Ceramic Coating

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Discussion

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Thursday 1st June 2023
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Anyone had any issues with scratches or insect marks on ceramic coating?
I had my new Arctic Grey Boxster coated by a very reputable detailer.
After a blast up to and on the Isle of Man I had a lot of hardened insect debris to clean off. It was the first time to wash the car from new and being coated.
I had to work the wash mit and microfibre towel to remove the insects, but it has left fine patches where the insects were. Also the bonnet has a couple of very light scratches where it looks like maybe a gull has landed.
On my Macan which has just been waxed frequently with DoDo Juice Carnuba wax, I would just polish them out, but obviously can't do this on ceramic coating.
I would have expected ceramic coating to be a rock hard surface very resistant to scratches and insect marks...am I wrong?
How do you polish out any scratches on a ceramic coating.
The detailer is coming out next week to have a look, but at this moment I am quite unimpressed with ceramic coating and wish I had just put on layers of Carnuba wax.

Belle427

9,738 posts

240 months

Friday 2nd June 2023
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From what I've read it's not a miracle product but should make the car very easy to clean so I'd speak to the detailer first.
It's always better to use the recommended products moving forward caring for it.
What coating was it?

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Friday 2nd June 2023
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Infinity wax 5 year coating.
Let's see what the detailer says.

SteBrown91

2,569 posts

136 months

Friday 2nd June 2023
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Ceramic coatings are not an anti scratch coating. It is purely to prevent mud water etc sticking to the paint.

Scrubbing bugs off would damage the coating at least, if not also sratching the paint. Its better to use a strong mixed APC to soften/remove the bugs so there is less pressure needed on to the contact wash

somouk

1,425 posts

205 months

Friday 2nd June 2023
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The IW 5 year coating should be good, I use their lesser products with no issues.

Dead bugs will still be dead bugs on the car though, they hit it at some speed and have blood and guts to help them stick to the car. You should just soak them with some IW citrus pre-wash then they'll jetwash off.

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Friday 2nd June 2023
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somouk said:
The IW 5 year coating should be good, I use their lesser products with no issues.

Dead bugs will still be dead bugs on the car though, they hit it at some speed and have blood and guts to help them stick to the car. You should just soak them with some IW citrus pre-wash then they'll jetwash off.
That's exactly what my detailer has said and will come over refinish and leave me with the citrus pre wash.
I was just under the illusion that a ceramic coating was a very hard protective finish which it clearly isn't. Would in the future not go for cc and just use loads of DoDo Juice, I think you also get a better shine and can easily polish out issues, which can't be done with cc.

Belle427

9,738 posts

240 months

Saturday 3rd June 2023
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I've never tried a ceramic coating but am of the belief its just a money making scheme.
There are so many cracking spray on wipe off type products available that are quick to use,long lasting and reasonably priced I see little point especially if you don't mind cleaning your own car.

SteBrown91

2,569 posts

136 months

Saturday 3rd June 2023
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Belle427 said:
I've never tried a ceramic coating but am of the belief its just a money making scheme.
There are so many cracking spray on wipe off type products available that are quick to use,long lasting and reasonably priced I see little point especially if you don't mind cleaning your own car.
I think that’s unfair, I ceramic coated my wheels with Carbon collective Platinum wheels post refurb and 15 months later they are still easy to clean and minimal stuff sticks to them. 95% of the dirt and brake dust comes off with jet washing alone and also added an extra depth to the shine. Worth every penny.

I also think there’s a lot of detailers who coat cars with fairly average coatings which are no better than what can be applied at home. There are some proper pro spec coatings which are impressive (Modesta being one) but these also cost more.

Belle427

9,738 posts

240 months

Sunday 4th June 2023
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SteBrown91 said:
Belle427 said:
I've never tried a ceramic coating but am of the belief its just a money making scheme.
There are so many cracking spray on wipe off type products available that are quick to use,long lasting and reasonably priced I see little point especially if you don't mind cleaning your own car.
I think that’s unfair, I ceramic coated my wheels with Carbon collective Platinum wheels post refurb and 15 months later they are still easy to clean and minimal stuff sticks to them. 95% of the dirt and brake dust comes off with jet washing alone and also added an extra depth to the shine. Worth every penny.

I also think there’s a lot of detailers who coat cars with fairly average coatings which are no better than what can be applied at home. There are some proper pro spec coatings which are impressive (Modesta being one) but these also cost more.
I may give some a try on the wheels and see if it changes my opinion.

SteBrown91

2,569 posts

136 months

Sunday 4th June 2023
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Belle427 said:
I may give some a try on the wheels and see if it changes my opinion.
The caveat I would say is the wheel needs to be literally spotless to get the best results. My wheels were freshly powder coated (and had not seen the car) when I coated them. Don’t expect long term results if you just whack it on top of a wheel with contamination, pitted paint etc.

somouk

1,425 posts

205 months

Sunday 4th June 2023
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JurassicGTS said:
That's exactly what my detailer has said and will come over refinish and leave me with the citrus pre wash.
I was just under the illusion that a ceramic coating was a very hard protective finish which it clearly isn't. Would in the future not go for cc and just use loads of DoDo Juice, I think you also get a better shine and can easily polish out issues, which can't be done with cc.
I think a lot of marketing stuff makes it out to be some wonder chemical. Really it's a very thin chemical coating that makes things mildly easier to clean but won't protect from mechanical damage or even badly washing the car.

If you really want to protect paint then PPF is the way forward.

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Monday 5th June 2023
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somouk said:
I think a lot of marketing stuff makes it out to be some wonder chemical. Really it's a very thin chemical coating that makes things mildly easier to clean but won't protect from mechanical damage or even badly washing the car.

If you really want to protect paint then PPF is the way forward.
I agree 100%

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Monday 5th June 2023
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SteBrown91 said:
I think that’s unfair, I ceramic coated my wheels with Carbon collective Platinum wheels post refurb and 15 months later they are still easy to clean and minimal stuff sticks to them. 95% of the dirt and brake dust comes off with jet washing alone and also added an extra depth to the shine. Worth every penny.

I also think there’s a lot of detailers who coat cars with fairly average coatings which are no better than what can be applied at home. There are some proper pro spec coatings which are impressive (Modesta being one) but these also cost more.
Actually that is where I am impressed, my wheels come up really clean with minimal effort.

Summit_Detailing

2,007 posts

200 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
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Gtechniq W8 bug remover is your friend at this time of year...brilliant product.

Cheers,

Chris

JurassicGTS

Original Poster:

1,613 posts

202 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Detailer, buffed and redid the ceramic coating on the bumper as he wasn't happy with how it had taken. That's after a nice citrus prewash to remove the bugs, snow foam, then wash...and a blow dry. Looks brilliant now.

Belle427

9,738 posts

240 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Photos please!

LittleBigPlanet

1,162 posts

148 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
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I've had Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra and EXOv4 ceramic coating to my car, and the former to wheels and brake calipers (as well as PPF to the front end and Gtechniq Halo to the film) and it's been worth every penny so far.

Cleaning is a breeze, especially the wheels which, being a large, heavy car, produces plenty of brake dust--just a pressure wash will clean off 95% of the dirt and debris.