Novice Ceramic coating question

[GeorgiaBoy]

First of all I know absolutely nothing about Ceramic coatings. Until now I just ran my vehicles through a car wash, rarely washed by hand and god forbid wax them! But since I have a 22 Limited on order and my wife has a new Audi on order, I've decided to baby the new ones.

Based on the recommendation of another member @jimothy (thank you) I will be having tint and PPF installed as soon after delivery as possible. Then have Ceramic coating applied.

The detail shop that was recommended uses Optimum Paint Guard (3-5 years), Opti-Coat Pro (5-7 years) or Opti-Coat Pro Plus (7-10 year). As long as this truck behaves, I plan to keep it a LONG time. There is a fairly significant price difference but is there really a durability difference between the three options? Thanks for any input!

 

[SacRebel]

I've had a ceramic coating on my truck for almost 3-years now and it's still just as smooth as the day it was installed. I did the Ceramic Pro Silver coating (1 Layer of 9H & 1 Layer of Light) - 5 Year Warranty. However, my truck is garaged with less than 20k miles on it. So if you're going to be parking outside you might want to do the pro plus.

One important thing to be mindful of, that warranty is only good if you take it back once a year for them to apply a silicone sealant.

 

[GeorgiaBoy]

I've had a ceramic coating on my truck for almost 3-years now and it's still just as smooth as the day it was installed. I did the Ceramic Pro Silver coating (1 Layer of 9H & 1 Layer of Light) - 5 Year Warranty. However, my truck is garaged with less than 20k miles on it. So if you're going to be parking outside you might want to do the pro plus.

One important thing to be mindful of, that warranty is only good if you take it back once a year for them to apply a silicone sealant.

Thanks, it will definitely be garaged. I'll be sure to check on the warranty

 

[Neil McCauley]

Is this a daily driver? I'd get a 1-2 year coating if so, and just have it redone every few years. You're going to go crazy trying to stretch it 7+ years on a daily driver no matter what level ceramic you get. Better off putting the money towards more PPF.

 

[392DCGC]

Everyone will have their own opinion on this. I personally have not bought into any pro-grade coating. They all fail eventually, and rarely do they meet their advertised durability. Optimum makes good products, but their durability has always been lacking, so I'd avoid that. Any coating typically requires you come back for annual maintenance too. I just choose to buy good consumer grade products and do protection/upkeep myself... right now really turned onto Griot's Garage 3-in-1 wax & ceramic speed shine. I can add those products on my paint whenever I finish washing my truck with Optimum No-Rinse, and effectively have a fresh coating for mere cents and a bit of my time. PPF is a bit different. Good PPF will last a long time and go a long way towards protecting your paint. But if you're anal like I am by keeping the paint cared for properly and don't take the truck anywhere crazy (e.g. overlanding/off-roading), even PPF is mostly unnecessary. At that point it's a safety barrier for the unpredictable moments life may throw at your vehicle. But there are certain areas of a vehicle that PPF is good to have (e.g. rockers, bumper), but people who wrap an entire vehicle are going a bit overboard unless they plan on keeping it at least 10 years and want it to stay looking good IMO. The vast majority of people buying a several-years-old used vehicle will not be anal about paint condition, unless it's something rare or actually holds value. These trucks won't be worth squat in 10 years. A little bit of protection in the right spots can go a long way, but paying thousands to bubbleshield the entire truck seems like a waste to me.

 

[GeorgiaBoy]

Is this a daily driver? I'd get a 1-2 year coating if so, and just have it redone every few years. You're going to go crazy trying to stretch it 7+ years on a daily driver no matter what level ceramic you get. Better off putting the money towards more PPF

Thanks! I will be a daily driver but I'm retired so t will not leave the garage some days LOL! I appreciate your input!

 

[GeorgiaBoy]

Everyone will have their own opinion on this. I personally have not bought into any pro-grade coating. They all fail eventually, and rarely do they meet their advertised durability. Optimum makes good products, but their durability has always been lacking, so I'd avoid that. Any coating typically requires you come back for annual maintenance too. I just choose to buy good consumer grade products and do protection/upkeep myself... right now really turned onto Griot's Garage 3-in-1 wax & ceramic speed shine. I can add those products on my paint whenever I finish washing my truck with Optimum No-Rinse, and effectively have a fresh coating for mere cents and a bit of my time. PPF is a bit different. Good PPF will last a long time and go a long way towards protecting your paint. But if you're anal like I am by keeping the paint cared for properly and don't take the truck anywhere crazy (e.g. overlanding/off-roading), even PPF is mostly unnecessary. At that point it's a safety barrier for the unpredictable moments life may throw at your vehicle. But there are certain areas of a vehicle that PPF is good to have (e.g. rockers, bumper), but people who wrap an entire vehicle are going a bit overboard unless they plan on keeping it at least 10 years and want it to stay looking good IMO. The vast majority of people buying a several-years-old used vehicle will not be anal about paint condition, unless it's something rare or actually holds value. These trucks won't be worth squat in 10 years. A little bit of protection in the right spots can go a long way, but paying thousands to bubbleshield the entire truck seems like a waste to me.

Thanks! And certainly something to consider regarding the ceramic. I have most of the stuff (other than the products you mentioned) so I should be smart and save some cash and just do it myself.

Regarding PPF, I initially thought it was just a gimmick and something dealers up-charged for. BUT I gave in to having it installed on a 2105 Lexus IS250. Just sold that car and front end and hood were flawless! I do not have it on my GS350 and that front end id beat to hell and back. Going to take a lot of work and TLC to make that one look good for trade-in.

Will definitely put it on the truck but only where it makes sense! And no, I do not PLAN to take the truck anywhere "crazy"

Thanks for your input!

 

[cervelo15]

First of all I know absolutely nothing about Ceramic coatings. Until now I just ran my vehicles through a car wash, rarely washed by hand and god forbid wax them! But since I have a 22 Limited on order and my wife has a new Audi on order, I've decided to baby the new ones.

Based on the recommendation of another member @jimothy (thank you) I will be having tint and PPF installed as soon after delivery as possible. Then have Ceramic coating applied.

The detail shop that was recommended uses Optimum Paint Guard (3-5 years), Opti-Coat Pro (5-7 years) or Opti-Coat Pro Plus (7-10 year). As long as this truck behaves, I plan to keep it a LONG time. There is a fairly significant price difference but is there really a durability difference between the three options? Thanks for any input!

I have Opti-Coat Pro Plus and there's 2 differences between Pro Plus and Pro: the price and the level of gloss. Pro Plus has a higher level of gloss. I've had Pro-Plus on for over a month and it's been subjected to sun, torrential rain and some normal driving. I'm very happy with it and the best part about it: the coating has gotten glossier since it's cured.

Water sheeting is PHENOMENAL and I just did my first wash since the coating this past weekend. Took me 2 hours from start to finish vs a whole day (I go overboard when washing). Maintenance washes can go down to 30 mins if you use the Opti-Coat No Rinse 2 bucket method and Hyper Seal.

I also have Xpel PPF full frontal on the truck and let me tell you, its also an amazing product. Zero scratches and self-healing. Never had it on a car before, but again, did it because this truck is an investment. I did this several months after purchasing and wish I did it day 1. After a road trip to Florida and repairing some chips, I decided to go ahead with it. If you drive 95 and other highways like I do, its worth it.

 

[Mister 4x4]

The only PPF I've seen on vehicles here in West Texas has yellowed over time (you can immediately spot the transition on a white car after a few years).

Having said that (and not having a white car), I've been considering a nose & mirrors treatment for mine, but I don't know that I want to be in for over $1000 just for PPF (+ installation).

As for ceramic coating, I'm a fan of Adams products - they have ceramic products up to 9H, and graphene up to 10H. Get a kit on Amazon for $150, a UV light, do it yourself, and save $1000.