Ceramic Coating?

[RedPanda]

The dealer has offered me interior stain protection and exterior ceramic coating for an eye watering 499 quid

Considering I've not gone for any extras, I was thinking about this as to keep the car looking new - if not, maybe from a third party.

She also stated this would apply to the interior by some sort of anti-stain coating

Has anyone had experience with Stock/Dealer/Cupra offered Ceramic Coating?

[phope]

Avoid avoid avoid these packages (Lifeshine, Gard-X and similar) from the dealerships
They are heavily pushed, as they are very profitable.

I can absolutely say with confidence that...

The cost to you is £499 including VAT
That is approx £416 net and £83 VAT
The cost to them of the materials used is no more than £40-£60 (I'm being generous!), and perhaps 1 hour labour for their minimum wage valeter to "expertly" apply
Deduct the materials and labour from the cost price leaves them a nice gross profit margin of over £300, with a fair chunk of that paid as a commission to the salesperson too.

Best finding an independent detailer in your area that can tailor packages to your needs and can show you prior examples of their work.

[Pugboy]

I saw an autobrite advert earlier today with a 12 months shine/water beading for £99.
I think if you are really after something like this £300 will cover it.
I have 3 kids and 2 small dogs and the interior of my car wipes down just fine. The seats in particular are great and easy to keep clean. The only issue I have had is strangely the floor mats. The fake leather kind of strip on them I couldn't get the mud out of even using autoglym upholstery cleaner - bizarre!

[RedPanda]

Avoid avoid avoid these packages (Lifeshine, Gard-X and similar) from the dealerships
They are heavily pushed, as they are very profitable.

I can absolutely say with confidence that...

The cost to you is £499 including VAT
That is approx £416 net and £83 VAT
The cost to them of the materials used is no more than £40-£60 (I'm being generous!), and perhaps 1 hour labour for their minimum wage valeter to "expertly" apply
Deduct the materials and labour from the cost price leaves them a nice gross profit margin of over £300, with a fair chunk of that paid as a commission to the salesperson too.

Best finding an independent detailer in your area that can tailor packages to your needs and can show you prior examples of their work.

I saw an autobrite advert earlier today with a 12 months shine/water beading for £99.
I think if you are really after something like this £300 will cover it.
I have 3 kids and 2 small dogs and the interior of my car wipes down just fine. The seats in particular are great and easy to keep clean. The only issue I have had is strangely the floor mats. The fake leather kind of strip on them I couldn't get the mud out of even using autoglym upholstery cleaner - bizarre!

Thanks both, I'll check out some third-party options - the 499 did seem like they'd have my pants down.

Where I live is practically a dirt road so cleaning the car myself isn't ideal for it get caked in filth again.

[SabreDentist]

Ceramic coating has its place, but never buy it from a dealer. Very few dealers know how to apply ceramic coatings properly and/or bother to take the time to do so correctly. They are just out to make easy cash and the car brands they represent do not appropriately constrain their dealers from providing terrible services in that domain.

Same is true for upholstery treatments.

Better to engage a third party detailer and request the dealer to leave the paintwork alone before you take delivery!

[Ben88]

The dealer has offered me interior stain protection and exterior ceramic coating for an eye watering 499 quid

Considering I've not gone for any extras, I was thinking about this as to keep the car looking new - if not, maybe from a third party.

She also stated this would apply to the interior by some sort of anti-stain coating

Has anyone had experience with Stock/Dealer/Cupra offered Ceramic Coating?

Bilt hamber do a hydrophobic coating called touch-on and you buy a box of 10 for about £13
I use their product called touchless which you use in a foam lance, spray on the car when your car is dry then clean with auto-wash then apply touch-on it lasts for about a month you can apply with a foam lance of with a noodle mitt.
I recommend bilt hamber products highly.
Gyeon is another brand that is good.

[RedPanda]

The dealer has offered me interior stain protection and exterior ceramic coating for an eye watering 499 quid

Considering I've not gone for any extras, I was thinking about this as to keep the car looking new - if not, maybe from a third party.

She also stated this would apply to the interior by some sort of anti-stain coating

Has anyone had experience with Stock/Dealer/Cupra offered Ceramic Coating?

Bilt hamber do a hydrophobic coating called touch-on and you buy a box of 10 for about £13
I use their product called touchless which you use in a foam lance, spray on the car when your car is dry then clean with auto-wash then apply touch-on it lasts for about a month you can apply with a foam lance of with a noodle mitt.
I recommend bilt hamber products highly.
Gyeon is another brand that is good.

To be fair mate my house isn't really in an ideal spot for car washing - it's situated on a dirt road so It'd be a wasted effort, hence why I was looking to spend the money for something long term.

[JurassicBorn]

I paid a professional detailer who I know £400 to prep my new Boxster GTS 4.0 with a 5 year GTech product.
I wished I had saved my money and that was mates rates!
CC IMHO is a total waste of time, yes it helps any dirt wash off but that's it. It doesn't protect from scratches or swirls or stone chips and I didn't really think it enhanced the shine over a good Carnuba Wax which effectively does the same job, you just need to apply it monthly.
I had him take off the front CC and PPF it which is a superb product but cost £1400.

[alanjs]

I don't think the Gard-X is a real ceramic coating, just a "protective" coating. I've done a proper Gyeon Synchro coating on my previous 2 cars, but that's a 3-4 day cleaning, decontaminating, polishing and coating job. It is great once it's done and lasts for about 3 years. It makes huge difference if you're washing the car yourself.
I haven't done the Born yet, but I use Gyeon Wet Coat when I clean it - spray on, hose off. Works for about 3 months.

[mluisbrown]

A proper ceramic coating is very expensive. I've asked several detailers here in Lisbon about it, including a friend, and you're looking at at least €600. Part of the cost is that before it's applied the paintwork has to be absolutely perfect and perfectly clean, so there's quite a bit of prep work.