[Paaco1981]

Have never really looked into ceramic coating and it's been years since I bought a brand new vehicle, so I would like to keep it looking new. Is it worth taking it to have ceramic coating applied when my Trail Boss finally comes in?

Pros and cons of it and any other info people wanna share would be appreciated.

 

[ARCowboy]

Have never really looked into ceramic coating and it's been years since I bought a brand new vehicle, so I would like to keep it looking new. Is it worth taking it to have ceramic coating applied when my Trail Boss finally comes in?

Pros and cons of it and any other info people wanna share would be appreciated.

Had Sapphire V1 applied ~100miles into ownership. Here are my thoughts:

Yes and no; it depends on what you want to get out of the truck.

Are you going to pay for a quite expensive "best" ceramic coating like Sapphire V1 ? - Not worth it.​

Are you going to offroad your truck in areas with pinstriping ? - Not worth it​

Are you going to pay for the dealership to do it ? - Not worth it​

Do you park outside in an area with hail ? - Not worth it​

Are you looking to have a truck that is easy to touchless or 4 bucket wash ? Probably worth it.​

Are you looking for paint correction and a good ceramic coating ? Probably worth it.​

​

If you fell into the "Not worth it" category, or wanted something more economical (nothing will replace professional paint correction and detailing), I highly recommend Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Polish and Wax followed by Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Coating. After 5yrs of ownership, my ceramic coating was basically gone. Came across this project farm video and gave it a try.

It will beed water for ~6mo; bugs, tar, dirt, and mud come right off and stands up to pressure washing it with a Foam Cannon and Chem guys honeydew foam wash every couple of weeks.

Have used the turtle wax on both my truck and appliance car for almost a year now and still love them. The turtle wax bottles should have at least 4 coats in them and are quite economical.

I paid ~1k for paint correction and SapphireV1. That same 1k would equal ~70 bottles of turtle wax.

 

[Paaco1981]

Thanks Cowboy, I actually watched that project farm video a while back and bought some of the hybrid solutions ceramic stuff and it really does appear to be good stuff from what I've seen the last few months. I appreciate the input on ceramic coating.

 

[_Montana_]

Thanks Cowboy, I actually watched that project farm video a while back and bought some of the hybrid solutions ceramic stuff and it really does appear to be good stuff from what I've seen the last few months. I appreciate the input on ceramic coating.

Yea you gotta read the labels on those. It's less than 1% ceramic additives in majority of those bottles. They are decent for what they are, but not actually ceramic coating. Perfect stuff to maintain a ceramic coating though, or a quick topical solution after a wash. I like the spray as you dry stuff.

To answer the question: Yes. It's worth it. But it has to be maintained. Like rust proofing a frame. Done so often you will get great results.

 

[ARCowboy]

Yea you gotta read the labels on those. It's less than 1% ceramic additives in majority of those bottles. They are decent for what they are, but not actually ceramic coating. Perfect stuff to maintain a ceramic coating though, or a quick topical solution after a wash. I like the spray as you dry stuff.

To answer the question: Yes. It's worth it. But it has to be maintained. Like rust proofing a frame. Done so often you will get great results.

Just curious, what percentage is a ceramic coating ?

I'm definitely now in the "90% solution for 1.5% the cost" camp with ceramic coating on a truck or appliance vehicle. Ceramic coatings do need to be maintained and re applied every few years, and the cost:benefit just isn't there for me and what I use my truck for (offroading, camping, hauling, etc...).

 

[_Montana_]

Just curious, what percentage is a ceramic coating ?

I'm definitely now in the "90% solution for 1.5% the cost" camp with ceramic coating on a truck or appliance vehicle. Ceramic coatings do need to be maintained and re applied every few years, and the cost:benefit just isn't there for me and what I use my truck for (offroading, camping, hauling, etc...).

Oh man I have no idea. The real stuff is way more than those spray on versions though. I got a quick wax labelled ceramic downstairs that has like 1% in it lol.

I have never invested in an ACTUAL ceramic coating. It's too much effort up here in Montana and wouldn't last beyond the first couple snow falls in winter. I'd rather just save up and have a detailer do some paint correction down the road. But if I lived somewhere like where I used to, in VA or CA more of a city style and rare occasions to trails, then I'd do it in a heartbeat once a year.

 

[BudRacing]

In my experience, the only thing that needed paint correction was the hood after the dealer's one initial wash before purchase. I did take a polisher to it, but it really needed some heavier work. I said screw it and ceramic coated it anyway. Do I regret it? Not really. The overall cleanliness of the truck with annual applications of a true ceramic coating (Adam's, in my case) are certainly worth the $75 or so you'll spend on a bottle and the few dollars spent on disposable microfiber towels. I got 4 full coatings out of my small bottle of ceramic coating. It does help that I park in a garage and no longer commute, so I'd probably need to do it twice a year under different circumstances.

 

[RJL1983]

I wouldn't bother with it. Just wash it often an use a decent spray wax for it. Unsure cost of a professional ceramic job though.

 

[_Montana_]

I wouldn't bother with it. Just wash it often an use a decent spray wax for it. Unsure cost of a professional ceramic job though.

I think it's probably in the most elite packages a detailer would offer. Most likely a grand or close to it. I doubt they would do ceramic coating without doing paint correction and such first.

But from videos I've seen, not that bad to do it yourself. It could be worth a test if you get the stuff at a decent price and have a free day or two you can keep the truck garaged and warm to soak it all up and dry properly.

But I agree. Hell, that's half the reason I chose the Harvest Bronze Metallic - to hide that stuff. All winter it's touchless washes and rinses for me. I might just give it a go with this truck though. We'll see how my summer plans go and how much effort I feel like putting into winter prepping.

 

[RJL1983]

My green ZR2 impossible to keep nice and shine. Drive in and out of rail yard damn near every day. I try and give it a was once a month but this rain been kicking my A$$ here. Railyard is POTHOLE, mud city.

 

[littleblazer]

Cost depends on your area. Percent SiO2 and others is kind of a joke... you really only need what is going to bond after the carrier solvent drys. Two different products could offer the same protection at two widely different percentages. I use the hybrid spray from meguires. It works well enough. The F150 has a factory applied coating. Neither seems to make washing much if any easier.

 

[RJL1983]

Hope yall jumped on that Walmart clearance Chemical Guys Set. I have to admit I was impressed with their soap. Smells good too wonder what it tastes like hahhaha.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've been using Turtle Wax SiO2 and Graphene coating since they came out, very happy with them. I only need a soap gun and pressure washer to wash the truck, gets a mitt wash once a year. The graphene keeps a nice shine for about 1 year. The water beading is excellent.

 

[MJ_ATL]

4 years in on having Blackfire ceramic on my 2019 and water still beads when I wash and bird poop doesn't etch the paint. So, worth it for me. I have kept it up with maintenance products containing SiO2 and it has never been washed in a commercial car wash. I may polish and reapply the coating this spring as it was rated for 2 years by the manufacturer.