View Single Post
      12-26-2020, 10:02 AM   #3
robby818
Lieutenant
265
Rep
479
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: L.A.

iTrader: (0)

I usually have ceramic coating applied (unless i buy a white car). The majority of the cost is from the amount of time spent by the detailer performing paint correction. Even on a brand new car, the paint will benefit from polishing. At a reputable detailer, it takes 2-3 days for the paint correction work to be done. The ceramic coating then adds a layer of protection on top of the correction that makes the paint look glossier and offers a bit of protection, but the real reason why the car looks so good is the paint correction process that precedes the ceramic coating.

Ceramic coating in the US costs $1300 on an X5. The one downside to ceramic coatings is that you can't polish on top of them. Even a light polish will remove the coating. So, rather than ceramic coat, you could just take it to a detail shop for a one step paint correction every 2 years and pay $300-400. The nice thing about that approach is the polishing will completely remove light swirl marks, whereas with ceramic you just have to live with them or else pay to have the coating re-applied. Ceramic coating is not armor, you will still get light scratches from normal washing or driving, although less so than on the clear coat.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by robby818; 12-26-2020 at 10:17 AM..
Appreciate 0