Pros and cons for having new PVC ceramic coated (1 Viewer)

May 14, 2021
1,729
2,765
East Yorkshire, UK
Funster No
81,218
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ADRIA Twin 640SLB
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Since 2012
I have no personal knowledge of ceramic coatings but my current car had Autoglym Lifetime Shine, which I believe is a carbon fibre coating and lesser quality than ceramic, applied at new. I’ve reasesrched as best I can on here but no real answers to my question.

Can anyone offer their experience or knowledge to help me decide please?

I am considering having Matrix Black ceramic coating from Autosmart, who I’ve read on here are a highly regarded supplier of valeting products, applied professionally. It is supposedly good for 8 years & we would likely still have the van longer than that 😊
 
May 21, 2008
4,271
7,340
Oxford
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2,767
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WildAx Constellation
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Since 2008
I had my previous cabr which was second hand and which I had for oveer 19 year treated with Diamondbrite. I don't know what it is but was so impressed that I have had my present car done too.!
 
Jul 28, 2021
1,571
12,120
British South West Somerset
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83,033
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Rapido Dreamer PVC
Exp
Minimal
I reckon it's Snake Oil! I had a ceramic coating allegedly applied to my Volvo from new with a little sticker in the window as confirmation. I can't say I have noticed any benefit quite honestly. I compare it to Teflon coatings on frying pans which are suppposed to be guaranteed for 10 years! Perhaps if you didn't use them to fry in!(n) It's easy to fool yourself when you have payed good money.

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Silver-Fox

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Sep 5, 2014
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In my opinion if the vehicle isn’t prepared correctly including paint correction you’d be waisting your money.

A lot of main dealers sell what they call coatings using materials that cost a few quid and are a waist of time.

Quality coatings arnt cheap and generally need to be applied indoors and left over night.

Good coatings will make water either fine bead or just fall off the vehicle.

This will make washing the vehicle a doddle.

Wether it’s worth the cost is an individual choice 😊
 
Nov 22, 2018
107
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Mansfield
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S and L Apollo
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Since 2018
I think sales folk make a huge commission on these coatings. From what I've read elsewhere you can purchase good cleaning/polishing products for peanuts compared to the what you'd pay for a coating and have similar results ( and a few hundred left in the bank).
 

MillieMoocher

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Jul 18, 2015
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Autosleeper Kingham
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40 years under canvas: Motorhome 2016 To 2020
In my opinion if the vehicle isn’t prepared correctly including paint correction you’d be waisting your money.

A lot of main dealers sell what they call coatings using materials that cost a few quid and are a waist of time.

Quality coatings arnt cheap and generally need to be applied indoors and left over night.

Good coatings will make water either fine bead or just fall off the vehicle.

This will make washing the vehicle a doddle.
This is absolutely spot on in my experience.

we have our cars ceramic coated from new, done by an independent local detailer. He spends around 6 hours polishing the vehicle with an electric mop correcting all the factory paint flaws and swirl marks, along with decontamination process before he goes anywhere near the vehicle with a coating.

at a dealer they don’t do any of this prep and just slap on some coating.

our cars always come up super clean, between washes the water just beads off.

like Silver-Fox says, whether it is worth it is really something only you know; personally I think if it’s done properly it’s worthwhile but i don’t think it’s worth getting the dealer to do the Diamond Brite type of coating.
 

Silver-Fox

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Sep 5, 2014
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This is absolutely spot on in my experience.

we have our cars ceramic coated from new, done by an independent local detailer. He spends around 6 hours polishing the vehicle with an electric mop correcting all the factory paint flaws and swirl marks, along with decontamination process before he goes anywhere near the vehicle with a coating.

at a dealer they don’t do any of this prep and just slap on some coating.

our cars always come up super clean, between washes the water just beads off.

like Silver-Fox says, whether it is worth it is really something only you know; personally I think if it’s done properly it’s worthwhile but i don’t think it’s worth getting the dealer to do the Diamond Brite type of coating.

My advice would be don’t let a dealer anywhere near the body work.

When my works van used to go to the main dealer I made up laminated signs saying

Do Not Wash

They tend to use TFR and that strips all your wax etc off the bodywork 😳
 
Oct 9, 2019
4,953
17,287
Todmorden
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65,104
MH
Van conversion
Exp
FUNSTER in a PVC
I had mine done by Tourshine from new, the main benefit is that it protects both the grey bumpers and side strips if you have them fitted, they don’t start looking weathered, and your bodywork needs to be just soap washed occasionally. Warning do not use car washes do it yourself As they use too harsh a mix for your paintwork.
Use autoglym soap to wash dirt off and you need nothing else.
if it’s done by a main dealer they will charge you a fortune and it will be done by the youngest apprentice in the workshop. Get it done independently.

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OP
OP
royandsharont
May 14, 2021
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ADRIA Twin 640SLB
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Thanks to all so far. If I proceed it will be done by an independent accredited individual with overnight indoor protection etc. Cheers for the input.
 

RM_Marine

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Apr 29, 2021
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Poole, UK
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Decided I’m going to have it done, when our van finally gets here ☹️ and will use a local technician to do the new Matrix Black ceramic coating from Autosmart HERE and will do a review when it is done
Can you send me a message on how much it costs please

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Coolcats

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Jan 24, 2019
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I have no personal knowledge of ceramic coatings but my current car had Autoglym Lifetime Shine, which I believe is a carbon fibre coating and lesser quality than ceramic, applied at new. I’ve reasesrched as best I can on here but no real answers to my question.

Can anyone offer their experience or knowledge to help me decide please?

I am considering having Matrix Black ceramic coating from Autosmart, who I’ve read on here are a highly regarded supplier of valeting products, applied professionally. It is supposedly good for 8 years & we would likely still have the van longer than that 😊
Ok I had Williams ceramic coat applied 3 years ago. The Motorhome still looks as new very glossy and any black streaks on the bodywork just wipe off, the cost £500. I have never waxed the van just washed it. All I can say is it seems to work I still get the beading of water on the van when I wash it. The van is outside and not undercover.

 
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