Ceramic coat a new car?

[Halitosis]

We have our first ever brand new car on order and seek advice on whether (and what) protective coating we should go for. The car will be black, kept on the drive, and - if I'm being realistic - taken for a jet wash every month or so and I'd have the motivation to polish it a few times in the first year and then less often...
We intend to keep the car 5 years or so, and are looking for the most cost-effective way to retain maximum resale value. Thanks for any advice

[Freakuk]

I'm no expert before we start, but I'd get a machine polish and a ceramic coat before it even leaves the dealership if possible.

I'd suggest not taking it to your local car wash and do it yourself, they will use harsh chemicals to clean the car and eventually negate the ceramic coating.

[boombang]

Depending on the car and value, I'd be asking a dealer to leave on all protective film they can and to not prep the car. Take straight down to a very trusted detailer for inspection, correction and coating.

Lower value car I'd still ask them not to prep but would be giving it a good going over myself - polish and seal panel by panel.

That said I would never buy a black car again, I said that last time I had one but must have forgotten.

[Halitosis]

Thanks both. Its an Audi Q3 £37k. I appreciate a specialist detailer would be the best no-expense-spared option, but given I honestly won't have the commitment to lovingly hand wash it regularly, it will inevitably be taken to the jet-wash every few weeks.
So with that in mind, would spending thousands on a protective coating add much to the resale value in 5 years? Might a DIY coating or applying wax 3 times a year see a similar resale value in 5 years?

[The Rotrex Kid]

Halitosis said:

Thanks both. Its an Audi Q3 37k. I appreciate a specialist detailer would be the best no-expense-spared option, but given I honestly won't have the commitment to lovingly hand wash it regularly, it will inevitably be taken to the jet-wash every few weeks.
So with that in mind, would spending thousands on a protective coating add much to the resale value in 5 years? Might a DIY coating or applying wax 3 times a year see a similar resale value in 5 years?

Personally, being of the same mind as you as far as car cleaning goes, I wouldn't have bought a black one

I just had my 20 year old car ceramic coated though, and it looks superb, should be much easier to clean but I do this car by hand.

[Mr_Webb]

If you're going to clean it at the jet wash then I'd save your money. A ceramic coating will help reduce the effects of poor washing but it's not a silver bullet.

If I were you, I'd just get a decent valeter to come round every 6 months for a spruce up. Most buyers of a 5 year old Q3 will put up (or not notice) swirls and wash marring. Going this route your car will still probably present better than most on the road.

[SteBrown91]

Mr_Webb said:

If you're going to clean it at the jet wash then I'd save your money. A ceramic coating will help reduce the effects of poor washing but it's not a silver bullet.

If I were you, I'd just get a decent valeter to come round every 6 months for a spruce up. Most buyers of a 5 year old Q3 will put up (or not notice) swirls and wash marring. Going this route your car will still probably present better than most on the road.

This, a decent valeter will do the inside and outside including a good spray sealant that will last 3-4 months for 60-80 quid.

[somouk]

Ceramics get clogged the same as other protectants do and require a semi sensible washing routine.

If you're not going to maintain it then I wouldn't worry about it. Modern paint is very good at surviving in all sorts of conditions.

Just make sure when you do wash it that you wash it properly and don't cause more damage using jet wash brushes or the like on the paint.

[Composite Guru]

If you aren’t into washing cars regularly then yes it would be worth it.
I bought my Volvo V40 brand new 4 years ago. It hasn’t been ceramic coated and has no swirls on the paint. Still looks like new.

[Belle427]

Just leave it alone and maybe get the paint corrected come resale time it if needs it and your not bothered.
There are some decent hand car washes about but they are few and far between.

[Longy00000]

A good ceramic coat is not for you unless your prepared to dry the car after washing. If not it leaves more pronounced water marks than a non coated car.
If your the type who will dry it then i thoroughly recommend them

[Halitosis]

Thanks all for the great advice. We won't bother with a coat and I'll try to avoid the jet wash as much as I can (had no idea it's so bad for a car's paintwork)

[RDMcG]

I have both ceramic coat and PPF on every new car and go to hand washes - very good results.

[T1berious]

I'm in a similar boat to the OP. I'm a pretty fanatical detailer but want to protect a new car (My first brand new car) from stone chips etc. I'm guessing PPF is better at this than a ceramic coating?

(Sorry to thread Hijack!)

[DoubleSix]

T1berious said:

I'm in a similar boat to the OP. I'm a pretty fanatical detailer but want to protect a new car (My first brand new car) from stone chips etc. I'm guessing PPF is better at this than a ceramic coating?

(Sorry to thread Hijack!)

If you were indeed a “fanatical detailer” you would be aware ceramic coatings are irrelevant as far as stone chips are concerned, offering no protection at all.

OP, a DIY ceramic coat is a very good thing but only if you know what you are doing - it’s all in the prep. If you don’t you could well do more harm than good.

A commercial ceramic coat is expensive and likely OTT in the circumstances you describe.

Edited by DoubleSix on Monday 23 May 14:56

[Longy00000]

T1berious said:

I'm in a similar boat to the OP. I'm a pretty fanatical detailer but want to protect a new car (My first brand new car) from stone chips etc. I'm guessing PPF is better at this than a ceramic coating?

(Sorry to thread Hijack!)

Yes in a nutshell ppf will protect from damage whereas ceramic will enrich the colour (make it pop more) and will resist light swirl marks.
Putting your own retail ceramic coating such Carpro CQ Uk3.0 isn't that difficult so long as you are methodical and have watched many YouTube videos BEFOREHAND!!
However the effort is in the prep you need to do. Given its a new car rhe paint should be in reasonable nick.
Just remember you're locking in the paint finish for maybe 2 years with retail grade stuff so you need to have your paint finish at a level you are happy with before applying. If its got a slight scuff or blemish that will get locked in under your coating.
If you're happy with the paint finish then all you need is a dry area to work and a dry area to leave it for curing (at least overnight pref longer)
These coatings do not like water before they have hardened.
I've done a few vehicles myself without any issues and I have more recently paid the pro's to do it fir me as they have access to stuff that can come with a 9 year guarantee!
If you're serious about doing it yourself YouTube is full of very helpful content.

[Iceblue]

Halitosis said:

Thanks both. Its an Audi Q3 37k. I appreciate a specialist detailer would be the best no-expense-spared option, but given I honestly won't have the commitment to lovingly hand wash it regularly, it will inevitably be taken to the jet-wash every few weeks.
So with that in mind, would spending thousands on a protective coating add much to the resale value in 5 years? Might a DIY coating or applying wax 3 times a year see a similar resale value in 5 years?

Having your car ceramic coated will not add anything to the resale value after five year's or protect the paint, like you say you might as well keep it well polished yourself. i have just taken my new Audi RS3 for a front end PPF install which will give more protection from stonechips and maybe add slightly to the resale value, but had it done mainly for my own peace of mind from stonechips on a expensive motor.

[blueg33]

Had our last 2 new cars delivered directly to the detailer with the factory protection still on. He then removed the protection, corrected the paint and coated. They are now very easy to keep clean and look better than many brand new ones

[Belle427]

Get yourself a pressure washer and apply something like polar seal from Autoglym, won’t take long and at least adds something to help protect the paint and aid washing.

[Bobupndown]

You are spending nearly £40k on a new car which might get a jet wash 'every month or so'?
You sound like you're really not going to look after it much at all, why bother?