Ceramic coatings or clear bra
 

Anyone prefer one or the other im using zaino polish system and happy with the results. But what are others using ? THX D

Clear bra to protect against small stone chips. Ceramic coatings to make car slightly easier to wash as the dirt slides off easier.

ceramic coatings will help make the surface easier to clean and less likely for contaminants to imbed. if you have the money to spend and want the protection from rock chip, clear bra all the way.

Your paint is "defenseless" without a clear bra regardless of coating. I'm lucky enough to have a friend who installs custom-cut clear bra and does paint correction (with ceramic/glass coating). He does both in a single visit.

I'm going to clear bra the hood myself , we did layup work for years in aircraft factory so should be non issue install if all goes well fenders and mirrors front air dam will be the challenge

hood will definitely be the easiest. but for the front bumper I highly suggest letting a professional take care of it. It's not even that expensive, so theres no reason to do it yourself.

the bumper isnt too bad especially if u're using a non-precut roll.

the precuts require some pull which can end up with stretch marks if ure not careful.

expel bulk film
 

ok who has a tip on the best price? service on bulk film or solid sheets per foot? thx d

Couldn't agree more!!! My next car I'll just have the entire car done. I like the whole self healing aspect of the clear bra, it just works. Had my entire front hood/front bumper done, worth every penny!!!

how much did it cost you ?
- ceramic paint protection
- clear bra

how do either deal with car wash ?

I would suggest checking out this link :)

Stay Fresh Car Care / Premium Car Care Supplies

I paid about 800 for a ceramic coating which included paint correction.
The ceramic coating that was put on my car was Nanoskin. If I had to do it again, I would probably go with a traditional sealant. While the surface is easier to clean, and it is hydrophobic, it has some issues with water etching. Apparently other brands also have the same issue. Something I think that is worth looking more into.

You may want to look into filtering your water. It is not the coatings fault water etches into the surface. :P

You're right in that I do need a better filter for my water. However, I've had an easier time in the past getting rid of any water spots without the ceramic coating on the car. I remove water spots ASAP, and carpro's water spot remover has worked in the past when a QD didn't do the trick. I had a couple water spots that etched into my coating in less than 15 minutes from a rogue sprinkler.

With the ceramic coating, I haven't been able to find a solution without compounding the area and removing the coating along with it. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I've been very annoyed by it. I've also noticed that many other people have had similar issues with ceramic coatings. All in all, while I noticed the surface of my car is a bit more slick with the ceramic coating, I don't think it's worth the extra money over a regular sealant. That's just my :twocents: though.

I hear ya. Lets not forget we are protecting the clear coat though. Id rather have water spots on the Ceramic Coating than the clear coat. Water quality plays a huge roll in calcium deposits forming on the car. Keep in mind though waxes and sealants are no were near that type of protection a Ceramic Coating is.

Just to chime in here. I have xpel ultimate installed on the entire front end of my car (bumper, hood, fenders, side mirrors). I have only had the car and the clear bra a few months now; but I think it is def worth the investment. With the car being so low, the peace of mind it adds against rock chips and other things is the key for me.

i had a clear bra, put on the hood / bumper / mirrors and front fenders, this was a good 5 years ago. It is showing some wear on the bumper, if I did not run into so many cones in autocross, it probably be in better shape... Pleased with it, rest of the car, polish ever 3 months, and carry stuff around in case of bird droppings.... those are the worst ...

I would definitely recommend a clear bra on the front and maybe the rear wheel wells. Doing autocross, tracking. and road rallies mine is getting pretty beat up. $800 is a lot cheaper than paint job every 3 years.

Only thing that makes me nervous about clear bras and I have seen this many many times. Over the years, the clear bras tend to yellow and crack over time. At that point it is damn near impossible to remove. Ceramic Coatings like HCC9 are easy to apply and with 2-3 layers can protect the front end just as good as a clear bra. :)

Wishful thinking on coatings- even with 2/3 layers, there's not nearly as much protection as a clear bra.

Ball out! throw 5/6 coats on the front end and it still half the cost of putting a clear bra on, plus you don't have to worry about yellowing and the pain of removing stuck on cracked clear bra.....hmmmm

Paint protection film, PPF vs ceramic paint sealants
 

I'm baffled that people still debate these two products. Dkmura is absolutely correct. You can put 20 coats of ceramic on your paint and it's still not going to prevent rock chips, scratches, grocery carts, and dip-***** dragging their buts across your paint because they parked too close to you even though you parked in the back of the lot.

I don't know about you but the thought of paint chips and scratches on a new ride make my skin crawl. I get annoyed taking a new car to the dealer because the techs don't care about your ride either. They'll drag themselves all over your fenders and doors and then wipe it down with a shop rag that likely cleaned up metals shavings from the job before yours. As soon as they're finished with that the porter will happily run your car thru their scotch bright car wash or have some one wash it off with a broom and dish-soap. No thanks.

As for paint protection film yellowing or cracking, what decade did you have this happen??? Any of the major brands like Xpel, 3M, Llumar, etc, etc that have an actual UV clear coat on them have 7-10 year warranties for such issues that cover any issues like that. Further, I know the XPEL Ultimate is even self healing. So if the guy at the car wash decides to scrub your paint with a BBQ brush you can fix the scratches and swirls with a heat gun, hot water or just leave it in the son.

If by chance some REAL damage occurs like the Ex decides to key your car, have at it. If she even has the arm strength to hurt the film which is unlikely , WHO CARES? Peel it off and put a new piece on. Again, what is so difficult about removing PPF???? Spend $50.00 and a steamer and it will peel off in your hands in minutes..... If you're ultimately looking at ceramic coating for the ease of cleaning, ceramic coat the PPF. Now you have the best of both worlds.

Bottom line, Not having to worry about anyone chipping or scratching your paint is PRICELESS. Particularly with today's water based paints that chip if you look at them the wrong way.

That guy is a rep for whatever link he posted earlier. Ignore him - he's just trying to sell product.

I haven't seen a yellowed clear bra in years (except for cheap products).

Ceramic coatings and clear bra perform two different functions. Both is certainly ideal, but might be over the top for some. If you only get one, get the one that best suits your wants and needs. I did a ceramic coating on my wife's Honda so I could wash it in 5 minutes without worrying about scratching the hell out of the paint.

Pump the brake man. Ignore me?

WOW... Is this what the forum has come to? I've posted maybe a few time in regards to Ceramic Coatings. I think you need to calm down with your 25k posts hero!

I just had a Lambo Aventador come into the shop with a clear bra on it. We did Ceramic Coat over the top of it, however the etching from bugs was already starting to build up. Yes the bra protects the paint, I think we all understand that. I am talking about pricing here. You can Ceramic Coat the front end with 5-6 coats and enjoy the same benefits of the clear bra. Maybe research the pencil strength of Ceramic Coatings.

If you have a rock big enough go through a Ceramic Coated front end, It will go through a clear bra!

And Ceramic Coating Kits are WAY cheaper.... Trying to save you money but you are telling people to ignore me?? LOL

Hi, What are you guys using to clean the clear bra with?

Dude you are obviously a rep for that website (or at least on the take). You spam it all over this forum. Clearly you are just trying to push product here.

You talk about yellowing car bras to sell your product when that's not even an issue unless you cheap out. I just call it like I see it. If I'm wrong, I have no problem admitting it. If you have a problem with me, please feel free to PM me :tiphat:

And I'm no hero ... just a :postwhore:

He is a postwhore for sure! :p

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Join date 2012, Own a 2009 370z (purchased in 2010). I've contributed to the forums and do not post whore products I like, enough said....

The Truth About Ceramic Coatings: What They Are, What They Do, and What They Don't Do Worth a read. Particularly the part about ceramic coatings not providing protection from swirls, rock chips, ect... Imagine that, a supplier being upfront and honest....... and for the record, 75% or more of RyanWest's posts contain "stay fresh car care" ... It's not too hard to do the math on that..:tiphat: Also, most ceramic coatings (including the stay fresh product) only boast 5 years of protection, So if the coating breaks down over time, how is that different than a clear bra deteriorating over time?
There are a few that offer lifetime warranties, but you must read the fine print.....Does not cover damage due to chips, faulty hand washing, automatic car washes, ect..(basically owning and driving the car) in addition, you must have it inspected every year by a certified installer ( at your expense) or the coverage goes away...
I never installed any of these products on mine. I cared for it properly, and did my due diligence when it came to correcting the paint, and after 6 years, just had my hood, bumper, and fenders resprayed for $1300. I'm ok with that, but that's just me.
Do your research, and choose the product, or maintenance plan that suits YOUR needs and budget, not what someone over the internet recommends.

Ron, There are many many different coatings out there. Just because this guy says his coating doesn't protect against swirls doesn't mean SF doesn't. In fact I will be making videos about how Ceramic Coating do protect the paint from scratching and marring....

Also I believe Ceramic Coatings can last much longer then 5 years but in order to avoid dealing with trolls who say BS, 5 years is pretty standard now in the Ceramic Coating industry.

Also the link you provided: This person is using Opti Coat pro products. Any real detailer or chemical enthusiast realizes a REAL Ceramic Coating formula is not capable of being stored in a plastic vial. This is why REAL coatings are stored in Glass Vials. (Many companies dilute their coating so it is sustainable in plastic, again I have proof)

Lets see:
Ceramic Coating Kit $100 (Can be applied in your garage)
Clear Bra: $1,200+ (must have someone install)

Well so far i haven't clear bra ed the z but . im not out yet. Did a paint correction on a 98 240zx my son got ahold of that was setting idle in the elements 5 yrs so bummer on the mistreatment . Black metallic too under a tree as well , any way im on it . wash clay orange pad polish , couple more pads polished sides came out real well. top surfaces had most damage as u can expect ,but i got it back as good as to be expected. So the coming week im going to ceramic coat over the correction . and will post my thoughts on the process and my results. this will be my first time using ceramic coating ... Be advised this car is on its way to 500 plus hp turbo beast. justin is all about performance .,, im all about the finish lol . so the bring me back to life z makeover is just beginning . he has the motor the turbo ,just in stalled the bc coil overs new tires ,all new brake rotors . waiting on calibers are next install. currently a daily driver so it a fun build

oh one more thing ,does any one no what the military was using ceramic coatings for ? thx d

The issue I have is that MOST peddlers misinform the consumer. Users of any ceramic coating (out of plastic or glass bottle) are being led to believe that these coatings are......
A. lifetime protection for your paint
B. not susceptible to swirl marks or scratches
C. maintenance free products
all less than truthful statements. Its not a magic liquid. You still need to wash your car in the same manner you do without it...And still have to follow the same maintenance regimen for protecting the surface. As for applying it at home on the cheap, yes, it can be done, but a certain level of paint correction is required prior to use, even on a car right off the showroom floor. A level that not the average consumer possesses.
I cant speak to the statement about others diluting the product, but I guess if I were considering the product, I would look at msds sheets prior to purchase.
As for clear bra, Your $ may be ever so slightly exaggerated, but again, they require a certain skillset to install, even the pre-cut versions, that would sway most to seek a professionals help to install.
Personally, I could not walk past my car without looking at the line across the hood without cringing, but hey, that's just me.
I'm not an advocate for either product, personally. I know people who have both products, and both will say ones better than the other.
Bottom line for me is this. You're getting rock chips. I don't care what you put on your car. Deal with it.

:iagree:

When I purchased the ceramic coating from Honda, they totally sold it as some miracle cure that would prevent scratches. Of course, I knew better - I was really purchasing a 5 year paint protection package that covers all damage to the paint (yes, rock chips included - who needs a clear bra when I can just have the dealer repaint the panel). The protection package just happened to include this ceramic coating. Scratch free my a$$ - they tried to deliver it to me after initial application with scratches all over the hood and trunk deck lid. I had to reject delivery twice before the paint was acceptable :shakes head:

Yes they should ignore you because your "pricing vs protection" argument is ridiculous ..... 9H hardness isn't Kryptonite. So you're suggesting someone spend a few 100.00 on ceramic coating and just disregard the the $1000+ to repaint the panels after they get beat to **** from real world scenarios???? You keep schlepping this nonsense that multiple coats of ceramic coating is going to stop a rock chip which is COMPLETE BS. The functional hardness of applied ceramics is NOT exponential. Its quite possible that the surface tension of multiple coats of ceramic would make it more likely to crack or chip. MORE doesn't necessarily mean better......

The whole reason paint film DOES protect against rock chips and scratches is because its actually soft / flexible. It absorbs the energy so its not transferred to the paint.....If you're driving through a big enough war zone that you beat up the film, you just replace it. No need to repaint your baby.....

As for cost, if you can apply decals, you can apply PPF to some simple panels yourself......

Bottom line, if you're looking for the best protection for your paint, PPF wins hands down. If for some reason you can't afford PPF, ceramic will help, but it's not a replacement..... Its a 20th century wax.......

The only ceramics I'm aware of them using is high temp ceramic coatings for turbine / exhaust applications and some firearm coatings. I heard that they were also using a clear ceramic for something James-Bondish, but my rep wouldn't disclose anything else. These have nothing to do with paint sealant ceramics though.

The military also uses paint protection film on helicopter blades to protect them from damage...... I believe 3M developed this and was likely the infancy of PPF. Derivatives of this material are also used for bullet proofing glass.

Applying multi coats makes perfect sense. Your theory is rather odd. I guess Ill just add one coat of clear coat to my paint job. NO! you add layers of Clear Coat. Ceramic Coatings provide a harder barrier and is actually strong then clear coat.

Again: On average it cost $1,200+ for a clear bra.
Ceramic Coating Kit: $100

So technically I have $1,100 left over for a possible paint job.

Not sure why you aren't seeing the price difference here! The both do work. Which one is cheaper??

lmao, just as adding multiple coats of clear coat doesn't make the BASE COAT paint harder, nor does applying multiple coats of ceramic. +/- 9H is all you get. And you are correct, it is likely harder than a typical water based clear coat. That said, other than its cleaning benefits it does very little to protect your paint from typical road hazards.

The only argument you have is cost. It actually costs ZERO to do nothing. In that you don't have any concern for protecting the ORIGINAL paint job on a vehicle, why would you bother doing anything??? It seems very unlikely that anyone spending 50k-80k+ on their vehicle is going to flinch over a 300-1000 on protecting it from certain damage. They'll make up more than that in resale.

Further, regarding cost, you seem to be pulling those numbers out of your butt as well. I just checked xpels site and retail on a front bumper hood and mirror kit is about 250-300.00. Most people could do that themselves or find a local shop to put something similar on for that or less. Big deal.

So to conclude, I AM seeing the price difference and I couldn't care less because they do NOT do the same thing. Saying they do either makes you a liar or extremely slow on the uptake. As soon as you can show me a ceramic paint sealant that can take rock chips, keys scratches and swirls like the following PPF for 100.00, I'm all in...... Till then, you're wasting your time and ours....

70mph rock test.
https://youtu.be/OKg9akQyZNY

Brass brush torture test
https://youtu.be/Q75LcIdtVBY

Key scratch test
https://youtu.be/S5FH7pJ9JNU

I cant wait to start producing videos :rofl2:
Stay tuned bud!