Ceramic Coating – Buff or Bluff?

[Roo]

While haggling (yet another possible deal) over cost to exchange the other day, the dealer mentioned they could offer ceramic coating and interior leather protection for £399.

This seems a bit too cheap to me, as I was always told the prep work takes ages, otherwise you might be left with swirl marks under the ceramic coating.
It was an official Jag dealership (in York), but something sounded too good to be true.

Has anyone gone down the ceramic route? And if so did you do it at a dealership or a specialist place?

 

[mickjaguar]

Ceramic coatings are long lasting and do make the car easier to clean. If you're not that much into polishing your car they are a good thing.

Problem is that the dealer is just going to get one of their people to apply it, without any preparation of the paint. So. It will just seal over all of the defects and micro scratches that exist. The paintwork really needs a day's work to prepare it before ceramic goes on top.

My car came from an Aston/Ferrari dealer who proudly announced they spent 3 hours doing the ceramic. I don't doubt that they did spend the time and that they used a good coating. Problem is that the paint underneath is full of swirls and it's now a bigger job for me to remove the coating and do it properly.

Better to pay twice as much and get a detailer to spend the time doing the job properly.

 

[Anonymous]

See a previous topic.
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=72124&hilit=Ceramic#p72124

I would avoid any dealer offered cheap ceramic coating.
All they will do is seal in any imperfections.

 

[scm]

Problem is that the dealer is just going to get one of their people to apply it, without any preparation of the paint.

Or will farm it out to a specialist that you could go to direct, and charge a mark-up! I agree that seems too cheap for a decent job.

 

[Jaguandy]

I had PPF on the front and ceramic coating elsewhere, by a proper detailing outfit 5 years ago. The PPF is still wonderful, much easier to clean than the ceramic ever was, which has probably all gone now.

 

[WShudds]

Ceramic coatings are long lasting and do make the car easier to clean. If you're not that much into polishing your car they are a good thing.

Problem is that the dealer is just going to get one of their people to apply it, without any preparation of the paint. So. It will just seal over all of the defects and micro scratches that exist. The paintwork really needs a day's work to prepare it before ceramic goes on top.

My car came from an Aston/Ferrari dealer who proudly announced they spent 3 hours doing the ceramic. I don't doubt that they did spend the time and that they used a good coating. Problem is that the paint underneath is full of swirls and it's now a bigger job for me to remove the coating and do it properly.

Better to pay twice as much and get a detailer to spend the time doing the job properly.

Totally agree with your assessment. I'm not into coatings as I like to do a light polish every 2 years or so. Coatings will increase the chance of water spotting and won't protect against swirls so you end up with a glossy but poor looking paintwork that you won't correct 2 years in because of the price you paid to have it installed...

In your case, get this cleanser as it will remove the coating in a gentle way ahead of your next polishing session.

https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/products/kamikaze-collection-no-5-anti-aging-cleanser.aspx?

 

[mickjaguar]

Ta! Might look at that. I have a couple of things that are supposed to strip coatings but they aren't really that effective. Some cutting compound with a DA polisher does the job, but it'd have been easier without having a ceramic coating.

I didn't pay anything for it and it seems to be something quiet good/hard but like you said I'd rather just correct the paint properly and maintain it every couple of years.

 

[Dan450]

I have always detailed my cars. The paintwork prep itself is a few hours.
I have been using Autofglym ceramic spray, pretty good considering it lasts 3-4 months and costs minimal per bottle. I like to strip down, prep body, magma, clay bar, polar seal, then ceramic

 

[Robbyrner]

I’ve recently had my car ceramic coated and couldn’t recommend it highly enough. I paid £990 I think (inc. VAT) for a 3 year coating and 2 stage paint correction beforehand. My paint was not great beforehand, even when I bought it just about a year ago.
Now it’s just a 15 minute blast off and it’s as good as new again. I used Aligned Detailing in Bosham (Hampshire) and it was completely great in every way. Have a look at my original post that has a few pics attached…

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7671

 

[Kev]

I used Aligned Detailing in Bosham (Hampshire)

Bosham's in West Sussex

 

[WShudds]

I’ve recently had my car ceramic coated and couldn’t recommend it highly enough. I paid £990 I think (inc. VAT) for a 3 year coating and 2 stage paint correction beforehand. My paint was not great beforehand, even when I bought it just about a year ago.
Now it’s just a 15 minute blast off and it’s as good as new again. I used Aligned Detailing in Bosham (Hampshire) and it was completely great in every way. Have a look at my original post that has a few pics attached…

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7671

Looks awesome and great value for the price! It would have cost 3 times+ in America for the same service. Detailing in the UK is nowhere near as valued as in some other countries.

 

[Robbyrner]

I used Aligned Detailing in Bosham (Hampshire)

Bosham's in West Sussex

I should have know that really… what with living in Chichester

 

[Robbyrner]

Looks awesome and great value for the price! It would have cost 3 times+ in America for the same service. Detailing in the UK is nowhere near as valued as in some other countries.

It definitely seemed good value at the time too, it was like picking up a new car after it had been done! I spend a lot of time in America, and it certainly seems a very different car culture in many respects, a lot more customisation for a start!

 

[scm]

I spend a lot of time in America, and it certainly seems a very different car culture in many respects, a lot more customisation for a start!

Maybe they don't have such voracious insurance companies who penalise even the smallest modification. :?

 

[WShudds]

Ta! Might look at that. I have a couple of things that are supposed to strip coatings but they aren't really that effective. Some cutting compound with a DA polisher does the job, but it'd have been easier without having a ceramic coating.

I didn't pay anything for it and it seems to be something quiet good/hard but like you said I'd rather just correct the paint properly and maintain it every couple of years.

I found today that Brian at Apex Detailing did a series on his own F-Type. Worth watching

https://youtu.be/JW673bWhaSw?si=-5olHNEmyEJvEgxS

I plan on beginning to correct the paint on mine in March.