Ceramic coating worth the cost?

[Captain JB]

I took a while to decide between the ceramic coating and the full wrap. It was $1000 vs $6000. I wanted some protection form the branches scratching off road drives but just could not justify $6000. Went with the ceramic and so glad I did as it can rain all day and the finish does not get stained or dirty. It works for that. It will mean less detailing for sure.

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[ThirteenElectrics]

Ceramic is nice. However, trees and bushes can still scratch through the paint. It’s not really a protectant. One of my Rivians has it and there are foliage scratch marks all the way through to the primer.

The other Rivian has ceramic on top of PPF and there it helps with washing.

 

[bigsky]

DIY yes. Professional no.

Professional ceramic coating application on top of professionally installed 10 mil PPF by the people who know what they are doing, absolutely yes, worth every penny, would do it again and again.

 

[bigsky]

Is ceramic coating worth the cost? I am not one that normally hand washes my vehicles and rarely goes to a touch-free car wash.

If you don't care about your vehicle looks, put it thtough carwashes, ceramic coating is not for you, don't bother.
Ceramic coating ( on PPF, wheel barrels and brake calipers) is for the discerning customer only, for those who want to protect vehicle finish and keep them looking shinier than when new for years.
No elbow grease when washing them, no carwash ever, no soaps; whatever grime on vehicle cones right off with little work.
Ceramic coating (and PPF) keeps your car looking better and shinier than when new for years.
Ceramic coating is not an investment. It is an expense gladly incurred by only those who care about keeping vehicles looking great.

 

[cpucrazy]

Honestly, I did a full ceramic coat right when we got our Quad motor, and it was awesome at repelling dirt and water and all the like, but I thought it would last a little longer than it did. I think I must have been super ignorant and over expecting, but I was hoping it would block scratches from driving through brush and whatnot, alas, it did not. It also didnt last very long. The water and dust repellant feature was gone before 6 months. I kind wish I had done a full wrap or something like that

 

[tbolts10]

Honestly, I did a full ceramic coat right when we got our Quad motor, and it was awesome at repelling dirt and water and all the like, but I thought it would last a little longer than it did. I think I must have been super ignorant and over expecting, but I was hoping it would block scratches from driving through brush and whatnot, alas, it did not. It also didnt last very long. The water and dust repellant feature was gone before 6 months. I kind wish I had done a full wrap or something like that

Which ceramic did you go with?

 

[cpucrazy]

Which ceramic did you go with?

I don't know. It was just a car detailer guy I know. He's really great and I trust he used good quality stuff, but I don't know what it was specifically.

 

[metagamers]

I've got Modesta Ceramic BC-08 on my R1S and yeah it's not going to protect against scratches and such but even after long drives and rainy weather it looks really fantastic. I'd also add, with a ceramic coating the bugs on the front of the Rivian simply wash right off without much effort.

It does require upkeep, I usually apply some Modesta M2 Blast after each hand wash.

 

[tubbydog12]

Depends on your metrics for choosing "worth". Ceramic coating helps the vehicle shed dirt easier. So it will look less dirty and be cleaned easier than if you didn't have it. With that said car washes that aren't touchless can take the coating off and cause it to prematurely fail.

If you are looking at resale value it is not worth it, no one cares if it's been ceramic coated especially on a trade in. If the money is worth it to you to keep your vehicle looking nice then it's worth it, if you don't care that much it's not.

Personally I subscribe to the broken window theory which is why I get my car detailed regularly. Basically the theory states that a house with a broken window is more likely to get another broken window as it is "permission" to treat it with less respect than an immaculate house. Keeping my cars in as close to factory new condition influences me to continue to treat my vehicles with care and respect so they remain nice during my period of ownership.

Basically I keep my vehicle as nice as I can because in my mind that means it's a nice vehicle so I treat it that way instead of beating on it.

You’re wife must love you

 

[Donald Stanfield]

You’re wife must love you

She has her own car, that she washes much less often.

 

[runwithscissors]

I ceramic coat my cars but people have to realize what it takes to maintain the coat and using automated car washing will kill the coat with the crappy soap/waxes they add to the wash. Ceramic coating means you have to handwash it yourself or use a basic car wash without all the additives.

 

[ElGuano]

Personally I subscribe to the broken window theory which is why I get my car detailed regularly. Basically the theory states that a house with a broken window is more likely to get another broken window as it is "permission" to treat it with less respect than an immaculate house. Keeping my cars in as close to factory new condition influences me to continue to treat my vehicles with care and respect so they remain nice during my period of ownership.

Importantly, it might also influence OTHERS to treat your car with more respect. If I park next to a beat up clunker, I might not be as careful with my door as I would be with something shiny and well cared for (or maybe not, but it can't hurt).

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Importantly, it might also influence OTHERS to treat your car with more respect. If I park next to a beat up clunker, I might not be as careful with my door as I would be with something shiny and well cared for (or maybe not, but it can't hurt).

True. Usually the other expensive cars will park next to me. Their theory is that I don’t want to wreck mine and they don’t want to wreck theirs. Plus parking perfectly centered goes a long way.

 

[Seano]

Is ceramic coating worth the cost? I am not one that normally hand washes my vehicles and rarely goes to a touch-free car wash.

Have this same question. My R1S stays outside most of the time, so probably wash it 1-2x per week... at one of those touch car washes (I know, I know: oh horrors... I must hate my cars)

Detailer coming in the morning and has a pretty good price on ceramic... may give it a try and see how it fares at the car wash.

TBH, I've owned pretty nice cars from Rivian, Rover, Porsche, Audi & BMW and have been much happier with clean cars after giving up on the "they need to be hand washed" line of thinking: I'd never get around to it myself and finally gave in and bought a pass for unlimited washes at a car wash close by and easy to swing into.

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