Exterior Detail and Ceramic Coating ?

[KM69MZX]

Had my F Type one week now. Can anyone recommend a company in S.E. (not central London) to do an exterior detail and Ceramic Coating ?

Roughly what price should I be paying ?

I'm not far from Guildford, Farnham etc.

Also, what's PPF and is that better / longer lasting than C. C. ?

 

[Webarno]

PPF is paint protection film. Typically a clear film which covers the parts of the car which are most prone to stone damage.
PPF is the best way to protect your baby, but also one of the most expensive options, so it will depend entirely on your usage and whether you will want something like that.

With a ceramic coating, depending on where you go and what they use, can last anywhere from 1 year to 10 years. Prices can also range from around £400 to £1200 or more, roughly.

I took my F-Type for a professional detail and ceramic coating at AWC Car Detailing in Shoebury a couple years ago and they were phenomenal. So much so, that it’s going back there next month.
I opted for a 2 year coating the first time, which is wearing off now, so this time around, I’m going for a 5 year coating.

As for durability of ceramic coatings, as long as it’s done by a reputable company, then it all comes down to how well you maintain it. But I always take the durability claims with a pinch of salt.
For example, I maintain my own car very well, but with a 2 year coating, I wouldn’t be surprised if it only lasted around 18 months, or even less.

 

[Anonymous]

Cannot help with suggestions for detailer but I’ve just applied PPF myself to some newly painted & polished panels.

You can purchase pre-cut sections. Just need spray bottle with tiny bit of soap solution, squeegee, hairdryer & a small craft knife. All nicely protected & saved a few quid for a change!





The pre-cut sections come oversized to wrap into the edges of panels. I used the craft knife to cut them approx 5mm short of edges. For me a better finish & less likely to lift.

 

[KM69MZX]

Thanks for the detailed explanation Webarno. I'm planning to keep my F Type for a good number of years so I'll make enquiries on a 5 year coating.

Is there any way I can tell whether there's a coating on there already ?

DaddyDarren, when I get the quote for a 5 year coating and pick myself off the floor, I might go down the DIY PPF route. Obviously the time you take with preparation prior to applying the film will make a big difference on the results. Are you happy with the results and how much did the kit cost ?

 

[basher]

I can recommend Auto Curators near Hook in Hampshire. Had ceramic coat and front-end PPF installed nearly 6 years ago.

 

[KM69MZX]

Thanks basher. I'm learning a lot on this thread. Is it usual to have a ceramic coating plus front end PPF ? I got the impression above it was one or the other.

 

[scm]

I can recommend Auto Curators near Hook in Hampshire. Had ceramic coat and front-end PPF installed nearly 6 years ago.

6 years ago? Where does the time go? :?

 

[Jaguandy]

I had ppf all over the front and ceramic on the rest. 5 years ago. The ppf is still great, easier to clean than the rest of the car, I wish I'd had the whole car ppf'd.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Just as important as the preparation and who is applying it, is the need to look at what product is being applied. They are certainly not all the same..
I did endless research until I found the right person to do the job and licenced to apply the right product. I recently went with a 2 stage process on a near new BMW, for durability, lifespan and wet look shine. Took 2 days from prep to finishing. I did however need a complete new washing regime for the car.
Happy to dig out priduct details if you want.

 

[KM69MZX]

Would really appreciate that cj10jeeper.

Was the 2 stage process PPF ? Or a combo of ceramic coating with PPF on top ?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Here's a breakdown of what I had done:

Full Enhancement package plus Titan coatings
Full decontamination wash and wheels removed cleaned and arches flushed out
Multistage machine polish
Titan Dark matter PX10 base and TX145 Hydro top coat
Titan multi to all exterior gloss trim Infinity wax plastic coat to arch liners
Nanolex reactivating glass to all glass
Full interior hoover and protection to leather interior
Wheels coating inside and out with Titan pyro prx

The machine polish and clean to a full day.
I have no PPF on the car. It's a 2 coat ceramic comprising a base coat then top. I have a 6 year warranty on it but who knows what real world life expectancy is

At risk of a riot on a Jaguar site, here's the final result:

 

[KM69MZX]

Appreciate all the detail there. Thanks.

Now shock me at roughly what that all cost.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Appreciate all the detail there. Thanks.

Now shock me at roughly what that all cost.

A very reasonable £820, but that’s Midlands pricing and small company.

 

[KM69MZX]

For the amount of work involved, I'd say that was an absolute bargain..

Now I have a dilemma. You're very happy with your 2 coat ceramic process and an earlier post said he wished he'd had his whole car PPF'd.

My gut feel is C.C. Is the way to go. I think if you can see the edges of the PPF it would detract from the paint, plus the risk of it starting to peel. I'm sure someone will tell me both don't happen.

 

[YorkshireSam]

With PPF you can keep costs down by only doing the most vulnerable panels or adding it to various areas of the car in stages.

I got the front bumper, nose below the bonnet line and both sills/side skirts PPF wrapped for about £600. That company's in York so not much use to you but gives an idea of cost. It's invisible in all areas.

Before applying the PPF they did some detailing and paint correction in these areas as part of the process. This was included in the price.

 

[gasgas]

nice job, what will be covered by the 6 year warranty and how do you prove or not?

 

[cj10jeeper]

nice job, what will be covered by the 6 year warranty and how do you prove or not?

It’s a very difficult question to answer. The detailer who did the work was a very small player, local to me and always booked up with high spec. top cars. More a case of his word. He examined the car a month later to check everything was to spec. and had insisted on doing the initial wash himself.
In reality I take all such longevity claims with a pinch of salt and in my research learnt a whole new vocabulary of industry made up terms and exaggerations. 6 just feels better than 2

 

[cj10jeeper]

For the amount of work involved, I'd say that was an absolute bargain..

Now I have a dilemma. You're very happy with your 2 coat ceramic process and an earlier post said he wished he'd had his whole car PPF'd.

My gut feel is C.C. Is the way to go. I think if you can see the edges of the PPF it would detract from the paint, plus the risk of it starting to peel. I'm sure someone will tell me both don't happen.

TBH the best solution is likely to be a combination of the two. They are not mutually inclusive or exclusive, so with infinite money I' d do the ceramic in some form and also PPF the most vulnerable areas of bumper sill, rear arches, but not the bonnet. The car I did is in reality a nice daily drive that lives outside, get nice 2 bucket handwash, but no need to polish and wax. The F type I still enjoy detailing it myself

 

[NCE 61]

When I took delivery of mine over six years ago now I had the paintwork fully detailed, Xpel self healing PPF applied to the frontal area of which you see no edges as it was wrapped underneath the areas covered. After this the paintwork was ceramic coated with Geyon quartz even now when washed the water beads off quite well. Well worth the money particularly if the cars a keeper.

 

[Anonymous]

DaddyDarren, when I get the quote for a 5 year coating and pick myself off the floor, I might go down the DIY PPF route. Obviously the time you take with preparation prior to applying the film will make a big difference on the results. Are you happy with the results and how much did the kit cost ?

The sill cover sections, side skirts & front lower wings were £120.00 plus a rubber squeegee.

Only did the newly painted/polished sections. These areas are most vulnerable to road rash. Very pleased with results to say done outside on a windy day! You cannot tell PPF on there without very close scrutiny & I trimmed the edges, 5mm from edges, as opposed to tucking them around panel edges.

Time will tell how it performs. Just happy to protect the new paintwork. Can always be redone down the line.

Would definitely recommend having a go.