Ceramic Coating and PPF Installation Thread

[freakshow999]

Hi everyone. I was just at my local XPEL detail shop and was quoted $1000 for the 4yr ceramic coating including doing the tonneau cover aluminum panels. I was also quoted $1400 for a custom front end PPF (partial hood & leading edge of the fenders that face forward, all of the bumpers there's three sections, lights & mirrors including the door cups)

I want to know what everyone else's experiences with pricing and performance including the brands you use or want to stay away from. TIA Freak

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[shaggy]

That pricing doesn't seem unreasonable. My truck is currently getting full matte ppf and 5 year
ceramic at 7k.

 

[datadylan]

I’ve been quoted 2k for a full front ppf and 1.5k for the ceramic coating.

 

[Bruce]

Well, I sent away for Griots Garage ceramic coating (Ceramic Speed Shine) and applied it in about 1.5 hours. Easy, lasts about a year and very happy with the results. It works on paint, plastic, glass, rubber and more. I live in the frozen state with 1.5 tons of road salt per mile during the winter. Twice this winter I rinsed off the truck in the garage, and it cleaned up well.
I could find a lot of other things to use the remaining $900 on.

 

[Donnie B]

I've been a DIY with Adams Polishes ceramic coating for a long time. Once you understand the process....easy peesie. Don't forget your wheel wells and inside your wheels. As for PPF, I choose XPEL and the cost will be what it will be. There is such a waiting list where I live to get a PPF install that haggling over price is a futile effort.

 

[stemplar]

That price doesn’t seem unreasonable but don’t expect any paint correction at all, and check on the products they use to be sure you’ll be happy with them (the products).

I paid about that much to have our MB GLE ceramic coated and they used CarPro’s CQuartz which has held up really well. So much so, that when I bought my Ranger I applied CQuartz and DQuartz ceramic coatings myself. My only regret with the GLE’s coating is that I wish I’d known more about paint correction and more specifically I regret not having it done before the coating was applied. So for my Ranger I used iron remover, wax and coating stripper, clay bar, then buffed and polished then applied multiple light coatings of CQuartz and dquartz.

When we got our Bronco sport a few months later I didn’t have free time so I paid about $5k for paint correction, leading edge and hood ppf, and ceramic coatings. They also used carpro products.

For the few days of work I put into the Ranger I saved almost $5k and both our fords look great almost a year later. Our GLE coating is also holding up really well and looks good, but the paint flaws from the factory are permanent now.

 

[$Bill]

That price doesn’t seem unreasonable but don’t expect any paint correction at all, and check on the products they use to be sure you’ll be happy with them (the products).

I paid about that much to have our MB GLE ceramic coated and they used CarPro’s CQuartz which has held up really well. So much so, that when I bought my Ranger I applied CQuartz and DQuartz ceramic coatings myself. My only regret with the GLE’s coating is that I wish I’d known more about paint correction and more specifically I regret not having it done before the coating was applied. So for my Ranger I used iron remover, wax and coating stripper, clay bar, then buffed and polished then applied multiple light coatings of CQuartz and dquartz.

When we got our Bronco sport a few months later I didn’t have free time so I paid about $5k for paint correction, leading edge and hood ppf, and ceramic coatings. They also used carpro products.

For the few days of work I put into the Ranger I saved almost $5k and both our fords look great almost a year later. Our GLE coating is also holding up really well and looks good, but the paint flaws from the factory are permanent now.

Which is exactly why paint correction needs to be the first thing before anything else is done.

 

[momodog]

I had mine done when new full ppf including bumpers and canopy painted sections for $7500 plus another $600 for ceramic coatings

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

I have my other truck done whole front end including the A pillars and roof(18 inches) and door sills with XPEL and it cost me $500.

 

[freakshow999]

Which is exactly why paint correction needs to be the first thing before anything else is done.

What exactly is paint correction? I mean I get the general implied idea in the name. But what is the process?

 

[$Bill]

I won't get too into it since you say you get the general idea. And I'm an accountant - not an expert (hence my username of "$Bill" that was given to me as a nickname by someone I worked for.)

Factory paint has imperfections and the goal to remove the swirl marks and scratches. If you put PPF over them they are sealed in under it - you can't get them out unless you remove the PPF.

I do it myself with buffers and compounds from Griot's Garage. I also use the same random orbital tools to apply wax.

Happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability. Here, DM or phone call.

 

[JrHDRanger]

I paid $1500 for Kenzo EcoCoat a yr ago and it’s still good as new. I was going to get PPF on the front clip as well but ended up just doing the ceramic coating. Worst decision ever. I drive lots of highway miles and have half a dozen rock chips that could have been avoided had I gotten it. Definitely worth the extra $.

 

[freakshow999]

I won't get too into it since you say you get the general idea. And I'm an accountant - not an expert (hence my username of "$Bill" that was given to me as a nickname by someone I worked for.)

Factory paint has imperfections and the goal to remove the swirl marks and scratches. If you put PPF over them they are sealed in under it - you can't get them out unless you remove the PPF.

I do it myself with buffers and compounds from Griot's Garage. I also use the same random orbital tools to apply wax.

Happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability. Here, DM or phone call.

So it's color sanding in a newer fancier name then!

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