Ceramic Coatings?

[Env1ous]

Hi all,

Fairly new to detailing but have done some good work on a few cars. I want to really spend some good time on my truck this year and would like to throw on a ceramic coating.

What brands are fairly forgiving for a new guy? It is a black truck so I want to minimize any streaks or having to wetsand it off.

Not 100% sure if this is identified as a ceramic coating, but it does go along the lines of what I am looking for in a coating:

https://usa.gtechniq.com/products/auto/c1-crystal-lacquer

 

[loneryder]

I used Black Diamond ceramic coating on my 11 yr old Maroon Mercedes. I am very pleased. It's like a mirror. The instructions say to use it sparingly but I found that you need to apply quite a bit, spread it quickly and buff it off quickly. The hood was difficult to get even. I had to apply it several times right away to get it even. A black vehicle will probably be the hardest to apply evenly because the streaking will show up very noticeably.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted by Env1ous
Hi all,

Fairly new to detailing but have done some good work on a few cars. I want to really spend some good time on my truck this year and would like to throw on a ceramic coating.

What brands are fairly forgiving for a new guy? It is a black truck so I want to minimize any streaks or having to wetsand it off.

Not 100% sure if this is identified as a ceramic coating, but it does go along the lines of what I am looking for in a coating:

https://usa.gtechniq.com/products/auto/c1-crystal-lacquer


So this stuff will last 3 to 5 years?

 

[Danno]

I had a local tint shop put clear 3M film on the front fenders, whole hood, front fascia , headlights, A-pillars and exterior mirror fronts of my Sorento
Noticed a stone on the hood, it tore the 3M but the paint wasn't touched. No ceramic could protect like that
Something to consider vs ceramic. And it takes a nice shine from waxing
Not cheap, but worth it imo

 

[EricG]

Just an FYI, like Danno mentioned, PPF is better protection and it can also be ceramic coated!

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted by EricG
Just an FYI, like Danno mentioned, PPF is better protection and it can also be ceramic coated!

And it is also much more expensive and difficult to apply.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted by Danno
I had a local tint shop put clear 3M film on the front fenders, whole hood, front fascia , headlights, A-pillars and exterior mirror fronts of my Sorento
Noticed a stone on the hood, it tore the 3M but the paint wasn't touched. No ceramic could protect like that
Something to consider vs ceramic. And it takes a nice shine from waxing
Not cheap, but worth it imo


I had that same exact stuff applied years ago to a minivan we had when it was new. After about 5 years the stuff ended up with hundreds of cracks running through it. It was definitely a good protectant, but it was a major eyesore after it cracked...

 

[loneryder]

Supposed to last 3-5 yrs. I would also add that I bought a black car a few months ago here in FL. I brought my Black Diamond stuff down here to do that car but decided against it due to it being black. I would not do a black vehicle myself. The maroon hood was hard enough. I would get a professional to do a black vehicle.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted by grampi
Originally Posted by Danno
I had a local tint shop put clear 3M film on the front fenders, whole hood, front fascia , headlights, A-pillars and exterior mirror fronts of my Sorento
Noticed a stone on the hood, it tore the 3M but the paint wasn't touched. No ceramic could protect like that
Something to consider vs ceramic. And it takes a nice shine from waxing
Not cheap, but worth it imo


I had that same exact stuff applied years ago to a minivan we had when it was new. After about 5 years the stuff ended up with hundreds of cracks running through it. It was definitely a good protectant, but it was a major eyesore after it cracked...

I had 3M applied to a minivan years before, and the film looked brand new after 8 years.
After 3 years, it still looks good, basically can't tell it is on the car. You kinda have to feel/look for the edges to see it.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Danno
I had a local tint shop put clear 3M film on the front fenders, whole hood, front fascia , headlights, A-pillars and exterior mirror fronts of my Sorento


Will look like crap in a few years depending on climate. Starts fading and cracking and takes hours per panel to get it off. Cheaper to repaint.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Danno
I had 3M applied to a minivan years before, and the film looked brand new after 8 years.
After 3 years, it still looks good, basically can't tell it is on the car. You kinda have to feel/look for the edges to see it.


Sure, Ontario. Won't last that long in Phoenix or Miami.

 

[Env1ous]

Thanks all for the insight! Hm I may hit up a guy in my local ecoboost group that does tint and maybe some clear bra. I will probably polish it and fill in some paint chips. That would not be a bad idea at all...

 

[jimbrewer]

I dunno......a good conventional sealant or wax will last six months easy. The two part Duragloss stuff on my car sailed through winter no problem. Collinite paste wax was the same.

How much durability is enough?

 

[PimTac]

I have noticed a bit of a shift away from coatings and back to sealants. The cost of some coatings is part of that. Owners of luxury vehicles, sports cars etc will tend towards coatings.

In your case I would reconsider a sealant. They give you the biggest bang for your buck. There are plenty of brands and types out there. I would check out the Autogeek/Autopia websites and do the research there.