[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by snareman

Yea, the touchless seems like the less paint offensive of the two options. My shop requires the annual maintenance (reapplication of some form) although I forget the price. I think its required by Xpel for their warranty.

My Stek Dyno PPF that is installed has a 10-yrs warranty, and the 9H Pro ceramic coating has a 6-yrs warranty, which is augmented by the reapplication of the coating every two years to keep the car highly hydrophobic.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

My Stek Dyno PPF that is installed has a 10-yrs warranty, and the 9H Pro ceramic coating has a 6-yrs warranty, which is augmented by the reapplication of the coating every two years to keep the car highly hydrophobic.

I just don't know how much officially the high pH soap wears down the coating. I hated to spend the money for the coding and then essentially wash it off going through car washes for the winter but hopefully it will be okay

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by snareman

I just don't know how much officially the high pH soap wears down the coating. I hated to spend the money for the coding and then essentially wash it off going through car washes for the winter but hopefully it will be okay

These coatings are resilient, I've seen in demonstrations where they throw mud, dirt, bird poop, paint etc., onto the paint and it washes right off. So going thru a touchless car wash shouldn't hurt anything. And your car will thank you for getting the crude off. I personally avoid driving in the snow if I can help it and only drive when the streets are clear. And I have never let salt sit on my paint longer than three days ever, if the temperature was above freezing it's getting washed.

[stbm5]

It doesn’t take 6 hours to apply ceramic coating. It just takes time inside to cure. Assuming you don’t need paint correction you can easily apply most coatings in less than an hour. My opinion is that if you are doing this yourself you’ll take more care than most any detailer. I too work 50-60 hour weeks, the time you spend dropping the car off, arranging for a ride then pick up, you’ll make back just doing it yourself. Plus you can get a good coating for less than 100 dollars that you’d pay 800-1200 at a shop. I get if you just don’t want to deal with it, just don’t assume it’s a difficult process that a novice can’t do. Wipe on wipe off, look for haze, wipe again.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by stbm5

It doesn’t take 6 hours to apply ceramic coating. It just takes time inside to cure. Assuming you don’t need paint correction you can easily apply most coatings in less than an hour. My opinion is that if you are doing this yourself you’ll take more care than most any detailer. I too work 50-60 hour weeks, the time you spend dropping the car off, arranging for a ride then pick up, you’ll make back just doing it yourself. Plus you can get a good coating for less than 100 dollars that you’d pay 800-1200 at a shop. I get if you just don’t want to deal with it, just don’t assume it’s a difficult process that a novice can’t do. Wipe on wipe off, look for haze, wipe again.

I hear what you're saying, many choose to DIY, or have a shop perform the task like I did. They washed the car, decontaminated it and clay barred. Then a 2-stage paint correction was performed to eliminate the swirls and scratches in the paint. Then washed again before applying ceramic coating. And that is really what you're paying for, and it takes time not to mention allowing everything to cure. Just for me, I rather have a shop do it as they've done this many times, then for me to do and screw it up. Besides, I never done a paint correction, and would most likely burn thru the clear coat. But this is just my opinion and what I choose to do. But I would definitely say, spending the money to have this done was worth it. I'm very happy with the results, and my cars are shining like a new penny.

[catalintheman]

interesting topic. didn't have an idea we can do it on ourselves

[snareman]

The other thing that I got out of the shop doing it was they took my wheels off and coated the inside of the barrels which has made them all much easier to clean.

My shop also gives a loaner while they have your car which was super nice. It was a Honda Civic but still way better than trying to arrange for someone to drive me 45 minutes to it twice

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by catalintheman

interesting topic. didn't have an idea we can do it on ourselves

If you're going to do this yourself, I would suggest watching a few YouTube videos, as there is a right and wrong way to do this.

[Atl_64]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

That price seems very high for Gtechniq. It’s typically cheaper than XPEL or Ceramic Pro. I would recommend getting some additional quotes, as you might be experiencing “German Markup”. Comparitively, I have a quote for a G60 and XPEL; it’s $1000. I’ve had ceramic pro (can’t recommend as they do not stand behind their warranty) but it was similarly priced.

I got my 50e done here in Atlanta (Alpharetta, actually), XPEL, for $1200. 4-yr warranty. Precision Window Tinting (Drew is the owner). Hard to find on the internet so clearly marketing isn't their thing but worth the effort. I got PPF done too and when he found I didn't need as much as he originally estimated he dropped that price by $250. Did a nice job on both. Good luck with yours.

I do have a question myself - what shampoo do you guys use on your ceramic-coated cars? I've read hand-washing is a must, use PH-neutral shampoo, and NO wax. I'm thinking of doing the washes myself, at least the first couple, so any advice is appreciated. TIA.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by Atl_64

I got my 50e done here in Atlanta (Alpharetta, actually), XPEL, for $1200. 4-yr warranty. Precision Window Tinting (Drew is the owner). Hard to find on the internet so clearly marketing isn't their thing but worth the effort. I got PPF done too and when he found I didn't need as much as he originally estimated he dropped that price by $250. Did a nice job on both. Good luck with yours.

I do have a question myself - what shampoo do you guys use on your ceramic-coated cars? I've read hand-washing is a must, use PH-neutral shampoo, and NO wax. I'm thinking of doing the washes myself, at least the first couple, so any advice is appreciated. TIA.

I’ve also read that pH neutral soaps are best. You can use slightly alkaline ones for dirt removal.

I watched an interesting video that Koch Chemie produced regarding the use of soaps from pH 1.0 all the way up to 12.5. Turns out acidic pH soaps are used to decontaminate coatings, while high alkaline ones are used to strip them.

There are many videos discussing this but here’s a basic overview

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Atl_64

I got my 50e done here in Atlanta (Alpharetta, actually), XPEL, for $1200. 4-yr warranty. Precision Window Tinting (Drew is the owner). Hard to find on the internet so clearly marketing isn't their thing but worth the effort. I got PPF done too and when he found I didn't need as much as he originally estimated he dropped that price by $250. Did a nice job on both. Good luck with yours.

I do have a question myself - what shampoo do you guys use on your ceramic-coated cars? I've read hand-washing is a must, use PH-neutral shampoo, and NO wax. I'm thinking of doing the washes myself, at least the first couple, so any advice is appreciated. TIA.

I alternate between

KOCHCHEMIE Gentle Snow Foam
https://amzn.to/3BlaLIR

Or Adams Megafoam
https://amzn.to/3BlaLIR

[Atl_64]

Thanks to you both.

[Yuille36]

All being said, I'm glad that my cars have been ceramic coated and PPF'd. We haven't had any snow here yet, but when we do VDOT (Virginia Dept. of Transportation) will be spreading salt, and that beet juice concoction. My cars will have some protection from it, at least on the body, but not underneath. But I have a touchless car wash near by, so if the temps are above freezing the car wash is working, at least I have a way of getting the salt off. If fact, I'm taking my M3 over there after work to get the rain from Wednesday off of it.

[jwmFcreek]

I was brand new to all the ceramic and such but getting a frozen black xm label put me in the fast lane to learn all I could in a few months .

I get the questions of how to up keep it got confusing for me … bmw only use soap and water but we have this Matt carnuba wax we want to sell you .. for me a good water based ceramic spray wax was best . Did not alter my paint appearance and super easy for me to apply and I know my car is protected . The 1 , 3 5 year ceramic coatings scared me to death what if it’s wrong and alters the appearance as I have read on longer lasting I am stuck for a long time and that sounds like something I would do .

I am a big fan of Jimbo’s hard shell spray I use it gloss cars and my frozen black bmw .

I have PPF on the front and hood … of course it’s top notch brand but you can tell certain times of the day that the hood is covered just can it’s a duller color .
Glad the PPF is on there happy I did not do more .

Good luck , go slow

[jondaah]

Ceramic coatings is a must, even for the garaged folks. Cleaning is easier and the car is less prone to light swirls and stains

[jwmFcreek]

Myself I love learning how to detail better each and everyday it’s turning into a great hobby and listening to others share there secrets is super helpful . I have cermic coated windows also interiors … spray ceramic 5 cars now practicing you know . But I am not sure I could pass my car off and trust someone who obviously knows more about car care then I do to take better care of my car then me if my car does get a Nick or Chip it better be me . That said someone said I like having the tires taken off …on a lift smart that’s my next move a lift . Sure your car is great looking

[elite_m2]

$2k seems fair if it’s being performed by a reputable shop and they’re doing the proper prep work.
Crystal serum is a professional only coating which involves hands on training.
For all of my clients with BMW’s, Porsches, Audi, Mercedes I always suggest a wheel coating. It doesn’t prevent break dust but it makes life a lot easier when it comes to cleaning and does protect the finish from the brake dust baking in.
Here’s a picture of a frozen grey g90 we ceramic coated at my shop a few weeks ago.

[Yuille36]

My wheels are ceramic coated, and what little dust I do get on them from carbon ceramic pads comes off easily. Ceramic coatings are outstanding, and I highly recommend them.

[jwmFcreek]

Elite M2

That frozen grey looks absolutely perfect if I was sure someone could do that good on my frozen black I would pay the 2 grand and not hat a eye. Great job .
Back in July when I got my frozen black I was new to the ceramic world and was scared to screw my paint up when BMW was saying soap and water only but we have this Matt wax to sell you was all to confusing. That is great work . Today I use a water base spray ceramic I trust . That work of yours I would trust