Ceramic Pro Gold vs. 3M Vinyl Wrap

PasalaP · 06-02-2019, 01:41 PM

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a dilemma so I was hoping you guys could help.

I've been deciding between Ceramic Pro Gold or a 3M vinyl wrap recently for my 2019 Camaro on order, and I got quoted these two prices from trusted shops in the Houston area:

Ceramic Pro Gold: $1589
3M Vinyl Satin Wrap: $2200

I know the Ceramic helps keep the car clean, protects it, and the gold package also includes the wheels, calipers, and windows. However, I also love having a satin finish on my car and a wrap would help me get there with some protection as well.

What would you guys do - Get the ceramic coating, or spend the $600 more and get a full wrap?

VAZL1 · 06-02-2019, 01:47 PM

I would go with the full wrap, paint is protected and you get to pic the color. That's a win win to me...

closs2sx · 06-02-2019, 02:16 PM

could always do both and have the best of both worlds

Gunkk · 06-02-2019, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAZL1

I would go with the full wrap, paint is protected and you get to pic the color. That's a win win to me...

+1 and you can buy a $35 bottle of Carpro Reload (or similar hydrophobic sealant) and apply every time you wash to get the nice hydrophobic properties that the ceramic would offer. Just make sure you test it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn't splotch or gloss up the satin. If you want to double that spend to $70 and have a 2-3 year coating (basically last as long as the vinyl) then you can try a durable hydrophobic coating like Gtechniq EXO.

No need to pay someone else to do this... you can easily DIY after watching some videos.

See also this for coatings look on top of black vinyl:

PasalaP · 06-02-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAZL1

I would go with the full wrap, paint is protected and you get to pic the color. That's a win win to me...

That's very close to my reasoning too haha, but I don't think a wrap would give me the same protection as ceramic coating...

Quote:

Originally Posted by closs2sx

could always do both and have the best of both worlds

In an ideal world yeah, but that would end up costing me almost 4 Gs, and the ceramic on top of the satin finish would end up making it look glossy again....right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkk

+1 and you can buy a $35 bottle of Carpro Reload (or similar hydrophobic sealant) and apply every time you wash to get the nice hydrophobic properties that the ceramic would offer. Just make sure you test it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn't splotch or gloss up the satin. If you want to double that spend to $70 and have a 2-3 year coating (basically last as long as the vinyl) then you can try a durable hydrophobic coating like Gtechniq EXO.

No need to pay someone else to do this... you can easily DIY after watching some videos.

See also this for coatings look on top of black vinyl:

I'll look into it thank you! Granted I'm not too savvy when it comes to all the prep work before doing this, but it seems worth a try if I do go that route.

KirkH · 06-02-2019, 08:33 PM

If you don't have unlimited money, a bottle of ceramic coating costs $50 and will do 2 cars. You could pay for a polish job, if you don't have a polisher, and then apply the ceramic coating yourself.

Just for comparison, I charge $350-500 for a ceramic coating job. $1589 is gouging.

If you have unlimited money, go ahead and help the economy and pay for service!

closs2sx · 06-02-2019, 09:00 PM

In an ideal world yeah, but that would end up costing me almost 4 Gs, and the ceramic on top of the satin finish would end up making it look glossy again....right?

could always try it on a left over piece of the satin wrap... just stick a left over piece to a smooth flat surface and have someone try it

Glen e · 06-02-2019, 09:12 PM

It will not make a satin finish a gloss finish , it I’ll just have a little bit more depth.

Remember the majority of gloss comes from the surface reflectivity underneath, not the last step product you put on. That’s why polishing first is so important on paint.

PasalaP · 06-03-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkH

If you don't have unlimited money, a bottle of ceramic coating costs $50 and will do 2 cars. You could pay for a polish job, if you don't have a polisher, and then apply the ceramic coating yourself.

Just for comparison, I charge $350-500 for a ceramic coating job. $1589 is gouging.

If you have unlimited money, go ahead and help the economy and pay for service!

Damn I wish I was in Kentucky - believe it or not 1589 was the best price I got for Ceramic pro gold. Although I don't think the 9H stuff ceramic pro has is available to consumers for me to apply myself.

DangerZL1 · 06-03-2019, 12:19 PM

Carpro has a cquartz lite that came out recently. It looks interesting and would be much easier for DIY.

Glen e · 06-03-2019, 12:32 PM

The professional coatings the detailers can use are a bit thicker and require a little bit more expertise to put on. However that does not mean that any of the over-the-counter coatings are severely different.

When you are talking about putting a coating over PPF, it’s just not necessary to do any prep. Just a wipe down with some diluted alcohol gets the surface ready and then you literally just wipe it on , not much different than Windex. Certain unscrupulous detailers don’t want you to know that, and want to again charge for the prep that they would do on paint, which they don’t do. Just get any of the good coatings that are out there and wipe it on for 75 bucks. I have used cquartzUK on my last three cars in some fashion, and been very happy.

arpad_m · 06-03-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkH

If you don't have unlimited money, a bottle of ceramic coating costs $50 and will do 2 cars. You could pay for a polish job, if you don't have a polisher, and then apply the ceramic coating yourself.

Just for comparison, I charge $350-500 for a ceramic coating job. $1589 is gouging.

If you have unlimited money, go ahead and help the economy and pay for service!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PasalaP

Damn I wish I was in Kentucky - believe it or not 1589 was the best price I got for Ceramic pro gold. Although I don't think the 9H stuff ceramic pro has is available to consumers for me to apply myself.

$1589 would actually be a good deal up here northeast as well... back in 2017 I could not find any certified installer who would've been willing to do it under $1700-1800 (and they claimed it was a 4-5 day job, most of it of course waiting for the coating layers to cure).

Mcmillion · 06-03-2019, 03:14 PM

Neither protect as well as PPF. Have you checked out a daily'd wrapped car the front gets peppered up pretty bad. For the money you are willing to spend I would do satin PPF. I think a lot depends on the cars use. I did a ceramic on my DD and its truly outside 100% of the time. A year in and water still beads very nice and very easy to clean, but the winter left very bad water spots on the coating on the roof. I will do the ceramic on my weekend cars that stay in the garage, but will stick with like a 6mo sealant and front PPF on my next outdoor DD.

06-02-2019, 01:41 PM	#1
PasalaP Drives: 2019 3LT RS Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: TX Posts: 39	Ceramic Pro Gold vs. 3M Vinyl Wrap Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a dilemma so I was hoping you guys could help. I've been deciding between Ceramic Pro Gold or a 3M vinyl wrap recently for my 2019 Camaro on order, and I got quoted these two prices from trusted shops in the Houston area: Ceramic Pro Gold: $1589 3M Vinyl Satin Wrap: $2200 I know the Ceramic helps keep the car clean, protects it, and the gold package also includes the wheels, calipers, and windows. However, I also love having a satin finish on my car and a wrap would help me get there with some protection as well. What would you guys do - Get the ceramic coating, or spend the $600 more and get a full wrap?

06-02-2019, 01:47 PM	#2
VAZL1 Drives: 17 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: VA Posts: 1,075	I would go with the full wrap, paint is protected and you get to pic the color. That's a win win to me... __________________ 2017 ZL1 Coupe M6, Red Hot Mods; AFE Pro 5R CAI, Kong Ported Blower and Snout, NW 103 TB, Griptech 2.31 Upper, Kooks 2",JMS Voltage Booster, Flex Fuel, Mighty Mouse CC,Jannetty Racing Tune, 680 rwhp

06-02-2019, 02:16 PM	#3
closs2sx Drives: 1970 chevelle Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,427	could always do both and have the best of both worlds __________________ On Order 2018 ZL1 1LE Garnet Red Tint Coat Metallic MY Car 2015 Z06 Z07 Daytona Sunrise Orange Metallic Dads Car 2013 ZL1 vin 963 Crystal Red Tint Coat/Black Wheels Exposed Carbon Fiber Insert 6 Spd Manual

06-02-2019, 08:33 PM	#6
KirkH Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Mosaic Blk Met-SOLD Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: KY Posts: 2,934	If you don't have unlimited money, a bottle of ceramic coating costs $50 and will do 2 cars. You could pay for a polish job, if you don't have a polisher, and then apply the ceramic coating yourself. Just for comparison, I charge $350-500 for a ceramic coating job. $1589 is gouging. If you have unlimited money, go ahead and help the economy and pay for service! __________________ Official Detailer of CamaroFest 8 & 9 https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...st-8-pics.html https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=521655&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=547470&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527474 No one on Earth has detailed more Camaros. http://KirkTheDetailer.com

06-02-2019, 09:00 PM	#7
closs2sx Drives: 1970 chevelle Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,427	In an ideal world yeah, but that would end up costing me almost 4 Gs, and the ceramic on top of the satin finish would end up making it look glossy again....right? could always try it on a left over piece of the satin wrap... just stick a left over piece to a smooth flat surface and have someone try it __________________ On Order 2018 ZL1 1LE Garnet Red Tint Coat Metallic MY Car 2015 Z06 Z07 Daytona Sunrise Orange Metallic Dads Car 2013 ZL1 vin 963 Crystal Red Tint Coat/Black Wheels Exposed Carbon Fiber Insert 6 Spd Manual

06-02-2019, 09:12 PM	#8
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	It will not make a satin finish a gloss finish , it I’ll just have a little bit more depth. Remember the majority of gloss comes from the surface reflectivity underneath, not the last step product you put on. That’s why polishing first is so important on paint. __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

06-03-2019, 12:19 PM	#10
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,935	Carpro has a cquartz lite that came out recently. It looks interesting and would be much easier for DIY.

06-03-2019, 12:32 PM	#11
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	The professional coatings the detailers can use are a bit thicker and require a little bit more expertise to put on. However that does not mean that any of the over-the-counter coatings are severely different. When you are talking about putting a coating over PPF, it’s just not necessary to do any prep. Just a wipe down with some diluted alcohol gets the surface ready and then you literally just wipe it on , not much different than Windex. Certain unscrupulous detailers don’t want you to know that, and want to again charge for the prep that they would do on paint, which they don’t do. Just get any of the good coatings that are out there and wipe it on for 75 bucks. I have used cquartzUK on my last three cars in some fashion, and been very happy. __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

06-03-2019, 03:14 PM	#13
Mcmillion Drives: 2018 ZL1 1998 SS 1992 Typhoon Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: RR Posts: 262	Neither protect as well as PPF. Have you checked out a daily'd wrapped car the front gets peppered up pretty bad. For the money you are willing to spend I would do satin PPF. I think a lot depends on the cars use. I did a ceramic on my DD and its truly outside 100% of the time. A year in and water still beads very nice and very easy to clean, but the winter left very bad water spots on the coating on the roof. I will do the ceramic on my weekend cars that stay in the garage, but will stick with like a 6mo sealant and front PPF on my next outdoor DD.

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