[Need4Camaro]

It has the spray-on Ceramic Wax on there.

This is literally the only time I’ve ever done this. I didn’t want to but I was way too tired and didn’t want it to sit with all those bugs on it.

[Jeb114]

I hate to break it to you when you sell the car or trade it in no one is going to care if it was at a car wash........

[Invertalon]

I dunno... I don't get the "hype" for ceramic coatings (not the waxes and such you apply yourself, but the expensive professional treatments).


As someone who had a black daily driver for 10 years, which experienced the usual snow/salt in the midwest and 150K miles before it got totaled... Just routine care and learning some basic detailing goes a long way. My cars black paint looked amazing with almost no swirls or scratches. Honestly, had less swirls than most new showroom cars that see a single wash. Proper washing/drying and routine clay/correction/waxing does wonders. I'd do a full detail once a year (clay, correction, wax/sealant). Every few months it would get just wax/sealant and when needed, localized correction if swirls or whatnot needed attention.

On road trips the bumper would be loaded with bugs for a solid week... The usual pollen and rain mix dried on the car during summer, etc... Sometimes it required a bit more work with clay bar or some minor correction if left long-term, but honestly it never was that bad and always came off completely with no etching or other issues. My worst damage was just rock damage, but not much you can do about that.

I personally wouldn't spend the money on the elaborate paint protection ceramic coatings. I dig the "over the counter' ceramic waxes and such. Just pick up a nice DA buffer, pads and some product for a fraction of the cost and just keep up with it every few months as-needed. Save the $$$ and look just as good!

That being said, I will only wash my own car or use a touchless wash when needed in winter or if I was feeling lazy. But even touchless washes use aggressive chemicals and such to clean the car, which can more quickly wear away the wax/sealant requiring more applications more frequently. A bottle of quick detailer and microfibers in the truck/backseat for those random bird poos or huge bugs that need taken care of...! But otherwise, any heavy washing will just wait until I get home and can wash it properly.

[Jaxcam02]

Originally Posted by jamala00

Ya, my new '18 Tahoe I have only been getting detailed in the spring. So only one time a year.

I have to correct my previous post. The detail shop I have do my vehicles this is their ceramic coating price points...

Our one year is 389.95 our 3 year is 599.95 , our 5 year is 899.95 and our 9 year is 1599.95 one year is xpc brand and our 3 5 and 9 are dr Beasley products. All the ceramic come with a exterior detail included with them

I would jump on that them. That's pretty cheap for a full detail and ccoat

[Paintslinger16]

Pretty sure the manual states don’t use a car wash, applies to most sports cars that are a lot wider in the rear the laser is only making a guess on the width from the front measurement

[PeteSS2018]

I give mine a very light compound only if there are swirls, a polish with a DA polisher every few months and wax once a month. I did have a ceramic coating nearly 2 years ago (and no, they dont last forever, nor do they make the paint swirl proof), but hated the water spots and it looks quite a bit better with polish/wax.

[gtfoxy]

Originally Posted by jamala00

wow you guys are really against car washes. I didn't realize that. I wash my Camaro at home and sometimes my Tahoe... but most of the time I will take my Tahoe to the wash. I also use the soft touch wash. Sure it gets swirl marks, but I get my vehicle professionally detailed a couple times a year so they get cleared up. I'm getting to damb old to climb around on my Tahoe to wash it by hand good. There is a thing here in WI also called winter. I'll be dambed if I'm going to sit outside and hand wash my vehicle... lol.

It’s about being not a touchless. I go to a touchless once a week that has a spot-free rinse & use a very soft microfiber to finish dry the jams, mirrors & under the deck lid & any other spots that are still wet.

If I’m going to hand wash I still go to the touchless before I do. That way most of the tough gritty stuff gets knocked off & not transferred to my hand scrubber. Then I go over it with Meguires Auto Detailer spray.

I may try a ceramic polish in a week or so.

[3.8TransAM]

I'm impressed you and your car both survived the experience......


Crazy times we live in.

[jamala00]

Originally Posted by gtfoxy

It’s about being not a touchless. I go to a touchless once a week that has a spot-free rinse & use a very soft microfiber to finish dry the jams, mirrors & under the deck lid & any other spots that are still wet.

If I’m going to hand wash I still go to the touchless before I do. That way most of the tough gritty stuff gets knocked off & not transferred to my hand scrubber. Then I go over it with Meguires Auto Detailer spray.

I may try a ceramic polish in a week or so.

I use this stuff on all my vehicles in between washes as needed. Love their products.

[Idyll]

Can't believe the number of snowflakes in here!

[gtfoxy]

Originally Posted by Idyll

Can't believe the number of snowflakes in here!

Song selection checks out.

[Homer2]

Ive done that hundreds of times.. i like sinning. Its easier than not.

[Idyll]

Originally Posted by Homer2

Ive done that hundreds of times.. i like sinning. Its easier than not.

"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

[bigd1276]

Originally Posted by Idyll

"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

The sinners have much more fun.....