Ceramic coating thought?

Has anyone had ceramic coating put on their vehicles? If so, is it worth it?

Any suggestion or recommendations would be helpful.

 

I have had my last two vehicles ceramic coated (a 2023 Sonata & 2021 Tacoma), and it was worth every penny! Both vehicles shined brighter. They stay cleaner longer and get cleaner faster. The paint job looks like glass.

There are different levels of ceramic coating. 1yr, 3yr, 5yrs, etc... I paid $800 to have my Taco and another $800 to have my Sonata ceramic coated. Here's what they looked like right after they had the ceramic coating applied:

 

do it yourself cost under $100 worth it.

 

This is true, but the $800 I paid wasn't just a ceramic coating. He did a paint correction an decontaminate thing. He also buffed out all the swirl marks and detailed the truck (and car - same guy did both), inside and out.

 

only worth it if you plan to HAND WASH the vehicle.

 

i’m still jealous that you had ur fender flares paint matched lol

 

LOL! I had that done before I drove the truck off the lot. I didn't like the matte black fender flares on the Off Road model Taco's. It cost me $660 all in. Worth it.

 

I've detailed vehicles for almost 30 years and of course I did my own ceramic coating. (And we're not talking the "ceramic coating sprays" you see on TV.) To do it correctly, you really need to do a full paint correction and decontamination first. Then you need some experience in applying a ceramic coating to get the most gloss and protection out of it. Being able to do everything myself allowed me to coat our T4R for less than $100. Was it worth it? Oh yea. Would I pay over a grand to have somebody else do it? No, but most folks don't have the options I do.

 

You did it the right way! Often times people wash their vehicles and slap the ceramic coating on not realizing the prep work that's done prior to putting it on.

 

Keep in mind ceramic coating does not protect the vehicle from rock chips or debris as it simply makes it easier to clean and protects the paint from UV.

Might want to think about PPF (paint protection film) prior to ceramic coating. Even though you have a 24 model most come with swirls right off the truck and will need some low level paint correction before application. Xpel PPF comes highly regarded.

 

Well, I didn't do it, but the guy that did it... Did the right way. Sure it was pricey, but he spent 5 hours buffing and polishing up my truck BEFORE he applied the ceramic coat. The Sonata took less time, because it was new. I had the Taco for over a year before I had it ceramic coated and it was full of swirls/spider webbing.

People see the $100 option and think "Yeah, I can wash my truck then put that on!"; but they don't do all the other necessary steps to prep it. So it is done right. When it's done right; it costs more and requires more effort.

But it looks like glass when it's done. Totally worth it.

 

if it's true he performed then $800 great price. when i said $100 i did all that in 3 days.

 

Thanks, this was prior to inflation going up on everything. It's probably $1200 now! LOL

 

Looks great!

 

Beautiful!

 

I did my own. I used to be a detailer so I have the tools, techniques, and space. It took me a few days and I what I would have to charge to make the effort worth the time would be outrageous to spend on something like a 4runner.

 

Do you plan to off-road anywhere with trees or bushes?

If so, maybe wait. You'll eventually get pinstripes, and there's always a branch that is able to overcome PPF or ceramic.

When you're getting close to selling, then go ahead and get everything all buffed, paint corrected, etc.

 

yeah i remember you telling me that on the Tacoma World. i bet it would cost a lot more than $600 current day due to inflation

 

current day PPF is some STRONG stuff..

 

Unless you wrap the entire car, you'll catch a branch. It's the law.

It's not even the front you need to worry about - it's the doors.

 

yes that is correct, a full vehicle coverage would be necessary to have 0% possibility of any paint being damaged.

 

No off roading here... it's just a daily driver. It's also garage kept so trying to weigh the benefits. I do like to hand wash my vehicles too... so... But I love your suggestion!

 

So what happens to ppf 5, 10 years down the road? Does it yellow of fade? Does it have to be removed? Thanks in advance...

 

Nothing is 0%.

 

It can and most likely will turn yellow-ish. It's just the PPF that turns yellow, it does not affect the paint. Removing it is very labor intensive. It involves steam, a steady hand and patience. Then after it's gone, you have to use even more elbow grease to get rid of the residue it left behind.

This is why God invented Goo-Gone.


PPF doesn't protect from rock chips or other flying debris (much - it does offer a little protection); it just helps the pain look newer, longer by protecting the clear coat. If you do it, I'd only do the hood. Don't go crazy and PPF the entire 4Runner.

 

Funny, that’s not what the installers will tell ya!

 

How perfect is this timing:

This YouTuber posted how to DIY for polishing, getting out swirls and applying a ceramic coating.

 

Correct PPF won't help if you go cheap and DIY or an installer that uses a pre cut kit. Of course those will be garbage and will turn yellow over time. Some of the best PPF out there like Xpel will actually protect from rock chips and debris. Xpel is very picky when it comes to which authorized users they use for their products and it shows.

There are plenty of low quality PPF out on the market but it also falls on the installers and if they wrap the edges. With this product you really do "get what you pay for."

 

with current day technology, PPF isn’t like what it was years ago.

 

i mean obviously if you let a damn rock or something crazy strike your vehicle.