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      05-13-2021, 07:03 AM   #1
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Experience with ceramic coating; getting two vastly different quotes

Folks - looking for some advice on ceramic coating my car. I have gotten two vastly different quotes and wanted to run by this group for their opinion/insights:

Both the places are highly rated in online reviews:

Company 1: uses ceramic pro (with something called a 9H) and is quoting me $1,300 for paint correction, application (including wheels)

Company 2: uses cQuartz and is quoting me $500 for paint correction, application (including wheels)

Company 1 cannot explain the delta other than saying Ceramic Pro is the Best.

Would appreciate your advice.

Thank you!
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      05-13-2021, 07:24 AM   #2
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I have done my cars myself i have the equipment and time. There are alot of fantastic coatings 9h is the hardness. I used Adam's Graphene on my m5 that is supposedly the latest in ceramic coatings. i also used CQuartz. Paint prep is the most important part of the process and if you buy the spray booster after the process is done you can keep it fresh. Higher price doesnt mean better quality.
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      05-13-2021, 07:31 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dougpaper View Post
I have done my cars myself i have the equipment and time. There are alot of fantastic coatings 9h is the hardness. I used Adam's Graphene on my m5 that is supposedly the latest in ceramic coatings. i also used CQuartz. Paint prep is the most important part of the process and if you buy the spray booster after the process is done you can keep it fresh. Higher price doesnt mean better quality.
Thanks Doug; UGH - this shit is so difficult with so many variables. I have no idea how to proceed LOL.
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      05-13-2021, 07:55 AM   #4
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I would get a third quote to be sure…..i paid approx $1300 for new car paint correction and ceramic…included wheels.
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      05-13-2021, 07:58 AM   #5
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At pickup after ceramic
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      05-13-2021, 08:17 AM   #6
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Both quotes aren't bad. But if you are the kind of guy that enjoys the occasional "do it yourself" project, especially when it comes to the M5. I would order the Graphene products from Adam's. Extremely easy to use, and great customer service.

I've called them with questions, sometimes even mid detail on my car, and they've always been able to guide me.

I highly suggest them!
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      05-13-2021, 08:26 AM   #7
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theres no clear answer here Ive seen prices vary wildly, some people do it for less because theyre new, or some dont do as much paint correction, high price is no guarantee its good, remmeber its about $100 in materials, its really the time/experience youre paying for
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      05-13-2021, 08:43 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBlackKnight View Post
theres no clear answer here Ive seen prices vary wildly, some people do it for less because theyre new, or some dont do as much paint correction, high price is no guarantee its good, remmeber its about $100 in materials, its really the time/experience youre paying for
Thank you all; I am going to do a bit more research on the dude with the higher quote. Maybe it is because he is more experienced and takes more time in the upfront correction and prep.
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      05-13-2021, 08:49 AM   #9
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"correction" is polishing and removing a tiny layer of paint, its looks better is shinier because the paint is smoother and without perfection, but a few microns thinner, I ceramic immediately after delivery, but without "correction" it essentially locks in the imperfections, but the paints a few microns thicker, I suppose the answer is what kind of OCD do you have
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      05-13-2021, 09:04 AM   #10
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Not all ceramics are made the same. Ceramic Pro 9H at $1,300 sounds about right. I’ve paid anywhere from $1,600 to $1,900 for my vehicles with Ceramic Pro 9H. The latest in graphene from Gloss It would cost about double that. Just make sure the dude is quoting you the Gold Package. It may end up being a bit more for that.

CQuartz is not designed to last more than a couple years. That’s why the price is so low. Ceramic Pro 9H with yearly maintenance will last 10+ years and has a lifetime warranty with yearly inspections/enhancements that cost anywhere from $100-150.

Edit: There are many products in the CQuartz line. He’s probably quoting you the cheapest one.
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      05-13-2021, 09:09 AM   #11
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Keep in mind that there is variation on the number of layers of coating is applied which will impact the price. Ceramic Pro for example has 3 different packages that range from 1 layer of 9H to 4 layers and have a 2 year to lifetime warranty respectively. Packages will range from ~$1000 to $4000+.

https://ceramicpro.com/ceramic-coati...s-ceramic-pro/

Also, as others have stated, prep is the most important step and you will pay a bit more for quality work/experience.

I went with Feynlab for my '19 M5C https://www.feynlab.com

I paid $1500 for a 3 layer / 10 year warranty application. I chose this product over Ceramic Pro because of its self healing properties...nothing against Ceramic Pro, they've been around the longest and are considered the best, but I wanted the newest tech available.
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      05-13-2021, 09:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JakerStyle View Post
Not all ceramics are made the same. Ceramic Pro 9H at $1,300 sounds about right. I’ve paid anywhere from $1,600 to $1,900 for my vehicles with Ceramic Pro 9H. The latest in graphene from Gloss It would cost about double that. Just make sure the dude is quoting you the Gold Package. It may end up being a bit more for that.

CQuartz is not designed to last more than a couple years. That’s why the price is so low. Ceramic Pro 9H with yearly maintenance will last 10+ years and has a lifetime warranty with yearly inspections/enhancements that cost anywhere from $100-150.

Edit: There are many products in the CQuartz line. He’s probably quoting you the cheapest one.
Jaker - the Ceramic Pro guy quoted me the Silver Package which includes Ceramic Pro Light + Ceramic Pro 9H (1 layer). The Gold package included Ceramic Light + Ceramic Pro 9H (4 layers).
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      05-13-2021, 09:21 AM   #13
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I’d go with the Gold Package. It really is great and isn’t too much more unless you’re planning on getting rid of the car at the end of your lease.

That being said, the difference between the two is readily apparent in the first year.
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      05-13-2021, 07:51 PM   #14
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500 is too cheap for paint correction and a ceramic coating.

It’s the jockey as much as the product.

A bad detailer will mess you up. Burn paint take too much clear off a d not finish properly.

Caramic pro is ok. So is c quartz finest.

I would personally look for an IGL dealer and request Kenzo.

IMHO it’s the best.

Good luck.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wesleyan92 View Post
Folks - looking for some advice on ceramic coating my car. I have gotten two vastly different quotes and wanted to run by this group for their opinion/insights:

Both the places are highly rated in online reviews:

Company 1: uses ceramic pro (with something called a 9H) and is quoting me $1,300 for paint correction, application (including wheels)

Company 2: uses cQuartz and is quoting me $500 for paint correction, application (including wheels)

Company 1 cannot explain the delta other than saying Ceramic Pro is the Best.

Would appreciate your advice.

Thank you!
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      05-14-2021, 07:05 AM   #15
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Yup, $500 is way below the price I have seen from any reputable detailer. I would be very skeptical about that one.

I have Modesta coatings on my cars and the prices for correction and install for that have varied from about $1300 to $2000, depending on the size of the vehicle and the level of correction needed.
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      05-20-2021, 10:17 PM   #16
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how do you guys know whats actually being put on the car? as in one product vs a cheaper one?
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      05-23-2021, 08:13 AM   #17
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So folks, this is where I landed. I researched more and found a recommended and "seems to be reputable" GTechnik shop in town. They have a contract with the Audi dealership near my house. The Audi and BMW dealership are owned by the same family so the company is letting the detailer use the shop to do the job - full Gtechnik on body, glass, wheels, calipers.

The detailer's shop is 45 mins from my house so being able to use the Audi dealership (5 mins from house) is a huge bonus.

All in cost is between $1.8K and $2K. I went with the advise here to really do the due diligence on the staff, experience as opposed to just looking at the product. Wait is 3 weeks before he can take me in so I'll post experience and pictures once done.

Thank you all again for sharing your experiences.
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      06-18-2021, 12:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrevorM3 View Post
how do you guys know whats actually being put on the car? as in one product vs a cheaper one?
Exactly! And unfortunately a lot of the people who do this stuff aren't the most reputable. I've been researching wraps, coatings, etc. in town and every person is very quick to bad mouth their competition.
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      06-18-2021, 04:10 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shellbmb View Post
Exactly! And unfortunately a lot of the people who do this stuff aren't the most reputable. I've been researching wraps, coatings, etc. in town and every person is very quick to bad mouth their competition.
I usually avoid people/companies who bad mouth competition. There's no need for it. Your quality and/or product should stand on its own.
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      06-18-2021, 04:11 PM   #20
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My detailer is outstanding. He is a BMW M4 owner with an individual color on his car. He also does wraps for all the cars at the Porsche Experience Center in ATL. I trust him with my cars more than I trust myself. 😂
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      06-18-2021, 06:08 PM   #21
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I just had gtechniq CSL applied by my mobile detail guy- it's suitable product for a leased car and I don't see the point springing for the higher end ceramics for a car that will be kept for 3 yrs. my guy did a great job on the prep (the hard part), csl is easy enough for anyone to apply. $600 all in and I'm not mad.
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