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Ceramic Coating? Yes or No

suthe777

PCGB Member
Member
Decided to beat the COVID blues (and BREXIT remember that!) with a new Macan, delivery is due in August/September and Porsche Edinburgh are pushing the idea of ceramic coating with G-Techniq. I have no past experience and on looking around can see there are a number of different products/technicians available locally, wondering if there are any views out there as to if its worthwhile and assuming it is, any recommendations on who/what to use.

PS New car means my 18,000 miles 2013, 981 Boxster will be available shortly if anyone is interested. (Full details to follow)
 
There is a very usable self-applied product available, Gyeon Q2 Cancoat that costs around £33.00. I used this on Sue's Mini last August and it still sheds water and brings it up in a great shine. There are plenty of similar alternatives on the market.

Regardless of whether it is applied to new paint or old the key is that the paint surface must be free of any polish, wax or contaminants. I had a long chat with an OPC valeter who applies the ceramic coat and he said to wash the car, preferably in a shampoo without wax, dry with a brand new microfibre towel and then use a panel wipe before applying the ceramic coat (about £15 for a 500ml spray). The instructions in the Q2 pack says to first use a panel wipe). Applying Q2 is only a case of spraying on to the microfibre cloth provided, wiping on to the panel (one at a time) and then polishing off with another microfibre cloth.

If applying to an older paint surface then it's a case of washing, clay clean (clay cloths are so quick to use), machine polish using a mild cutting compound (ceramic coat can show up paint imperfections), wash again and then use the panel wipe.
 
Gtechniq is highly regarded within the industry and their processes are beneficial in enhancing and maintaining the appearance of your car. Take a look at the company's website to learn about the various processes available before you decide which is the most suitable for you.


Once settled, I would suggest contacting the Company's official agent(s) in your area (unlikely to be more 1 or 2) and obtain quotations. Prices are pretty much fixed, I believe, but you may be able to negotiate a free DIY maintenance pack or something if you try and, in any event, it likely will be cheaper than going through your PC which may add a margin into exactly the same process. [:(]

If you decide to go this route, ask your PC NOT to carry out the usual a pre-delivery clean because this sometimes inflicts minor paint surface damage needing to be rectified by your detailer before the coating can be applied - this all adds to the cost.

Also, consider aftermarket PPF to the bumper and front section of the bonnet as these are extremely prone to paint chips immediately you start to drive it. [;)]
Regards,

Clive

 
Snap, just booked mine in for the 1st July, full 2 Stage Paint Correction and 2 coats of ceramic for the entire car including wheel's, wheel arches and full glass treatment. Will take 3 days and got a pretty good deal at the moment with 10% off.

I would not consider the PPF myself, working part time for a Porsche specialist I see so many where a stone chip creates a tear in the PPF which actually looks worse than a chip !! as well as a line half way down the bonnet where dirt has got under the PPF and then makes it clearly visible.

I will get before and after pics if anyone interested I can ping them over.
 
Just been putting in a little more research on this topic. The perceived wisdom seems to be as follows:-

a.) Ask the dealer NOT to clean the vehicle during PDI and prior to handover.
b.) Level 2 detailing (thorough washing, decontamination, polishing & paint correction).
c.) Apply PPF to desired areas.
d.) Apply Gtechniq Halo to all PPF and Serum Light / EXO combo to all paintwork.
3.) Apply Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour to alloys, callipers and exhaust tips.

Total cost seems to be in region of £3-£3.5K depending on the detailer and PPF coverage. :rolleyes:

Regards,

Clive
 
See Brian Innes`s Macan Turbo thread for further details …

Having had three, used white Cayman`s treated with the OPC`s gtechniq Platinum ceramic coat package I can thoroughly recommend it (~ £550)

Most of the `chips` on the Caymans` are on the windscreen and leading edge of the roof together with the usual `road rash` on the lower bumper behind the rear wheels (plus the GT4`s engine air intake `cowls`)

It was at OPC Edinburgh that I saw a PPF`d Cayman GTS in red, the lack of adhesion - whitening below the `film` put me off the process / product
 
I have a G3 Glasscoat ceramic coating on my Macan S which was re applied by the OPC and it is fantastic but no idea of cost as it was a s/h purchase, i also
have a 986 Boxster with a ceramic coating on, as does my wife's Toyota, it certainly makes washing the cars very easy, the muck just seems to lift off, they also seem to stay cleaner longer.

 
suthe777,

I can unequivocally recommend your new Macan currently on order being given a proprietary ceramic paint treatment on the bodywork, wheels, glass, and carpets. The long-lasting benefits are significant, the easiness of washing off insect splatter and road grime the most obvious.

As well as providing a long-lasting shine, up to at least 2 years in my experience, the paintwork is so silky smooth to the touch it makes washing the car and drying it off a far more enjoyable experience.

The Jury is still out regarding the application of PPF film on my Macan. Previously, I had Expel PPF applied to both my previous 718 Caymans. There are adhesion issues that may arise, and stone chips can still be evident having penetrated the film in some instances. It's all a matter of velocity and size of the stone in question.

Brian
 
Our new Macan GTS Paid a visit to Topaz Bristol pre delivery to have a ceramic coating applied, very impressed, by far the best prepared new vehicle we have taken delivery of, so impressed was I that the GT3 got sent for similar treatment.




 
Pricey though wasn't it?
Level 2 detail at £800 and serum light + exo at £500, then VAT on top!
Were you able to get any sort of deal on that? :rolleyes:
Regards,

Clive
 
After all the input I went for it and PC Edinburgh applied the treatment before collection, I managed to "get a deal" on the cost. Spent a few days up north last week (saw Mr Innes in his Blue Turbo very briefly, as we passed each other in opposite directions) and the car returned south with numerous dead insects spoiling the paintwork!!

The car was very easy to wash and came up looking great, so first impressions are certainly positive. Like Brian I am still getting used to the bigger car after my run of 5 Boxster's but I am enjoying it and find it very comfortable and you certainly get a good view of the road ahead with the higher seating position.

Regards

David
 
suthe777 said:
After all the input I went for it and PC Edinburgh applied the treatment beforecollection.................


Did the PC Centre do this themselves or did they get in a detailing company to carry out the work?
 
Just because it's got ceramic coating don't forget a correct wash method .
It can still be damaged and expensive to repair .
I wonder in a few years time now much to remove repair and recoat again.
There is advantages and disadvantages in my view just depends on what you want and how much one wants to spend.
Enjoy [:D]

 
My understanding is that the Porsche Centre did it themselves, they have an appropriately qualified detailer.
 
Two weeks into my wife's Macan ownership which has Gtechniq coating. It looked stunning when collected from Porsche Centre Silverstone. Generaly foul weather since yet it still looks marvellous. Rain beads and rolls off. The plan is to invest in Autoglym Polar Snow products to regularly clean in preference to using the local car wash. The car drives beautifully, despite 21inch wheels which I expected to be less smooth than smaller diameters, plenty of power, quiet and exceedingly comfortable. Now I am questioning whether my Cayman S is top dog in our household! Horses for courses means equal status.
 
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Hi, with regard to Ceramic Coatings, I used Cquartz Pro on my last vehicle because, unfortunately, it is always parked on the road. I had the vehicle for two years and took it to be foam washed every 6-weeks by the company that applied the coating. It performed better than expected. The light hedge rash marks just polished off when the car was taken for it's routine wash. They still advise you to remove bird lime straight away.

The high gloss finish brings out the metallic particles in the paint. Water just runs off when you drive along. People comment about the depth of shine, which is nice.

I was so impressed that when I purchased my Macan in November 2020, I had Ceramic Coated with Cquartz Finest Reserve. This product is Infra Red Cured to the body in two coats. This gives 3-years protection and comes with a written guarantee.

The wheels and callipers prepped and coated with Dlux Glass Coated with Flybyforte. Brake dust rinses off the wheels with just soapy water, which must be more forgiving than using harsh chemicals.

The Interior Leather and carpets coated with CQuartz Fabric and Cquartz Leather Treatment. I had this done on the previous vehicle as well.

I have not used any other Ceramic Coatings, so can not draw any comparison to other products. I did do a lot of research on the internet which influenced my product choice and by chance we have an Agent on The Isle of Wight, JW Autoshine, who prepare all makes of prestige vehicles to show standard if required.

C2C11D36E987413C87002554C5AE4C7F.JPG


 
Warning New Member and First Post alert; ... hopefully my first ever Porsche (Macan S in volcano grey) will be available in April and I've been considering having it ceramic coated, .. the concensus on this thread seems to be that it is a good thing, ... would you guys recommend asking my dealer to do it or is should I be shopping around? What sort of price should I expect to pay ? the prices mentioned on this thread seem to vary quite bit.

any advice very gratefully received .. many thanks

JohnC


 
Hi John,
My Macan has to live outside in the street, so a ceramic coating is idea.
Personally, I would use a specialist rather than the dealer as they will probably only have one product on offer.
I have now had two vehicles ceramic coated. The coatings vary in the way they are applied. I went for a permanent ceramic coating which is applied and then cured using heat lamps to permanently bond the coating. They also gave a written Guarantee of 3-years for the coating I used on my Macan.
The cost of applying the coating depends on the amount of preparation of existing paintwork before the coating can be applied. I paid £950 to have my 3 year old car prepped and ceramic coated. This also included the wheels, callipers, windows and interior.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards

M4can5 said:
Warning New Member and First Post alert; ... hopefully my first ever Porsche (Macan S in volcano grey) will be available in April and I've been considering having it ceramic coated, .. the concensus on this thread seems to be that it is a good thing, ... would you guys recommend asking my dealer to do it or is should I be shopping around? What sort of price should I expect to pay ? the prices mentioned on this thread seem to vary quite bit.

any advice very gratefully received .. many thanks

JohnC


 
Not sure I should talk to you with that badge :ROFLMAO: being a Watford boy an all !!

I agree, get in done by a specialist who does it 24/7, not by a dealer who does it every now and then and to be honest they probably use a specialist anyway and add on a £££.

Mine was also just under £1000, 2 Stage Paint correction (obviously this depends on the age of the car, so if brand new should need a lot less paint correction) with 2 x Gyeon Mohs ceramic coatings and a five year warranty, I got a few quotes and they were all similar price and included wheels, calipers & windows but some did not included the interior.

Cash is king at the moment so you should be able to get a really good deal.

Good Luck
 

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