First real bath

I'm a HUGE fan of ceramic coatings. So many benefits. Great return on investment, for sure!

13Fox

First time using Chemical Guys. Pretty impressed for a relatively easy DIY Ceramic.

VERY curious about this process! I was considering this or getting it professionally done. Is this the first ceramic coating you applied to it? Did you just wash thoroughly before, or did you also do paint correction? I've been researching and the amount of info is dizzying. It would be a lot easier to have something simple and cost effective! (y) thanks in advance!

MobScene13

13Fox

First time using Chemical Guys. Pretty impressed for a relatively easy DIY Ceramic.

VERY curious about this process! I was considering this or getting it professionally done. Is this the first ceramic coating you applied to it? Did you just wash thoroughly before, or did you also do paint correction? I've been researching and the amount of info is dizzying. It would be a lot easier to have something simple and cost effective! (y) thanks in advance!

It was really just a tad more effort than regular carnauba wax.
I ran it through a touch less Carwash (mainly for the spot free rinse) then went home and dried it.
I did the hood first and then one panel at a time. I ended up using one microfiber applicator and three microfiber towels for removal and finish. Took about two hours.
I’m sure a pro would have probably used a clay bar and paint corrected but I think it turned out pretty decent without it. Supposed to last “up to” a year.

MobScene13

VERY curious about this process! I was considering this or getting it professionally done. Is this the first ceramic coating you applied to it? Did you just wash thoroughly before, or did you also do paint correction? I've been researching and the amount of info is dizzying. It would be a lot easier to have something simple and cost effective! (y) thanks in advance!

Knowing that my Bronco was coming soon, I practiced ceramic coating my old 2013 Ford Focus. Seems super intimidating at first, but it was actually surprisingly easy to do, completely agree with @13Fox. I used Adam's Polishes stuff, which is not quite "professional level." I don't know if the professional level stuff is more difficult to apply, but I had zero issues getting my Focus coated. Is it 100% perfect?? No, but I also don't need show car quality results on my Bronco, just need something to protect the paint a bit.

If you're vehicle is brand new from the dealership, you probably don't need to do much work. But yeah... you are supposed to do paint correction before you apply it. My Focus has obviously seen some stuff in the past 10 years, but I only paint corrected the hood because... well... honestly I was lazy and got bored. Pretty obvious that was a mistake, should have paint corrected the whole vehicle. Otherwise you seal in the imperfections in the paint.

13Fox

It was really just a tad more effort than regular carnauba wax.
I ran it through a touch less Carwash (mainly for the spot free rinse) then went home and dried it.
I did the hood first and then one panel at a time. I ended up using one microfiber applicator and three microfiber towels for removal and finish. Took about two hours.
I’m sure a pro would have probably used a clay bar and paint corrected but I think it turned out pretty decent without it. Supposed to last “up to” a year.

Awesome, thanks for the info!

RagnarKon

Knowing that my Bronco was coming soon, I practiced ceramic coating my old 2013 Ford Focus. Seems super intimidating at first, but it was actually surprisingly easy to do, completely agree with @13Fox. I used Adam's Polishes stuff, which is not quite "professional level." I don't know if the professional level stuff is more difficult to apply, but I had zero issues getting my Focus coated. Is it 100% perfect?? No, but I also don't need show car quality results on my Bronco, just need something to protect the paint a bit.

If you're vehicle is brand new from the dealership, you probably don't need to do much work. But yeah... you are supposed to do paint correction before you apply it. My Focus has obviously seen some stuff in the past 10 years, but I only paint corrected the hood because... well... honestly I was lazy and got bored. Pretty obvious that was a mistake, should have paint corrected the whole vehicle. Otherwise you seal in the imperfections in the paint.

Yes, the paint correction is a crucial bonus step, but I might bypass it as well to just get some protection on this girl. It's a month old but dirty as sin and it's very dusty out here especially with the drought, so I need some protection fast. I just want to wash it good and then get it coated, and maybe in a year I'll look into a real ceramic treatment(after I've added all my goodies and have some spare cash!) Thanks for your input!

RagnarKon

Knowing that my Bronco was coming soon, I practiced ceramic coating my old 2013 Ford Focus. Seems super intimidating at first, but it was actually surprisingly easy to do, completely agree with @13Fox. I used Adam's Polishes stuff, which is not quite "professional level." I don't know if the professional level stuff is more difficult to apply, but I had zero issues getting my Focus coated. Is it 100% perfect?? No, but I also don't need show car quality results on my Bronco, just need something to protect the paint a bit.

If you're vehicle is brand new from the dealership, you probably don't need to do much work. But yeah... you are supposed to do paint correction before you apply it. My Focus has obviously seen some stuff in the past 10 years, but I only paint corrected the hood because... well... honestly I was lazy and got bored. Pretty obvious that was a mistake, should have paint corrected the whole vehicle. Otherwise you seal in the imperfections in the paint.

I had my Challenger ceramic pro coated and it gave the car an amazing shine. The finish felt smooth as glass and I loved how the water just rolled right off. It's supposed to help reduce the visibility of scratches as well. The properties of the coating let me go longer between washing, which was good because I didn't have access to a hose.

I'm a big fan of Chemical Guys stuff. I haven't used their ceramic coating. But I regularly use their Mr. pink wash, clay bar & luber, wet mirror finish glaze, jet seal, and butter wet wax. All great stuff. Is a ceramic coating better than using a clay bar, glaze, sealer and wax? Color me a sceptic.

Chief1301

I'm a big fan of Chemical Guys stuff. I haven't used their ceramic coating. But I regularly use their Mr. pink wash, clay bar & luber, wet mirror finish glaze, jet seal, and butter wet wax. All great stuff. Is a ceramic coating better than using a clay bar, glaze, sealer and wax? Color me a sceptic.

To answer the question (even though you didn’t ask for an answer)… the answer is no. Wax looks WAY better—particularly on vehicles with warmer colors such as reds and yellows.

But wax only lasts 3-6 months—sometimes you can get paste wax to last up to 9-12 months, but generally speaking doesn’t last a long time. Ceramics last 1-3 years for the “cheap” stuff and 5-7 years for the high quality professional stuff. So unless you really enjoy the therapeutic effect of working on your own car, for most people ceramics make more sense.

RagnarKon

To answer the question (even though you didn’t ask for an answer)… the answer is no. Wax looks WAY better—particularly on vehicles with warmer colors such as reds and yellows.

But wax only lasts 3-6 months—sometimes you can get paste wax to last up to 9-12 months, but generally speaking doesn’t last a long time. Ceramics last 1-3 years for the “cheap” stuff and 5-7 years for the high quality professional stuff. So unless you really enjoy the therapeutic effect of working on your own car, for most people ceramics make more sense.

5 - 7 years of no polishing and waxing? I'd have withdrawals. :ROFLMAO: Polishing and waxing is therapeutic for me, and gives me a nice feeling of accomplishment and pride in my shiney vehicle. I think I'll stick with my old school ways and enjoy the deeper shine. (y)

13Fox

First time using Chemical Guys. Pretty impressed for a relatively easy DIY Ceramic.

Excellent products

Chief1301

5 - 7 years of no polishing and waxing? I'd have withdrawals. :ROFLMAO: Polishing and waxing is therapeutic for me, and gives me a nice feeling of accomplishment and pride in my shiney vehicle. I think I'll stick with my old school ways and enjoy the deeper shine. (y)

You and me both. Plus no one at the house wants to help dad do that work so its time for me to hang out with the dog and not be harassed by the small humans.

@Mal I'll have to remember that in a few more years, haha (y)

Chief1301

5 - 7 years of no polishing and waxing? I'd have withdrawals. :ROFLMAO: Polishing and waxing is therapeutic for me, and gives me a nice feeling of accomplishment and pride in my shiney vehicle. I think I'll stick with my old school ways and enjoy the deeper shine. (y)

What is the going rate for a professional ceramic coating on a Bronco?

BroncoTamara

What is the going rate for a professional ceramic coating on a Bronco?

One of the detailing shops in the S.F. Bay Area that lists pricing packages on their website, starts at $1,125.00 to $1,475.00 for trucks / SUV's.

Chief1301

One of the detailing shops in the S.F. Bay Area that lists pricing packages on their website, starts at $1,125.00 to $1,475.00 for trucks / SUV's.

Thanks

13Fox

First time using Chemical Guys. Pretty impressed for a relatively easy DIY Ceramic.

I put ceramic coating on mine as well. I also put it over the windshield protection film bronco kit I bought from grab gard. It really helps the rain and dirt come off the windshield.