Anyone have any recommendations on what detailer brands are best and why?

Pros and Cons of ceramic coating?

I'm near O'Hare Airport if you have a detailer to recommend

I got a price from a detailer that would be using Gtechniq coating. 5 year warranty and it includes detailing the inside with protection treatment and ceramic coating the wheels for $1000 on a 2023 RDX Aspec Advance with 100 miles on her.

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

I currently have a base coat of GTechniq Crystal Serum Light, with three top coats of GTechniq ExoV4. So far for protection, hydrophobicity and gloss I am beyond impressed. Dont get it twisted tho, ceramic coatings are not the set it and forget it type of thing. They need maintenance, will still scratch, etc. That being said, after a road trip, bugs just wash off with minimal water pressure and the car just has this shine that I feel isnt achievable w/out a coating of some sort.

I put those coatings on in 2020 and am in the process of ordering this new Kamikaze wash that removes coatings. I plan on some minimal correction on the gloss black parts of the car and then coat the car again using Gyeon Q2M MOHS + Skin as the reviews and ease of application seem superior. I feel like 80% of the cost of coating is for the correction as it is the most labor intensive part of the process. Prices can also increase if a lot of correction is necessary. If you have access to orbitals, etc, you can correct it yourself if you have the time. In the Chicago area you can check out the distance to go to Chicago Auto Pros. They seem to do really good work.

Also keep in mind that one of the top rated wheel coating DLUX and even the Gyeon wheel coating only rate the coating to last about 6 months due to the heat and wear on the wheels.

also, noticed your username - go dodgers lol... you guys got us last night!... cheers - let me know if you have any questions - I went all the way down the coating rabbit hole during pandemic times.

 

also, I checked and it looks like two Chicago Auto Pros are about equidistant from O'Hare, in opposite directions (N & S-ish)

 

The latest and greatest in ceramic coating is with graphene with improved hydrophobic properties. Adding a sealant on top of the ceramic coating will add another layer of protection. A lot paint/ceramic coating sealants w/ or w/o graphene can be sprayed on wet as a drying aid or sprayed on dry with a microfiber after a wash to boost the ceramic protection every 2-6 months to add another layer to the primary ceramic coating.

The key to ceramic coating and also Paint Protective Film (PPF) is color correction and a perfectly smooth decontaminated surface for maximum shine and extremely smooth surface for the product to stick to once applied. A LOT of labor goes into washing, iron decontaminating, clay bar, removing existing ceramic coating and/or wax, and polishing to a smooth shine. There is also way more maintenance involved to maintain the ceramic coating compared to clear coat and occasionally waxing/clay bar to include:
- preferred two bucket wash method with grit guards
- micro fiber wash mitt and towels (do not use dryer heat dry or you ruin the micro fibers. hang dry or use air only dryer cycle)
- ceramic soap or ceramic booster soap
- hose mounted foam cannon or pressure washer foam cannon
- leaf blower preferred for touchless dry as much as possible before using microfiber towel
- ceramic sealant or drying aid every few months
- only touchless carwashes if you can't wash at home
- occasional water spot removal, clay bar, or polishing as ceramic coating wears over time
- no dry towels to dust, clean bug guts, or bird dropping's. Use a ceramic solution to wet and then wipe down
- you might have to re-apply the ceramic coating in 2-7 years depending on they type and how well you maintained over the years

Probably the best protection is PPF. You have to the exact same prep work as ceramic coating; but, the PPF can:
- last +10 years,
- UV protection (zero UV headlight hazing with PPF),
- self healing in the sun with scratches,
- can help prevent paint chips from minor debris strikes and lessens road rash,
- way more durable for regular touch car washes,
- and, have hydrophobic properties build into the film depending on type like XPel or Suntek.

You can also put ceramic coating on top of PPF for even more protection. You cannot put PPF on top of ceramic coating.

 

I always appreciate your posts dude! Always informative, always so much thought put into the responses. Genuinely thank you for being such a positive member on the forums.

 

I have Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) on my RDX - it's been 3 years and it's holding up great so far. I'd ignore the warranty - if you read the fine print it's almost meaningless but it does give you an approximate idea of how long it'll last if you take good care of it. The coating makes the car WAY easier to clean as dirt comes off more easily (and is less likely to stick on in the first place). Things like bird droppings don't easily damage it either. CSU has a fairly warm gloss which works great on my red car (see below) - your mileage will vary by color. I've also had Opticoat Pro which worked well but it didn't have the gloss of CSU nor the same kind of beading. I'd add that the top end stuff is all about the same in terms of quality - you just get different kinds of results. Some bead more, some are more glossy, some are more self cleaning etc. What matters more is the quality of the detailer - all the prep work is what gets the paint looking great.

Should you get it versus just using a spray on ceramic? I got it b/c I'm somewhat obsessive about how great my car looks and I don't want to do an annual paint correction plus I don't have the time to constantly be washing the car. With CSU I can get away with washing every 3 weeks and the car still looks great all the time and after 3 years there's only very light marks on it so far. I'm expecting with good care that I will get 6-8 years out of the coating so it's been money well spent.

re: price. $1k is a very low price for what you're getting so I'd question whether the detailer is being thorough or not - I paid $2400k Canadian for the outside plus wheels (definitely get the wheels done) from one of the top shops in Vancouver and I'd expect most estimates from a top shop to be around $2k USD. Chicago Auto Pros does a lot of top end cars and really knows their stuff so if top quality matters go with them, don't expect them to be cheap though.

 

Check out Pan the Organizer on you tube for Ceramic Coating ratings

 

For what it's worth Pan doesn't test the durability or long term performance of these products. He's largely rating on how it looks once applied and how easy it is to apply and the latter doesn't matter if you're paying a pro. If you're doing it yourself then it's useful. Pan also doesn't test the pro coatings and if you're hiring someone to do it then I'd pay the extra for the pro coating (in most cases) - for example Chicago Auto Pros is certified for Crystal Serum Ultra which has a 9 year warranty versus Crystal Serum Light which is a consumer grade coating with has a 5 year warranty. You can put Exo on top but you'll end up spending similar money to the pro coating and not get the same performance.

Here's Chicago Auto Pros doing a test of pro coatings after a year:

 

Excellent info. Would one difference between Ceramic and PPF be that ceramic covers the whole exterior, and PPF only covers the locations you place it? I have seen PPF and it seems you have options on where you want it put (because it is a film)...the whole hood/front fenders, just the front part of the hood/fenders, etc., as it protects so well from road-rocks' and stuff. Ceramic I would assume you cover your whole car as it is 'applied'. Or do I have this all wrong?

 

the only thing I would mention that has not been mentioned already is:
-if you cannot wash the car at home (after ceramic coating is applied), be very careful with touchless car washes.
-ceramic coatings should be washed with PH neutral car wash soaps...
-generally every touchless car wash uses harsh chemicals and soaps during the process which will ultimately start to tear down the coating.

 

This isn't entirely true - many of these things are the same thing you'd do if you want to maintain your paint job even if you didn't have a ceramic coating. On my non-ceramic TSX I did annual decontamination washes, avoided car washes that used brushes (and even touchless washes), did two bucket washes etc. On my ceramic coated RDX I spend about half the time I used to to keep it clean, I wash it less often, AND, most importantly, it still looks great.

In the winter I either take it to a touchless wash or I use Optimum No Rinse (and a big red sponge) and I'm done in 20 mins tops. In the warmer months I prefer to wash every 2-4 weeks with a foam cannon and I can be done in 45 mins including the wheels. I do a twice annual decontamination wash but once a year would be fine and it adds about 30 mins to my process (including the ceramic topper). I use a drying towel just fine (but also use a leaf blower too cause it's faster). I use one bucket with 4 mitts instead of a two bucket and when I have bird droppings I wet a microfibre with some ONR and wipe it off.

I sometimes wash non-ceramic cars (my parents or my in-laws) and I'm so glad I'm coated - it's just so much easier to maintain a ceramic coated car than an uncoated car. Ceramic coated wheels are a blessing - blast it with pressure washer and wash with regular car soap, I don't stock wheel cleaner anymore in my toolkit, it's just not needed. As I mentioned earlier I'm sorta obsessive about car care - people get into my RDX and think it's still new cause it looks and smells new - and if you're like me you'll love having a ceramic coating.

 

Thank you for all the info!! Really appreciate it!!!

I never realized all the work that truly goes into maintaining the exterior. I'm a newbie and most of this is over my head, so I'm going to pay to have done. Just hope I make the right decision. About $1000 is my budget, since buythe new car put a big while in my budget.


However I just learned about the 2 wash method and will definitely do that to keep up on the in between maintenence.

You guys kicked my Sox arses. Congrats!

 

Gyeon is another popular brand. However, keep in mind that detailers consider ceramic coating a big upsell. It doesn’t last long enough to justify the pro prices, imo. A very popular backup option is to just do it yourself with a super user friendly ceramic product like Turtlewax Seal n Shine or Griots Ceramic 3-in-1. These are simple spread and wipe products that’ll last 3-6mo depending on your environment. I was guided to those products by pro detailers on Reddit and have been impressed. Sure beats spending $800+ on a traditional ceramic job that only lasts a couple years.

 

What are you paying per application and how do you know when it's time for a new coat?

 

I have XPEL Ultimate PPF covering the entire painted surface along with headlights of my 18 RLX Sport Hybrid and Exoshield windshield PPF for the front glass. I added Ceramic Pro on top of the RLX's PPF, exterior glass, and rims for extra protection. On my 19 MDX Sport Hybrid, I have Suntek Ultra PPF on the entire hood, entire front fenders, front bumper, headlights/fogs, pillars on either side of windshield, side mirrors, and rear bumper. Exoshield PPF on the front windshield and CQuartz Finest ceramic coating on the PPF and the rest of painted surface. I also did Ceramic Pro coating for interior of both vehicles.

If you find a good PPF installer that uses a large roll, they can "tuck" the edges inside the panel seams for almost an invisible installation. You can mix/match PPF and Ceramic coating in almost any combination for the protection your want and budget. You can put ceramic coating on PPF; but, you can't later put PPF on ceramic coating without stripping the ceramic coating off first.

I live in the UV intensive dusty/sandy desert southwest with posted hwy speed limits of 75-80 mph with everything 2-12 hours away. I always keep my cars for +10 years or +175,000 miles and they would have signs of paint starting UV hazing, front end road rash, and all kinds of chips/stars/cracks in the windshield by the end. I'm trying to invest a little up front, save time/labor in the middle, and have a near as I can pristine vehicle at the end with people thinking it is a new-ish vehicle.

 

Not sure what isn't entirely true and false about changing washing procedures for maintaining a ceramic coating for max longevity? Ceramic coating is extremely durable; but, can very easily be contaminated, scratch, dull, or wear down its protection without proper care much faster than normal clear coat. I love my ceramic coating and I'm going to wash my car at home anyways. A few simple steps like using touchless this, microfiber that, and occasional spray on paint sealant can make a huge difference and improve the longevity of the ceramic coating. Because of the ceramic coating, the extra steps really doesn't add up to more time overall compared to keeping a clear coat painted car maintained over the same time.

As good as ceramic coating can be, PPF is the next level of protection above ceramic coating. You can still follow the exact same ceramic coating maintenance procedures for PPF. I needed to do water spot removal on my 19 MDX with front end PPF and ceramic coating from the doors back. Virtually no water spots on the PPF; while, it took sometimes several applications of Chemical Guys water spot remover on the ceramic coating on painted and ceramic coated windows to remove the spots. Really wished I did my entire 19 MDX in PPF; but, budget didn't allow back then. That is why I did my entire RLX in PPF.

 

Your statement was "There is also way more maintenance involved to maintain the ceramic coating compared to clear coat and occasionally waxing/clay bar to include"

And I said that most of your list consisted of things that you'd do anyways for a non-ceramic car - they aren't things that you have to do if you get a coating but rather it's a list of good car care 101. The list isn't a list of things that you do only if you get a ceramic coating, it's list of things that if you do them you'll get more benefits out of doing it if you have a ceramic coating but it's not a requirement to do them nor does it take "more maintenance" (being that it's easier to do on a ceramic coated car).

This is also not quite accurate. Ceramic is MORE resistant to contamination, scratches or wear than a clear coat - it's why bird droppings do less damage to ceramic than to a clear coat, it's why ceramic can be said to have self cleaning properties, it's why you don't need to clay bar a ceramic coating (in most cases). Clear coat is thicker than ceramic and therefore there's more to wear away and it's theoretically more durable (will last more than a few years but it doesn't resist damage as well as ceramic). What I think you're trying to say is that to get the full benefits of ceramic there are things you should do differently than on a non-ceramic car (along with slightly different products). There are folks who want to treat ceramic as just a sacrificial layer (maybe they have to park outside under a tree all the time) and those folks don't have to do any of the things on your list and there are folks who want the shine and the hydrophobicity and the lack of marring (like you and I) - neither approaches are wrong.

 

You win! You are 100% correct!

 

The bottles are sizeable (like window cleaner) and my TW SnS, which costs around $12, has lasted me 2.5 years with applications every season. I double coat the hood and roof too.

Takes maybe 30 mins per car. Just wipe with a microfiber sponge in a basket weave pattern to get even coverage, let dry a few mins, then wipe off the excess. Pretty much a foolproof product. There are YouTube vids that illustrate the proper amount to use per panel.

I hand wash my car and you can tell that the beading isn’t as strong and bird poop gets stuck after a few months. Same with rain.

 

Thank you everyone for all the responses!!!

I bit the bullet and getting it done.

$1,800.00 × 1 $1,800.00 DESCRIPTION AMOUNT Elitist Ceramic Coating Package
This is invoice is to guarantee client service for the ceramic coating of the 2023 Acura RDX & 2020 Acura RDX. There is a non refundable deposit of $250.00 required after this invoice is received. Once vehicles are complete on the agreed date payment can be received through Zelle, Credit Card or Cash. This invoice is for the dates of 6/24/24 and 6/25/24 This Package Includes Wash, Full Paint Correction, Decontamination, Clay Bar Treatment, Interior, Wheels and Glass. Coating Type Gtechniq Liquid Crystal FATHERS DAY SPECIAL OFFER! TOTAL $1,800.00

 

Check into paint sealant like or similar to Turtle Wax 53477 Hybrid Solution Pro Flex Wax Graphene spray wax after your first wash. It will give you another layer of protection, hydrophobic coating, and shine to help the ceramic coating last longer and easier to clean.

 

Sorry just seen this response now! Thank you very much for the information!