[SX2GT]

Hello Everyone. Currently in the process of obtaining quotations from various detailing shops for the application of ceramic coating on my upcoming K5 (Wolf Grey Color) to be delivered this coming April. About half the quotes received so far are stating that paint rectification is req'd even thought the car will be brand new.

This makes me wonder how good the paint quality, coming out of the assembly line, is questionable wrt paint thickness, finish/orange peel, etc. to the point that it would need to be "rectified".

or alternatively,

Am I being taken for a "ride" by these shops?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated,

 

[21hemispheres12]

Doing a one step correction is standard for ceramic coating any new car. Even though the car is brand new it’ll still have swirls and other minor imperfections that they will want to fix before applying the coating.

 

[KunoMochi]

What @21hemispheres12 said. Paint imperfections aren't isolated to cheaper branded cars either. I've been following car detailing channels and they've gotten brand new BMWs, Ferraris, Porsche, Audis, McLarens, and Lambos that either had minor detailing swirl marks and orange peel from factory. That's why it's always needed to do paint corrections first before a coat of ceramic coating that might otherwise end up sealing the imperfections under the protection layer.

 

[1st K5]

What are they quoting you?

 

[SX2GT]

What are they quoting you?

It varies from one shop to the others but here’s a sample (Best/Worst):

• Kia Dealer (@ Car Delivery) - $750* (No mention of paint rectification) + 1 yr visit for T/Ups - 3 yr. warranty;
• Locally known Shop - $900* (with Polishing) + yearly visits for T/Ups @ $120/visit - 4 yr. warranty (total: $1,380*)

* In USD (25% from CDN)

 

[Cb450sc]

I used the Silverwax brand of ceramic coating from Can Tire. It cost about $75 and took almost two hours to apply and buff. I started with a wash and light clay pad. The reviews were pretty good and company guaranteed it for two years. Most reviews said it lasted three or four years. It has been over a year since I applied it to my 2021 K5 GT Line AWD and it looks great and is definitely beading water.

 

[1st K5]

I used the Silverwax brand of ceramic coating from Can Tire. It cost about $75 and took almost two hours to apply and buff. I started with a wash and light clay pad. The reviews were pretty good and company guaranteed it for two years. Most reviews said it lasted three or four years. It has been over a year since I applied it to my 2021 K5 GT Line AWD and it looks great and is definitely beading water.

It's good to apply a booster yearly.

 

[1st K5]

It varies from one shop to the others but here’s a sample (Best/Worst):

• Kia Dealer (@ Car Delivery) - $750* (No mention of paint rectification) + 1 yr visit for T/Ups - 3 yr. warranty;
• Locally known Shop - $900* (with Polishing) + yearly visits for T/Ups @ $120/visit - 4 yr. warranty (total: $1,380*)

* In USD (25% from CDN)

Prices vary depending on quality. Ask to see what they use and how long it will protect for. What part of Canada are you from?
If in Montreal, come see me.

 

[Cb450sc]

It's good to apply a booster yearly.

Thanks 1'ST, but I will give it one more summer before I coat it again.

 

[1st K5]

I'm about to do mine. The booster just prolongs the ceramic.

 

[DBKC]

Hello Everyone. Currently in the process of obtaining quotations from various detailing shops for the application of ceramic coating on my upcoming K5 (Wolf Grey Color) to be delivered this coming April. About half the quotes received so far are stating that paint rectification is req'd even thought the car will be brand new.

This makes me wonder how good the paint quality, coming out of the assembly line, is questionable wrt paint thickness, finish/orange peel, etc. to the point that it would need to be "rectified".

or alternatively,

Am I being taken for a "ride" by these shops?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated,

Greetings!! I totally know that there are a few that will disagree with what I am going to say but here it goes. I have worked in the auto body repair business for years. I also have a K5 with the WG paint. I can honestly say that the paint job on my K5 is pretty slick direct from the factory. Very little orange peel to be found on this vehicle. If your car was going to be a darker color I might say ok to ceramic coating. In my professional opinion, spend your 7-8 hundred and have the complete front clip on the vehicle wrapped with the clear, self healing paint protector that is available. Ceramic coating does nothing to protect your paint from rock chips, acid rain and more. With the wrap method, nothing can get to the paint to scratch or chip it and you will never know it is on the vehicle unless you really look for it. I did my front bumper cover, side mirrors, fenders and hood. It cost me around $800.00 A lot of window tint places install this product. Enjoy!!

 

[1st K5]

Agreed on the ppf. It's what I did and I ceramic coated on top.

 

[SX2GT]

Greetings!! I totally know that there are a few that will disagree with what I am going to say but here it goes. I have worked in the auto body repair business for years. I also have a K5 with the WG paint. I can honestly say that the paint job on my K5 is pretty slick direct from the factory. Very little orange peel to be found on this vehicle. If your car was going to be a darker color I might say ok to ceramic coating. In my professional opinion, spend your 7-8 hundred and have the complete front clip on the vehicle wrapped with the clear, self healing paint protector that is available. Ceramic coating does nothing to protect your paint from rock chips, acid rain and more. With the wrap method, nothing can get to the paint to scratch or chip it and you will never know it is on the vehicle unless you really look for it. I did my front bumper cover, side mirrors, fenders and hood. It cost me around $800.00 A lot of window tint places install this product. Enjoy!!

Thanks DBKC and all the others for your valuable inputs. It helped me confirmed my initial idea of having the front end PPF'd (front bumper/lights, full length hood & side mirrors - while I'm still on the fence wrt the fenders' front corners) and ceramic coated. Totally agreed that a ceramic coating by itself is not worth as much as when combined with a good PPF coverage.

 

[bestclosings]

Appreciate all the info! I'm looking into ceramic for my black '23 GT. In Gainesville FL the pricing is going from 1100 - 2200. I like the idea of the self healing paint protector as those areas are where the problems are. I see a lot of people from Florida in here 👏👍