I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __bodywork
I took my mx5 to a bodyshop yesterday to have a small scuff on the wheel arch repaired (I didn’t cause it - it was there when I bought it). The chap who did the repair asked me if I wanted to have it ceramic coated for £120. I asked him if it was worth doing on a 10 year-old car and he pointed to a 64 plate car that had it done. I said I probably wouldn’t bother because the car’s up for sale. However, I’ve had no interest so I’ll keep it for now. The bodywork on my car is in good condition and I don’t seem to be very good and washing and waxing my mx5 (my Toyota iQ looks much better after I’ve worked on it). Anyway, would it be worth paying £120 to have a ceramic coating applied? Thank you.
Problem here is, you havent said what you are getting for £120. “ceramics” come in may forms from the easy application stuff like the Cancoat mentioned (really good product) to “lite” versions to “full” versions to ones that can only be applied by authorised dealers.
But like everything, the secret is in the preparation and most would start with a machine polish. Pretty sure your man isnt going to do that for £120.
So, phone him, ask what he will do and what products and report back.
I had our BMW e30 ceramic coated and I am really impressed at the way it gives a depth of shine and repels dust and dirt. Also had the alloys coated and brake dust just slides off. But, I had it fully detailed, machine polished etc. before the coating was applied and then had a coating with a 10 year guarantee applied. This cost way more than £120, but the results are stunning. The coating is really tough and gives great protection, but if you’re fussy there’s no point in doing it without a machine polish first, as you’re never going to be able to easily polish any imperfections out once the coating is applied as it gives so much protection to the clear coat.
I can endorse what others have said re machine polish first. I had my last NC machine polished, it was true red, what a difference it made. In the years following it was still looking great with a glass like finish, I was and still am pretty particular at keeping a car looking good.
Never tried ceramic coating myself but if applied to my latest NC I would have it professionally done after a proper machine polish. Cost well that’s another consideration, its going to be a great deal more than £120.
Like kzg said, “ceramic coating” by itself doesn’t mean much. At £120 it’s likely to be the basics, but even that can give really good results. IMO it’s especially good if, like me,. you’re not a polisher- which isn’t how people usually see it, generally it’s detailers who talk about it but I’m an Occasional Powerwash sort of dude and it basically makes the car stay cleaner and look cleaner while I throw minimum effort at it.
For an older car, if the paint’s basically solid but maybe a bit down at heel, a machine polish first will work absolute wonders- when I got my subaru done it basically took 10 years off it. Partly because I’d neglected the paint/polish I’m sure
