Greetings,

Happy 2022 Rdx Advance Apec owner. I am definitely getting ceramic window tinting to reduce interior heat next summer but my question is what you think about protective paint wrapping and/or ceramic paint coating?

Car will be garaged.

Your input appreciated. Steve

 

I have Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra which is a pro level ceramic which has a 9 year warranty and I'm very happy with it. Visually it makes the car look great - very glossy and warm. From a cleaning standpoint it makes it MUCH easier to clean and that's really the primary benefit - I can bang out a wash faster than a non-ceramic car and it'll look great when it's done. I also had the wheels done and brake dust is a breeze - just soap and water (I don't even need a stiff brush, just a wash mitt). The protection has benefits - very limited swirls or marks after 2 years and I expect to get about 4-6 years out of it (the warranty is very limited but is a signal of durability).

if you're looking for ease fo cleaning, looks, and some protection from swirls then ceramic is the way to go. The consumer stuff usually lasts 2 years while the pro stuff can go 4-5 years (don't believe the "lifetime" claims at all). Most products are pretty similar with slight differences in gloss or slickness - I like Gtechniq because it's very warm (I have also had Opticoat Pro and it's not as warm but protected just as well) - Modesta, IGL, Gyeon, CQuartz are all good stuff. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-2,000 for the body and another $300-400 for the wheels (I would absolutely do the wheels - well worth it) - the cost is not in the coating but in the prep, the best shops charge more b/c they are more detailed (and usually will also coat the windows, trim, exhaust etc).

If you're worried about stone chips, drive around a lot and really care about the ultimate in protection then PPF makes the most sense - the top of the line stuff is all about the same and should run you around $2k for the front of the car. I don't drive enough and my roads are pretty clean so PPF didn't make sense for me.

You can also do both PPF and ceramic for the best of both worlds.

 

I just ceramic coated and did PPF as well for the front of the car and it looks amazing, well worth it. I used Ceramic Pro silver 5 year level.

 

I have a white a-spec, also garaged.

I spent a few days in the garage correcting and coating with Crystal Serum Light, then 2 coats of EVOv4. I also wash weekly with KC GSF foamed, dried with a BigBoi mostly, then a top coat of Gyeon Ceramic Detailer. I’ve tried most combinations out there and this to me, is the best. It’s my first coated car and when it was in for service a couple weeks ago, it’s noticeably shinier and brighter if that makes sense. Not only that it is so hydrophobic it makes washing a breeze.

LMK if you have ?s, I love talking detailing…also the Crystal Serum Ultra is the best if you want to go the pro route..

 

I put Ceramic coat on my 2022 RDX. I only did it because this guy offered to do it for $300 since my car was new. He had very little correction to perform. I use ceramic on my Porsches but never my daily drivers. I know how beneficial ceramic cam be for garaged vehicles so that why I did it. It keep your car looking fresh and easy washes. I would recommend it if that is your goal. It will protect our paint also.

 

Mine is a driver, though I am OCD on detailing. Tried a lot of products, I prefer to stay away from Ceramic coatings that cost mega bucks and don't see the ROI on it (most of the $$$ is in the hours of paint correction needed before you put it on - paint needs to be perfect). My go to is a yearly paint correction done in the garage + clay bar ,then washing weekly plus an fresh application of a spray on nano-wax product, RainX on the windows and some black dressing. If you scratch a panel, super easy to buff it out with a orbital buffered and some polishing compound - not so if you ceramic coated it.

I put the PPF on the hood, door edges, rear bumper and mirrors - super easy DIY project. The front bumper is a little more involved - a professional for at.

Ceramic window tint is a must for hotter climates - all the windows in the Texas heat (not just the driver and massager doors) - as the rear factory tint has minimal UV or heat rejection. Plus, The RDX AC is just adequate in temps between 95+.

Here is what she looks like after a bath, quick detail from the previous weeks 10" of snow.

 

One additional note: the piano black trim on the outside will still get swirls on them if you get it ceramic coated as the material is plastic and too soft for the ceramic to protect it. To keep it from swirling you'll need to get PPF on it - my shop quoted $250CAD to do the door trim.

 

Agree. A little bit of fine car polish every 2-3 months with a coat of nano-wax does wonders on removing the swirl marks on the piano black gloss trim. More cost effective than PPF on those parts.