Detailing Time - Ceramic?

[akorcovelos]

I've never been much of a detailer. I've painted a couple cars, and wash/wax the toys occasionally, but putting a buffer in my hand is a recipe for disaster. Now if you need an engine built, or a chassis dialed in, or a gearbox rebuilt, I'm all in.

[WarEagle2003]

I will weigh in with my experience thus far. I have Gtecnique Crystal Serum Black on all my vehicles (Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570) and the stuff is simply amazing! Cleaning is very simple, but machine washes (automatic car washes) are a big NO NO. After a simple bucket wash and dry the surface feels like glass! Water just beads off and dirt runs off with it. I have a new R5 that will also be coated. My biggest reason for this is the dark color of my R5 (Cobalt Blue) which shows swirls almost as easily as the black. The process of preparing for ceramic coating is VERY detailed when done correctly by a trained professional. The bulk of the cost is labor. Extensive surface prep happens before the product is even applied. Since Gelcoat is softer than traditional automotive paint, my hope is that the thin layer of extra protection will prevent minor scratches from routine use and make keeping that shine just a little easier going forward. Using a quality detailing spray like Shine Supply “Throttle” is super easy. Combine this with occasional use of a SiO2 product like Shine Supply’s “Clutch” and you have a wax free shine that’s much smoother in my opinion and takes a fraction of the time.

For some great videos explaining the ceramic process and detailing in general, check out my detail guy’s YouTube Channel, Chase really knows his stuff:
www.youtube.com/user/InsanePaintDetailing

[JTinMO]

I will weigh in with my experience thus far. I have Gtecnique Crystal Serum Black on all my vehicles (Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570) and the stuff is simply amazing! Cleaning is very simple, but machine washes (automatic car washes) are a big NO NO. After a simple bucket wash and dry the surface feels like glass! Water just beads off and dirt runs off with it. I have a new R5 that will also be coated. My biggest reason for this is the dark color of my R5 (Cobalt Blue) which shows swirls almost as easily as the black. The process of preparing for ceramic coating is VERY detailed when done correctly by a trained professional. The bulk of the cost is labor. Extensive surface prep happens before the product is even applied. Since Gelcoat is softer than traditional automotive paint, my hope is that the thin layer of extra protection will prevent minor scratches from routine use and make keeping that shine just a little easier going forward. Using a quality detailing spray like Shine Supply “Throttle” is super easy. Combine this with occasional use of a SiO2 product like Shine Supply’s “Clutch” and you have a wax free shine that’s much smoother in my opinion and takes a fraction of the time.

For some great videos explaining the ceramic process and detailing in general, check out my detail guy’s YouTube Channel, Chase really knows his stuff:
www.youtube.com/user/InsanePaintDetailing

I agree with you on the prep work. I spent at least 10 hours on the prep before I got to applying the ceramic coating, and this is on a new truck with 300 miles on it. The coating part is the easy part. wipe on/wipe off. I just wish there was more results and experiences with it on gel coat.

[akorcovelos]

Since when is Gel coat softer than automotive paint?

[mdadgar]

Synthetic polymer based sealants and waxes, and ceramics are taking over, and not going away.

Largely because the margin on a $2000 ceramic coating job is OUTSTANDING.

- Mark

[JTinMO]

Synthetic polymer based sealants and waxes, and ceramics are taking over, and not going away.

Largely because the margin on a $2000 ceramic coating job is OUTSTANDING.

- Mark

Not that I disagree with this entirely, but on my new truck, I had about 14-16 hrs in the process. A boat is at least as big, if not larger to do it correctly. Also, say $200 minimum just for the ceramic product for a single coat. I don't do this on anything but my own, but if I was charging for it, it would be in the $1400 range or so, easy. This is fresh water midwest money, not saltwater or brackish water california money. For CA, it's prob 2K.

[Ytmsn]

I'm waiting for Bum to weigh in on this discussion. He worked for 3m for a long time. Then he retired from there and bought a lake in Minnesota. Bum, you there? Halllo?

[mdadgar]

Not that I disagree with this entirely, but on my new truck, I had about 14-16 hrs in the process. A boat is at least as big, if not larger to do it correctly. Also, say $200 minimum just for the ceramic product for a single coat. I don't do this on anything but my own, but if I was charging for it, it would be in the $1400 range or so, easy. This is fresh water midwest money, not saltwater or brackish water california money. For CA, it's prob 2K.

Actually, I was thinking about a car when I wrote that. As you noted, it's stupid expensive here in CA.

I guess the sun doesn't pay itself to shine all the time.

- Mark

[JTinMO]

Not that I disagree with this entirely, but on my new truck, I had about 14-16 hrs in the process. A boat is at least as big, if not larger to do it correctly. Also, say $200 minimum just for the ceramic product for a single coat. I don't do this on anything but my own, but if I was charging for it, it would be in the $1400 range or so, easy. This is fresh water midwest money, not saltwater or brackish water california money. For CA, it's prob 2K.

Actually, I was thinking about a car when I wrote that. As you noted, it's stupid expensive here in CA.

I guess the sun doesn't pay itself to shine all the time.

- Mark

Yep, I lived in CA for the better part of 5 years. Could not wait to get out of there.

[mdadgar]

Yep, I lived in CA for the better part of 5 years. Could not wait to get out of there.

Funny! I would not live anywhere else.

Although Italy is tempting ...

- Mark

[SAB220]

Ceramic coating are very popular with Personal Water Craft (PWC). Its done once a season and then you maintain it with a spray - cost $80 (kit). I use on the topside of my new PWC. Many people use it to protect the PWC topside from salt and calcium, manganese and other minerals in rivers (eats paint). It would get washed away on a boat hull/free-board area.

[Mike in SC]

I'm guessing the spectacular results I see using the ceramic coating are greatly due to the paint correction and polish before the coating goes on. I remember an article in American Iron Magazine where they took a brand new Sportster and found some orange peel in the paint. Color sanded it out, polished and waxed and it was brilliant. Seems preparation is not only the key, but the main ingredient.