[burtonsbs5114]

Hey all, have any of you had a ceramic coating applied by a mobile detailer? What worries me is having the car exposed to the elements and lack of good lighting. I live in a downtown setting (Fort Lauderdale) and park in a parking structure, where it is protected from the majority of the elements, but there is a lot of dust and such. I got a quote from this one mobile guy and this is his offer:

Package 1: $500
One step paint polish
Wash and paint decontamination
5-year ceramic coat

Package 2: $350
Wash and paint decontamination
5-year ceramic coat

He uses Koch-Chemie, Adams, and McKees products.

Seems like most brink and mortar detailers are around $1,000 in my area, Fort Lauderdale.

Thanks in advance

[icj_45e]

Those look like weekend warrior prices more than professional detailer. Doesn't mean the guy wouldn't go a good job though. I'd get a wash/polish package from him. If you like his work, bring him back the next weekend to coat it.

[1209582]

the extra 500 is probably to cover overhead. dim parking garage shouldnt be much of an issue if he brings proper lighting. i had ceramic coating years ago from a proper shop but still found high spots in some areas.

[Westside Guy]

I would only go to professional shop for this, and not even consider a mobile application. You will pay more money, but it is well worth the cost if you’re going to a better shop that knows what they are doing.

If you would like the contact information for my shop (an Xpel installer)which is located right off of the I-95 exit and Ives Dairy Road please send me a DM and I will give you his number.

My Z4 is one of the least expensive cars you will see in the shop.😉

[Clark_Kent]

Have you had him walk you through the entire process from end-to-end? Have you seen his work on multiple cars? Do you know anyone who has used him? If so, what are the reviews like? Based on your comfortability with the answers to these questions, you have all the information you will need to make a decision.

[Jrock645]

I wouldn't. A proper professional application of a ceramic coating usually entails heat lamps so the coating cures properly. This can't be done in a mobile setting. I'm sure the guy will do solid work, but that's not the same as a proper professional result in doing a coating the right way. I could just do it myself at that point. Coatings aren't necessarily difficult to apply once the prep work is done.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by Jrock645

I wouldn't. A proper professional application of a ceramic coating usually entails heat lamps so the coating cures properly. This can't be done in a mobile setting. I'm sure the guy will do solid work, but that's not the same as a proper professional result in doing a coating the right way. I could just do it myself at that point. Coatings aren't necessarily difficult to apply once the prep work is done.

The IR lamps aren't necessary for most ceramic coatings in 2023. The IR lamps were commonplace 10 years ago but not much any more. The idea of taking your car to a "professional" to pay $2,500+ for a ceramic coating doesn't make sense to me. My guy charges in the neighborhood of what the OP listed and his work is excellent. YMMV.

[allinon72]

Math doesn't add up on those prices. You can't even do a light paint correction and 1 coat of ceramic in less than 4 hours. A "5-year" coating most certainly has to involve 2 layers. Unless this guy is really dumb and OK making $20 per job, I would be asking questions.

[Jrock645]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Math doesn't add up on those prices. You can't even do a light paint correction and 1 coat of ceramic in less than 4 hours. A "5-year" coating most certainly has to involve 2 layers. Unless this guy is really dumb and OK making $20 per job, I would be asking questions.

I agree. At $350 thats a consumer available coating. None of those give a 5 year guarantee. And theres no way its a pro level coating for that price.

[chris719]

Is that a big problem? Most of them won't last what they guarantee anyway and require or cover reapplications etc. Pro coatings are not a scam but they are profit centers.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by chris719

Is that a big problem? Most of them won't last what they guarantee anyway and require or cover reapplications etc. Pro coatings are not a scam but they are profit centers.

Any reputable place is charging 2k minimum for a light paint correction and coating, and will back it with a legit warranty. A guy offering to do it for 1/4th the price should give anyone pause. Low bid work almost never works out in one’s favor.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Any reputable place is charging 2k minimum for a light paint correction and coating, and will back it with a legit warranty. A guy offering to do it for 1/4th the price should give anyone pause. Low bid work almost never works out in one’s favor.

Yeah it's a little cheap. I just meant that the top otc coatings are really good and probably more than enough.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Any reputable place is charging 2k minimum for a light paint correction and coating, and will back it with a legit warranty. A guy offering to do it for 1/4th the price should give anyone pause. Low bid work almost never works out in one’s favor.

I totally agree, in a situation like this you will get exactly what you pay for?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Any reputable place is charging 2k minimum for a light paint correction and coating, and will back it with a legit warranty. A guy offering to do it for 1/4th the price should give anyone pause. Low bid work almost never works out in one’s favor.

Yeah because they overprice lol.

[Nettles]

I love the divide

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by chris719

Is that a big problem? Most of them won't last what they guarantee anyway and require or cover reapplications etc. Pro coatings are not a scam but they are profit centers.

They are 100% a scam. A consumer grade coating is all you need. Wild people are still willing to pay $2,500+ for a ceramic coating. Years ago it was more understandable because there were no other options, but not today.

[Jrock645]

Originally Posted by chris719

Is that a big problem? Most of them won't last what they guarantee anyway and require or cover reapplications etc. Pro coatings are not a scam but they are profit centers.

There's at least some guarantee if you get a pro level coating and follow the terms. But if you're getting any of the consumer level coatings.. there is absolutely no guarantee on how long it will last. Improper paint prep, not enough curing time before getting wet- even just dew point- can ruin a coating's longevity. A coating that might've lasted 3 years with perfect application now will only last 3 months.

That's why I point out pro detailers using the IR lamps. Not 100% necessary per se- but it is typical in the process of a pro level coating- it's how they can guarantee proper bonding.

And 350 for a coating install? No self respecting detailer is doing that job for that price. I used to do some detailing on the side, and that was the going rate for a one step polish using an all in one polish/wax product like HD speed.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by Jrock645

There's at least some guarantee if you get a pro level coating and follow the terms. But if you're getting any of the consumer level coatings.. there is absolutely no guarantee on how long it will last. Improper paint prep, not enough curing time before getting wet- even just dew point- can ruin a coating's longevity. A coating that might've lasted 3 years with perfect application now will only last 3 months.

That's why I point out pro detailers using the IR lamps. Not 100% necessary per se- but it is typical in the process of a pro level coating- it's how they can guarantee proper bonding.

And 350 for a coating install? No self respecting detailer is doing that job for that price. I used to do some detailing on the side, and that was the going rate for a one step polish using an all in one polish/wax product like HD speed.

I would love to be wrong but I've yet to read about or witness someone exercising their warranty on any professional grade coating. There's a laundry list of written and unwritten rules about how a ceramic coated vehicle should be cared for in order to make a warranty claim. The problem is there's no way for an owner to prove they properly cared for the vehicle. You can't prove you've only handwashed the car and have never run it through the BP gas station car wash. You can't prove it's always stored in a garage and is rarely exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. You can't prove you wash it at least every week or every other week, worst case scenario. You also can't prove you used the appropriate products and not whatever's on sale at Wal-Mart. The ceramic coating warranties are about as bogus as the $2,500+ these detailers are charging for them.

[Jrock645]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

I would love to be wrong but I've yet to read about or witness someone exercising their warranty on any professional grade coating. There's a laundry list of written and unwritten rules about how a ceramic coated vehicle should be cared for in order to make a warranty claim. The problem is there's no way for an owner to prove they properly cared for the vehicle. You can't prove you've only handwashed the car and have never run it through the BP gas station car wash. You can't prove it's always stored in a garage and is rarely exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. You can't prove you wash it at least every week or every other week, worst case scenario. You also can't prove you used the appropriate products and not whatever's on sale at Wal-Mart. The ceramic coating warranties are about as bogus as the $2,500+ these detailers are charging for them.

I think my biggest point is the copy and paste from the detailers site or whatever for $350 calling it a 5 year coating. There isn’t a single consumer level coating that I’m aware of that makes any claim at all about durability, and if there is I’d guess it’s more like 2-3 years. So how is this detailer calling it a 5 year coating? It’s absolute rubbish, plain and simple. Call pro level coatings a rip off all you want, but the durability claims are made in the product literature by the coating manufacturer- not by individual detailers independently of that. So with that,
I am specifically calling out the detailer in question here for making what I see as a very clear cut bogus claim that they have no business making.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

They are 100% a scam. A consumer grade coating is all you need. Wild people are still willing to pay $2,500+ for a ceramic coating. Years ago it was more understandable because there were no other options, but not today.

Scam is a bit strong of a word I think. You do get a strong coating and a pro to apply it. Yes, I would never pay $2k+ for it. However, it is a significant amount of work to get a car surgically clean and time is money. It doesn't take more than a few hours to a half a day for a really dirty car, but some people don't have any knowledge. For the crowd with a lot of money and short on time, it can be worth it.

[burtonsbs5114]

Thanks all, I appreciate all of the feedback. I have decided I am going to skip on this guy. I think it's likely one of those 'you get what you pay for' and I'd rather just spend some more and know it will be done properly.

[allinon72]

It amazes me how people are willing to hand over their BMW to a stranger and hope for the best, all in the name of saving a few hundred dollars.

If you're looking to save money, look at DIY. It's far easier than it seems and you'll learn a new skill that lasts a lifetime.