New "Ceramic" finish protection

[Howard]

Regarding Xcentric's comment, above: the detailer also recommended against ceramic protection under paint protection film because it affects the film's ability to adhere to the surface. Ceramic coating on top of the film doesn't add significantly to impact protection but makes clean up easy or unnecessary.

Howard

 

[Beez]

...... because it affects the film's ability to adhere to the surface.

I'd say that makes complete sense and is as one would expect. Was scratching my head about the idea of putting it under the film.

Ceramic coating on top of the film doesn't add significantly to impact protection but makes clean up easy or unnecessary.

...ie the same properties the coatings feature when put on paint.

 

[FENZO]

Howard and I were talking with a detailer at C&C today. He quoted $1,500 for paint correction and ceramic finish.

After searching other car forums it seems the avg for CQuartz with paint correction is $800 - $1,300, so the $2K+ Colorado Detail quote would appear to be a gouge. This shop is the only "Authorized Installer" in Colorado so that probably plays a part. Don't these people know I have a GT to save for?

I find it fascinating reading about all the various coatings and how passionate people are about them. The installers are at each others throats over Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP), which seems like a fancy term for price fixing. Don't charge enough or too much? Lose your dealer status. There are heated discussions, including folks representing the various brands, that escalate into insults and tirades. Ppl losing their sh!t over fancy wax!? I know better than to go on other forums.

Who knew?! Back to square 1.

 

[Beez]

After searching other car forums it seems the avg for CQuartz with paint correction is $800 - $1,300, so the $2K+ Colorado Detail quote would appear to be a gouge. This shop is the only "Authorized Installer" in Colorado so that probably plays a part.

I'd like to suggest you air your thoughts with Steve at CODetail and let him discuss what you get for your $. Ask him how much of his business is fixing the job that people already had done elsewhere that was "a better deal".

I have found him to be of the highest caliber of auto professional you could hope to work with. IMO there is no way he is going to charge you $2000 for the same level of service, product and quality that you can get for $800 -1300 elsewhere. He offers other ceramic coatings that are significantly less than C- Quartz Finest Reserve, if your GT is on a budget ask him about other options.

 

[GTdrummer]

Ahh, ceramic coatings the next level of testing the never ending gullibility of sports car owners. Yes, it's the best thing out there . It's state of the art. But, just like folks spent thousands of useless hours debating Meguires, Zaino , Zymol etc. now it's CQuartz, Beads etc . XPel as much as you can stand then find almost any ceramic and DIY if you're bored. .

 

[dbk]

I definitely wouldn't DIY. That stuff looks nasty when gone wrong, and it's a nightmare to get off.

Having been exposed to the underworld of detailers and paint film guys, they are more territorial than Mexican drug gangs.

 

[Beez]

yeah I bet it's pretty easy to just read the labels and "DIY" your paint correction and ceramic coating. lol.

 

[FENZO]

...if your GT needs budget work instead of the best there is ask about your options.

See what I mean? Panties in a wad. :rofl I'm not calling your baby ugly.

Ahh, ceramic coatings the next level of testing the never ending gullibility of sports car owners.

I resemble that remark. Think I'll go with Opti Coat Pro Plus. The names of these products add to the absurdity.

 

[Beez]

Think I'll go with Opti Coat Pro Plus.

I am just psyched about how well all these new coatings work, and am glad to hear you are planning on trying one. I did not mean to come across like I want to "make a case" for any product, rather just for CODetail being a good shop.

 

[GTdrummer]

I've done it on 3 cars. Didn't strike me as difficult.

 

[FENZO]

I've done it on 3 cars. Didn't strike me as difficult.

How'd you get the stuff? They only sell to installers.

 

[Beez]

I understand that both CQuartz and Opticoat sell one line of coating for consumer DIY, and another line for installers only. The distributers/installers will sell you the consumer products directly without install. Or here is a link to an example on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Carpro-Cquartz-30-Ml-Kit/dp/B005DZJ7VA

 

[junior]

The hard part of the whole application is properly preparing the paint surface. The ceramic/glass coating application is not hard at all. I finished my ST a couple of weeks ago using Kamikaze Miyabi Ceramic Glass Coating (30 ml bottle will set you back $100) and prepped the paint surface with Menzerna products. All products may be purchased online with no fuss, I have zero affiliation with these products. Below are pictures of the roof and the hood of my ST, note the GT belly pan reflection :biggrin (ST is parked under the GT lift).

 

[FENZO]

Nice!

I'm starting to lean towards doing it myself, I'm really only unhappy with a spot or two. I have DDs that I can practice paint correction on, one of which has about 6 acres of paint for me to buff (mega cab). I should have never started reading all the stuff online.

Besides, it's not like it really needs dozens of hours of paint correction. That's it dirty, taken with an old iphone.