HELP! Ceramic Coating...is it worth it?

Spend the money on ppf. You’ll be much happier

Make sure it is an actual ceramic coat and not just basically an advanced wax job. My quotes were always for the job itself (generally $2,000) not broken down into any of the other things you said. My wife loves her ceramic coating on her 22 Lincoln Aviator. Simple wash down and it’s like new. Good against any type of minor things that would have chipped or scratched. It’s not going to deflect a pebble at 70 mph. No upkeep at all. Last 5-7 years. If you’re a person that normally waxes your vehicle every 3 months or gets mad at the minor imperfections (scratches/chips) time/driving does to a vehicle it’s worth it in the long run, as long as you intend to keep the car 5-7 years. Hope this helps and good luck.

Ceramic coating is 100% a worthwhile investment. All my vehicles get this treatment and it ensures that your paint retains its luster for years and makes cleaning super quick & easy! I have all painted surfaces, the glass & rims ceramic coated.

I would suggest that you have the paint color corrected before ceramic coating for optimal results. Ceramic coating doesn’t really provide any significant protection from physical damage like PPF will so, if you go the PPF route, I would color correct, PPF and then ceramic coat the PPF. (y)

Do you need ceramic coatings? No, you don't. Is it better than regularly waxing your vehicle? Yes, it can be considerably better depending on what is being used.
If I lived in an industrial area where rain can be contaminated, then I would make sure to do ceramic coatings or PPF.
The ceramic coating does nothing to protect your paint from abrasion. that's what PPF will give you.
Now if you want to DIY, here is a pro detailer walking you through a detailed job on a Bronco Sport including a1 year ceramic coating.
https://www.tiktok.com/@jtmobiledet...1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7051357660239676934

I'm 100% convinced it's snake oil. I was even told as much by someone who used to have a shop installing it.

Calgecko

I'm 100% convinced it's snake oil. I was even told as much by someone who used to have a shop installing it.

It can be. That's why I won't trust a dealer's version of "ceramic coating" because I can't know what was used, and they have a large amount of motivation to do the cheapest thing as possible.

Here is a good post that describes what ceramic coatings do, this being compared to zaino, a previously highly used polymer for show cars due to its ability to create a crazy deep shine. Ceramic coatings are silicon dioxide products derived from quartz.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forum...is-there-something-better.html#post1601795248and here is a chemist video sharing about ceramic coatings

It largely depends how much work you want to put into your vehicle, and if you want to do it yourself or are willing to pay other people to do it.

• If you want to do a little work as possible... paint protection film is usually the way to go. The problem is the quality of paint protection film varies widely. Cheaper paint-protection film can scratch easily or discolor with time and make your vehicle look like junk if you ordered a lighter color like white or cactus gray. Quality paint protection film can look fantastic... but... well... it's pretty expensive. So expensive that many people will just ceramic coat the PPF after it is applied for extra protection, and it's not uncommon to see PPF cost four times more than a ceramic coating at the same shop. You can do PPF yourself, if you haven't done it before it can be mega-frustrating and it will require some trial/error until you figure it out.
• If you are willing to keep up with general maintenance on your car... ceramic coatings are great. Professional ceramic coatings can last 2-3 years... sometimes as long as 5 years if you park your Bronco in a garage. Most the coatings you do at home only last around a year-ish. The downside of ceramic coatings is it is somewhat expensive to do professionally, and not super forgiving if you do it yourself. There are more forgoving ceramic coatings available, but unfortunately the less forgiving coatings generally don't last as long.
• If you are the type to wash your car weekly and really enjoy working on your car... waxing may make more sense. Waxes are cheaper and super forgiving if you apply it yourself. If you screw up... not a big deal. The downside is wax coatings only last a few months. If you park outside in the Arizona summer sun and you have a darker paint color... you probably will only get 1 month out of a wax coating. If you park inside a garage, probably 2-4 months. So you're looking at waxing at least 3-4 times a year to keep up with it. For some people that's just too much of a hassle.

In terms of looks... most "car people" will tell you a wax looks the best, particularly if you ordered a warm color like race red, cyber orange, or hot pepper red. If you ordered a darker color or a color with a lot of metallic flake in it (like anti-matter blue or eruption green) people tend to gravitate towards ceramic coatings due to it's longer-lasting hydrophobic properties. Lighter colors are generally a lot more forgiving than darker colors, so you don't have to worry about it quite as much.

Listen to Sarah.

I dunno, I have a 14 year old car with close to 400k that still looks pretty good it lives outside and I have probably washed it 8 times total I did use that ZR1 spray stuff a few times.

I swear by the products from #griotsgarage Griots Garage. https://www.griotsgarage.com/
Been using it for over 20 years. Wash, clay, polish, and wax.

I use a product called topcoat F11. Goes on painted surfaces windows plastic everything. Less expensive. Same amount of time as washing the car. Super easy and looks works great.

MCBronco777

I use a product called topcoat F11. Goes on painted surfaces windows plastic everything. Less expensive. Same amount of time as washing the car. Super easy and looks works great.

Topcoat F11 is a ceramic sealant. It is water-based and will not last as long as a ceramic sealant but will give you a nice result. Such sealants are often used as a final topcoat when washing a vehicle that has had ceramic coatings applied, enhancing the shine.

Calgecko

I'm 100% convinced it's snake oil. I was even told as much by someone who used to have a shop installing it.

Nope, go to a reputable shop or do it your self. Worth it if you are a paint Geek. Have done it my self on my last 2 vehicles and the hydrophobic properties alone are worth it to me. Prep is the key, on a new vehicle it is pretty easy though.

mike8675309

Topcoat F11 is a ceramic sealant. It is water-based and will not last as long as a ceramic sealant but will give you a nice result. Such sealants are often used as a final topcoat when washing a vehicle that has had ceramic coatings applied, enhancing the shine.

I just put it on between normal washes. Works great. Also makes black plastic trim look like new and does not gray a day later.

RagnarKon

It largely depends how much work you want to put into your vehicle, and if you want to do it yourself or are willing to pay other people to do it.

• If you want to do a little work as possible... paint protection film is usually the way to go. The problem is the quality of paint protection film varies widely. Cheaper paint-protection film can scratch easily or discolor with time and make your vehicle look like junk if you ordered a lighter color like white or cactus gray. Quality paint protection film can look fantastic... but... well... it's pretty expensive. So expensive that many people will just ceramic coat the PPF after it is applied for extra protection, and it's not uncommon to see PPF cost four times more than a ceramic coating at the same shop. You can do PPF yourself, if you haven't done it before it can be mega-frustrating and it will require some trial/error until you figure it out.
• If you are willing to keep up with general maintenance on your car... ceramic coatings are great. Professional ceramic coatings can last 2-3 years... sometimes as long as 5 years if you park your Bronco in a garage. Most the coatings you do at home only last around a year-ish. The downside of ceramic coatings is it is somewhat expensive to do professionally, and not super forgiving if you do it yourself. There are more forgoving ceramic coatings available, but unfortunately the less forgiving coatings generally don't last as long.
• If you are the type to wash your car weekly and really enjoy working on your car... waxing may make more sense. Waxes are cheaper and super forgiving if you apply it yourself. If you screw up... not a big deal. The downside is wax coatings only last a few months. If you park outside in the Arizona summer sun and you have a darker paint color... you probably will only get 1 month out of a wax coating. If you park inside a garage, probably 2-4 months. So you're looking at waxing at least 3-4 times a year to keep up with it. For some people that's just too much of a hassle.

In terms of looks... most "car people" will tell you a wax looks the best, particularly if you ordered a warm color like race red, cyber orange, or hot pepper red. If you ordered a darker color or a color with a lot of metallic flake in it (like anti-matter blue or eruption green) people tend to gravitate towards ceramic coatings due to it's longer-lasting hydrophobic properties. Lighter colors are generally a lot more forgiving than darker colors, so you don't have to worry about it quite as much.

Thank you for this break down! Definitely helps understand it better.

hkbooner

Thank you for this break down! Definitely helps understand it better.

RagnarKon

It largely depends how much work you want to put into your vehicle, and if you want to do it yourself or are willing to pay other people to do it.

• If you want to do a little work as possible... paint protection film is usually the way to go. The problem is the quality of paint protection film varies widely. Cheaper paint-protection film can scratch easily or discolor with time and make your vehicle look like junk if you ordered a lighter color like white or cactus gray. Quality paint protection film can look fantastic... but... well... it's pretty expensive. So expensive that many people will just ceramic coat the PPF after it is applied for extra protection, and it's not uncommon to see PPF cost four times more than a ceramic coating at the same shop. You can do PPF yourself, if you haven't done it before it can be mega-frustrating and it will require some trial/error until you figure it out.
• If you are willing to keep up with general maintenance on your car... ceramic coatings are great. Professional ceramic coatings can last 2-3 years... sometimes as long as 5 years if you park your Bronco in a garage. Most the coatings you do at home only last around a year-ish. The downside of ceramic coatings is it is somewhat expensive to do professionally, and not super forgiving if you do it yourself. There are more forgoving ceramic coatings available, but unfortunately the less forgiving coatings generally don't last as long.
• If you are the type to wash your car weekly and really enjoy working on your car... waxing may make more sense. Waxes are cheaper and super forgiving if you apply it yourself. If you screw up... not a big deal. The downside is wax coatings only last a few months. If you park outside in the Arizona summer sun and you have a darker paint color... you probably will only get 1 month out of a wax coating. If you park inside a garage, probably 2-4 months. So you're looking at waxing at least 3-4 times a year to keep up with it. For some people that's just too much of a hassle.

In terms of looks... most "car people" will tell you a wax looks the best, particularly if you ordered a warm color like race red, cyber orange, or hot pepper red. If you ordered a darker color or a color with a lot of metallic flake in it (like anti-matter blue or eruption green) people tend to gravitate towards ceramic coatings due to it's longer-lasting hydrophobic properties. Lighter colors are generally a lot more forgiving than darker colors, so you don't have to worry about it quite as much.

This is an excellent and accurate summary of the options available. I had my Shadow Black WildTrak completely PPF'd and ceramic coated, as I live in Florida, the vehicle is black, and my wife's X7 gets the garage space. Further, as you mentioned, I don't want to wax the vehicle several times (at a minimum) each year. Great info.