Car paintwork protection

[Gazzer01278]

Seems cars paintwork isn’t as tough as it once was, is there any sealant / ceramic sealant that gives protection to what seems to be delicate paint ?

[Haltamer]

Skip go, and head straight for a paint protection film.

Paint hardness varies with manufacturers; Germans tend to do well, with Honda / Other Japanese marques coming a firm last.

[Gazzer01278]

This is partners car a Nissan duke

[Monty Python]

None of these "paint protection" treatments will stop a stone travelling at 70mph.

[Mo28]

I was reading a post recently by GVE London who have a new paint protection film that is a fraction of the cost compared to your usual PPF establishments.

[Ninja59]

It depends what you want to achieve.

In reality what people do not realise is that most clearcoat which is what you wash, polish and protect these days still contains a degree of solvent. The colour base layer is waterbased, but unless you really fk up you won't ever be washing etc. that layer.

Ceramic coatings are good, but they are not really there to prevent stone chips etc.

Japanese (or their vehicles made elsewhere) tend to have some of the softest paint anyway as a guide so that is not surprise.

PPF would help, but there are risks that come with that as well such as yellowing, build up along the edges of the film and sometimes if removal is needed then it can cause issues rather like wraps do of damaging the underlying paint.

[Alex_225]

Monty Python said:

None of these "paint protection" treatments will stop a stone travelling at 70mph.

Exactly this! A ceramic coating professionally applied will leave you car looking great an will protect the shine of perfectly polished finish for years. Sadly it won't stop chips etc. That's what the paint protection film is for.

[Haltamer]

Alex_225 said:

Exactly this! A ceramic coating professionally applied will leave you car looking great an will protect the shine of perfectly polished finish for years. Sadly it won't stop chips etc. That's what the paint protection film is for.

To follow from this for OP, I'd add a couple of points:
Don't get any coatings before a PPF; It's meant to go onto paint! Ceramics, waxes etc. can go on top.

And, as much as marketing would have you believe, ceramic isn't magical; You'll still need to wash the car.

[anothernameitist]

Gazzer01278 said:

This is partners car a Nissan duke

This belongs in the cars I never knew existed thread too

[Belle427]

Do these ceramic coatings actually last years?
I cant really be bothered with polishing/waxing as im getting older but am happy to wash properly to maintain.

[Monty Python]

Belle427 said:

Do these ceramic coatings actually last years?
I cant really be bothered with polishing/waxing as im getting older but am happy to wash properly to maintain.

Looking at the composition of these products, most seem to be based on PTFE waxes with a small amount of colloidal silica, so I can't see any reason why they would work any better than one without. I'm been using Bilt Hamber Speed Wax and it lasts about 8 months.