Looking for Ceramic Coating Install Recommendations - Raleigh NC

[TheMac]

Hello All,

I’ll be picking up my 2026 R1T in the next few days. I want to have it ceramic coated and I’m looking to see if any owners in the Raleigh NC area have had ceramic coating installed (not looking to do protective film) by a local company and could make/give a recommendation for the installer.

Thanks!

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[SwampNut]

In case you aren't aware, doing this job isn't rocket surgery, and the amount saved is astronomical. I've done three of my own cars, a couple motorcycles, and helped four friends on theirs. Sure it takes all day, but again, not hard or technical. On a brand new car, you can usually simply do the clay mitt/bar without other correction. Just did this fresh off the lot and the clay mitt was sufficient and super easy.

I like and recommend Avalon King Max, but Adam's is excellent also. The Adam's and Chemical Guys prep products like the mitt are excellent.

 

[Ecupip]

I agree, it's just as easy as paste waxing.

Maybe the earlier ceramics were harder to work with, but today it is super easy, and to me, the biggest fear tactic in the auto industry.

However, if I needed it done, I'd probably use August.

https://www.augustprecision.com/

 

[ToddV2]

I agree with much above, if you have a knack for cleaning cars then you could do the coating yourself. I am getting old and frankly don’t have the time to do a full sized SUV R1S myself. I found a company in Raleigh called flywheel detailing and ceramic coatings. I found them on the rivian subreddit here. They are based in Raleigh, north hills. It’s just a solo owner, small business, he does great work and easy to work with. His quote was also very reasonable. I had my R1S and my wife’s X5 Cermaic coated by him. 8 year coating and so far it’s very slick and easy to wash. I wasn’t about to drop thousands on PPF. Some of the shops push for ppf on the cars but I just don’t see myself roughing up the car enough to spend that cash.

 

[TheMac]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the recommendations and all of the responses all valid points and might look into doing it myself after getting a few quotes.

 

[beatle]

You don't even need to use a top tier product. The spray ceramic / graphene coatings last a long time and are far easier and faster to apply than even the easier liquids like CQuartz. I've had excellent results with both Hybrid Solutions ceramic spray and Griots.

If you're going to spend any real money on paint protection, get PPF. It's certainly more expensive, but it protects a lot more, even if you just do the front clip.

 

[SwampNut]

The spray ceramic / graphene coatings last a long time and are far easier and faster to apply than even the easier liquids like CQuartz.

100% disagree, and every test on these fake ceramics shows they last only a short time. IE months instead of years. They also have vastly less protection.

Also disagree on the PPF, but then again, I now have it (for a color change, plus it was free). Well, OTOH, if it's "pay $5k to get ceramic or $5k to get PPF, I guess, yeah PPF. I'd choose neither, and do real ceramic myself for less than $150.

 

[beatle]

I guess agree to disagree. I applied "fake ceramic" Griots last November and it's still hydrophobic. My truck lives outside. Two coats of CQuartz UK only lasted a little more than a year on my garaged Model S. The lifespan of the spray may end up being shorter than the liquid, but the application is a whole other world. These coatings aren't really protective anyway; they're far too thin - only a few microns. Their benefit is making a car easier to clean, and reducing the interval between cleanings. But use whatever you want. I just don't like wasting my time or money.

PPF isn't explicitly necessary, but if you want to avoid rock chips and prevent bird crap from etching your paint, it's really the only solution. It also prevents swirls in the paint from less-than-perfect washing/cleaning.

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