Is ceramic coating worth it?

Title says it all. Ceramic isn’t cheap, but is it worth it? Pros cons all welcomed

 

There is a very recent thread”Is ceramic worth it?”, u might want to check out.

 

I read it, but it wasn’t for a third gen. Didn’t know if it made a difference

 

I'd say it's worth it if you can do your own otherwise just stick to a good polymer sealant or a ceramic spray coating. Couple times a year and your set. Also if you spend all that money and have someone install a ceramic coating you should be hand washing only. Brushes will just undo everything good about the coating.

 

Ceramic coating is ceramic coating it does not matter what the model year is. A Tundra is a Tundra.


Wash the truck put some wax (Nu Finish)on it then every time you wash it use Bead Maker and you are good to go!

 

The pros of ceramic coating

If you're considering ceramic coating for your car, you're probably wondering what the benefits are. Here are some of the pros of this popular car care treatment:

1. Protection from the elements: Ceramic coating creates a barrier between your car's paint and the elements, helping to protect it from UV rays, dirt, and other contaminants.
2. Enhanced shine: Ceramic coating can give your car's paint an extra level of shine and luster, making it look like new.
3. Easy maintenance: Once your car has been ceramic coated, it will be easier to keep clean. Water and dirt will bead up on the surface and can be easily wiped away.
4. Longer lasting paint: Ceramic coating can extend the life of your car's paint job by protecting it from wear and tear.
5. Resale value: If you ever decide to sell your car, ceramic coating can help it retain its value and appeal to potential buyers.

The cons of ceramic coating
Ceramic coating a car can be a great way to protect your vehicle's paint and keep it looking new for longer. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before you make the decision to ceramic coat your car. Here are a few of the cons of ceramic coating:

1. It's not a permanent solution. Ceramic coating will eventually wear off, so you'll need to have it reapplied every few years to maintain the protection.
2. It's not cheap. Ceramic coating typically costs several hundred dollars to have applied, so it's not an inexpensive option upfront.
3. It can be difficult to remove. If you decide you don't like the look of your ceramic coated car or you want to change colors, it can be difficult and expensive to remove the coating.
4. It's not foolproof. Ceramic coating is a great option for protecting your car's paint, but it's not perfect. It can still be scratched or chipped, so you'll need to be careful with how you use and care for your car.

if you off road, pin striping, rough duty, etc, then usually ceramic coating is useless. personally i dont since i dont care about the paint or the nicks dents to worry about it.

 

Worth it? Depends on your budget and what youre after and what your game plan for maintenance washes is. I DIY'd my wife's car and my truck...worth it for me since I have the means to do it the right way and do proper maintenance on the coating.

 

Ceramic coating can be purchased at any auto-parts store for about the same price as a high-quality wax. It's much easier to apply than wax. I'm sold. The expense comes from having someone else do it for you, if you do it yourself it's pretty cheap.

 

It works great but…I run through the car wash every week so that killed it for me. I don’t have time to hand wash. However, I did put it on my wheels myself. A friend suggested this and it works awesome. Brake dust and road grime don’t stick and rinse right off. As for my paint, I have it clay bared, waxed, sealed and polished once a year. The black paint on my 2005 Sequoia with 300k miles looks like new. All car wash swirls come out with this process. It cost me $200 a year. Highly recommend this approach if you can’t hand wash. Here is the stuff I used on my wheels.

 

cquartz is good stuff...thats what I use

 

A lot of reading says skip it from the dealership and get someone who professionally does it to do it. Thoughts on that?

 

if you want a cheaper alternative that still works great, try this. I have it on my wife's new Sienna and like it better than the ceramic I have on my tundra

$31 Meguiar's G210300 Hybrid Paint Coating Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PPXD25N?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I did Adam ceramic coating yesterday. It took a while but the results are pretty good. I am sure the guys who do it for a living are faster and can do a better job but I am cheap that way!

 

100%

 

Dealer stuff is garbage.

 

If you’re buying a dealer-installed ceramic, ask questions (what brand, how many coats, etc.)
I know some of the local car dealers (not Toyota though) where I live contract it out and use high-quality ceramic.
Ceramic is a preference, not a requirement. Personally I would only coat a vehicle I plan to keep more than 5 years. Or a vehicle with cheap clearcoat.
Ceramic is not an ‘easy button.’ It takes more ongoing work to maintain a ceramic vehicle. But I can also wash and detail my truck at 9pm in the garage instead of at 8am on a Saturday so that’s ‘worth it’ in my book.

 

If your vehicle has previously been waxed with anything it will have to be stripped clean and its paint corrected in order for the Ceramic to bond. In addition the spray stuff in the Auto Store is not the same as the small liquid bottle used by detailers for the longest lasting protection.