[1hprush]

Is there really a good way to find out if a car does in fact have a Ceramic Coating. My car was purchased used and not really very clean when I took delivery, but after one wash, the paint was quite reflective. The first time I took it to Cars and Coffee, I had several guys ask if it had Ceramic. Although it didn't have many miles on it , the previous owner did take the time to have it protected with a vinyl wrap. So I was thinking that he might have done a coating first. Thx!

[arpad_m]

Pour or spray water down the fender, you should see it flow down almost completely, with the remaining little amount of water beading up into big balls that you can then blow off easily.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Pour or spray water down the fender, you should see it flow down almost completely, with the remaining little amount of water beading up into big balls that you can then blow off easily.

Yeah but if it does bead up like that, could also be some sort of polymer or silica sealant instead.

[70chevelleSS]

Originally Posted by SSport16

Yeah but if it does bead up like that, could also be some sort of polymer or silica sealant instead.

If that is the case, time will tell. These types of paint protection willlast a few months at best. Ceramic coating will last much much longer

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by 1hprush

I there really a good way to find out if a car does in fact have a Ceramic Coating.

Only with a Dry Films Thickness meter.

[kropscamaro16]

ceramic coat ftw! i had mine done with ceramic pro few months after i got it best $$ i ever spent



have had so many people ask me what wax i use and im like uhh none? lol

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by 70chevelleSS

If that is the case, time will tell. These types of paint protection willlast a few months at best. Ceramic coating will last much much longer

Yes don't use any other protection like wash & wax, spray wax, etc for 6 months and see how the beading compares to current beading. If there's no change, wait another 6 months. If it is still beading, likely ceramic coated. If it is sheeting off, likely was a polymer.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by KirkH

Yes don't use any other protection like wash & wax, spray wax, etc for 6 months and see how the beading compares to current beading. If there's no change, wait another 6 months. If it is still beading, likely ceramic coated. If it is sheeting off, likely was a polymer.

I am not so sure. I am starting to think Ceramic Coating is a scam. Maybe better than a wax, but far from what it is being made out to be.

Consider this... I did Ceramic Pro with the 5 year guarantee and it was really expensive, like $2K if I remember right. But that 5 year guarantee ONLY applies IF you do a touch up "re-start" every 6 mths, for a cost of about $150.

If I have to spend that amount every 6 mths anyways, why not get a Polymer polish (those last 6 mths) and just do that every 6 mths and still get the protection.

While it may be marginally better that a polish, most quality polishes will protect for 6 mths, I used Zaino for years and had no issues.

I do believe in clear bra the front, but I don't think I will go the Ceramic Coating route next time around.

[70chevelleSS]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I am not so sure. I am starting to think Ceramic Coating is a scam. Maybe better than a wax, but far from what it is being made out to be.



Consider this... I did Ceramic Pro with the 5 year guarantee and it was really expensive, like $2K if I remember right. But that 5 year guarantee ONLY applies IF you do a touch up "re-start" every 6 mths, for a cost of about $150.



If I have to spend that amount every 6 mths anyways, why not get a Polymer polish (those last 6 mths) and just do that every 6 mths and still get the protection.



While it may be marginally better that a polish, most quality polishes will protect for 6 mths, I used Zaino for years and had no issues.



I do believe in clear bra the front, but I don't think I will go the Ceramic Coating route next time around.

Ceramic pro is a bit controversial in the detailing world. Some love it others say it’s overpriced for what you get. Personally I applied carpro cquartz to both my vehicles and although I use reload on it once a month or so, it seems to be going strong after more than a year. I live in Florida so it doesn’t see a harsh winter by any Means. Applied cquartz October 2017 to my truck and march 2018 on my Camaro.




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[KirkH]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I am not so sure. I am starting to think Ceramic Coating is a scam. Maybe better than a wax, but far from what it is being made out to be.

Consider this... I did Ceramic Pro with the 5 year guarantee and it was really expensive, like $2K if I remember right. But that 5 year guarantee ONLY applies IF you do a touch up "re-start" every 6 mths, for a cost of about $150.

If I have to spend that amount every 6 mths anyways, why not get a Polymer polish (those last 6 mths) and just do that every 6 mths and still get the protection.

While it may be marginally better that a polish, most quality polishes will protect for 6 mths, I used Zaino for years and had no issues.

I do believe in clear bra the front, but I don't think I will go the Ceramic Coating route next time around.

Ceramic coating for $2K is pretty high. I charge $500. That includes full paint correction before the application of CQuartz.

The problem that I have with ceramic coatings is that they can still get swirls and scratches. Then you have to polish those out and reapply the ceramic, and that can be expensive. Most bottles of coating will coat 3 cars, so you should have extra left in the bottle for this if you DIY.

It is cheaper to use silica, polymers or wax.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by 70chevelleSS

Ceramic pro is a bit controversial in the detailing world. Some love it others say it’s overpriced for what you get. Personally I applied carpro cquartz to both my vehicles and although I use reload on it once a month or so, it seems to be going strong after more than a year. I live in Florida so it doesn’t see a harsh winter by any Means. Applied cquartz October 2017 to my truck and march 2018 on my Camaro.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, that is kinda my point.

If you are going to do that kind of "reload" "refresh" every month or six months for that matter, then any good polymer polish will do. At that rate, you can use just about anything and be covered. The draw supposily with Ceramic is it lasts a long time (5 to 20 years based on how many coats you use) and is maintenance free, but if you read the fine print it really isn't and requires the same amount of maintenance as any other product (that is not Ceramic) on the market.

[bobby35ny]

Originally Posted by KirkH

Ceramic coating for $2K is pretty high. I charge $500. That includes full paint correction before the application of CQuartz.

The problem that I have with ceramic coatings is that they can still get swirls and scratches. Then you have to polish those out and reapply the ceramic, and that can be expensive. Most bottles of coating will coat 3 cars, so you should have extra left in the bottle for this if you DIY.

It is cheaper to use silica, polymers or wax.

GEEZZZZZZ !!!!!
Kirk, think I told you once before, you are selling yourself too cheap!!!

I do one car a month by word of mouth, full correction, polish, and essence for primer then 2 coats of Cquartz. I get 1100 for a coupe or small 4 door. 1200+ for larger vehicles.

RAISE your prices....

[KirkH]

Originally Posted by bobby35ny

GEEZZZZZZ !!!!!
Kirk, think I told you once before, you are selling yourself too cheap!!!

I do one car a month by word of mouth, full correction, polish, and essence for primer then 2 coats of Cquartz. I get 1100 for a coupe or small 4 door. 1200+ for larger vehicles.

RAISE your prices....

Hahaha I’d like to! But I am in KY, not FL so that’s what the market will bear.

[SSport16]

Yeah $500 is low for the amount of work for a full paint correction and coating. I still do some detailing on the side every once in a while, but I refuse to charge that low for that amount of work. Most people will complain about higher prices, but they need to realize the amount of work that goes into it, especially if the vehicle is filthy and needs a heavy washing/cleaning first.