posts of pics when the car is done.

Thank you for the help Ira, I appreciate it! That's an interesting viewpoint in that you're investing in the detailer rather than the services they offer, but it completely makes sense. The services for the most part are very similar so the variable comes down to who'd doing the work. I'm glad you agree that this shop appears to be really good!

A clarification question for you. You mentioned that you would purchase the best coating you could afford between the 3, 4 and 5 year. Is there that much of a difference between these levels?

And I have considered PPF however I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep the front end/hood stock or eventually change it. I really like the GT500 front facia but the more I look at the car, both online and in the garage, the stock facia is growing on me. Once I settle on the look I want, PPF will definitely move up the list! I've got enough rock chips as it is already!

 

[Bikeman315]

A clarification question for you. You mentioned that you would purchase the best coating you could afford between the 3, 4 and 5 year. Is there that much of a difference between these levels?

it really depends on how you use and store your car. Is it a garage queen that see mostly weekend usage? If yes a lower warranty might be more cost effective. How about a daily that is parked outdoors. Then going full hog might be best. Either way the car is going to look fantastic. It will just stay that way longer and be far easier to maintain With the pricier coatings.

Also do not forget to to the full wheels done, not just the faces. You’ll thank me later!

 

[Ballistica]

it really depends on how you use and store your car. Is it a garage queen that see mostly weekend usage? If yes a lower warranty might be more cost effective. How about a daily that is parked outdoors. Then going full hog might be best. Either way the car is going to look fantastic. It will just stay that way longer and be far easier to maintain With the pricier coatings.

Also do not forget to to the full wheels done, not just the faces. You’ll thank me later!

It's garage kept when home and in storage for the winter () but when summer comes around, it'll definitely be used more. Maybe not to the extent as a full daily driver but the kids will be home from school and I'm sure that they'll end up needing to use my truck to get around. That being said, it sounds like a middle of the road option would be the best way to go once it starts warming up.

And thank you for the suggestion on the wheels!

 

[MAGS1]

I agree with Ira, most of the coatings themselves cost about the same. It’s really the detailer’s time you’re paying for. A good wash, decontamination and paint correction (even just a light one) will get you the best results. I did mine myself and used a 5 year coating. I daily mine including in the winter time with road salt. I would expect, with proper maintenance which includes a topper (an SiO2 or ceramic spray every 6 months or so), to get maybe 3-4 years out of it. Some of the professional coatings claim up to 7 years but honestly most of the 5 year coatings are plenty good.

 

[MAGS1]

And 100% agree, do the wheels. Faces and barrels. So much easier to keep clean.

 

[Ballistica]

I agree with Ira, most of the coatings themselves cost about the same. It’s really the detailer’s time you’re paying for. A good wash, decontamination and paint correction (even just a light one) will get you the best results. I did mine myself and used a 5 year coating. I daily mine including in the winter time with road salt. I would expect, with proper maintenance which includes a topper (an SiO2 or ceramic spray every 6 months or so), to get maybe 3-4 years out of it. Some of the professional coatings claim up to 7 years but honestly most of the 5 year coatings are plenty good.

Good to hear from a fellow Chicago guy. I've been pleased with this detailer and they do offer a 6 month maintenance for a very reasonable price. I'll plan to hit him up when spring rolls around and look to do at least a 2-3 year coat.

 

[MAGS1]

Good to hear from a fellow Chicago guy. I've been pleased with this detailer and they do offer a 6 month maintenance for a very reasonable price. I'll plan to hit him up when spring rolls around and look to do at least a 2-3 year coat.

Sounds good. Looks like their prices are pretty reasonable. Yeah if you’re not driving it on these crappy winter roads with all the salt, you should get most if not all the full life out of whatever coating you choose. And as an FYI sometimes they use the same coating and layer it for a longer life, which is pretty normal for some of these coatings. The benefit of layering usually stops after 2 or 3 coats and actually becomes a detriment after 3 coats.

 

[Ballistica]

Sounds good. Looks like their prices are pretty reasonable. Yeah if you’re not driving it on these crappy winter roads with all the salt, you should get most if not all the full life out of whatever coating you choose. And as an FYI sometimes they use the same coating and layer it for a longer life, which is pretty normal for some of these coatings. The benefit of layering usually stops after 2 or 3 coats and actually becomes a detriment after 3 coats.

That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the heads up!

 

[The Demon]

I’m glad this thread came up at a perfect time. I was going to look into a PPF for the new Mach. I really don’t want to spend that kind of money for a car that’s going to be driven maybe 5000 miles a year. Maybe less. The ceramic coating might be better. I’m gonna have to look at it as I only picked it up today. Great advice by everybody. Thank you.

 

[Ballistica]

I’m glad this thread came up at a perfect time. I was going to look into a PPF for the new Mach. I really don’t want to spend that kind of money for a car that’s going to be driven maybe 5000 miles a year. Maybe less. The ceramic coating might be better. I’m gonna have to look at it as I only picked it up today. Great advice by everybody. Thank you.

Congrats on the new Mach!

 

[WV millwright]

Agree that the detailer is important to the choice. The longer coatings usually are a little thicker and harder to last the extra time. At least that's what I was told. I went with the 10 year coating on mine. It was worth it to me because my detailer included 6 month exterior maintenances with thier top level ceramic. That's is included for as long as I own the car. Plus their top level coating is reported to CarFax so it's registered with the vehicle is ever needed for resale or insurance purposes. Just little things to consider and check into.

 

[Ballistica]

Agree that the detailer is important to the choice. The longer coatings usually are a little thicker and harder to last the extra time. At least that's what I was told. I went with the 10 year coating on mine. It was worth it to me because my detailer included 6 month exterior maintenances with thier top level ceramic. That's is included for as long as I own the car. Plus their top level coating is reported to CarFax so it's registered with the vehicle is ever needed for resale or insurance purposes. Just little things to consider and check into.

Had no idea that the ceramic coatings could be reported to CarFax. I'll have to ask the shop if this is something that they provide. Did your shop only report the 10 year's or did they choose to report all their ceramic coatings?

 

[WV millwright]

Had no idea that the ceramic coatings could be reported to CarFax. I'll have to ask the shop if this is something that they provide. Did your shop only report the 10 year's or did they choose to report all their ceramic coatings?

Not sure about the 5 year they offer but I know they don't report the 1 year coating. I know that the complement 6 month exterior maintenances where only on the 10 coating, which if you get the maintenance check ups, they will actually warranty it for as long as you own the car.

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