I might go for ceramic coating, but it seems the more I google, the less I know,
especially when it comes to the products that are being used.

Prices) range from 400 to 2000 euro (in general, as it can be even more)

It can take from 1 to 5 days to apply..., and to confuse it more: sometimes 1 day is more expensive than 3 days

Are there people here who have done it and can give their "review" on it ?

Cheers.

 

My new black AT is getting its first detail today. I also thought it would be a good time to revisit ceramic…

My guy talked me out of it. He uses Griot’s Ceramic 3-in-1 after a proper detail, and thinks it provides most of the benefits of ceramic coating in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours.

 

Here is my $.02:

I have been compounding, waxing, polishing and detailing my cars for over 60 years. However, for the past 15/20 years I have been leasing so all I have done is wash my cars.

In September my wife's car came off lease, a 2018 Ford Edge Sport and in February my 2019 E450 came off lease. I decided to buy both. Time to give them a shine: Like you I did a lot of research on the Internet about ceramic coating. I also remember the lawsuits and settlements in the 1990's about paint sealants, so I was extremely skeptical about claims of "lifetime" coatings including today's ceramic coatings.

Here is what I decided to do:

On my wife's Ford Edge I washed the car and then did the entire car with Meguiar's cleaner wax.: This was the first time in over 10 years I had done an entire car. It took me less than 2 hours! In the past an SUV would have taken well over 4 and closer to 5 hours to complete. Although 3 years old and never having been waxed, the paint was in terrific shape. My conclusion is that today's paints are far superior to paints of even 5 to 7 years ago.

see: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s...-16-oz/871743?

I then applied Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax: total time under 15 minutes. Total time to apply both Meguiar's cleaner wax and hybrid wax just over 2 hours.

see: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s...Wax/136531484?

I then did the same on my 2019 Mercedes E450: total time under 2 hours. Total cost: under $20.

Now many, many months later when it rains, 90% of the dirt on the car just washes off. Car washing is a dream: water beads up and the gloss in the paint is fantastic. Every six months after washing I plan to re-apply the Hybrid ceramic coating, time under 15 minutes. Cost about $3.

I am totally satisfied and recommend to others what I have done. I see no reason to spend hundreds even thousands for a "professional" ceramic coating. Todays paints are so good, that a professional ceramic coating, at least in my opinion, is complete overkill.

If I had a new car, I would wait 6 months to let the paint set and hardened: than if after washing and drying, apply the hybrid ceramic wax. If the paint shows any wear and tear, then use the cleaner wax and then the hybrid wax.

What I really like about the Meguiar's is that you can first use a cleaner wax to get the finish in mirror condition and then apply the hybrid ceramic wax over it:

see:
There are other Youtube videos showing how to apply the hybrid wax.

Hope this helps!

 

^ Basically the same process with the same stuff, but different brands...although he cleans the paint with clay after washing and prior to protecting.

 

I have seen videos on cleaning with clay, although I have never done it. Suspect it is similar to rubbing compound.

My experience is using the cleaner wax on most cars is sufficient: it removes all stains and imperfections, is easy to apply and easy to remove.

On older paint, I used rubbing compound and then carnauba wax or simonize. That was a great deal of work - especially if you did it by hand! Paint on today's cars seem to be so much better.

There are other similar products on the market: I find Meguiar's excellent and very price competitive.

 

^ Clay is nothing at all like rubbing compound. Clay deeply cleans the paint/clearcoat without removing any of it; rubbing compound is abrasive and removes paint/clearcoat. Cleaner waxes and polishes typically remove paint/clearcoat as well, although a much finer abrasive than compound.

 

I found it hard to believe that rubbing compound, that everyone uses, actually removes the clear coat.

Turns out rubbing compound does removes clear coat but only a layer but that layer is 10 times thinner that a sheet of paper: so effectively, as I suspected rubbing compound does not remove clearcoat, so it can be used safely to remove scratches and other imperfections in the finish of your car.

see: https://fourwheeltrends.com/does-com...ve-clear-coat/

As to clay baring vs. a cleaner wax: If after washing and drying the surface seems rough to the touch, I agree with you that clay barring is preferred to a cleaner wax. Thanks for you post!

see: https://www.wamcars.com/clay-bar-vs-cleaner-wax/

 

Using compound is more commonly known as ‘paint correction’ now. If you are removing scratches, you are removing a layer of clearcoat, plain and simple. One can very easily burn all the way through the clearcoat, and even the paint, with too much pressure and/or too frequent of application.

 

Clay removes contaminents in the paint like hot brake dust
rail dust when it rode on train
paint overspray.

See these things are pointy or what not and either stick into the clear like little ninja daggers...
The clay is wiped over them and pulls them out of clear.
hence why you need Quick detailer lube and constantly knead the clay.

Read about clays on GRIOTS, Zaino, MOTHERs - Many examples out there.
A quick test -
Clean and dry car - wax - whatever you do.
Now feel paint with your finger tips?
Probably notice nothing as fingers are not super sensitive.
To fix that we get clear cellophane plastic like those wrappers on cigarette packs.
Put your fingers inside and then gently feel the paint.
The cellophane enhances your fingertip feelings.

YOu will not feel it is not super smooth and has what feels like bumps and crud on paint even though you can not see most of them.

Now follow clay bar directions and repeat cellophane test. SMooth as baby butt...
But next time after wash feel with cellophane - if rough clay bar if smooth wax.
Always wax (or ceramic coat) after claying.

PS they came out with fake clay MITTS that have some sort of rubber like coatig on one side of mitt and you rub that like it is clay for same effect...
Those are not for me.

 

i did clean my previous car with a clay bar after 3 years, but it was pretty "useless" as the paint was almost spotless (after a thorough wash of course),
so the (meguiar's) clay bar hardly picked up any dirt .

The reason I'm thinking off ceramic coating is mainly so washing the car will be easier (it's black),
but also to prevent my lease company from screwing me, when i return the car in 3.5 years, as they invoice each little imperfection
(I know the coating won't protect me from scratches, but it does seem to "reinforce" ? )

 

Interesting about your comment about returning the car at the end of the lease: Here in the US, if you lease from Mercedes, they are extremely liberal about "wear and tear": any dent or scratch that can be covered by a credit card is waived: this is limited to two (2) per body panel. Nicks and scratches that do not go through the paint are waived. As long as tires have 3/32 of inch of tread life left, that is acceptable. Of course tears and large stains in the upholstery are your responsibility.

As I posted, I lease and have not waxed or done anything to the exterior except wash it and I never had problems at the end of the lease.

Having said that, lease companies other than those of the manufacturer, nickel and dime you at the end of the lease. Those lease companies have cheaper monthly payments: they make their money on the back end of the lease, when you return the car.

For your situation where your surface is clean and smooth and you lease, a do it yourself ceramic wax like Meguiar's sounds perfect.

 

Twice a year, I clay bar (Griots) and then apply Chemical Guys Hydroslick; used to do the three step McGuire's process, but find this latest iteration is best for me. In the old days, I would use carnuba!

To add to the finger test, you can also insert your fingers into a ziplock sandwich bag, and run fingers over the finish. Then do a small area with clay bar, and feel the difference in the two. Just amazing, but clay bar in my house is not reused, one time only, small sections.

 

good to hear about Mercedes lease . it's the 1st time (out of 5) I go through them, as in the past they were much more expensive.

 

Mercedes Financial in the states can be more expensive with the monthly payment. But there are no costs at the end.

To a finance company you are a one time customer so there is an incentive to make as much as they can. With Mercedes they want you back at the end of the lease to lease another car, so they are more liberal.

So total costs, I find Mercedes much cheaper.

 

I also used the Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax on my S560 and what a fantastic shine! Gonna use it on my new E450 wagon when weather warms up.

 

Thanks all for your input.

Though i would have thought that there would be loads of people here that have actually had it done by a pro :-)

Tomorow & saturday i'm going to see 2 detailers to discuss .

nothing's decided yet, cos I'll be at looking at at least 1.000 euro it seems...

 

The colour of the car also plays a big role in my opinion. Mine is Polar White so there is no depth to that colour like the Selenite Grey or Nautical Blue. I have a detailer that has been doing my cars for several years and he suggested against spending the money of ceramic coating my E450 and rather just getting it waxed three or four times a year. Between him doing waxes for me, I either wash the car by hand or use ceramic detailer to wipe the dust off and keep the car clean. Egonvdv, with a black car I'd look at ceramic coating solutions.

 

Waxing three or four times a year: Unless your car is outside in the sun all day or under a tree that is dropping sap, that seems really excessive to me. As you wash your car by hand, the next time after it is waxed and you wash it, suggest you try a product like Meguair's Hybrid ceramic wax: it will take you less than 10 minutes and the cost will be under $5. Then in three months instead of going through the expense of another wax job, reapply the Hybrid ceramic wax: again less than 10 minutes and under $5.

What do you have to lose?

 

I had the 22 E450 done last week looked so good decided to have the 20 SL 550 done this week both black.

 

There's lots of reviews out there. I've been using Turtle Wax Ceramic spray coating. Giving it two coats is supposed to last a year and it's almost lasted that long. Once I've used that up though, I think I'm going to try Groit's 3-1 Ceramic Wax, supposed to be slightly better than the Turtle Wax Ceramic spray. As for those guys that do the ceramic application, I think you're basically paying for the labor and the application, there are some other ceramic out there that are more money than what I mentioned and last longer, but they're only 2-5x more. So the $100 may be the ceramic coating and the other $900 is the labor/profit. You could probably pick up a gallon of the Groit's 3-1 and that would probably last longer than you have the car.

 

Great post many thanks!

From the comparisons, when I used up the Meguiar's Ceramic Hybrid, I think I too will also try the Griots

 

But on the other hand:

Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax vs. Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax - Which is the best spray wax?

see:
In the comments section I found the following: There are as many different results as there are tests.

I am revising: I am going to stick to the Meguairs:

• Price
• Ability to reapply after washing when car is wet

 

Has anyone used a ceramic product for the interior?

I want to protect the magma grey leather in my new E450 wagon. I understand they can prevent dye transfer.

I'm otherwise sold on the exterior DIY ceramic car wash and detailing products!

 

one of the detailers i saw last Friday wasn't a fan of it. he says it doesn't last very long

 

I am considering McKee's 37 SiO2 Leather Guard.