What is a decent price to have specialized shop do Ceramic Coating and Paint Protection Film (PPF)

So I have a 2017 tundra 4x4 and plan on keeping it forever. Its the nicest vehile Ive ever owned (always had beaters for the most part) and its a forever truck. That being said it does have one or two rock chips in the front, a very super small ding on one side with a paint chip, and a deep blemish on the rear bumper. It also has a few very very minor scratches in it. All in all its in really good shape for a used truck I think. I know the blemish in the bumper would probably have to be painted before any cermiac coating/ppf was applied.

I left a message for a guy recommaned to me by a coworker, who had his brand new car done for about 1800(just cermiac I think)...but he has a smaller honda. I have no clue how much a good cermaic coating / ppf would cost. How much do you guys think a decent price for something like this would be? I know the small ding would have to be pulled, and some sort of touch up would have to be done on the rock chips...but Im trying to get some sort of baseline so I know if whatever quote Im given is a good one. Coworker said the guy is solid and the shop does a lot of lambos and Porsches and other high end cars. (I may have to wait a while to get anything done depending on the cost)

 

With your vehicle being a few years old, any good shop should perform a full paint correction prior to applying ceramic or ppf. Depending on the shape of your vehicle that correction can be anywhere from a couple hundred to a few grand (again, depends what they have to do). In the DFW area, doing a 5-10 year ceramic on a truck is around 2-4k depending what all you want them to do. New vehicle can normally avoid paying much for paint correction since they are in good shape but I know in my area they still perform some form of correction prior to the ceramic application.

I know that is a lot of money, but you do get what you pay for. You can always do a diy ceramic to get you a few years to protect anything that is in good shape. Or you can do the very affordable route and use the groits 3-in-1 that is a ceramic wax (many threads on it if you search the forum, lasts roughly 4-6 months) but it would be easy to remove that layer whenever you go for a professional ceramic.

 

Not sure what your wash practices are but unless you plan on hand washing your truck or using touchless on occasion there is no point in a ceramic coat.

 

Some of the shops here tell you that if you wash and wax quite often, it isn't worth the money for ceramic coatings.

 

I did a double coat of diy Avalon King ceramic on my wife's 4Runner and it's going on 18 months and still beads like the very first day. It only lasted about a year on the windshield though because of the wipers and wiper fluid wearing it down.

 

I got my Tundra ceramic coated in Feb. this year for around $1,600 with Opticoat Pro plus. Very pleased with it.

 

I paid approximately $1200 (I’ve been going to him for many years and brought him work several times so I got a discount) paint corrected and 9 year warranty Crystal Serum GTechniq Ultra ceramic coating was applied. Best thing I ever did, no more swirl marks and hand washing is so much easier, drying I just use my leaf blower. Get the ceramic coating.

 

I paid $1800 for Duraslic Pro on my 22 F350. Worth it.

I also hand wash and use a leaf blower to dry.ooks amazing after.

 

Question

How about doing it yourself?

I have been detailing cars since high school and the prices that people pay for waxing and ceramic coating are kinda high!
It’s mainly labor. Adam’s products have 1 year to 5 year ceramic coating products. That cost $100 dollars to $300 dollars for the ceramic products.

What you really need is to wax strip wash your truck, clay bar the truck and Polish.
Lastly apply the ceramic. Just Polish and ceramic in a spot with shade.

So many videos on YouTube to help guide you through the process.

With gas prices going through the roof just seems crazy that spending that kinda dough on ceramic when you can spend that on modifications to your trucks.

I mentioned the Adam’s product because that ceramic coating can be applied to the metal, plastics and glass of your trucks.

 

I coated my Tundra myself following the basic steps you outlined. It is a process for a newcomer but totally doable just takes time. There is a cost involved with a polisher/pads, the coating of course and lots of towels etc., plus watching vids and reading beforehand. Not for everyone I guess but it is gratifying once you're finished.

 

Not to thread jack. Interested in hearing your thoughts on the Undrdog product.

 

I polished and used Undrdog pro on my daughters car and it turned out amazing. In the process of applying it to one of motorcycles this week. Super easy and amazing results.