Are ceramic coated cars really that much easier to wash and maintain?

[Kev608]

Originally Posted by flipnkraut

Every new car needs decon and paint correction. It doesn't matter if you drove a brand new car straight to a detailer to install PPF or a coating, it's going to need decontamination and paint correction. Any detailer that would tell you otherwise is a bad detailer in my opinion.

Check out this video from Larry. He was brought a brand new Porsche GT3 RS and the paint was terrible.

They did not tell me that. I assumed the low price was due to the fact that my paint it's in excellent condition.

[Eric S]

Originally Posted by Kev608

A local installer quoted me $3,200 for full PPF. Their local competitor wasn't much higher. That was just protective film on painted surfaces with no tint, no wrapped lights, no ceramic coat, no extras. The lower quote was for 3M self healing, the higher was for Xpel. We don't have a local Stek approved installer. I believe you would pay considerably more for their product.

Also, my car is basically brand new and wouldn't need much correcting/decontamination.

For a full car????

[Eric S]

Originally Posted by flipnkraut

Every new car needs decon and paint correction. It doesn't matter if you drove a brand new car straight to a detailer to install PPF or a coating, it's going to need decontamination and paint correction. Any detailer that would tell you otherwise is a bad detailer in my opinion.

Check out this video from Larry. He was brought a brand new Porsche GT3 RS and the paint was terrible.

While I agree with you, some people just want the easy cleaning of the car a coating offers. They dont care about corrected paint. Like we did a guys kia sonata. He didnt want it polished (didnt want to spend the money) so we offered the wash, clay, decon, wash, coat service. Exactly what he wanted. Had it been up to me alone, then I would have 2 stepped the car and then coated it. But, its not my car, and not my money!

He was happy and sends us business still a year later as the car still looks great to him.

[Nativetexan]

Originally Posted by Eric S

While I agree with you, some people just want the easy cleaning of the car a coating offers. They dont care about corrected paint. Like we did a guys kia sonata. He didnt want it polished (didnt want to spend the money) so we offered the wash, clay, decon, wash, coat service. Exactly what he wanted. Had it been up to me alone, then I would have 2 stepped the car and then coated it. But, its not my car, and not my money!

He was happy and sends us business still a year later as the car still looks great to him.

The more I've read online about these coatings, the more I've realized personally that I'll be doing my car this exact same way. I just want it easier to clean, so a good wash, clay, wash, coat is enough in my book to do once or twice a year.

[Alan l.]

The way i see it if you are the type that brings your car outside to get washed (machine or "handwash") then getting a full paint correction with your coating is a waste because it takes 10-20 hours to fully correct a car but it takes one improper wash to throw all that down the drain. Now multiply that however many automatic car washes you go to per month your money for that paint correction is just wasted.

Eitherway a coated car is WAYYYYY easier to maintain. Car stays cleaner longer. Dirt and bird poop washes off easier. Drying the car is 1000x easier especially if you are using a leaf blower. A non coated car the water just spreads around the panels with a leaf blower but a coated car the water literally flies off the paint. Unless you have a concurs type show car where you need the absolute max shine I don't see any reason to use traditional waxes anymore. Coatings are just as easy if not easier to apply, lasts way longer and offers more protection than waxes.

The one downside with coatings is water spotting. I noticed that my cquartz UK car tends to have more water spots showing. I never noticed this when I use to use Optimum products. I heard this is a side effect of some coatings.

Alan

[Nativetexan]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

The way i see it if you are the type that brings your car outside to get washed (machine or "handwash") then getting a full paint correction with your coating is a waste because it takes 10-20 hours to fully correct a car but it takes one improper wash to throw all that down the drain. Now multiply that however many automatic car washes you go to per month your money for that paint correction is just wasted.

Eitherway a coated car is WAYYYYY easier to maintain. Car stays cleaner longer. Dirt and bird poop washes off easier. Drying the car is 1000x easier especially if you are using a leaf blower. A non coated car the water just spreads around the panels with a leaf blower but a coated car the water literally flies off the paint. Unless you have a concurs type show car where you need the absolute max shine I don't see any reason to use traditional waxes anymore. Coatings are just as easy if not easier to apply, lasts way longer and offers more protection than waxes.

The one downside with coatings is water spotting. I noticed that my cquartz UK car tends to have more water spots showing. I never noticed this when I use to use Optimum products. I heard this is a side effect of some coatings.

Alan

Why would a hand wash be a waste...?

[Alan l.]

Outside hand wash places isn’t nearly as bad as those automatic car washes but they still mar up the paint with dirty wash pads, buckets, brushes, towels etc...
I’ve been to several in my younger days and none of them do it right where you won’t get swirl marks.

They use the same wash mitt and bucket over and over again so there is no way there aren’t any stuff in there...

Alan

[Andrae26]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Outside hand wash places isn’t nearly as bad as those automatic car washes but they still mar up the paint with dirty wash pads, buckets, brushes, towels etc...
I’ve been to several in my younger days and none of them do it right where you won’t get swirl marks.

They use the same wash mitt and bucket over and over again so there is no way there aren’t any stuff in there...

Alan

+1

[cionide]

does it really add more gloss to Yas marina blue in particular?
- I have YMB and ceramic. Yes, its glossier.

Is it really that much easier to wash and keep clean?
- Yes, I've had the car for a year and it hasn't been touched by a brush. Basically just foam + pressure wash off dirt for the most part once a week.

Can you really just foam the car and rinse without touching the car only to dry like the videos on the gram.
- Yes, though mine didn't end up as hydrophobic as what you see on the videos. Was doen using ceramic pro.

Or does it still require touching the car with wash mits each wash with ceramic coat?
- As above, I have literally never touched the car with anything other then foam and water to clean it.

Does for example the ceramic pro gold or something similar really protect from swirl marks and scratches? Even tiny rock chips on bumper? I can go clear bra ok. but, after 3 years you have 2 different shades of blue. No thanks.
- Protects a bit against scratches I guess. Definately not rocks - it's a coating not a magical force field.

So what do you do? Just put some headlight protection film at least and get details as needed, old school?
- I have tinted headlights

What's the consensus for Yas owners? Which do you prefer? Ceramic coat or old school details.
- Ceramic coat.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by cionide

does it really add more gloss to Yas marina blue in particular?
- I have YMB and ceramic. Yes, its glossier.

Is it really that much easier to wash and keep clean?
- Yes, I've had the car for a year and it hasn't been touched by a brush. Basically just foam + pressure wash off dirt for the most part once a week.

Can you really just foam the car and rinse without touching the car only to dry like the videos on the gram.
- Yes, though mine didn't end up as hydrophobic as what you see on the videos. Was doen using ceramic pro.

Or does it still require touching the car with wash mits each wash with ceramic coat?
- As above, I have literally never touched the car with anything other then foam and water to clean it.

Does for example the ceramic pro gold or something similar really protect from swirl marks and scratches? Even tiny rock chips on bumper? I can go clear bra ok. but, after 3 years you have 2 different shades of blue. No thanks.
- Protects a bit against scratches I guess. Definately not rocks - it's a coating not a magical force field.

So what do you do? Just put some headlight protection film at least and get details as needed, old school?
- I have tinted headlights

What's the consensus for Yas owners? Which do you prefer? Ceramic coat or old school details.
- Ceramic coat.

Thank you for your detailed responses.

So Ive decided to go with paint correction, expel ppf, and ceramic pro on top. Entire car, wheels and calipers. The owner of the shop says YMB will really pop!

Do you use a electric or gas power washer with your foam gun? Does it matter?

What about leaf blower? Will the 18v battery operated ones work or plug in a must?

I'll make sure and post some pics when I pickup the car and the weather clears up.

[cionide]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

Thank you for your detailed responses.

So Ive decided to go with paint correction, expel ppf, and ceramic pro on top. Entire car, wheels and calipers. The owner of the shop says YMB will really pop!

Do you use a electric or gas power washer with your foam gun? Does it matter?

What about leaf blower? Will the 18v battery operated ones work or plug in a must?

I'll make sure and post some pics when I pickup the car and the weather clears up.

I have a karcher pressure washer with a foam attachment, so it's electric. I've never heard of a gas powered foam gun?

I've never dried it with a leaf blower, we have some filters installed on our incoming water to remove the "rock" or whatever it's called in the water so it doesn't leave any water spots after drying. I'll sometimes take it on a spirited drive right after to dry it off - with the ceramic the water basically slides right off immediately. The leaf blower I have is petrol powered so I can't be fucked to mix the fuel, etc. Easier to just drive.

[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

Thank you for your detailed responses.

So Ive decided to go with paint correction, expel ppf, and ceramic pro on top. Entire car, wheels and calipers. The owner of the shop says YMB will really pop!

Do you use a electric or gas power washer with your foam gun? Does it matter?

What about leaf blower? Will the 18v battery operated ones work or plug in a must?

I'll make sure and post some pics when I pickup the car and the weather clears up.

Electric power washers have enough power, and are the preferred method as gas washers are more work and may have Too much power. Stay below 2000 psi, and maximize your gpm. I have the Greenworks 1600 psi (https://www.greenworkstools.com/1600-psi-electric-pressure-washer-429 ) and it works just fine, although I upgraded my gun. Sunjoe is also a popular brand, as is Karcher if your budget is a bit larger.

Electric leaf blowers are ideal due to ease of use. Corded electric is cheaper and doesn’t have any risk of running out of power before you finish drying the car - if money was no object I’d go with the EGO power+ 580 cfm blower (https://egopowerplus.com/blower-580cfm/ ). Arguably the most powerful cordless blower on the market with a monster battery.

As for myself I have a garden variety Kobalt cordless from Lowe’s. It does the job - I wish the battery lasted longer, but the EGO was a little more than I was willing to spend. Plus all my other outdoor tools are kobalt so I wanted compatibility.

Good luck. There are plenty of YouTube videos on both subjects.

[papasmurf_m3]

OK, got the ceramic coating done and yes it definitely seems easier to wash and seems to stay cleaner longer? Overall I'm pleased. It's not as hydrophobic as I was thinking or what you see in ads. The water does bead. But, I am using ceramic booster or ceramic detail spray after pretty much every wash to other wash. So, I'm sure that helps with the beading action.

It does require maintenance and care. I wasn't aware of this. But, its fine and the YMB really pops with the ceramic coating. It was worth it!

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Yes, I just spent 40 hours paint correcting a car plus ceramic coating.

For my ceramic coated cars, I use a pressure washer and a foam cannon. Blast it with the foam and let it sit for 5 minutes then rinse off. Then I use a battery powered leaf blower to dry it off since the water runs right off the coating. I set a record today for washing my car in 15 minutes with the 5 minute waiting time for the foam to dwell using this method. Quick and easy.

I think you just convinced me to do a DIY ceramic coat.