Re: The Ceramic Coating Thread Quote:
Originally Posted by sapien Note : Ceramic coating only protects from nature elements like sun, rain atmosphere etc. For protection against physical damage PPF is the only option but with the cost’s going upwards of 1 lac, one can get full car repainted few years down the line! |
I agree. I went through this thought process in December 2023 for my new car. Wanted to go for full PPF, but my well-intentioned detailer talked me out of it - he suggested doing PPF on bonnet, door edges, bumper etc. and doing ceramic elsewhere. His point was that PPF is needed only at places that are most susceptible to hard impact, rock chips etc. Finally, went for CQuartz Finest with 5 years warranty (with annual re-applications) and partial PPF as he suggested.
A few weeks back, I got a full-length scratch on the left side from a shrub, as I had to make space on a narrow hill road. It did not go with simple washing, except on the door edges where PPF was present, where a simple wipe with my finger was enough to clear the scratch. So I took it to the detailer - they applied SiO2 spray and wiped, and most of the scratch went away. I can still make out traces at one or two places if I look carefully - and they said they will fix those the next time we re-apply the coating.
Then, I noticed a 1mm spot on the rear door - looks like someone who parked near my car opened their rear door too hard. The impact was hard enough to leave a break in the ceramic coat and the clear coat, though the paint underneath is safe. This cannot be fixed without a touch-up (which I am not doing now, even though I cannot un-see that spot, now that I have seen it. ). Apparently, PPF would have prevented this too.
Other than these, the ceramic coating has been great. It is super-easy to maintain the car (with a lot of love) and it looks amazing. I keep thinking that I should probably have gone ahead and pushed for a full PPF, except for maybe the roof. It is probably my OCD, but there is something to be said for the joy of seeing the car gleaming like new, every time you pamper it a little. |