Ceramic coat?

[petrolhead90]

Hello!

I am getting ready to buy my 392 (probably from Granger in IA).
I have heard about a "ceramic coating" that is supposed to make the Jeep more scratch resistant.

I am wondering:
- how much does this cost?
- what is the process for applying this ceramic coat and does it need to be applied as soon as you get your jeep from the factory?
- how do I find a skilled body shop to do this?
- does it really work and is it worth the price?

Thanks so much!

 

[Robr651]

Hello!

I am getting ready to buy my 392 (probably from Granger in IA).
I have heard about a "ceramic coating" that is supposed to make the Jeep more scratch resistant.

I am wondering:
- how much does this cost?
- what is the process for applying this ceramic coat and does it need to be applied as soon as you get your jeep from the factory?
- how do I find a skilled body shop to do this?
- does it really work and is it worth the price?

Thanks so much!

Ceramic doesn’t make it scratch resistant it makes it easier to keep clean (hydrophobic) ie it sheds water. Paint protection film will make it more scratch resistant. Mine is coated

 

[petrolhead90]

Ceramic doesn’t make it scratch resistant it makes it easier to keep clean (hydrophobic) ie it sheds water. Paint protection film will make it more scratch resistant. Mine is coated

Okay, great! So it's called "paint protection film" and that is different from a "ceramic coat?"
Love your green one by the way!

 

[redbeard719]

Okay, great! So it's called "paint protection film" and that is different from a "ceramic coat?"
Love your green one by the way!

PPF and ceramic coating are two different things.

PPF is hydrophobic as well (not to the same level as ceramic coating), and most PPF is self healing to light abrasions, once it's back in the sun/heat for a little bit.

I had my entire 392XR done with PPF - every surface. I had the fronts of the rear fenders get a second layer of thicker film to protect from damage kicked up from the front tires.

And then I had the entire thing ceramic coated on top of the PPF. Think of ceramic coating as a semi-permanent wax. It should last several years (5-7) depending on exposure, etc.

I'll warn you ahead of time - the cost is not insignificant for full PPF and ceramic coating.

 

[petrolhead90]

Aweso

PPF and ceramic coating are two different things.

PPF is hydrophobic as well (not to the same level as ceramic coating), and most PPF is self healing to light abrasions, once it's back in the sun/heat for a little bit.

I had my entire 392XR done with PPF - every surface. I had the fronts of the rear fenders get a second layer of thicker film to protect from damage kicked up from the front tires.

And then I had the entire thing ceramic coated on top of the PPF. Think of ceramic coating as a semi-permanent wax. It should last several years (5-7) depending on exposure, etc.

I'll warn you ahead of time - the cost is not insignificant for full PPF and ceramic coating.

View attachment 31218

Awesome, looks great! Where do you live? And would you mind sharing the price you paid for each? It would be so helpful.

 

[Robr651]

Two different things as already mentioned above. I detail as a hobby and have been for a while. I have lots of detail equipment at my disposal. My advice… Don’t pay for any detail / ceramic coating through any dealership. Go to a reputable shop that does paint correction / polishing and ceramic coating.

For any coating they’ll have to correct imperfections in the paint first with decontamination and machine polishing. Most places will charge $1,000- $1500 for paint correction and ceramic coating:

If you want paint protection film you’ll still need the paint corrected first, protection film applied and most often ceramic coated afterwards. That is in the several thousand dollar range.

I went the correction and ceramic coating only route. My Jeep is easy to keep clean and water just beads up and runs off my paint. I did the same on my TRX (which I sold).

 

[DeadStang]

Two different things as already mentioned above. I detail as a hobby and have been for a while. I have lots of detail equipment at my disposal. My advice… Don’t pay for any detail / ceramic coating through any dealership. Go to a reputable shop that does paint correction / polishing and ceramic coating.

For any coating they’ll have to correct imperfections in the paint first with decontamination and machine polishing. Most places will charge $1,000- $1500 for paint correction and ceramic coating:

If you want paint protection film you’ll still need the paint corrected first, protection film applied and most often ceramic coated afterwards. That is in the several thousand dollar range.

I went the correction and ceramic coating only route. My Jeep is easy to keep clean and water just beads up and runs off my paint. I did the same on my TRX (which I sold).

Just out of curiosity why didn't you do the PPF?

 

[Robr651]

Just out of curiosity why didn't you do the PPF?

cost mainly and I haven’t had the need as of yet.

 

[Turboencabulator]

Aweso

Awesome, looks great! Where do you live? And would you mind sharing the price you paid for each? It would be so helpful.

Hey @petrolhead90 I did full PPF on my 392. I debated doing full PPF vs. some PPF, here is that post. I'm happy I went with full PPF because the back my Jeep gets super dirty in the winter. Here is my invoice it includes full PPF, and includes the 4 factory half doors, paint correction (paint polish) and ceramic coat (in includes a credit for taking the jeep apart (handles removed, mirrors off, everything removed, etc):

If I was to do do it again I would skip the ceramic coat and do that myself. The PPF is the key part, applying that stuff takes lots of experience, here is a post I did showing that process in detail. I would definitely do PPF on a new car before the paint gets scratched up or chipped.

As far as PPF it really does wonders for micro scratches, rock chips, bird poop, road salt, branches, etc. To maintain it I just wash the jeep about once a month in the shade using a bucket with a grit guard and car wash, then I blow off the water drops (to prevent spots) with my EGO blower with a shorty nozzle, then I use TurtleWax Ceramic Spray Coating, after every wash on the outside and 303 Leather on the inside. The guy on Project Farm youtube did a review of ceramic products. I have access to a fancy hanger wash bay with a hot water foam cannon pressure washer and a expensive DI water rinse system used to wash aircraft, so I washed my 392 in there a couple times when I first got it, and honestly this little blower and bucket set-up in my driveway works just as good or better. Here is my Jeep washing stuff:

I have a classic VW bug and I wouldn't PPF that thing because PPF will never look as car show shinny as a normal painted clear coat that has been machine polished to a mirror finish. But I don't daily drive my bug all winter. The only other down side to PPF is the cost, it makes the economics of selling or trading the vehicle harder to justify. But I'm really happy with how well it has performed and when I added a new 2024 gill to my Jeep the first thing I did was get it PPF'd.
Hope that helps, good luck with your new Jeep

 

[Ted392]

$6k for my full ppf and ceramic coat.

 

[Focker]

I did a ceramic coat on my last vehicle, a BMW X3 M40i. A year later I decided I would never do that again. I can do whatever paint correction is needed and wax every 6 months that will look great with much less expense. PPF is what I would spend my money on.

 

[Exec_392]

First thing I did was paint correction and ceramic. Do it on all my cars now. Have two installers local, one does modesta coatings and the other ceramic pro. Modesta is far superior, it’s like a rock when it sets. Good for 5 years.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

Do you guys think the ceramic coating actually stays on for 5 years?

 

[Focker]

Do you guys think the ceramic coating actually stays on for 5 years?

I say no way, I think 2 years would be stretch. My plan now is applying quality wax on a bi-annual basis and paint correction when needed.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

I say no way, I think 2 years would be stretch. My plan now is applying quality wax on a bi-annual basis and paint correction when needed.

Roger that. I got my daily car with a 1 year coat I think. Looks great, but I figure washing it every week probably wears it off.

 

[Robr651]

Roger that. I got my daily car with a 1 year coat I think. Looks great, but I figure washing it every week probably wears it off.

Ceramic coating is actually fairly high maintenance unless you get into a rhythm of cleaning your ride. If you take it to a car wash you might as well save your money. You have to use the correct soaps and refresh the coat every so often with a booster. I enjoy washing and detailing so it’s not an issue for me. A properly maintained high quality coating can last years.

 

[Mallcrawler_392]

Ceramic coating is actually fairly high maintenance unless you get into a rhythm of cleaning your ride. If you take it to a car wash you might as well save your money. You have to use the correct soaps and refresh the coat every so often with a booster. I enjoy washing and detailing so it’s not an issue for me. A properly maintained high quality coating can last years.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[MDrums]

I ceramic coated my Jeep myself. I have done other vehicles in the past but it is very easy to do yourself. It is time consuming to properly prep but no big deal for me.

I washed and clay bar and light nano polished my silver paint out. From the factory and dealer the paint was in great shape with some minor swirls and contaminates I took care off. I taped up a few areas and applied the ceramic coating. Since I am not a pro coating installer I can only get consumer grade but have found the C-Quartz UK 3.0 is as good as past pro level coatings I have had done.

I am detailed orientated and slow but the prep took an afternoon/early evening and the next morning I wiped down and applying and wiping the coating took me till noon. Jeep sat in the garage for 24hrs.

I also did wheels, winch, bumpers, fender liners and suspension parts and frame. I was board!!! LOL. Dirty and mud just fall off the suspension and frame and the paint is very easy to wash now and stays cleaner looking longer.

 

[Exec_392]

Do you guys think the ceramic coating actually stays on for 5 years?

If it’s good, especially the two brands I mentioned it does. if you use some cheap shit, expect that level of results. 1-2yrs maybe. Properly applied bonds to the paint

If you wash it correctly and maintain it annually, your good to go.

I have had cars with ceramic pro that in their 5th year shed water and protect the paint still, clear as day. Before then I always used optimum wax and detailed myself, and thought ceramic was BS. The modesta product is something else

 

[Sunsational]

Hello!

I am getting ready to buy my 392 (probably from Granger in IA).
I have heard about a "ceramic coating" that is supposed to make the Jeep more scratch resistant.

I am wondering:
- how much does this cost?
- what is the process for applying this ceramic coat and does it need to be applied as soon as you get your jeep from the factory?
- how do I find a skilled body shop to do this?
- does it really work and is it worth the price?

Thanks so much!

Auto Bahn offers a lifetime ceramic coating which is why I went with it. Every 6 months I put their ceramic detail spray on to keep up the hydrophobic properties. Yes, it will keep the stupid scratches completely off but if you are offroad PPF is for you. Xpel makes a PPF that has a ceramic coat on it from the factory which is a better choice than paying twice. This is a pic of my 2022 after almost 2 years I do not go off-road but it is a daily. Also they (Auto Bahn) makes a Nautik ceramic which I used on my wheels and that was the best thing I ever did, it put a gloss on the wheels and they never really get dirty. Going through a rainstorm. is like going through a car wash.