[x5TXguyG05]

Has anyone had the ceramic paint protection applied? If so, does it really protect the paint as well as they promise and do you recommend it? Any I'll effects to the paint after?

[polychromatic]

Originally Posted by x5TXguyG05

Has anyone had the ceramic paint protection applied? If so, does it really protect the paint as well as they promise and do you recommend it? Any I'll effects to the paint after?

I consider it a semi-permanent wax. Nothing more, nothing less.

[themnmd]

Makes cleaning easier

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by x5TXguyG05

Has anyone had the ceramic paint protection applied? If so, does it really protect the paint as well as they promise and do you recommend it? Any I'll effects to the paint after?

My understanding is it’s a slightly longer lasting alternative to wax. I’ve always used wax and like the results so saw no reason to change. I’m not sure if you can alternative between wax and ceramic coating.

Note: Ceramic coating last for years when applied correctly. Above comments are related to “sealants”.

[x5TXguyG05]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

I consider it a semi-permanent wax. Nothing more, nothing less.

Originally Posted by polychromatic

I consider it a semi-permanent wax. Nothing more, nothing less.

Have you used it? Would you recommend ceramic over wax?

[RVAGuy]

I have not used ceramic coatings however there is no lack of YouTube videos on its application. I don’t recall ever seeing a claim it was superior to wax other than its benefits might last a few months longer.

Note: Ceramic coating last for years when properly applied. Above comments relate to “sealants”.

[VTENGR]

Most of the ceramic coatings applied by pros have a 4 year life. Even if you use a high quality carnauba wax, you would be doing that annually, at least, right?

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Most of the ceramic coatings applied by pros have a 4 year life. Even if you use a high quality carnauba wax, you would be doing that annually, at least, right?

Your correct, I was mistakingly referencing “sealants”. Ceramic coating does last significantly longer but requires professional application and several days to cure. Additionally, frequently wax is applied over the ceramic coating which can have a dull finish.

I wax our cars three times annually, wash monthly (pressure washer/ foam/ two buckets/ MF towel dry) and deep clean interior every two-three months. If needed I’ll clay them but being garaged that’s rarely necessary. Best equipment for cleaning cars is a stool on wheels from which you can access interior and exterior sides/front/back w/o bending.

Thanks for catching my error.

[homerrr]

I covered mine with ceramic coating, didn't want to spend the money on labor so did it myself. 2.5 days in the garage with my son resulted in a nice and shiny, easy to clean car. I haven't had any damage to the paint since then (Yes, knocking on wood). I like it and it was worth the trouble... I used Avalon King.

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by homerrr

I covered mine with ceramic coating, didn't want to spend the money on labor so did it myself. 2.5 days in the garage with my son resulted in a nice and shiny, easy to clean car. I haven't had any damage to the paint since then (Yes, knocking on wood). I like it and it was worth the trouble... I used Avalon King.

I’m impressed. Working with son makes it that much more rewarding. How did you control for dust over 2.5 days application?

[homerrr]

Originally Posted by Fdmcg

I’m impressed. Working with son makes it that much more rewarding. How did you control for dust over 2.5 days application?

Garage is pretty clean, but minimized airflow you prevent any dust binding into the coating. Other than some specks from overusing the application cloth we were successful in that. Before every panel we made sure it was dust free.

[polychromatic]

Originally Posted by Fdmcg

I’m impressed. Working with son makes it that much more rewarding. How did you control for dust over 2.5 days application?

I’m curious...the 2.5 days included cure time I’m guessing. What would you estimate your actual hands on time to be?

[homerrr]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

I'm curious...the 2.5 days included cure time I'm guessing. What would you estimate your actual hands on time to be?

Couple of hours cleaning the car to include clay bar and alcohol. Then applying ceramic, one panel at the time, probably 8 hours first day. Then dusting and applying second layer on second day, 6 hours maybe. Ditto third day for third layer. Total 20 hours hands on, roughly, and not rushing at all. I did the glass also.

[Paladin1]

Ceramic Pro here. Makes maintenance much easier, but it's not maintenance-free. Still needs regular washing, and "refreshing" annually. But less effort than multiple hand-waxings over the same time. More expensive, but less effort. The paint needs to be professionally corrected prior to coating, because the coating is considered "permanent," although it can be removed by claying and buffing, but definitely harder to remove than wax. It does look nice, and stays nice looking longer. At a cost.

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Ceramic Pro here. Makes maintenance much easier, but it's not maintenance-free. Still needs regular washing, and "refreshing" annually. But less effort than multiple hand-waxings over the same time. More expensive, but less effort. The paint needs to be professionally corrected prior to coating, because the coating is considered "permanent," although it can be removed by claying and buffing, but definitely harder to remove than wax. It does look nice, and stays nice looking longer. At a cost.

Thank you for your refreshingly candid and honest assessment of ceramic coating pros and cons. My understanding is ceramic is basically an alternative to waxing with the benefit it last significantly longer but at a higher cost primarily for professional instillation. I admire the skill, patience and dedication a good detailer can bring to returning a car to pristine condition.
As a result of this thread I have considered the amount of time I expend maintaining our two black cars, interior and exterior. While I wax the cars two or three times annually, I don’t find that it takes more than 1 or 2 hours each time. I spend much more time washing the cars every three or four weeks (dragging out the pressure washer and hooking up the hoses/ filling three buckets with soapy water/ washing the wheels/ foaming the car/ hand washing / spraying off the water/ drying etc. etc). As the cars are garaged, I rarely have to clay them and typically that takes at most 1-2 hours.
I summary, I don’t find waxing the cars is difficult or time consuming. In fact I find cleaning the cars a surprising therapeutic task that I can do on my own, when I want to, at my own pace, the radio playing music I like and knowingly when I’m done the cars will look great. My wife loves it as she always has a clean car.
Perhaps an added benefit of ceramic coating is it better protects the finish at car washes which makes it more easily justified for those that have neither the time or inclination to wash the car themselves.

[Paladin1]

This is a pretty good comparison, I think linked somewhere on the forum before:

[RVAGuy]

[QUOTE=Paladin1;25651337]This is a pretty good comparison, I think linked somewhere on the forum.

Thank you for the video.

[Luminor513]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

This is a pretty good comparison, I think linked somewhere on the forum before:

This is a great video. I am going to have my X5 paint corrected and protected with a high quality wax. As much as I hate scratches and swirls, there is nothing like a clean black car. I like the less permanent approach with wax versus the ceramic, particularly being able to touch up certain areas of the car over time. Thanks for sharing this.

[rtadams1]

I just applied ceramic to my new X5 tonight. It’s sitting in my garage now curing. It looks great but definitely takes a lot of work to get it right:
1. Touchless wash earlier today.
2. Wiped down the car with Meguiars quick detailer.
2. Used my DA orbiter to correct the swirls in the paint.
3. Applied two coats of Carpro Quartz.

Here are a few close ups.

[polychromatic]

Originally Posted by rtadams1

I just applied ceramic to my new X5 tonight. It’s sitting in my garage now curing. It looks great but definitely takes a lot of work to get it right:
1. Touchless wash earlier today.
2. Wiped down the car with Meguiars quick detailer.
2. Used my DA orbiter to correct the swirls in the paint.
3. Applied two coats of Carpro Quartz.

Here are a few close ups.

Looks pretty damned glossy! What were your reason for going with the Carpro Quartz? In one of the reviews, they said to use their wash product too, makes beading more effective.

[rtadams1]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

Looks pretty damned glossy! What were your reason for going with the Carpro Quartz? In one of the reviews, they said to use their wash product too, makes beading more effective.

I wanted the hardened protection of quartz. Unfortunately, my car is outside most of the time. The garage is just too tight with our kids stuff everywhere. I’m hoping to change that in the spring though...

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by rtadams1

I wanted the hardened protection of quartz. Unfortunately, my car is outside most of the time. The garage is just too tight with our kids stuff everywhere. I’m hoping to change that in the spring though...

Garaging the car does a lot to reduce maintenance. I have not had to clay our cars in years. Assuming boarding school is out of the question do you have a shed to warehouse the kids stuff?
My only fear in the garage is a garden tool, etc. falling on the car.