Good stuff or snake oil............

[mr. cob]

Howdy All,

I haven't even picked up my new 2021, yes it's new never been sold till I grabbed it, Snazzyberry Gladiator Rubicon. Should be driving it home on May 11th, and I am already thinking of spending money on it. First new vehicle I have bought in the last 20 years, probably be the last one so I'd like it to stay nice for a while so I have been hearing about and reading about ceramic finishes that when applied especially to a new vehicle will protect the paint and shine for a long time. I have been quoted $600.00 to get this done, so I am asking the group for advise, opinion on if this is an "investment" in protecting the rig or a donation to the swindler pedaling this particular snake oil. Thanks.

Dave

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[jbehrn]

I’ve done it to my last two vehicles. It’ll help with keeping the exterior clean, repels water nicely, and should have some UV protection. If you get it done, don’t run your truck through a car wash (unless it’s touchless) as it will wear the ceramic off. Make sure the shop has a good track record - once it goes on it’s a pain to get off! I’ve had Fenlab and Adams Graphene ceramic coatings applied (separate trucks) and both seem to hold up well to the central Texas heat and climate!

 

[mr. cob]

I’ve done it to my last two vehicles. It’ll help with keeping the exterior clean, repels water nicely, and should have some UV protection. If you get it done, don’t run your truck through a car wash (unless it’s touchless) as it will wear the ceramic off. Make sure the shop has a good track record - once it goes on it’s a pain to get off! I’ve had Fenlab and Adams Graphene ceramic coatings applied (separate trucks) and both seem to hold up well to the central Texas heat and climate!

Howdy jbehrn,

Thanks for your reply. I live in the Nor-Wet, surrounded by trees, it's not the sun that kills finishes here it's the never ending crap from the trees.

Dave

 

[NachoRuby]

I have it on mine, but I applied it myself. It does work and it's good stuff. I'm sure I'd have all kinds of pinstripes without it. With it, just the unpainted black flares have scratches. I just keep it fresh with those hybrid wax treatments now, but initial treatment was Chemical Guys real ceramic, and it wasn't cheap, even to do myself. I think it was like $150 + my time.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

A real ceramic coating is not snake oil. Anything on the shelf at a local auto store that is marketed as ceramic coating is not a real ceramic coating. That stuff does work but for much shorter periods so don’t expect it to last years like the real coatings.

What kind of coating were they going to apply? I would find out what brand and how many coats

 

[mr. cob]

A real ceramic coating is not snake oil. Anything on the shelf at a local auto store that is marketed as ceramic coating is not a real ceramic coating. That stuff does work but for much shorter periods so don’t expect it to last years like the real coatings.

What kind of coating were they going to apply? I would find out what brand and how many coats

Howdy John,

The fellow I have been texting referred to me by a long time friend who is a detail freak uses a product called, Onyx Ceramic Coating, how many coats I don't know, I can only "assume" they will know what they are doing and do use as much as is needed, well if I decide to get this done I hope that's the way it works out.

Dave

 

[jbehrn]

Howdy jbehrn,

Thanks for your reply. I live in the Nor-Wet, surrounded by trees, it's not the sun that kills finishes here it's the never ending crap from the trees.

Dave

Can’t speak to tree sap, but I found that with the ceramic coatings dirt/mud, road grim, bird crap and oak pollen wash off easily without allowing for any paint damage that would be caused by that stuff during daily driving. I had paint correction done before the ceramic coating was applied - a must to get the best results. The shops also applied it to the glass, fenders and bumpers (to help prevent discoloration). Overall I’m happy with ceramic coatings!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Interested in seeing about getting this done on my new one if it comes in this year.
For me it's BUGS, SUN and winter slime (all of those salts of chloride)

 

[mr. cob]

Can’t speak to tree sap, but I found that with the ceramic coatings dirt/mud, road grim, bird crap and oak pollen wash off easily without allowing for any paint damage that would be caused by that stuff during daily driving. I had paint correction done before the ceramic coating was applied - a must to get the best results. The shops also applied it to the glass, fenders and bumpers (to help prevent discoloration). Overall I’m happy with ceramic coatings!

Howdy John,

Thanks, that's good useful information.

Dave

 

[Mac_66]

I used a liquid polymer wax on my 08 wrangler, once every 5 years. Sprayed the dirt and mud off once every 2 weeks with demineralized water because I didn't want it to dry with water spots. minus some brush scratches, the paint looked great until I was hit head on and lost the wrangler. paint still looked great on 70% of it.

 

[jbehrn]

Howdy John,

Thanks, that's good useful information.

Dave

I have an old thread here with pictures of my old ‘20 Black Gladiator after the Fenylab was applied. That should give you a good idea of what to expect ‘looks’ wise. Good luck!

 

[Glad_he_ate]

Got mine done it cost me like 1400 or so. Even after winter in ny it’s still beads water and shines nice

 

[Rubi-Zero]

Howdy John,

The fellow I have been texting referred to me by a long time friend who is a detail freak uses a product called, Onyx Ceramic Coating, how many coats I don't know, I can only "assume" they will know what they are doing and do use as much as is needed, well if I decide to get this done I hope that's the way it works out.

Dave

I haven’t used Onyx yet but seems to be good stuff. They have different levels of protection with the Onyx line so I’d make sure you get what you want. I look forward to your review if you decide to get this done.

 

[IAGLADI8R]

I had mine done, I think it's well worth it. I wish I'd have done the day I bought it

 

[SpeedNeed]

There are already some threads on ceramic treatment in general. One is called “5 year Ceramic Protection” or something similar. In any event they do work.

The cost and quality vary. I’m not at all a pro, but we have some pro detailers here on the Forum who may comment. And many here who use home DIY versions. I know nothing, but I‘ve gathered that the key points that determine pricing are:

1. Paint correction. This is the bulk of the labor, so if you take a brand new vehicle in you might get a better deal than list.
2. The relative quality of the products used, which is beyond me
3. Judging the skill of the installer, which is also beyond me.
4. The number of layers applied, which is related to
5. the length of the warranty
6. whether wheels and windows are included.

I’ve had a $500 job arranged by a Jeep dealer in Chicago, it lasted maybe a year, and a several thou$$and job from a pro involving some “wrap” then multilayer coating for the whole car including over the wrap. That one’s still ”shining and shedding” after 11 years (with periodic waxing).

For reference, this is a link to list prices at a place with a great reputation in one (two) of the most expensive areas in the entire country. I imagine they do more G-Wagons than Jeeps. Their packages start at $1k list.
https://www.proshinehamptons.com/ceramic-pro-packages-hamptons

So IMHO I’d say definitely do it but check the details on that $500 version.

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