2021 Telluride Detailing Thread

[bburger]

Forgot to mention - for $150 extra I can add EXO top coat over the Crystal Serum Ultra. Is this worth it?

Thanks!

 

[gman1868]

Ok, time for me to make a decision on ppf and ceramic. I've never done this on any car before, so I'm not sure if it's worth all of this money - but this thread has me convinced enough to try it. Thanks to everyone with all the insight you've offered so far!

So, the question I have is if Suntek ppf and Gtechniq ceramic are considered top quality? I've seen Gtechniq mentioned a handful of times here, but haven't seen as much info or people getting it as some of the other options. Does anybody have Gtechniq ceramic? If so, are you happy with it?

I live in the Los Angeles area, so there are options here, but the close and convenient detailer for me uses Gtechniq and Suntek.

I was quoted $1750 for full front Suntek Ultra - includes front bumper, hood, fenders, side mirrors and B,C,D pillars (the gloss black plastic pieces). This does not include headlights, but he said he doesn't recommend doing the headlights. He said if the headlights get damage they can be restored easily for $50 and look better than new so he doesn't think it's worth it - especially with some manufacturers like Porsche apparently advising against putting film over headlights.

For the ceramic, it's Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra - quoted $1,500 - this covers all painted surfaces. They don't cover plastics or glass with anything. He said they could do the faces of the wheels.

Gave me a discount of $125 so landed at $3125 total for both ppf and ceramic. Gtechniq guarantees the coating for 9 years, and I bring it back to them annually to wash and inspect it - which is free.

He showed me his car which has had the same coating for 6 years/90,000 miles and it does look great still. He also showed me some plastic parts on his car where they had been trying out plastic coatings - he refuses to coat plastics because he hasn't found any product that works. He showed me his plastic which is peeling and looks awful and he said he'd never do it again. He did say you can fix plastics with a heat gun when they get faded.

I'd really appreciate it if some of the knowledgable people here that might know something about Gtechniq and Suntek and confirm this is a good choice and worth this huge amount of money. Does the info about the headlights and plastics sound right?

Thanks in advance for your help!

To know which products are best, watch the videos on the Scott HD channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-oXcXNFwM2x8WX9VTBid4w

For price comparison, I paid $720 for Standard protection, $1200 for ceramic coating, $400 for full wheels including the outside and the inside barrels, and $125 for the windsheild at Midwest Clear Bra in Minnesota. Vehicle Protection Experts - MidWest Clear Bra

 

[gimpy]

gman1868, I watched a couple of the videos that you linked to the Scott HD YouTube channel. What I need help in understanding, if you can explain, is the one video with his big spreadsheet. I do not understand what he is talking about when he talks about the different 20, 40, etc., way tests or what the different color codes mean? I could not find where all of that is explained or what they mean. Can you tell me, or direct me to where those terms are explained?

i would like to study the spreadsheet a little, but it is all Greek to me.
thx

 

[StillinSaigon]

My question is do I have the PPF done first or do the ceramic first and then the PPF? The estimate I got was for everything but their PPF installer won’t be there until after July 4th so the shop said they would do the ceramics and by the time I can get the PPF the ceramic would have been cured. So PPF and then ceramic or ceramic and then PPF?

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[TONYK11]

Take a look at Scot HD's tests for Adam's Graphene H10. there are excellent prep & application video's on the Adam's site too -

I'm getting prepared to go the DIY road on this one. Looks straightforward, and the UV tracker feature is impressive for catching missed and/or high sports. When my EX arrives in July its going straight into the garage for this treatment. WE shall see how this goes......

 

[gman1868]

My question is do I have the PPF done first or do the ceramic first and then the PPF? The estimate I got was for everything but their PPF installer won’t be there until after July 4th so the shop said they would do the ceramics and by the time I can get the PPF the ceramic would have been cured. So PPF and then ceramic or ceramic and then PPF?

PPF first, then ceramic.

Actually the whole order is: wash, clay-bar (cleans), polish for paint correction (they all need it), install PPF, apply ceramic coating.

 

[gman1868]

gman1868, I watched a couple of the videos that you linked to the Scott HD YouTube channel. What I need help in understanding, if you can explain, is the one video with his big spreadsheet. I do not understand what he is talking about when he talks about the different 20, 40, etc., way tests or what the different color codes mean? I could not find where all of that is explained or what they mean. Can you tell me, or direct me to where those terms are explained?

i would like to study the spreadsheet a little, but it is all Greek to me.
thx

I can't say I'm an expert on his spreadsheet. But if you look at the latest for the PPF and ceramic coating videos, you'll see which one's have performed the best.

 

[gman1868]

FYI - Griots has an offer, free 3-in-1 Ceramic Spray Wax with orders over $35. Ends today.


EMJCCB

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[Prestoni]

I have my detailing down to 5 1/2 hours for the exterior and 30 minutes for quick interior. Here is a picture of my Detailing Wall that consists of all the tools and supplies I use. Good exercise for this 70 year old. I experimented with various cleaning and detail solutions and tools until I found what works well.Here is the end product.

 

[vinylhaircut]

I have my detailing down to 5 1/2 hours for the exterior and 30 minutes for quick interior. Here is a picture of my Detailing Wall that consists of all the tools and supplies I use. Good exercise for this 70 year old. I experimented with various cleaning and detail solutions and tools until I found what works well.View attachment 20335Here is the end product.
View attachment 20336

That's incredible to me. I'm retired too and I love a clean car, but I could never stay focused on it for that long. How often do you run through the whole process?

 

[Prestoni]

That's incredible to me. I'm retired too and I love a clean car, but I could never stay focused on it for that long. How often do you run through the whole process?

Every three weeks. I love seeing the finished product but feel better after the workout

 

[Prestoni]

Every three weeks. I love seeing the finished product but feel better after the workout

Here is a pic of me training a truck driver proper detailing. He knew how to wash a car bit didn't know how to detail it so I walked them through it. I did pay for his labor for helping as I normally do it solo.

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[vinylhaircut]

Here is a pic of me training a truck driver proper detailing. He knew how to wash a car bit didn't know how to detail it so I walked them through it. I did pay for his labor for helping as I normally do it solo.View attachment 20337

Impressive. My weekly routine is ONR based and takes me 30 minutes. That includes prep and cleanup too! Not perfect of course, but looks good to me. We do a lot of hiking so I'm always on remote dirt and gravel roads, and it does get really filthy. I'm just not disciplined enough for such an extensive routine.

 

[Prestoni]

Impressive. My weekly routine is ONR based and takes me 30 minutes. That includes prep and cleanup too! Not perfect of course, but looks good to me. We do a lot of hiking so I'm always on remote dirt and gravel roads, and it does get really filthy. I'm just not disciplined enough for such an extensive routine.

As a retiree I have more discretionary time. I use ONR as a pre-soak before rinsing off the dirt. It makes a difference.

 

[Themlharris]

As a retiree I have more discretionary time. I use ONR as a pre-soak before rinsing off the dirt. It makes a difference.

What are your thoughts on ceramic and ppf? I have been thinking about getting both when I get my 2022.

 

[vinylhaircut]

What are your thoughts on ceramic and ppf? I have been thinking about getting both when I get my 2022.

I have both. PPF is great for *protection*, but doesn't make washes easier or change the process. Ceramic is great for keeping the car clean and shiny, avoiding the need for waxing, and it makes washing very easy (as you can read in this thread, I just use ONR with my ceramic and it looks great. Simple to do. But ceramic doesn't add protection. (And with ceramic, you *really* don't want to go through any carwash that will touch your car.) Both useful, especially if you're going to keep the car for several years, but they serve different purposes.

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[villager]

PPF first, then ceramic.

Actually the whole order is: wash, clay-bar (cleans), polish for paint correction (they all need it), install PPF, apply ceramic coating.

I just had all this done minus the PPF (not sure I really want to spend $$ on that). Looks awesome anyway

 

[Prestoni]

What are your thoughts on ceramic and ppf? I have been thinking about getting both when I get my 2022.

I did both on my Telly. Protective Film is a no-brainer to preserve the fronts condition

 

[Themlharris]

I did both on my Telly. Protective Film is a no-brainer to preserve the fronts condition

full wrap or just front?

 

[Prestoni]

full wrap or just front?

Front and wear points (door handles, door thresholds, etc,)
T