Ceramic or not to ceramic... that is the question

[Dazs87]

as the title says....

I’ve been told I should clay bar and ceramic coat my new Navarra blue S3 Sportback... would everyone here recommend that too?

Anything I should be made aware/wary of?

From what it seems it only benefits and makes the paintwork look immaculate and will take away those delivery swirls the car came with...

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thank you, D

 

[HulkRS3]

Clay barring and ceramic coating won't take away swirls. Clay barring removes built up paint contaminates (yes, even brand new cars) but if it's not used correctly it will damage the paint further and marr it. Ceramic coating is literally that, a ceramic transparent layer with durable protection and good hydrophobic abilities. Most ceramic coatings are professional application only and the ones that are not are not that great, and again if you mess the ceramic coating up the paint will need wet sanding to bring it back. Once it hardens, there's no getting it off.

Most guys on here use a detailer which will set you back in the region of £500-700 quid and that will include a single stage polish, clay bar and ceramic application etc.

The most popular coatings are Gtechniq and Gyeon. However a few professional detailers I know have now left Gtechniq for Gyeon coatings, my car itself is coated with Gyeon MOHS+ ceramics.

Aside from what I've listed above - the car is easier to maintain and takes longer to get dirty, ceramics can be scratch resistant too. It really is a must for a car like this.

 

[Jassyo06]

DIY.....? only if you have a heated garage, cure times are determined by how warm the place is, ceramic coatings won't hide swirls... They'll need removing prior to doing anything to the paint, clay bar no..... Not necessary, use some iron X or something similar..... Best advice get it done by a detailer, if you don't have a DA polisher

 

[Dazs87]

That car looks amazing. I’ve just had a detailed chat with a detailer (LOL) and he said he wouldn’t recommend the clay bar on the new car. He said he will clean it, stage 1 machine polish and apply and cure the ceramic coat. He is quite cheap which is what got me concerned but he is mobile and my local Audi garage said he can do it in the woodshed so it’ll be inside... I was just concerned that i might not be happy with the finish etc.... I think I’m going to go for it... he quoted me £350 which I think is a bargain tbh! I’ll post some pics once I’ve had it done !

 

[HulkRS3]

I've already heard enough from that post to make me squirm a bit. Ceramic coating is not a thing you can do mobile - at least not well. It consistently needs to be kept above 20*c (most do) for at least three days and doesn't cure fully for a few weeks. Please book it in with a professional if you're going to get it done.

 

[Matt Titanium]

I had mine done (by a mobile detailer) at the dealers inside their workshop before handover. Dealers removed the protective plastic to inspect the paint and did nothing to the paint but pressure wash it (without drying off). It was certainly more shiny and looked far better than the rest of the cars in the showroom.He said the coating would last around three years. Still looks great after 14 months but I don't wash it every week and always use the two bucket method.

 

[Dazs87]

I've already heard enough from that post to make me squirm a bit. Ceramic coating is not a thing you can do mobile - at least not well. It consistently needs to be kept above 20*c (most do) for at least three days and doesn't cure fully for a few weeks. Please book it in with a professional if you're going to get it done.

They’re called Aspect Valeting and they’re socials seem pretty strong as do their reviews.... they publicise the fact that their coating cures quicker than the rest on the market (not sure if it’s good or bad?) but I don’t really want to spend £700 or so on getting it done. £350 seems palatable but similarly I don’t want to do any damage to my car.... on instagram they’re AVdetailing but they’re all over, Portsmouth is their HQ

 

[HulkRS3]

They’re called Aspect Valeting
and they’re socials seem pretty strong as do their reviews.... they publicise the fact that their coating cures quicker than the rest on the market (not sure if it’s good or bad?) but I don’t really want to spend £700 or so on getting it done. £350 seems palatable but similarly I don’t want to do any damage to my car.... on instagram they’re AVdetailing but they’re all over, Portsmouth is their HQ

Up to you at the end of the day but I'm a firm believer in paying for what you get. Most of the BIG name detailers in the UK will set you back between £500-700 for a new car protection package and I prefer to use named brands with a lot of experience so an unknown coating to me on a £40k car would be a no go for me personally. This isn't like rubbing a layer of polish into your paint.

Don't forget you're car will be away for 3 days (on average from anyone I contacted). When I was given my invoice, the products alone were £175, and mine was in for 5 days. Dropped off on the Sunday and was in to Thursday so you're talking about storage and the mans wages for a week essentially. It can be done mobile but your bigger named coatings like Gyeon and Gtechniq need 12 hours curing between coatings and Gyeon MOHS+ is coated three times over the car as well as the Phobic Q2.

Like I said though, up to you.

 

[SPIKE_]

Have had this same debate inside my head recently. After much consideration, I am going for the new Gtechniq Ultra ceramic coating to see if the hype matches all the talk...getting it put onto my new A4.

 

[MaffewEM]

That car looks amazing. I’ve just had a detailed chat with a detailer (LOL) and he said he wouldn’t recommend the clay bar on the new car. He said he will clean it, stage 1 machine polish and apply and cure the ceramic coat. He is quite cheap which is what got me concerned but he is mobile and my local Audi garage said he can do it in the woodshed so it’ll be inside... I was just concerned that i might not be happy with the finish etc.... I think I’m going to go for it... he quoted me £350 which I think is a bargain tbh! I’ll post some pics once I’ve had it done !

That sounds about right, I got quoted £300-350 for Gyeon ceramic coating. Considering I've seen the guys work on Golf R's and other vehicles it's definitely worth it.

 

[Jassyo06]

I've already heard enough from that post to make me squirm a bit. Ceramic coating is not a thing you can do mobile - at least not well. It consistently needs to be kept above 20*c (most do) for at least three days and doesn't cure fully for a few weeks. Please book it in with a professional if you're going to get it done.

Three 3 days, gtechniq will cure within a few hours at 22 degrees, so by the time it's all been covered in product...... The panels it was first applied to have almost cured.... Again duration of the detail all depends on what your getting coated.... Wheels brake calipers etc, me as a novice l coated my car in 4 hours, then the next day coated it in EXO..... A pro detailer should do it far quicker

 

[Flying Scotsman]

I do my own detailing and have the necessary items for a polish and then wax, but I would leave ceramic coatings to a professional detailer and I would not touch a mobile detailer for any job, plus you get what you pay for.

 

[Jassyo06]

That sounds about right, I got quoted £300-350 for Gyeon ceramic coating. Considering I've seen the guys work on Golf R's and other vehicles it's definitely worth it.

That's a great price a new car detail is the cheapest as it's less work for them..

 

[MaffewEM]

That's a great price a new car detail is the cheapest as it's less work for them..

Exactly this, he said if I tell the dealer not to touch the car then all they should have to do is rinse it and dry which shouldn't take long. I think if they touched it to remove swirls etc it would end up being another £50 for the time it would take to completely wash the car and remove poor-washing traces. As far as I'm aware they only have the car about 12 hours or so then do a maintenance wash/check in about 1-2 months?

 

[MikeParkin]

I paid £850 for Gtechniq liquid serum, this is only applied by an authorised Gtechniq dealer.

The car had a stage 2 machine polish and then the coating and the results are great. This also comes with a 7 year warranty.

I've never had it done before but would 100% recommend it.

 

[DW81]

Gtechniq crystal serum light and exo v3 for me come spring time when I detail my rs3. Used cqautz U.K. on my old TTS after a full correction came up a treat, very easy to use and quite durable for the after care washes. Done this on my driveway under a marquee and worked a treat.

 

[Dazs87]

From what I gather I’m going to be better off with it, than without it. It may not be as amazing as one for £800-900 but that doesn’t fit my budget. I suppose you do get what you pay for and at £350 I reckon I’ll be pleased with the results! That’s my educated guess anyway...

 

[DW81]

All that matters mate is what suits your finances and needs

 

[Dazs87]

All that matters mate is what suits your finances and needs

You had yours done under a cover on your driveway and was happy! I’m hoping it being done onsite at Audi will give the detailer what he needs to do a great job... fingers crossed!

 

[MikeParkin]

I paid £380 for my first detail and that was Gtechniq C1, it was a local detailing place and nothing flash.

Again I was amazed at the results and was more than happy with it.

 

[DW81]

You had yours done under a cover on your driveway and was happy! I’m hoping it being done onsite at Audi will give the detailer what he needs to do a great job... fingers crossed!

Yep that’s right as I did the job myself. Bit the bullet and had ago at it. Was very impressed with the outcome considering it was my first time doing it. It’s not to difficult just need the right size backing plate for DA and correct type and size pads various cutting polishing compounds tape up the rubber seals and leading panel edges roll up your sleeves stick some music on the head phones and boom, 4days went luck a click of my fingers

 

[Andy F]

@Dazs87 Had mine done at Staffordshire Car Care highly recommended !!
AndyF Team Navarra

 

[Tom.H]

Had mine done at White Details and had it coated with GTechniq Crystal Syrum and EXO V3 (CS Black), was there for 3 days. Also had the glass, wheels and interior all treated/coated.

Set me back £650

 

[Rob2k68]

New car detail with Crystal Serum Light and Exo v3 done by Barry @ AutoDetox very pleased with the results....

Had Gyeon MOHS+ last time round and thought I’d try something else.

 

[Dazs87]

I’ve got to say these ceramic coated cars look amazing

 

[MattSedg]

New car detail with Crystal Serum Light and Exo v3 done by Barry @ AutoDetox very pleased with the results....

View attachment 143665

Had Gyeon MOHS+ last time round and thought I’d try something else.

olawd looks incredible pal

 

[stevefj]

Hi Dazs87,

We had my better half's S3 given new car detail with a ceramic coating (3 days with Dave Bowerman at www.sportscarprotection.com) and cost was £750+ vat.

Finished results;

You definitely get what you pay for.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Dazs87]

Hey @stevefj

I’ve got to say that looks absolutely incredible... just gorgeous

 

[stevefj]

Hey @stevefj

I’ve got to say that looks absolutely incredible... just gorgeous

Cheers - I'm just glad she lets me drive it now and then...

 

[Jassyo06]

From what I gather I’m going to be better off with it, than without it. It may not be as amazing as one for £800-900 but that doesn’t fit my budget. I suppose you do get what you pay for and at £350 I reckon I’ll be pleased with the results! That’s my educated guess anyway...

You get it done mate for that amount, all these expensive pro detailers charge too much there's also some hype involved as well ie only the best coatings can only be supplied /done by a pro..... Bollards, it all gets applied in the same way just another con to get it done by them, buy the kit you want yourself..... And just pay him cash in hand £200 bangers a shift is plenty lol

 

[msdmjb]

Wowee, some of those motors look stunning, particularly the Golf.
To educate numpties like me please, once the car is treated what is warrantied?

To bring a bit of balance.........my S3 gets pressure washed once a year when it goes to the dealer for a service

 

[oli356]

Wowee, some of those motors look stunning, particularly the Golf.
To educate numpties like me please, once the car is treated what is warrantied?

To bring a bit of balance.........my S3 gets pressure washed once a year when it goes to the dealer for a service

Haha, I agree they do look great.

I know sod all about detailing and car cleaning in general, I don't have the patience to even spend a reasonable amount of time cleaning the S3 myself, so it gets taken down to the car wash every now and then (every 2 months maybe...) for the Polish to give it a once over... and then by the time I'm home it is dirty again =)

Unlike a lot of people on here though with the "Do not wash me signs", I'm glad if Audi offer to wash my car when it goes in haha.

 

[Boydie]

I have gtechniq crystal serum black on my glacier s3 and it is fantastic

I have had my last 4/5 cars ceramic coated and will get my future ones done too - such a joy to clean, stand back and admire!

 

[DW81]

Haha, I agree they do look great.

I know sod all about detailing and car cleaning in general, I don't have the patience to even spend a reasonable amount of time cleaning the S3 myself, so it gets taken down to the car wash every now and then (every 2 months maybe...) for the Polish to give it a once over... and then by the time I'm home it is dirty again =)

Unlike a lot of people on here though with the "Do not wash me signs", I'm glad if Audi offer to wash my car when it goes in haha.

Wash you mouth out Audi wash my car

 

[pburv]

New car detail with Crystal Serum Light and Exo v3 done by Barry @ AutoDetox very pleased with the results....

View attachment 143665

Had Gyeon MOHS+ last time round and thought I’d try something else.

Nice car Rob.
Preferred your old one more though lol
How you doing fella.?

 

[Jassyo06]

Nice car Rob.
Preferred your old one more though lol
How you doing fella.?

Aye mate he's a turn coat bawbag lol

 

[Rob2k68]

Nice car Rob.
Preferred your old one more though lol
How you doing fella.?

Cheers matey

Yeah good thanks in the final prep for Christmas - little lad is excited and wants an electric guitar !!!!! Might get delivered down the wrong chimney ! How are you and yours ? Good to see/hear you did the wife confiscate your phone ?

LoL it’s 80% the same underneath. Trying to resist a mod spree on this one although it has had a few tweaks.

Aye mate he's a turn coat bawbag lol

PMSL

 

[pburv]

Aye mate he's a turn coat bawbag lol

Funny how all golfs end up modded to the max..lo

Burberry baseball cap will be on Rob's Crimbo list this year haha

 

[DrEskimo]

To address some 'myths' in this thread...

- Doesn't need claying as it's new.

Unfortunately, it most likely will. Cars will sit on transportation beds in trains, boats and trucks and be sat in lots for days. While chemical processes like Iron X and tar removers will get rid of most of these contaminants, a clay bar is always best to mechanically remove everything. A decent clay bar properly used with lots of lubricant shouldn't induce much marring, but polishing is recommended after, and generally they are very easy to shift.

Extremely important this is done prior to any application of a ceramic coating.

- Doesn't need polishing as long as the dealer doesn't touch it.

Again, sadly not always true. During QC a car can have panels repaired and buffed and will inevitably leave sanding marks and buffer trials. I have seen plenty of examples of this on Jim's White Detail's YouTube blogs, and he explains it in detail here too:

http://www.whitedetails.co.uk/services/new-car-detail/

- Cant apply ceramics yourself.

Appreciate that most ceramics are quite involved and certainly wouldn't be looking to apply one outside in this weather, but if you do have a garage and decent weather, there are plenty of very good performing ceramics that can be applied DIY. Preparation is the key. Making sure the paint is fully decontaminated, cut and polished and free of anything on the pain prior to application is a pain staking process if you want it done right, hence the use of detailers with all the gear and units. Lighting to check the paint can be a pain in itself!

As for prices...north of £700 for a new car detail seems awfully pricey to me, but then I'm guessing that includes the whole 9 yards? Not just the paint work, but a full wheels off, wheel and brake calliper protection, wheel wells, exhaust, bumpers, and full interior clean and protection as well...?

It depends on your budget and level of OCD...it can be quite enjoyable learning and doing it yourself, but it takes a lot of time and importantly, you will probably spend >£700 on gear by the time you're hooked....!

Although you will buy most of that anyway as it's pointless forking out £500 for a full detail, to only run it though car washes and let the dealer wash it and un do all the hard work.....

 

[pburv]

Cheers matey

Yeah good thanks in the final prep for Christmas - little lad is excited and wants an electric guitar !!!!! Might get delivered down the wrong chimney ! How are you and yours ? Good to see/hear you did the wife confiscate your phone ?

LoL it’s 80% the same underneath. Trying to resist a mod spree on this one although it has had a few tweaks.



PMSL

Lol..Can't be all that bad then...
Yeah family is all well and my boy is well excited for Christmas.
Coming up to 1st year of wedded bliss lol. So she's doubly excited haha