Ceramic coating question

[chrt396]

I was thinking about getting my 2019 RAM Rebel ceramic coated. HERE is the question. Why is it, that one dealer charges $12-1300 while another charges $450?? Is there that much difference in costs involved in applying ceramic coatings? Also...I live in Florida where it books in a cool and crisp 95 degrees with sweltering humidity. I have a mobile service, ($1200), that will come to me...do paint correction...and apply coating...but doesnt the heat affect the results? Is $1,200 fair..or is it insane? I have so many questions.

[Tbonem3]

I think one part is, "what's really included?" & the the other is, "how much of the cost is just for profit?"

Preparing a vehicle properly, and applying the coating properly, and letting it cure properly takes TIME. Time is money. For $450, I don't see how they can wash/decon, correct, and apply a coating. probably doing a mediocre wash/correct with simple spray "ceramic."

I think a one step correction with true ceramic application would run like $800-1000 in today's money. Though there are newer detailers looking for business that might go lower.

$1200 sounds like it should be a 2 step with a high quality (2yr+) coating applied and maybe a 6 month or 1 year "decon wash & boost" service included maybe.

I'm in Socal where everything is silly expensive, but I did see you say you're in FL, so my post is based on what I assume FL is like versus Socal, cost of goods/service - wise.

[Paul A.]

If $450 is a quote for wash, full decon, paint correction and a quality 2 or 2+ year ceramic coating i wouldn't trust it.

[Rsurfer]

If $450 is a quote for wash, full decon, paint correction and a quality 2 or 2+ year ceramic coating i wouldn't trust it.:iagree:Throw out the high and low and ask for referrals.

[Optimus Grime]

For a vehicle that size $1000 for a 2 year coating is reasonable and if it’s a 3 year or longer coating $1200 is pretty spot on. In some markets that might even be on the cheap end. The only way I can see someone doing a 2 year coating or longer for $450 and doing it right is if they are just starting out and trying to get customers and are willing to take a substantial loss to gain customers which I highly doubt is the case since that is a great way to go out of business. And on a vehicle of your size, that’s going to be a substantial loss. I call BS.

At $1200-1300 I do a 5 year base coat with a 2 year top coat on a vehicle the size of yours and I can charge that since I’m a home based detailer and my operating costs are negligible. Consider all of the extra costs a mobile detailer has; fuel, vehicle insurance, business insurance, etc. that needs to be accounted for when pricing a job. A wise man once told me that cheap isn’t good and good isn’t cheap.

As far as the heat it won’t affect the durability of the coating. As long as the detailer has shade it’s a non-issue.

[dcjredline]

Why is some mustard $3 and some $9. Why are some cereals $1.50 and others $10?

[Desertnate]

If $450 is a quote for wash, full decon, paint correction and a quality 2 or 2+ year ceramic coating i wouldn't trust it.


For a vehicle that size $1000 for a 2 year coating is reasonable and if it’s a 3 year or longer coating $1200 is pretty spot on.

Agree on both points. Considering how long it takes to do a full wash/polish/coat a car or SUV, I don't see how anyone could do anything close to a quality job on a full sized pickup and make any money on it. There are corners being cut somewhere.

For the pros: How long does it take for your to do a full size pickup? I'm in the neighborhood of 12 hours for a mid-size SUV to do a full prep/polish/coat job. I'd think a mobile detailer would be struggling to do it simply due to daylight this time of year, even if they have their own lighting.

The heat is an interesting question for a mobile detailer. I found trying to apply coatings in my garage at temps over 80F to be a real challenge. Polishes don't work right, everything evaporates faster (even in high humidity), and some coatings flash almost instantly. Maybe there are some tricks and products the locals have figured out to survive in that climate?

[Optimus Grime]

Agree on both points. Considering how long it takes to do a full wash/polish/coat a car or SUV, I don't see how anyone could do anything close to a quality job on a full sized pickup and make any money on it. There are corners being cut somewhere.

For the pros: How long does it take for your to do a full size pickup? I'm in the neighborhood of 12 hours for a mid-size SUV to do a full prep/polish/coat job. I'd think a mobile detailer would be struggling to do it simply due to daylight this time of year, even if they have their own lighting.

The heat is an interesting question for a mobile detailer. I found trying to apply coatings in my garage at temps over 80F to be a real challenge. Polishes don't work right, everything evaporates faster (even in high humidity), and some coatings flash almost instantly. Maybe there are some tricks and products the locals have figured out to survive in that climate?

I'm about the same on time. The last coating I did was a Volvo XC90 which is comparable to a Hyundai Palisade. 12 hours is about what it took. I started at 9 in the morning and finished around 11. Of course I took a little nap and did consume some food throughout the day so I wasn't working straight through but it was easily a 12 hour job.

As far as heat, I'm a big fan of GTechniq coatings. It was about 95 the day I did that SUV and I waited until the sun started to set to do the coating. It was still warm and humid but it was doable. It flashed quicker than other times I've used it but I just had to work in smaller sections. I like CSL and EXO because their application is about as effortless as it can be for a coating.

[Paul A.]

I'm also in Tampa and although the heat is wicked to work in i've not had any problems applying coatings. I adjust according to the coating.

[Danube]

Probably cutting corners somewhere in the process.

[Prange]

That RAM has a vast amount of square feet to be worked on. If I lived in FL, I'd contact Scott ,(Sizzle Chest on this forum). I wouldn't trust any car dealer for detailing work. They probably farm it out, anyway.

[chrt396]

Well...many of these posts are making me feel better about the price that I was quoted. The one person...who was REFERRED to me, apparently did a great job for my friend...but for only $450. The other company..who I saw on Facebook offered his services and messaged me with what he is offering. This also includes the wheels.

76966

[chrt396]

I'm also in Tampa and although the heat is wicked to work in i've not had any problems applying coatings. I adjust according to the coating.

I don't have a shaded area for him to work. Garage is full of my 30 year collection of "STUFF". The surface of that truck gets pretty darn hot! I may have to improvise on location. Buddy of mine has a warehouse that he'll let me use.

[Optimus Grime]

Well...many of these posts are making me feel better about the price that I was quoted. The one person...who was REFERRED to me, apparently did a great job for my friend...but for only $450. The other company..who I saw on Facebook offered his services and messaged me with what he is offering. This also includes the wheels.

76966

I’m not a big fan of “lifetime” coatings either. Gotta read the fine print. In my area, what a “lifetime” coating consists of is the initial detail and coating but in order to keep the lifetime warranty you have to come back once a year for their maintenance detail which involves applying a top coat at a cost of $200-400. When you add it all up, you end up paying almost twice what you’re quoted over the life of the coating. All I can say is ask lots of questions. Find out what coating they are using and what do you have to do maintenance wise to keep the coating performing for a “lifetime.”

[opie]

Just because the one guy is cheap, does not mean he is no good.

I say that cuz when i first started, i was on the cheap scale. Mostly doing friends vehicles. Although i did turn out good work, i personally didnt feel that i was at the skill level to charge the higher prices. Not to mention that it was all friends vehicles that i would do, and i had a hard time charging them more than i did at the time.

Not anymore! Ha ha


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