[GDN]

I'm curious how many have used them on a previous vehicle or plan on having your Lightning coated. Do you do it yourself or have it done?

I've used the same product 3 times, very happy with it years later. It happened to be the first product I chose after research and I'm planning on sticking with it again for this truck. The company is Gyeon. They have a complete line of products and can be self applied. I'm not into paying $1500 and up to have it done. I just spent a couple of hundred and invested in a good DA polisher and dug in for some good sweat equity.

I did all 3 previous ones myself, a 2014 F-150 and two Model 3's. I'll attach a picture of the truck after it was done. That truck was unfortunately stolen. Still have both of the cars - they are 3.5 years old and truly bead water like the day I put the coating on.

 

[FM_Jack]

I never want to trust myself that I can do it correctly. I'm considering it, just not sure on what level yet.

 

[GDN]

I never want to trust myself that I can do it correctly. I'm considering it, just not sure on what level yet.

Youtube is loaded with videos. I just watched for a few hours and read a few articles. You do have to be careful, but it is very doable to save a grand or two in labor.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I’m going to do my Bronco soon, will plan on doing my Lightning too. I paid to get my 2020 Raptor done, but I got a bro deal so it only cost $600. This picture is from picking it up the day it was coated and clear bra applied.

 

[Voltz]

Looks great! Is that Velocity Blue?

I wish I could see Atlas Blue and Velocity Blue sitting next to each other somewhere

 

[GDN]

I’m going to do my Bronco soon, will plan on doing my Lightning too. I paid to get my 2020 Raptor done, but I got a bro deal so it only cost $600. This picture is from picking it up the day it was coated and clear bra applied. View attachment 1689

Very nice. Have you researched and do you know which product you plan on using on the Bronco and Lightning?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Very nice. Have you researched and do you know which product you plan on using on the Bronco and Lightning?

I haven’t gotten too in depth on product, but based on forum recommendations I’ll be looking into the Adam’s products. I’m also interested in options for ceramic on my boat instead of conventional wax.

 

[Firebob462]

I owned a detail company for 10 years before I sold it. The hardest part of the process is getting the paint in the right condition that it needs to be before applying the coating. Even new cars come from the factory with swirls and all sorts of defects. Matter of fact companies like Porsche and BMW hire professional detailers that get paid the same if not more than the technicians to take care of new cars.

With all that said if you have patience, an eye for detail and the right tools you should be able to do an okay job yourself and save some money. Keep in mind that allot of detailers pop up overnight and will offer ceramic coatings so if you do pay someone to do it expect to pay a decent amount if you go with someone that knows what they are doing. The chemicals are expensive but Its mostly the labor and knowledge of the paint correction process that your paying for.


One piece of advice... don't let a dealership do it. If you do hire someone make sure it's a small business owner. You wouldn't belive the junk they use in dealerships and most of the time they do little to no paint correction.

 

[steelmydeel]

I had a local shop ceramic coat mine. I love how easy it is to keep clean

 

[Simsonic]

I wrote this in another discussion, so I am adding here as well.

Please do the ceramic coat yourself. It’s easy, fun, and cheap. I’ve been detailing my, my friends and families cars for two decades, so I know what I’m doing.

Total cost= $30

1) wash the Lightning

2) clay towel the Lightning (any decent one on Amazon will do). You can use regular car wash soap with the clay towel. Rinse it off and dry it.

3) use Meguair’s ceramic spray. Follow this guys advice for the first “base” coat (starting at 4:50):

4) then just use a top spray and wash of the ceramic spray and every few months like this:

5) enjoy

6) repeat steps 1-5 once a year

 

[SSSJDanny]

Now Im debating on doing this, having someone do it professionally or getting Paint Protection Film.
I already got a small scratch on my Anti Matter Blue Truck and I can tell that all the scratches are gonna come out looking white.

I was even joking thinking when I finally get a couple of bad scratches I'll just have someone etch lightning bolt patterns in those spots.

 

[Justjoe]

The local "No Touch" car wash is offering a Ceramic coating as part of the car wash. Is it worth the extra $6?

 

[Simsonic]

The local "No Touch" car wash is offering a Ceramic coating as part of the car wash. Is it worth the extra $6?

I would ask what ceramic coating they use. I’m doubtful they actually use one. Who knows?

 

[ChasingCoral]

The local "No Touch" car wash is offering a Ceramic coating as part of the car wash. Is it worth the extra $6?

Probably not. A quickie spray-on of ceramic won't do much.

 

[Simsonic]

Probably not. A quickie spray-on of ceramic won't do much.

Yeah, it seems like it's just an extra spray on liquid wax. Tests show those last about a week, at most. I think that would be fine as long as you have a true ceramic coating put on before that. But it's most likely a waste of money. The best thing to do is put on a ceramic coating, like I described above, then just wash your car once every couple of weeks.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Just got ceramic on Sherman at Atomic Auto Salon in Columbia, MD. Nice and shiny!

 

[everiklevine]

I'd like to add some sort of additional protective coating to prevent the occasional small scratches, but don't want my truck to be glossy (no offense to those getting the ceramic coatings). I'd like the coating be a little more matte. Are there other protective coatings that do this? All I have seen are ceramic and they boast about how shiny they make the paint.
Thx

 

[ChasingCoral]

I'd like to add some sort of additional protective coating to prevent the occasional small scratches, but don't want my truck to be glossy (no offense to those getting the ceramic coatings). I'd like the coating be a little more matte. Are there other protective coatings that do this? All I have seen are ceramic and they boast about how shiny they make the paint.
Thx

You may need to go with a matte wrap to get that effect.

 

[everiklevine]

You may need to go with a matte wrap to get that effect.

Thanks. I may look around. I'm not as much looking for matte, but looking for lower gloss.

 

[Simsonic]

Thanks. I may look around. I'm not as much looking for matte, but looking for lower gloss.

Do you mean lower gloss than your factory paint?