Ceramic Coating

[aliusa]

Hi guys - recently picked up a '15 F10 M5 with CP in Sapphire Black metallic and the paint needs some TLC (clay bar, polish etc.). I am getting paint correction done by a pro next week and he suggested getting ceramic coating done. He's a certified Ceramic Pro dealer and also has Kamikaze, 22ple, and Optimum Ceramic coating.

I did some research and looks like these products on average are under $200 (liquid plus applicator) for a good quality product. Google search shows that AvalonKing Armor Shield IX is the top leader (not sure if anyone here has this one and can vouch for it).

The pro is charging several hundred dollars to do ceramic coating.

My question to the fellow members is, is there a trick or skill required to do this? (according to YouTube videos you run the applicator in a straight line).

Is it worth getting it done from the pro since they know exactly how to apply it or if I do it myself I can mess it up (though I don't see how someone can mess up with applying a liquid wax)?

[Ickdeep]

I'd recommend getting it done by someone. That's what I'm going to do soon (waiting to finish building the car). Unless you want to spend a lot of time/money learning how to do it right.

[pcohen15]

Originally Posted by aliusa

Hi guys - recently picked up a '15 F10 M5 with CP in Sapphire Black metallic and the paint needs some TLC (clay bar, polish etc.). I am getting paint correction done by a pro next week and he suggested getting ceramic coating done. He's a certified Ceramic Pro dealer and also has Kamikaze, 22ple, and Optimum Ceramic coating.

I did some research and looks like these products on average are under $200 (liquid plus applicator) for a good quality product. Google search shows that AvalonKing Armor Shield IX is the top leader (not sure if anyone here has this one and can vouch for it).

The pro is charging several hundred dollars to do ceramic coating.

My question to the fellow members is, is there a trick or skill required to do this? (according to YouTube videos you run the applicator in a straight line).

Is it worth getting it done from the pro since they know exactly how to apply it or if I do it myself I can mess it up (though I don't see how someone can mess up with applying a liquid wax)?

Seems like a couple hundred dollars is a relatively small price to pay for the right to blame somebody other than yourself if results are not 100% of your expectations. You may or may not get a warranty of sorts from a pro, but if you do, that would seal the deal for me. I blame myself for enough stuff already.

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by pcohen15

Seems like a couple hundred dollars is a relatively small price to pay for the right to blame somebody other than yourself if results are not 100% of your expectations. You may or may not get a warranty of sorts from a pro, but if you do, that would seal the deal for me. I blame myself for enough stuff already.

To do a ceramic coating properly the car should be machine polished first to make sure the paint is 100%

Putting a ceramic coat on otherwise is stupid unless the paint is totally swirl free.

In the UK you are looking in the region of £700 for a full correction detail and quality ceramic coat such as Gyeon Duraflex.

Some coatings are guaranteed for 5 years and some for only 1 or 2 years so make sure you get the right one.

I had this one

http://gyeonquartz.com/product/duraflex/

[aliusa]

Originally Posted by pcohen15

Seems like a couple hundred dollars is a relatively small price to pay for the right to blame somebody other than yourself if results are not 100% of your expectations. You may or may not get a warranty of sorts from a pro, but if you do, that would seal the deal for me. I blame myself for enough stuff already.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking too....thanks

[aliusa]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

To do a ceramic coating properly the car should be machine polished first to make sure the paint is 100%

Putting a ceramic coat on otherwise is stupid unless the paint is totally swirl free.

In the UK you are looking in the region of £700 for a full correction detail and quality ceramic coat such as Gyeon Duraflex.

Some coatings are guaranteed for 5 years and some for only 1 or 2 years so make sure you get the right one.

I had this one

http://gyeonquartz.com/product/duraflex/

I've been reading quite a bit about it and looks like many products claim to last for 5 years and some even as permanent, but typically they don't last for more than a year or two. Water beading may continue but the wax effect may not last for many years. As I mentioned on my post, I am getting the paint correction first (2 day job) so hopefully any and all swirl marks will be gone (it's Sapphire Black color). Thanks for sharing the link mate.

[aliusa]

Originally Posted by Ickdeep

I'd recommend getting it done by someone. That's what I'm going to do soon (waiting to finish building the car). Unless you want to spend a lot of time/money learning how to do it right.

Yes, getting it done from the pro and save the hassle

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by aliusa

I've been reading quite a bit about it and looks like many products claim to last for 5 years and some even as permanent, but typically they don't last for more than a year or two. Water beading may continue but the wax effect may not last for many years. As I mentioned on my post, I am getting the paint correction first (2 day job) so hopefully any and all swirl marks will be gone (it's Sapphire Black color). Thanks for sharing the link mate.

Mine was also Sapphire Black and I top it up with Gyeon Cure every other wash just to keep it looking amazing. Takes 20 mins max

[schrickm5]

I think to get the scratches/swirls out (which is basically the most important part of the process) you need to invest in some good machines, then you need the right pads, correct polishing compunds. etc etc
Its all going to add up to about 500usd anyway.
The thought of doing it myself is appealing though, but as everyone else points out its good to have accountability on someone other than yourself.
I'm leaning towards getting mine done soon, and then just waxing it myself every few months with a good Carnauba wax.

[airboss]

I just finished my M4 using Avalon King and it's very easy to apply and the car looks great. The prep is the time consuming part, I spent 2.5 days eliminating all scratches and paint chips.

[theinfamousdrew]

I picked up a Armor Shield IX kit the other day. Haven't had time to prep the car and apply it yet. I'll report back once I do.

[aliusa]

On top of the professional Ceramic Coating I got done on the car, I have also been using this product every 2 to 3 weeks. It brings a really nice deep high contrast and gloss to the Sapphire Black paint on the car. The moment I put it on the difference in shine was significant. It's on $13.99 at Walmart.

[boomerang.e92]

I've spent around 40 hours in 3 days working on my car - paint correction and then ceramic coating. My best friend is a detailer so he taught me a lot of things and how to use polisher, etc; it's not a rocket science but you have to know what you are doing. If you are already doing paint correction then you should do ceramic coating immediately - prep for coating is also a process. I'd suggest to do it right and pay someone but if you would like to learn the skill I'd ask the detailer if you can stick around and learn from him. While BMWs have solid paint and lots of clear coat there's still a possibility of burning thru the paint which you do not want at all.

Hope this helps!

[aliusa]

I got Step 1 paint correction and ceramic coating done at the same time by a professional detailer. It was totally worth it and money well spent

[Lennon997]

Originally Posted by aliusa

Hi guys - recently picked up a '15 F10 M5 with CP in Sapphire Black metallic and the paint needs some TLC (clay bar, polish etc.). I am getting paint correction done by a pro next week and he suggested getting ceramic coating done. He's a certified Ceramic Pro dealer and also has Kamikaze, 22ple, and Optimum Ceramic coating.

I did some research and looks like these products on average are under $200 (liquid plus applicator) for a good quality product. Google search shows that AvalonKing Armor Shield IX is the top leader (not sure if anyone here has this one and can vouch for it).

The pro is charging several hundred dollars to do ceramic coating.

My question to the fellow members is, is there a trick or skill required to do this? (according to YouTube videos you run the applicator in a straight line).

Is it worth getting it done from the pro since they know exactly how to apply it or if I do it myself I can mess it up (though I don't see how someone can mess up with applying a liquid wax)?

its literally a joke to apply, a caveman could do it. But you need a full, proper paint correction first, this is why these guys charge over 500$ to do it, you need to take the paint all the way down.

that being said, if you can detail you can apply a ceramic coating with ease

[xxpanipuri]

i did my own ceramic coating, and i'm about to re do it.

originally did it in oct 2016 will be redoing it 4 years later.

As mentioned the paint correction (specially on a black car) can be a fairly intensive process. which IMO is most of the cost.

Ceramic coating can be applied fairly easily, there's enough kits out on the market to do it yourself.

Plenty of youtube videos.

For me it came down to the following

Local shop wanted 1200 to do mine.
my paint wasn't TOO BAD (my car is space grey)
So i did it myself (total of 12 hrs start to finish) i took my time

the most important, i enjoy detailing my car!


https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1312865

[m5rosco]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

To do a ceramic coating properly the car should be machine polished first to make sure the paint is 100%

Putting a ceramic coat on otherwise is stupid unless the paint is totally swirl free.

In the UK you are looking in the region of £700 for a full correction detail and quality ceramic coat such as Gyeon Duraflex.

Some coatings are guaranteed for 5 years and some for only 1 or 2 years so make sure you get the right one.

I had this one

http://gyeonquartz.com/product/duraflex/

Is that something you would recommend? Would you have it done again on your next car?

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by m5rosco

Is that something you would recommend? Would you have it done again on your next car?

Yes I would but be prepared to keep adding a topper such as Gyeon Cure or P&J Beadmaker to keep the finish perfect

[RuskyRambo550iX]

Originally Posted by airboss

I just finished my M4 using Avalon King and it's very easy to apply and the car looks great. The prep is the time consuming part, I spent 2.5 days eliminating all scratches and paint chips.

What'd you do to eliminate paint chips?