Ceramic Coating Opinions

[MAT1955]

In have read the extensive thread on this forum on the subject and as usual the members have done an amazingly authoritative job. I have a 2024 GT Premium Convertible. I have just traded it in on a 2026 GT Premium Convertible (I know - the deal was very, reasonable. I didn't get slaughtered, just roughed-up a bit financially speaking LOL) the dealer (as they all do) offered "extras". I was not particularly impressed by their "in house" aftermarket paint coatings. I asked if they are affiliated with anyone who does ceramic coating. They were and the process seemed almost exact to what our Aussie member DFB5.0 recommended (which I have downloaded and printed for reference). To help: I do not use automated car washes. My car is rarely left out overnight. When not being driven it is in a covered garage under a soft cover - every day. I wash it by hand using a "neutral soap" I wax with Meguair's Carnauba wax and hand buff. TBH it's getting to be a lot of work. So I ask for YOUR experiences as that matters more to me that ChatGBT or Google. Questions: Do you recommend or regret using a ceramic coating - that can also include the first hand experience of a friend/relative. Given my Mustang's profile how long should a quality, properly ceramic coating last? Should I use any type of special product to apply after washing. Are there better coatings available. Money is not my concern where my Mustang is concerned. My friend had his Porsche ceramic coated and the treatment (correction, iron neutralization, clay bar etc.) completely changed the look - it shone! It was just done two months ago so we have no idea regarding the longevity of the product. The opinions on this forum are second to none so I respectfully ask for your opinions. Cheers MT

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[Killshot58]

In have read the extensive thread on this forum on the subject and as usual the members have done an amazingly authoritative job. I have a 2024 GT Premium Convertible. I have just traded it in on a 2026 GT Premium Convertible (I know - the deal was very, reasonable. I didn't get slaughtered, just roughed-up a bit financially speaking LOL) the dealer (as they all do) offered "extras". I was not particularly impressed by their "in house" aftermarket paint coatings. I asked if they are affiliated with anyone who does ceramic coating. They were and the process seemed almost exact to what our Aussie member DFB5.0 recommended (which I have downloaded and printed for reference). To help: I do not use automated car washes. My car is rarely left out overnight. When not being driven it is in a covered garage under a soft cover - every day. I wash it by hand using a "neutral soap" I wax with Meguair's Carnauba wax and hand buff. TBH it's getting to be a lot of work. So I ask for YOUR experiences as that matters more to me that ChatGBT or Google. Questions: Do you recommend or regret using a ceramic coating - that can also include the first hand experience of a friend/relative. Given my Mustang's profile how long should a quality, properly ceramic coating last? Should I use any type of special product to apply after washing. Are there better coatings available. Money is not my concern where my Mustang is concerned. My friend had his Porsche ceramic coated and the treatment (correction, iron neutralization, clay bar etc.) completely changed the look - it shone! It was just done two months ago so we have no idea regarding the longevity of the product. The opinions on this forum are second to none so I respectfully ask for your opinions. Cheers MT

I just had my mustang ceramic coated about 3 weeks ago and it looks great! I'm very pleased with the results. Prior to the ceramic coating I just couldn't get the water spots off of the surface. It was kind of a waste of time. That's when I decided to let a pro do the CC. A little pricey, but we'll worth it!

 

[Matstang24]

Worth it. I had my black ‘25 GT ceramic coated right after I picked it up last December. Told the dealer not to wash or detail it. Had it professionally done with the ceramic add on. I think it was worth it. I wash it at least once a month, usually twice a month myself with graphene based car wash and detail spray. A year later it still shines like new. It also makes cleaning it easier. Stains come right off.

Obviously don’t have to go to that extent, but you asked if you can notice a difference. You can but you will also want to keep up on it.

 

[BimmerDriver]

I think most ceramic coatings are snake oil, it's just another in a long line of state-of-the-art paint treatments that don't do 95% of what they are advertised to do.

The "pop" and the shine that most people get is from a well done preparation, not the final layer of stuff. You'll get equally good (and perhaps better) results from a good application of wax after all of that prep. Yes, wax doesn't last very long, but neither does anything else, not if you wash your car frequently.

 

[Ryunker]

In have read the extensive thread on this forum on the subject and as usual the members have done an amazingly authoritative job. I have a 2024 GT Premium Convertible. I have just traded it in on a 2026 GT Premium Convertible (I know - the deal was very, reasonable. I didn't get slaughtered, just roughed-up a bit financially speaking LOL) the dealer (as they all do) offered "extras". I was not particularly impressed by their "in house" aftermarket paint coatings. I asked if they are affiliated with anyone who does ceramic coating. They were and the process seemed almost exact to what our Aussie member DFB5.0 recommended (which I have downloaded and printed for reference). To help: I do not use automated car washes. My car is rarely left out overnight. When not being driven it is in a covered garage under a soft cover - every day. I wash it by hand using a "neutral soap" I wax with Meguair's Carnauba wax and hand buff. TBH it's getting to be a lot of work. So I ask for YOUR experiences as that matters more to me that ChatGBT or Google. Questions: Do you recommend or regret using a ceramic coating - that can also include the first hand experience of a friend/relative. Given my Mustang's profile how long should a quality, properly ceramic coating last? Should I use any type of special product to apply after washing. Are there better coatings available. Money is not my concern where my Mustang is concerned. My friend had his Porsche ceramic coated and the treatment (correction, iron neutralization, clay bar etc.) completely changed the look - it shone! It was just done two months ago so we have no idea regarding the longevity of the product. The opinions on this forum are second to none so I respectfully ask for your opinions. Cheers MT

Ceramic coating should, in theory, last for many years in your environment. However, since you regularly use Meguiar’s carnauba wax, there’s a good chance you won’t be as happy with a ceramic coating. The shine from ceramic is unmatched in its clarity and slickness, but it will never look quite like the warm, deep glow you get from a good carnauba wax. Carnauba gives that classic rich depth to the paint that ceramic coatings simply aren’t designed to replicate. Instead, ceramic delivers a crisp, glass-like gloss.

I have a 2024 Dark Horse in Blue Ember and bought a ceramic kit over two years ago… it’s still sitting unopened on the shelf. Like you, I’m a carnauba wax guy at heart.

 

[MAT1955]

@Ryunker ..... and once again the incredible value of this forum springs forth. First, thank you for taking the time to respond and for your perspective. You may find the sales managers comment interesting when he saw my car - "What has been done with your paint" ..... because as you noted, the look of carnauba wax is hard to duplicate. Maybe the work-out I get buffing isn't so bad after all! LOL .... Thanks again, MT

 

[Frogdog1]

I get asked how I do my car and I use my fav. brand of carnuba. Very now and then, a clay bar and Collinite Speed Wax spray on real quick after washing sometimes gives an amazing finish.

 

[MAT1955]

@Frogdog1 ..... could you please share what brand of carnauba you like? thx MT

 

[Frogdog1]

@Frogdog1 ..... could you please share what brand of carnauba you like? thx MT

I use Collinite waxes, No. 845 or No. 476s and their Speed Spray for a real quick detail if I want it. I clay-barred the car before using any of it. The 845 is as good as the 476s, IMO. It's what I will stick with I like it so much. It brings out the deep color on a real smooth surface in my Race Red and can't imagine anyone not liking it that prefers waxes.

 

[Jimbo33]

I have all of my vehicles ceramic coated. Bird doo and other insults to the paint job just slide right off. It is also hard enough to prevent paint swirls in car washes. All the of my cars paint job look like new. That said in my 2024 Mustang I let the dealer do it. Big mistake. The water doesn't bead like it did in my 2018 Mustang and no yearly touch ups. I am considering (and will probably do it) to pay again and have a professional detail shop do it again.

 

[GooberDH]

I'd say worth it if not getting PPF. Not all are created equal, Project Farm did a good comparison

 

[LouG]

I was sceptical about ceramics, then when we bought my wifes car she suggested getting it coated. I'm a convert now. 3 years on it still looks like new. I wash it about every 3 weeks, foam spray, hand wash, blower dry followed by towel dry.
It lives in a carport, always gets used when it rains because I don't want Bonnie to get wet.
Actually, the real reason is that I'm lazy. Washing cars isn't my favourite thing.

 

[86pagt]

I have a DIY Detail 5/3 stack and have used DIY Detail ceramics on a few cars. I don’t know if the 5/3 stack really does anything probably could have just done the 5yr but wanted to do something different. I did the 5yr only on my 19 and it held up great. If you have the tools and time to me it’s very rewarding. Ceramics have come a long way and a lot are very user friendly. Prep is the key and if you only have a few swirls a light polish won’t take much time.

 

[MAT1955]

AWESOME responses - thank you all so much!!!!! Unbelievably great forum!

 

[AZ_Ryan]

In have read the extensive thread on this forum on the subject and as usual the members have done an amazingly authoritative job. I have a 2024 GT Premium Convertible. I have just traded it in on a 2026 GT Premium Convertible (I know - the deal was very, reasonable. I didn't get slaughtered, just roughed-up a bit financially speaking LOL) the dealer (as they all do) offered "extras". I was not particularly impressed by their "in house" aftermarket paint coatings. I asked if they are affiliated with anyone who does ceramic coating. They were and the process seemed almost exact to what our Aussie member DFB5.0 recommended (which I have downloaded and printed for reference). To help: I do not use automated car washes. My car is rarely left out overnight. When not being driven it is in a covered garage under a soft cover - every day. I wash it by hand using a "neutral soap" I wax with Meguair's Carnauba wax and hand buff. TBH it's getting to be a lot of work. So I ask for YOUR experiences as that matters more to me that ChatGBT or Google. Questions: Do you recommend or regret using a ceramic coating - that can also include the first hand experience of a friend/relative. Given my Mustang's profile how long should a quality, properly ceramic coating last? Should I use any type of special product to apply after washing. Are there better coatings available. Money is not my concern where my Mustang is concerned. My friend had his Porsche ceramic coated and the treatment (correction, iron neutralization, clay bar etc.) completely changed the look - it shone! It was just done two months ago so we have no idea regarding the longevity of the product. The opinions on this forum are second to none so I respectfully ask for your opinions. Cheers MT

Totally worth it. I have cermaic coated my last 4 cars and dont regret any of them. They shine even when dirty and are way easier to clean. The sacrificial layer from the coating means you dont have to worry about micro scratches, water spots, or bird shit.

All cermaic coating are not created equal. A good coating is rated by how many years it will last. Usually 3-5 years is standard. A 5-year coating will last well past that if the car is garages and not washed in automated washes.

Yes, you will want to find a topper that is compatible with Ceramic coating. They go on just like spray detailer and are cheap and easy to use.

I would NEVER, EVER, have a dealer apply Ceramic coating to my car. They will use cheap 1-year coating and likely the person applying it is some kid who will do a shitty job and not prep the paint correctly. Pay a professional to do it right. Paint preparation and application is key to a achieving a quality finish. I cant strees this enough, DO NOT have the dealer do this.

Most people who poo poo ceramic coating are ignorant to what it is, how it works, and what its benefits are. When it comes to protecting your finish, there is literally no downside other than cost.

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