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Ceramic coating - cost in SoCal?
- Thread starter SoCalGuy
- Start date
Tyres4M3
Member
There are coatings that last a year and coatings that will last 7-10 years.
Information in this thread:
Recommended PPF installer in So Cal? (West side)
I’m no expert, but from what I gather it’s like a more durable wax coat. It’s hydrophobic and provides a little protection for the paint and makes the car easier to clean and keep its shine. And instead of washing off within a few weeks like wax, it’s supposed to stay on the car for years with proper maintenance.
Shock-On-T
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It’s how car dealers squeeze an extra $500-$1000 out of “wood ducks”.
Why anyone would self-inflict this on themselves outside a car dealership would perplex my ex-car dealer father.
Why anyone would self-inflict this on themselves outside a car dealership would perplex my ex-car dealer father.
Shock-On-T
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Not quite snake oil, but it really doesn't do much better that a few good polishes, and costs a whole lot more.
Wrapping, on the other hand, actually does make a big difference, but it's so pricey it's probably not worth it. You could repaint damage several times for the cost of a good wrap, and even a good wrap doesn't stop all damage.
Wrapping, on the other hand, actually does make a big difference, but it's so pricey it's probably not worth it. You could repaint damage several times for the cost of a good wrap, and even a good wrap doesn't stop all damage.
A good ceramic coating should last much longer than regular wax and last much longer. There are a couple of test comparison vids that show how much better they are.
If you’re DIY the higher product cost is more than offset by the time savings.
Paying someone to wax your car will never be cost effective.
If you’re DIY the higher product cost is more than offset by the time savings.
Paying someone to wax your car will never be cost effective.
Henchman
Member
Putting ceramic coat isn't hard. But the paint correction work is quite hard
Putting ceramic coat isn't hard. But the paint correction work is quite hard
It's not hard if you have a dual action buffer, just time consuming.
insaneoctane
Active Member
Seems like so many other things in life.....you can learn to do yourself if you're willing to invest the time to become proficient. Or you can pay someone that is already proficient. We make these choices all the time, right? I'd be a little concerned about polishing away my clear coat. The paint correction stage requires that you use something with some cutting power (ie abrasive) and I could easily see someone "going to town" trying to make their clear coat amazing and maybe going too far? Again, I'm not an expert, so I don't know how likely that is. Edges are most prone, but maybe the cutting compounds are so mild it would take days....or maybe seconds. That's kind of my point, I'd hate to become proficient on my new Tesla. So, while I'm generally a do it vs pay for it kind of guy, I just don't know enough to feel confident that I won't screw it up. Plus, if these coating really last 7 or 10 years, do I need that expertise?
Chances are it will be cheaper to pay someone to do it rather than pay yourself to do it.
jgd108
Member
People who do it themselves make it sound easy and saved hundreds of dollars but then yeah you have to learn how to do it and testing on a 50k car is not something I would be willing to do!
One thing I've noticed when you don't know something fully, learning from all those vendors only make you more confused!
They all preach their way is the best, and there is such variance in cost!
Just trying to see if it really is worth the money they ask or rinse less regular car washing will do 90% of the work
Need to get tinting done for sure though..
One thing I've noticed when you don't know something fully, learning from all those vendors only make you more confused!
They all preach their way is the best, and there is such variance in cost!
Just trying to see if it really is worth the money they ask or rinse less regular car washing will do 90% of the work
Need to get tinting done for sure though..
bnsfengineer
Active Member
Well if you purchase all the items needed and watch a few videos its really not rocket science its just time consuming.Clear coat is about 1-1.5 mil so if you took a high speed buffer and applied a lot of pressure... there goes the clear coat. Chemical guys have several good products and videos on polishing and if you use a random orbital(not a high speed) on a lower speed with the right pad the finish will look unbelievable with minimal effort. I have a Porter Cable and usually use it on about speed 4-5 depending on the age of the paint. Now if you have a five year old car thats been sitting outside car and try to restore its a lot more difficult that polishing a new car like were talking about. If you were to purchase everything needed including the ceramic around $125 not including the buffer. Paying someone had quotes from $5-900. BTW the coating will not last 7-10 years most only a couple and you should be using the additional ceramics product that will add to your cost for the once a year refresh. Listen to the Henchman above!
Henchman
Member
Actually, doing paint correction on a new car isn't hard either.Putting ceramic coat isn't hard. But the paint correction work is quite hard
It just takes time
I actually practiced on our 2011 leaf , that we bought used 3 years ago. I did it after I had already done the ceramic on our new Model 3.
Our leaf looks better now, than when we bought it.
