[MrTurkle]

Hi I just got a G30 540 and I’m considering a ceramic coat given that I park it outside and I’m in the northeast but it seems like $1700 is a lot of money (I’ve only called one place) but is it worth it? I looked around and see some posts about people who have done it and they seem happy but…… I dunno.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by MrTurkle

Hi I just got a G30 540 and I’m considering a ceramic coat given that I park it outside and I’m in the northeast but it seems like $1700 is a lot of money (I’ve only called one place) but is it worth it? I looked around and see some posts about people who have done it and they seem happy but…… I dunno.

I'm meh. I had it done on my M550ix a few years ago, its garage kept. But I can keep my other cars as nice by simply washing, clay bar prep, then apply any number of ceramic or graphene sprays. Reapply the spray every 6 months.

I would save your money. Its not magic, and still requires care and will need reapplication after two or three years.

Simpler with the spray on, wipe off products. Results will be almost as good.

Avoid automatic car washes, and "touchless" car washes. Invest in a good wash bucket, wash mop and other products.

[MrTurkle]

This is the feedback I was looking for. Are you saying there is a spray I can apply that is a less expensive alternative to dropping nearly 2 large on the treatment?

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by MrTurkle

This is the feedback I was looking for. Are you saying there is a spray I can apply that is a less expensive alternative to dropping nearly 2 large on the treatment?

You can also spray CarPro Hydro 2 with a foam cannon and it will give you about 3 months protection. Great product. Check out some video reviews on it. They also have a simple spray that you just rinse off.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by MrTurkle

This is the feedback I was looking for. Are you saying there is a spray I can apply that is a less expensive alternative to dropping nearly 2 large on the treatment?

Yes. As an example, Griots Ceramic 3 in 1 wax will typically last 6 to 10 months on a car parked outside in the weather. These are sprays, not coatings, but can last as long as some coatings. Much easier to apply and to touch up.

What is key, is good prep. Wash the car, then clay bar. Decide if polishing is necessary or not, then apply the ceramic spray following the instructions. You can touch it up, or reapply to the entire car when it begins to get weak and doesn't bead water as well.

There are graphene sprays that are pretty good too. Nufinish Graphene has tested well.
BTW, wear gloves when applying these products. The Safety Data Sheets on these products show them to be hazardous, and not well labeled as such on the bottles. So be careful.

Scott HD has retired, but did a lot of videos using real world testing.
https://www.youtube.com/@ScottHD/videos

I trust his testing over others. He never did sponsorships and left his test panels out in the weather. Other youtube testers simply sprayed various cleaners on to test durability, but that has no relation to real world weather, that includes sun, rain, heat and such.

[darkrom]

I'm on both sides of this debate. I have 2 cars parked outside in New England. My 540 and my 2010 135. The 540 had PPF that needed to be replaced so I opted for a paint correction, front bumper PPF reapplication, professional ceramic application, carbon fiber splitters installed, and tint for $1400. So depends what you are getting with that $1700. If you're getting any paint correction then yes it may be a good idea imo. If you are just getting ceramic and a detail that seems expensive to me.

On the 135 I'm actually going to learn to DIY polishing since the hood is beyond repair, I can practice on that risk free since I plan on replacing it down the line. Doing a $200 class from some high end detailer to hopefully pick it up quickly.

I enjoy washing my own cars but I think it will be nice to just maintain the 540 as the daily, and keep putting products on the 135 myself since the paint is already in much poorer condition. I do think there are several things you can apply for short money that will last 3+ months if you can do it yourself. I eventually will be DIY graphine coating the 135 after I feel comfortable enough polishing the whole thing first. I will not be spending the money on a full repaint, so IMO it's a skill worth having.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by MrTurkle

Hi I just got a G30 540 and I’m considering a ceramic coat given that I park it outside and I’m in the northeast but it seems like $1700 is a lot of money (I’ve only called one place) but is it worth it? I looked around and see some posts about people who have done it and they seem happy but…… I dunno.

I have had a few cars done now and I personally feel it is worth it. My M550 is going on two years since the paint correction and ceramic and it still beads well, has no swirls and dries off nicely. It looks wet all the time. I have had a Ceramic Pro job done and a Kamikaze and the latter is noticeably better. If you coat the wheels they clean off like butter too.

I am in the Northeast if you want a few recommendations. But it is going going to run you $1,000 minimum. Keep in mind a lot of the price is labor for the paint correction. You aren't going to replicate that with 3+1 spray. Once corrected, it is locked in with Ceramic.

I paid $1,400 for the Ceramic Pro job by a high end shop in Burlington MA and for the Kamikaze job, I went with a great outfit in NH, it was around $1,100.

[Mizuno]

Originally Posted by darkrom

On the 135 I'm actually going to learn to DIY polishing since the hood is beyond repair, I can practice on that risk free since I plan on replacing it down the line. Doing a $200 class from some high end detailer to hopefully pick it up quickly.

You wont regret learning how to do it! A friend gave me his old Chevy Volt to drive to work (dealers offered $800 on a trade in..) that he never washed and looked like crap. I decided to learn how to paint correct on it, and 2 days later (decon, clay, compound, polish, coat) it looked amazing.

Another dealer offered me $2300

[G31_540i]

I use Gyeon Can Coat spray

I apply it twice per year, it’s very forgiving and easy to apply and can get wet within a few hours which is handy if you don’t have a garage

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by G31_540i

I use Gyeon Can Coat spray

I apply it twice per year, it’s very forgiving and easy to apply and can get wet within a few hours which is handy if you don’t have a garage

That’s more of a quick detailer and not a professional ceramic coating. I use a variety of those products more to maintain or as a drying aid.

[AP]

I'm getting my M550 ceramic coated next month.
I having a level 2 detail undertaken by Topaz and then ceramic coating applied.
never done it before, always used wax myself and always enjoyed the process but thought , why not?

At least the bodywork will be better than what i can personally achieve.

[badseedtech]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have had a few cars done now and I personally feel it is worth it. My M550 is going on two years since the paint correction and ceramic and it still beads well, has no swirls and dries off nicely. It looks wet all the time. I have had a Ceramic Pro job done and a Kamikaze and the latter is noticeably better. If you coat the wheels they clean off like butter too.

I am in the Northeast if you want a few recommendations. But it is going going to run you $1,000 minimum. Keep in mind a lot of the price is labor for the paint correction. You aren't going to replicate that with 3+1 spray. Once corrected, it is locked in with Ceramic.

I paid $1,400 for the Ceramic Pro job by a high end shop in Burlington MA and for the Kamikaze job, I went with a great outfit in NH, it was around $1,100.

Hey Joe,

You mind sharing the place you used in NH? I have an appointment on the books with what I'm guessing is the same high end detailer in Burlington for next week. They're gonna do my tint while they have it, but I'd like to look into this Kamikaze.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by badseedtech

Hey Joe,

You mind sharing the place you used in NH? I have an appointment on the books with what I'm guessing is the same high end detailer in Burlington for next week. They're gonna do my tint while they have it, but I'd like to look into this Kamikaze.

Here you go. They do a good job in Burlington and I am sure we are talking about the same place, but as they have gotten bigger, so have the prices. They sub out the tint, just so you know. They did the tint on my E39 there, and I think back then, they brought it over to tint works.

I met these people at BMWCCA events and cars and coffees. They are BMW enthusiasts and love cars. The owner is Doug, great guy, tell him I referred you.

https://www.precise-details.com/

[badseedtech]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Here you go. They do a good job in Burlington and I am sure we are talking about the same place, but as they have gotten bigger, so have the prices. They sub out the tint, just so you know. They did the tint on my E39 there, and I think back then, they brought it over to tint works.

I met these people at BMWCCA events and cars and coffees. They are BMW enthusiasts and love cars. The owner is Doug, great guy, tell him I referred you.

https://www.precise-details.com/

My man, thanks so much. I’m definitely signing up for BMWCCA and probably gonna attend the Ground School event in Apr 12. I’m sure I’ll see you around.

Gorgeous car btw and your posts here have saved me a ton of time nailing down spacer sizing and confirming my hesitation to go lower on these MA roads.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by badseedtech

My man, thanks so much. I’m definitely signing up for BMWCCA and probably gonna attend the Ground School event in Apr 12. I’m sure I’ll see you around.

Gorgeous car btw and your posts here have saved me a ton of time nailing down spacer sizing and confirming my hesitation to go lower on these MA roads.

Happy to contribute my friend. Yeah, BMWCCA membership is a must and pays for itself.

[JSKS76]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

I'm meh. I had it done on my M550ix a few years ago, its garage kept. But I can keep my other cars as nice by simply washing, clay bar prep, then apply any number of ceramic or graphene sprays. Reapply the spray every 6 months.

I would save your money. Its not magic, and still requires care and will need reapplication after two or three years.

Simpler with the spray on, wipe off products. Results will be almost as good.

Avoid automatic car washes, and "touchless" car washes. Invest in a good wash bucket, wash mop and other products.

I find clay bar will mar the finish of the car. I find with a ceramic coating pretty much nothing sticks to the car after a simple wash. I have a black 540, and there are no water spot or anything.

[Joe-BMW33]

The real prize for me on a ceramic coating is the paint correction and removing all the swirls. The ceramic part is to hold it all in and also act like wax on steroids. I am not skilled or willing to paint correct my car, which is 80% of the cost in labor and ceramic is appealing because it last 3 years ish.

Don't fall for the lifetime stuff. As much as I like detailing, I don't miss claying and waxing.

[Milligan]

I just finished doing my 540. I was quoted $1500-1700 as well. I used to enjoy detailing when I was younger but hadn’t done it in a long time. So I decided to give it a go myself. I figured I needed to buy supplies and a few pieces of equipment to properly maintain the coat anyway that would be on top of the $1500+ to have it done.

I ended up spending around $400 for everything needed. That includes a small electric pressure washer, buckets, polish and pads, various microfibers, clay kit, soaps, tar remover, iron remover, prep spray, the ceramic coat kit, and various other small items. I already had a porter cable DA. I went with the Gyeon Pure Evo kit but may have gone with Mohs of if I had to do over.

I clocked my hours and had roughly 6-7 in the entire job it being my first time. I’m sure I could knock that down the 5 or so now that I know what I’m doing. I only did single stage polish that removed the fine swirls and worked a few areas that needed a bit more attention. I did it over a few days so it didn’t feel like a huge task.

Overall, I’m happy I did it myself and it wasn’t nearly as big of a deal as professionals and YouTube make it out to be. I think they try to scare DIYers into paying up. Anyway, if you can put on wax and follow simple instructions then don’t be afraid to do the ceramic yourself.

The hardest part is dodging the rain in spring while it cures!