• Welcome to Ranger6G.com everyone!

    If you're joining us from Ranger5G, then you may already have an account here! As long as you were registered on Ranger5G as of March 27, 2020 or earlier, then you can simply login here with the same username and password.

Sponsored

Professional ceramic coat... what brand(s) do you recommend?

pablo94sc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2023
Threads
26
Messages
700
Reaction score
616
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
Focus
I've got a bunch of detailing shops locally that install ceramic coatings and each one seems to use a different brand, none of which I've heard of. Most of the shops have good reviews as well, so that doesn't help me narrow things down either. It's honestly a bit overwhelming, and I'm already starting to get analysis paralysis.

What I'd like to know is what brands do you like, what brands to avoid, and general advice on what actually needs coating and doesn't, i.e. don't get the wheels but do get the windshield, or two coats isn't worth the cost if you plan to reapply at home annually.


Thanks in advance for helping me sort this out. Cheers.
Sponsored

 

SubaruRaptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jory
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
716
Reaction score
625
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 Subaru Forester, 2024 Ranger Raptor
I've got a bunch of detailing shops locally that install ceramic coatings and each one seems to use a different brand, none of which I've heard of. Most of the shops have good reviews as well, so that doesn't help me narrow things down either. It's honestly a bit overwhelming, and I'm already starting to get analysis paralysis.

What I'd like to know is what brands do you like, what brands to avoid, and general advice on what actually needs coating and doesn't, i.e. don't get the wheels but do get the windshield, or two coats isn't worth the cost if you plan to reapply at home annually.


Thanks in advance for helping me sort this out. Cheers.
What brands do they use? To be fair, almost all ceramic coatings will do the same thing. Think of it like this. When you get pasta, you have to pick a noodle. All noodles are made the same, just cut differently and have ever so slightly different textures or shapes. This is very much the car detailing world and ceramic coatings in general.
 

AMGRAPTOR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2024
Threads
4
Messages
103
Reaction score
122
Location
FL
Vehicle(s)
2024 Raptor Ranger
Gtechniq crystal serum light or ultra. Topped with exo v5 I have personally applied this coating myself on multiple vehicles. it’s my go to.
 
OP
OP
pablo94sc

pablo94sc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2023
Threads
26
Messages
700
Reaction score
616
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
Focus
What brands do they use? To be fair, almost all ceramic coatings will do the same thing. Think of it like this. When you get pasta, you have to pick a noodle. All noodles are made the same, just cut differently and have ever so slightly different textures or shapes. This is very much the car detailing world and ceramic coatings in general.
I don't know if I can agree with that. My experience with detailing products is that some are really good, some bad, but most are simply marketing hype on top of so-so product. The latter two are my biggest concerns. This isn't going on a garage queen. It sits outside year round, so I want to get the best coating possible.
 

SubaruRaptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jory
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
716
Reaction score
625
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 Subaru Forester, 2024 Ranger Raptor
I don't know if I can agree with that. My experience with detailing products is that some are really good, some bad, but most are simply marketing hype on top of so-so product. The latter two are my biggest concerns. This isn't going on a garage queen. It sits outside year round, so I want to get the best coating possible.
any of the big names will do you fine. What brands are being offered.
 

Sponsored
OP
OP
pablo94sc

pablo94sc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2023
Threads
26
Messages
700
Reaction score
616
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
Focus
any of the big names will do you fine. What brands are being offered.
Xpel, Opti-coat, Undrdog, System-X, Ceramic Pro,, HydroSilex LIT... each place has a different brand it seems, and there are a ton of places in Memphis. That was just from the first 6 links of local shops I opened in Google.
 

SubaruRaptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jory
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
716
Reaction score
625
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 Subaru Forester, 2024 Ranger Raptor
Xpel, Opti-coat, Undrdog, System-X, Ceramic Pro,, HydroSilex LIT... each place has a different brand it seems, and there are a ton of places in Memphis. That was just from the first 6 links of local shops I opened in Google.
Xpel and Ceramic Pro are going to be the big boys. Ceramic pro has a lot of haters for various reasons.
 

hand-filer

Well-Known Member
First Name
Fred
Joined
May 16, 2024
Threads
8
Messages
377
Reaction score
565
Location
Canada
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ranger Lariat FX4
I can only speak for XPEL Fusion Plus. It looks amazing on my Lariat. Compliments of the dealership for swirling up the clear coat during PDI.
 

SubaruRaptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jory
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
716
Reaction score
625
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 Subaru Forester, 2024 Ranger Raptor
Haters? Why?
Some folks say it is overly hard aka cant be removed, some say its too soft, aka it can be removed to easily. Some think it can ruin the paint, theres just a lot out there. For every horror story there is plenty of "i have used it for ever" stories.

If you read between the lines a bit, most folks dont realize you need to maintain ceramic coatings (yearly top up) and that they can become blocked up. Hitting a ceramic coating with an acid will unblock it and itll start behaving like new again.
 

Sponsored

Stitsch1618

Well-Known Member
First Name
Peter
Joined
Jun 13, 2023
Threads
14
Messages
68
Reaction score
169
Location
Zurich Switzerland
Vehicle(s)
Ranger Raptor New Gen
My 2 cents: I had a full ceramic coat on my F150 Raptor but it did not protect of severe Trail Rash and needed some severe care after every offroad adventure.
I did a full coating transparent wrap on my Ranger and have no trail rash or does it need any polishing etc. - just a short hose down or strong rain the truck looks all shiny again.
I also added a second sticker layer on top of the clear wrap. in the sun it looks cool too.

Ford Ranger Professional ceramic coat... what brand(s) do you recommend? 20240319_152420
 
OP
OP
pablo94sc

pablo94sc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2023
Threads
26
Messages
700
Reaction score
616
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
Focus
Some folks say it is overly hard aka cant be removed, some say its too soft, aka it can be removed to easily. Some think it can ruin the paint, theres just a lot out there. For every horror story there is plenty of "i have used it for ever" stories.

If you read between the lines a bit, most folks dont realize you need to maintain ceramic coatings (yearly top up) and that they can become blocked up. Hitting a ceramic coating with an acid will unblock it and itll start behaving like new again.
Acid wash?

Maybe I need to be schooled on how this works. I thought the point of a ceramic coating was to put a hardened, hydrophobic coat over the paint to protect it from environmental contamination, e.g. bird and tree droppings, and make the surface easier to wash off with a hose end sprayer with or without soap. Also, that these coatings simply need to be touched up at home about once a year with an off the shelf product like Adam's or Chemical Guys to help maximize its longevity. Basically, the modern equivalent of a once a year wax. You get it done professionally, protect that with a yearly home application, and simply hose it off between washings?

How far off from that am I?
 
OP
OP
pablo94sc

pablo94sc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2023
Threads
26
Messages
700
Reaction score
616
Location
TN
Vehicle(s)
Focus
My 2 cents: I had a full ceramic coat on my F150 Raptor but it did not protect of severe Trail Rash and needed some severe care after every offroad adventure.
I did a full coating transparent wrap on my Ranger and have no trail rash or does it need any polishing etc. - just a short hose down or strong rain the truck looks all shiny again.
I also added a second sticker layer on top of the clear wrap. in the sun it looks cool too.

20240319_152420.jpg
So your take is that PPF would be better for our application than ceramic? I thought PPF can scratch and etch pretty easily?
 

SubaruRaptor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jory
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
716
Reaction score
625
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 Subaru Forester, 2024 Ranger Raptor
Acid wash?

Maybe I need to be schooled on how this works. I thought the point of a ceramic coating was to put a hardened, hydrophobic coat over the paint to protect it from environmental contamination, e.g. bird and tree droppings, and make the surface easier to wash off with a hose end sprayer with or without soap. Also, that these coatings simply need to be touched up at home about once a year with an off the shelf product like Adam's or Chemical Guys to help maximize its longevity. Basically, the modern equivalent of a once a year wax. You get it done professionally, protect that with a yearly home application, and simply hose it off between washings?

How far off from that am I?
Acid wash?

Maybe I need to be schooled on how this works. I thought the point of a ceramic coating was to put a hardened, hydrophobic coat over the paint to protect it from environmental contamination, e.g. bird and tree droppings, and make the surface easier to wash off with a hose end sprayer with or without soap. Also, that these coatings simply need to be touched up at home about once a year with an off the shelf product like Adam's or Chemical Guys to help maximize its longevity. Basically, the modern equivalent of a once a year wax. You get it done professionally, protect that with a yearly home application, and simply hose it off between washings?

How far off from that am I?
Not to far. Most "professional" coatings have built in maintenance plans with the installer. That should be explained and such when purchased so you can get the rated longevity they advertise. That maintenance plan is usually an inspection of the existing coating and reapplication in areas if needed or unclogging it.

Most professional coatings are very long lived and unless you do a strip wash or some aggressive washing, you arent going to wear it down. People sometimes attribute the coating not beading water correctly as it is gone when in a lot of cases it is "clogged". Over time the coating surface will simply develop a film of stuff that normal washing cant remove be it dirt or other products, hence the acid wash. The acid wash will remove the film on the top of the coating and re-establish the hydrophobicity of it.

You as the consumer only need to worry about applying to many layers of protection by using competing products as they wont stick right, or react right, etc. Generally speaking the ceramic coating prevents lots of things from sticking to the car and makes washing easier. Cleaning the coating (washing the car) and applying a topper should be all you need. Just make sure your topper is compatible with ceramic coatings and that it isnt doing something your coating already does. Whats the point of adding a topper that beads water when thats what the coating does for example.
Sponsored

 
 







Top