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To have our SL550 done with paint correction and a five year warranty from Ceramic Pro was $1500.00. It was done by Scott at The Shine Shop in Greensboro, NC. He did an incredible and I am really picjy about the our cars. Couldn't be happier with the outcome. It's been done for two years now and still looks as good as the day we picked it up.
Yep getting mine done and the Ferrari in the next couple of weeks by my weekly detailer each car will take a day £400 each! will take some before and after pics! the E63 is black and the Ferrari is white!
Thanks. I agree it was woth the wait, but wasn't so sure this time last month. I have 975 miles on it and anxious to get past the 1000 mile mark to get a little more "spirited" with it. Hope you're enjpying yours as well.
Ceramic coatings can definitely offer more durable protection compared to traditional wax or polish, especially if you're looking for something long-lasting. They provide a strong, hydrophobic layer that helps repel water, dirt, and even some minor scratches. On a 2019 E53, it could help maintain that showroom shine for years. Wax and polish are great, but they’ll need to be reapplied more often, while a ceramic finish can last a few years if applied and maintained correctly. Just make sure to go with a high-quality coating and proper prep for the best results. If you’re on the fence, some shops offer coatings with warranties, which can give you peace of mind.
Thinking about going with a ceramic "finish" on my 2019 E53. Is there any consensus on here about the value of it - or is a high quality wax/polish sufficient?
Any pointers or experiences are welcomed.
Thanks!!
Are you going to maintain the finish yourself or just put the car through the local car wash weekly.
I would say it’s worth it if you actually maintain it and park it indoors
I just did a ceramic coating on my GT3 for the first time myself, it was pretty easy to do. Just took a couple of evenings to get the car really clean, polished out some scratches and then applied the ceramic coating. The car looks great.
I think there is a bit of mystique around ceramic and detailing in general. A lot of this can be done DIY, it’s not rocket science. Cost me $200 in materials instead of probably $1400 locally. I enjoyed it, you may not
I would like to do the same on the Wagon but it’s impossible to get the time where I won’t drive the car for a few days so with that one I just did clay and wax and it looks great too
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
The trick IMO is the prep and paint correction that takes thy time and effort... the coating is not that hard.
I have an Aston Martin that I had paint corrected for $2500 and it turned out flawless. I inspected the car and had the detailer due a ceramic coating for another $500... that was about 6 years ago. Thy finish is still flawless...I hand wash and spray on a graphene coating at the end.
Easy maintenance.
On my daily driver Volvo XC60 the PO had ceramic done from new.... after 3 years finish still looks great abs i run it thru a automatic car wash every week...
I think it's worth the price to keep your finish looking decent... however... it's all in intrusive prep or condition of the clear coat
I did a diy Gyeon coating (considered one of the more durable at the time, but not today) on my 2019 Ford Expedition immediately after purchase. Literally drove it home and had it in the garage for a week while I prepped everything interior and exterior:
My results:
definitely easier to maintain
stayed clean longer
reduced car washes
reduced scratches from car washes (brushless only)
looked good relative to nothing
Lasted about 3 years in good condition
The downsides:
Cost - I'm not going to pay for a full correction on three vehicles every time the ceramic needs to be redone. Unfortunately I don't have the time either anymore.
The appearance was 'glassy' as oppposed to glossy. I'd prefer the depth of traditional wax with the benefits of ceramic but...
As the finish aged it produced odd patterns of the ceramic effects. While not really the hallmark of a well detailed vehicle I'd say the vehicle got dirty in a patchy fashion
I'm not really sure what to do with the ppf on the front of the vehicle. It's done and should be replaced before the next step. $$$
I picked up an E53 this spring and mulled this over, I opted to go for the depth because, especially on black the glassy look is underwhelming to me. More or less I wanted to give the old way a try and see how it went. Another factor was all the BS over how to keep your car clean, most ceramics ask you to hand wash and completely avoid automated washes. Not realistic for my vehicles, use and climate.
I opted to try some of the super easy graphene sprays to see how they worked. The idea of easy application in a 'detailer' type produce was appealing. I used a bottle of this one and I'd say it produces about 80% of the effect of ceramic but fades fast, like 10's of days. Graphene Detail Spray™ (adamspolishes.com) Adam's has cermic/graphene spary products that would probably do a bit better.
Lately I did the old school minor correction and polish and, despite not using an exotic product, delivered the depth I was looking for. Used this, good product for a traditional polish. Graphene Liquid Wax (adamspolishes.com). Honestly it doesn't deliver the 'easy to keep clean' aspect that ceramics do, but there's depth!
Overall I'd point to durable or cost effective ceramics as the option until someone figures out how to give ceramics some depth (perhaps never). The other route that I may try first is SOFT99 Fusso Coat 12 Months Wax Dark 200g W96 | CARZILLA, fluorine-polymer waxes aren't something I've tried.
I put ceramics over PPF. Car stays crazy clean, it's so easy. Bugs on front? Wet paper towel and they come off without using any pressure. Bird poop? Same thing, just wipe it when I get home. Nothing sticks.
It stays so clean, I've only washed the car twice this year. One when the ceramics were applied, and once before a car show. And it' so _easy_ to wash - foam, barely rub, rinse, done. No scrubbing stuff off worrying about wrecking paint. Everything just slides off.
The best part of putting ceramics over PPF is if the ceramics scratches or swirls just yank off the PPF in that area and re-apply. No frustration trying un swirl or remove the impossibly hard ceramics stuck like super glue to the factory paint.
I watched a ceramic application on an exotic car at an upscale car dealership. Very manually intensive. A big part of the application process was a black light shining on the application area to ensure proper application. I haven’t looked into that black light accessory, but I am assuming it is necessary and expensive.
Hey there on a related notes, what are your impressions of the E53? I had a prior version ('19) E63 for a few years that I loved...worst decision ever to sell it. Current DD is a '24 GLE53 Coupe love the car in all regards, but its a bit heavy, and with the kids getting older, not sure I will need an SUV for a DD after the next year or so since they (sadly) do not make the e63 anymore, seems the 53 is my next car would appreciate any thoughts
As for the OP, I also had ceramic put on all of my cars I went the professional route to ensure high quality and love it my DD stays outside year round here in FL, and its a true breeze to keep clean / maintain I say do it!
I'm coming from a supercharged V8, I guess I'd say the refinement isn't exactly replacing the additional hp.
Transmission is genius, handling is just truly awesome although I neutered it with all-season tires because I simply could not stand the run flats. The car is growing on me. With the noise settled down on the new tires I'm pretty well convinced it also needs a CV joint in the front end to further quiet it down. Overall I wish the car was quieter and isolated road noise better, I can't ask it to deliver the V8 vibes even if its just as quick.
thanks for the quick reply...what is the V8 that you speak of? I have to say...the E63s was an unrivaled car IMHO...I am so mad I sold it as the v8 is gone the GT sedan 63 is just too damn expensive hate to say it, but "may" check out the new M5 when it comes out always wanted one, but this too is a hybrid what is the world coming too..
thank heavens I have a McLaren 650s Spider in the garage for the weekend toy 2015 650(ish ) HP obviously and a v8 love that thing #ICE forever
Jaguar XFR, despite being ten years older it delivers many things the E53 cannot. Haven't managed to sell it yet...because I haven't put it up for sale...
I coach and have had a number of my 12 year old son's buddies in both cars. When asked which one they like more it's the Jag without exception. The number one reason, unprompted, is that there's too much tech in the E53.
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