[P.Cullen]

Just looking for opinions on a Ceramic Coating on an Alpine White? I've had it done to my last 2 cars but they were Black and made a massive difference to the paint work making it look wet and shiny but I'm not sure if it would be that noticeable on the white? I had a coating put on the Audi from brand new and it still shines.

If anyone has an Alpine White with a Ceramic Coating i would love to see it.

Some pointless pics below

[Shane.]

Doesn’t help you much but I am waiting to collect my alpine white X3 and it’s going straight in to be ceramic coated.

My main reason for replying is what size is your rear number plate? I have a private plate and wanting to order shorter plates and yours look spot on.

Thanks
Shane

[Toodalu]

Originally Posted by Shane.

Doesn’t help you much but I am waiting to collect my alpine white X3 and it’s going straight in to be ceramic coated.

My main reason for replying is what size is your rear number plate? I have a private plate and wanting to order shorter plates and yours look spot on.

Thanks
Shane

Ceramic coating helps with any color.

[Toodalu]

My 2019 M40i and 2004 Acura TL are both professionally ceramic coated.

[suby01]

No matter the color. I dont know how that would even be a consideration being color dependent. Youre applying a hydrophobic property onto your vehicles paint for protection and ease of cleaning and it also happens to shine too.

[PhantomOpera]

Mothers CMX ceramic spray has excellent hydroprophic properties. It lasted 3 months in my car as a daily driver. If you are like me and enjoy detailing the car; it's nothing to apply once every 3 months or even more than that.

[freshxdough]

Ceramic coated and corrected my alpine white. The entire car, wheels, and brake calipers with 2 coats. It may not be as noticeable but it still repels dirt and dust which helps keep the shine. Also cleaning it is a breeze. Also would recommend a ceramic coating for the windows. Helps a lot when you have any kind of water on the windows. It just beads off so easily.

[Oldguysrule]

Do whatever you like and don't sweat it. IMO, if you get a ceramic or a paint sealer, you still need to keep up your car which means wash and wax when it gets dull and dirty. I prefer a sealant followed by a carnuba wax. Paint sealer maybe once or twice a year and wax, whenever you want a deep gloss shine. If I had a ceramic applied, I'd still wash and wax as often.

For a show car, I'd probably go with a ceramic but for a daily driver, a good paint sealer like Wolfgang or Meguires 21 followed by a straight carnuba wax. Of course good prep is vital whichever way you go.

[SteveX3M40i]

Hi,
Both are cars were ceramic coated from new.
They shine better, are easier to wash and we don’t panic when we get bird poo on the paintwork!
Cheers
Steve

[Rbrown]

Good to see another Glaswegian on here!

I looked at getting ceramic but opted for a cheaper (and less good solution) as the car is on PCP. I do a DIY job - clay and decontaminate the cars myself and then apply JetSeal every 6 months. Its not as good as ceramic - but does do a good job. I will see if I have any pictures.

Do you know who you will use to do it? Quite a few guys around us.

[Rbrown]

Here are some pics. M40i over 2 years old. Silver X3 nearly 3 years old (still with winter wheels on). Keeps them in good order.

[P.Cullen]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Good to see another Glaswegian on here!

I looked at getting ceramic but opted for a cheaper (and less good solution) as the car is on PCP. I do a DIY job - clay and decontaminate the cars myself and then apply JetSeal every 6 months. Its not as good as ceramic - but does do a good job. I will see if I have any pictures.

Do you know who you will use to do it? Quite a few guys around us.

Hi mate! No idea who i would get to do it as there's so many good detailers about Glasgow. TLC from Stirling paint corrected and ceramic coated the Audi but i think i would go somewhere local next time, Steve McDonald from Absolute Valeting has some cracking work as well.

Yeah if you find any pics post them up

[P.Cullen]

Originally Posted by Shane.

Doesn’t help you much but I am waiting to collect my alpine white X3 and it’s going straight in to be ceramic coated.

My main reason for replying is what size is your rear number plate? I have a private plate and wanting to order shorter plates and yours look spot on.

Thanks
Shane

Hi Shane,

I have no idea to be honest, i bought it as a normal sized plate and measured 11mm from the letters (legal distance) and cut the plate to size myself.

[Bristle Hound]

Alpine white G01 X3 here too buddy

I detailed mine myself, however I initially used Gyeon Cure as a temporary measure until the weather improved before I did the full ceramic. After using the Cure for a number of months I've found not only does it layer well but the durability and finish is what I am after so no need to do a full ceramic for me

I just add another coat of Cure every time I wash it
https://gyeonquartz.com/product/cure/

Detail here -
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=47

Reflections -

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Bristle Hound

Alpine white G01 X3 here too buddy

I detailed mine myself, however I initially used Gyeon Cure as a temporary measure until the weather improved before I did the full ceramic. After using the Cure for a number of months I've found not only does it layer well but the durability and finish is what I am after so no need to do a full ceramic for me

I just add another coat of Cure every time I wash it
https://gyeonquartz.com/product/cure/

Detail here -
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=47

That's really interesting. Our cars both do a low mileage, they don't need washing too often due to this. I didn't see the need to invest in the top-end ceramic - which would look good for sure. The Gyeon product could be just what I need. I had been wondering about Turtlewax Ceramic. You've clearly got great results with the Gyeon.

[Tchgrif]

I had Ceramic Pro lifetime installed on my x4 just under two years ago now. I just did the spring hand wash and the car looks great. it was not cheap but I do not have to wax and the water still beads right up and rolls off.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by jamie5x

Just having a look for Steve is this him?
https://clickvalet.co.uk/valeter/absolute-valeting/

In Folkestone?

Try Jim at White Details, he does some great work, and I speak from personal experience.

He’s in the Lincoln area, and my car is in the background of the green Boxter vid lol.😂

https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteDetails

[Al Dente]

I've been using this on my white Tacoma with great results and plan to use it on our Alpine X3 when we get home from PCD in a couple of weeks.

[BigMart]

Agree with previous opinions it shouldn't matter what colour.

We've got 2 X3s , both ceramic coated.
Phytonic blue and alpine white.
Both done from brand new , both with Cquartz.
Phytonic is now 4 1/2 years old and the alpine is 18 months in.

Both still bead like crazy and wash easier.
Both are garaged and not driven every day.
Both get wiped over with the CQuartz ceramic topper after every wash.

We have neighbours with phytonic and alpine X3s , newer than ours and our cars look like different colours. the blue is richer and .... bluer (if that's a thing) and my alpine white glows in comparison.
Here's mine
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/attac...1&d=1694416942

[Leem40i]

Everyone who has a ceramic coating will tell you to get it. People who don't will tell you it's not necessary.
I've had cars with it and cars without. There is a benefit to it. It's basically a very long lasting coat of wax or paint sealant.
I can tell you to not buy into these BS claims that one ceramic coating last for 10 years and another last for 15. Thats pure BS and just meant to get your money. On average a good ceramic coating will last for 3 years and that depends on how you take care of it. On average it's going to cost $1,000+ and the places advertising $700 or $500 are not doing the full job. 90% of the cost for ceramic coating is the paint correctio (buff and polish). That takes time, at least a full day. Also, stay away from detailers doing ceramic coating and don't have an indoors facility. You can't properly paint correct or apply ceramic in the inconsistent lighting outdoors. Add to that the dust and other airborne things landing on the car during the process.

[rob175]

I just Turtle Wax my car 2 to 3 times a year....takes about 45 min to an hour. Water beads up for months after each wax and the car looks beautiful. Costs about $10 in wax. I also "clay bar" my car before each wax application....again maybe a 30 min job on a clean car.

"Ceramic" coatings are the "latest & greatest" until another name comes along. I've seen the expensive professional jobs and they do look great but not really any better than MY wax job.

Purely a personal opinion. Typically, most who spend lots of $$$ on most anything feel they've bought the "best". In a few more years "ceramic" will be passe.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by rob175

I just Turtle Wax my car 2 to 3 times a year....takes about 45 min to an hour. Water beads up for months after each wax and the car looks beautiful. Costs about $10 in wax. I also "clay bar" my car before each wax application....again maybe a 30 min job on a clean car.

"Ceramic" coatings are the "latest & greatest" until another name comes along. I've seen the expensive professional jobs and they do look great but not really any better than MY wax job.

Purely a personal opinion. Typically, most who spend lots of $$$ on most anything feel they've bought the "best". In a few more years "ceramic" will be passe.

Glass coatings have been around for ages and are not particularly new.

Just a very hard thick coating that sets, or is heat baked, to help preserve the prepared paintwork. Some are much harder to apply properly compared to others.

Do you machine correct after you claybar ?