Pros & Cons of Ceramic Coating

I had a Gtechniq coating professionally applied, and I won't blame the product, but the installer apparently did not know what he was doing.

Initially the coating worked pretty well until he performed his first "complimentary" wash that was included in the install price. After communication with the Gtechniq customer service / Gtechniq Master Tech, it was determined that his wash basically ruined the coating.

So I have a professional coating, applied less than a year ago (over a year now, but when the first wash was done, it was only 1 month old) and the car basically is no better than being waxed. Water does not bead off and his wash left severe water spotting. My guess, as well as the Master Tech's belief, is that the wash product was allowed to dry on the surface of the car, pretty much etching into the coating.

To repair it will most likely require removal of the coating (what's left anyway), machine paint correction and re-application. I will say that the Gtechniq customer service was excellent and the applier I used stated he was a certified installer (recommended by several friends). I apparently was the 1 in 100 that he failed to do a good job. I don't believe he was a certified installer.

Anyway, the point to my post is, if you are going to get your car coated, verify and research your installer as much as you can and be aware, it truly does not take a whole lot to damage the coating if not cared for correctly. Gtechniq is sending me a couple of products to try to salvage what I have left, but the Master Tech was skeptical that their products would be a true solution for the problem. It certainly hasn't been the experience I wanted on my brand new SPWB, but it is what it is. Lesson learned.

 

I use the one from Avalon King, called Armor Shield IX. I really like the job it does. Some insights…

It’s a LOT of work. To do a proper job you have to first wash the car thoroughly, but that’s obvious. Next you have to “clay-bar” the car, which involves spraying this liquid and rubbing the entire body with a bar of clay to remove any micro bits of dirt that are left. Clay kits are available at most auto stores and Amazon, Walmart, etc… I got one made by Meguiars. Then you have to wipe the whole car down with alcohol to remove any residue left from the clay. THEN you can apply the ceramic. It pretty much takes a whole day to do right.

It’s not cheap. A bottle of the stuff is about $70. One bottle easily did my wife’s car, but that’s a convertible, so no roof. One bottle almost did my Challenger, but if I remember right it took a little more from a second bottle. BUT… they have ‘sales’ almost every month where you can buy 3 bottles for $99 and that makes it more affordable.

The first time I did the job I was pretty impressed with the result. It really popped. That coating lasted two years and I did it again. I recommend it. It sheds water like crazy. The picture in my avatar was taken right after the last time I applied it and then drove from South Florida to Charlotte. I know, you can’t tell a lot from a tiny picture. Maybe I’ll find the full size one and post it…

 

I know it's a lot of work, which is why I paid to have it professionally done, plus it was a brand new Challenger and I wanted to keep it as pristine as possible. It is rarely driven. I looked at the stuff from Avalon King, the GOAT I think. I decided I didn't want to try that on my own and have the potential of screwing it up and having a mess to clean up. I ended up with that anyway.

Nice looking car, but yeah a full size photo would be good.

Here's the day I got it.


The day it was coated.


Now what it does every time it gets wet.

 

Sharp car - very unique color!

So, here's a better pic. Remember too, this is right after driving 600 miles.

 

Nice looking ride. I still need to figure out what I am going to do for my next steps with the coating. I like the idea of the ceramic coating, but this experience has left a very sour taste about them.

 

Very sharp machine and looks great, love the plum crazy! so fritz, did you have your car professorially done or did you do it? and whats a price to have it done? if you do not mind sharing, i will have to go out of my town to find someone to do this.

 

I never liked or trusted it because $3,500 to have something applied the correct way
to the paint is crazy high when I can go to my local auto detail shop and get their paint seal treatment with 6 free buff and shines at a later date. Been going there since the 80's and have never had any paint issues. In fact my 8-year old truck looks as good as a new one on the dealer lot.

 

so does the detail shop say that's normal?