Ceramic Coatings

[Jagiven]

What's your thoughts on ceramic coatings? Our new trailer is in, and if I'm going to do it, now is the time.

Dealer is quoting $1800, which also includes Scotch Guard the inside. Friend's son says that is a good price and recommends it.

 

[OnTheGo]

No personal experience but seriously looked at it last purchase. There are different types that offer different levels of protection. The advice in the articles I read was make sure you're getting the level you pay for.

I decided not to get it because in Florida most days exterior maintenance is doable, and I've never needed it before. If I did get it, I would have gotten the highest level of protection. It's already a considerable expense so why not get the best.

Another concern mentioned was the quality of application; go with an experienced provider with a good reputation. (It doesn't have to be the dealer.)

 

[Grumpy]

We had it on our Pinnacle and I was very pleased. A good rain took bugs off the cap and no fading on the decals. I never had to wax it. It also came with a re-coat guarantee and after Jayco did the crack repair the dealer re-coated.

 

[Jagiven]

We had it on our Pinnacle and I was very pleased. A good rain took bugs off the cap and no fading on the decals. I never had to wax it. It also came with a re-coat guarantee and after Jayco did the crack repair the dealer re-coated.

That is interesting. I'll have to check on recoat guarantee.

We park under a black walnut and the backside gets nailed hard, the nuts hit the garage roof, and are deflected to the backwall. think paint gun splatter. It's a mess in the fall. That tree drips something all year.

 

[gypsmjim]

My last car came with a ceramic coating. The normal price was $500, but I bought a Lincoln Black Label model and they included it for free. It was an AWESOME product. It was 3M.

A year later I replaced my wife's car. I would not pay the price. I did it myself. Same 3M product. It took maybe 25 minutes and was laughably simple. The bottle cost 25 bucks and there was enough left for another car.

I retired from 3M. My company store sold a $25 Scotch Guard bottle for a buck and a quarter to employees. (but that's another story) I have done Scotch Guard before. Ain't no big deal.

I agree that both options will greatly improve your vehicle and is worthwhile. But if you got an hour to spare sometime, you can save the unreasonable dealer price. What they charge is laughable.

 

[pconroy]

I'll admit I thought it was more snake oil than not. I thought the perpetual Sunday ritual was wax on/wax off.

This new car came with it.
It's really something! It really works.

 

[Jerry713]

What's your thoughts on ceramic coatings? Our new trailer is in, and if I'm going to do it, now is the time.

Dealer is quoting $1800, which also includes Scotch Guard the inside. Friend's son says that is a good price and recommends it.

I bought a used truck a few years ago that was ceramic coated at the dealer. When I got rid of it the truck still had a show room shine on it. It’s worth it IF a good ceramic product is used. Problem is there are some really cheap ceramic products on the market that are equal to a spray on wax. Personally that price seems low for a RV. Therefore I would be skeptical. Ceramic coating is something that a detail shop or someone experienced should apply in my opinion.

 

[Duke4857]

That is interesting. I'll have to check on recoat guarantee.

We park under a black walnut and the backside gets nailed hard, the nuts hit the garage roof, and are deflected to the backwall. think paint gun splatter. It's a mess in the fall. That tree drips something all year.

I would check that tree for aphads. those critters make our plumb tree drip.

 

[Rustynuts]

What an RV dealer applies is not a “real” ceramic coating and not worth paying that much for.

 

[Ozzie D Odyssey]

I’m a cheap Yankee- I use Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions spray on ceramic wax - yes, I know it’s not real professional level ceramic - but it sprays on easily, wipes off easily, shines like crazy and lasts for 6 months. For $16 a bottle. My 32’ class c uses one bottle each time so it costs me $32 a year plus my time. I’m retired so I have plenty of free time.

 

[K-W]

What's your thoughts on ceramic coatings? Our new trailer is in, and if I'm going to do it, now is the time.

Dealer is quoting $1800, which also includes Scotch Guard the inside. Friend's son says that is a good price and recommends it.

I bought a gallon of Produxa ceramic coating online. I washed the camper, when it dried I applied the coating with a sponge mop. It makes the finish smooth and has lasted 2 years so far. You can also scothgard the interior yourself. Between the two you'll have saved about $1650.00 and you'll know it was done right.

 

[K-W]

I bought a gallon of Produxa ceramic coating online. I washed the camper, when it dried I applied the coating with a sponge mop. It makes the finish smooth and has lasted 2 years so far. You can also scothgard the interior yourself. Between the two you'll have saved about $1650.00 and you'll know it was done right.

 

[Schiel1]

Find out exactly what and how they are applying it. I had it done by a dealer and all it was was a foam sprayed over it then washed off. Total waste of money.
Want it done. Do it with an outside company. Better yet just apply a good wax 2 times a year.

 

[gypsmjim]

What an RV dealer applies is not a “real” ceramic coating and not worth paying that much for.

How do you know what's real? Is the auto dealer's product real? Are they the same or different? Do all dealers do the same?

"Real" or not, the only criteria is how good the job is and how long it lasts. All I know is that the $500 job on my Lincoln was still performing after 7 years.

 

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

For our little trailer I require complete perfect protection from the elements, all functions working very well, and the appearance good enough, inside and out.
I wash it once a year and wax it with Turtle Wax ceramic spray. Easy, works well, and looks good enough.

 

[djs334]

Hi, I am with Ozzie with using the Turtle Wax spray on Ceramic Coating. For the price and how easy it is to use you can't go wrong. I have used it on the car and the dually and I am very pleased with it. I will be using it on the new Pinnacle ready with 1 and 1/2 bottles ready to use. You might have to use it twice a year or more on the front cap. I enjoy the detailing part of upkeep on my vehicles, and it pays off at time to selling them.
Also, my brother spent $5K on having a new car (Tesla) ceramic coated and said it was a waste of money and would never do it again.

 

[Rustynuts]

How do you know what's real? Is the auto dealer's product real? Are they the same or different? Do all dealers do the same?

"Real" or not, the only criteria is how good the job is and how long it lasts. All I know is that the $500 job on my Lincoln was still performing after 7 years.

There is a big difference between Ceramic Coating and a wash or spray product with ceramic coating in it. A real ceramic coating job is done in an indoor controlled environment with at least 24-48 to cure. Many rv dealers just use a spray on and wipe off or hose off that is not worth what they charge. If it is a painted vehicle it usually includes any paint correction. It all depends on the product that the dealer is using, most use the cheap crap.

I have a full body paint Seneca and I did my own coating. It’s going on 4 years now and looks great, I did a lot of research before I did mine. I used Avalon King Armor Shield and after paint correction, the application is very easy and you work in 3’x3’ sections and took 3 days to apply. I have gotten a sample of the new product out from Cerekote.

 

[COCJ]

I agree 100% with Rustynuts. I owned several classic cars and attended quite a few detailing seminars. A true ceramic coating is applied by hand in small areas. The spray on stuff might have some "ceramic" in it but I wouldn't call it a coating.

 

[gypsmjim]

There is a big difference between Ceramic Coating and a wash or spray product with ceramic coating in it. A real ceramic coating job is done in an indoor controlled environment with at least 24-48 to cure. Many rv dealers just use a spray on and wipe off or hose off that is not worth what they charge. If it is a painted vehicle it usually includes any paint correction. It all depends on the product that the dealer is using, most use the cheap crap.

I have a full body paint Seneca and I did my own coating. It’s going on 4 years now and looks great, I did a lot of research before I did mine. I used Avalon King Armor Shield and after paint correction, the application is very easy and you work in 3’x3’ sections and took 3 days to apply. I have gotten a sample of the new product out from Cerekote.

I agree with you 100%. My point was that you can't simply assume that your dealer is providing a cheap job unless you drop in and watch and observe the product bottle you really don't know. Remember "assume".

Besides, the proof in the pudding is what happens 4 years later. Or, in my case 7 years later. I "assume" the dealer used the real stuff because it still works.

 

[sandylcole]

I did have it applied when I purchased my Class C two years ago. My experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Either the product was useless, or, as I am expecting, it was never applied. The dealer was less than up front about a lot of things and very bad with customer service after the sale-not Camping World-and I have a feeling it was the latter. I would watch it being applied next time.