Description
Ceramic coating is one of the most misunderstood products in automotive detailing. Does it protect your paint from scratches? Does it replace paint protection film? Is it worth spending $2,000 or more to have it professionally applied? Is the stuff on Amazon or eBay just as good?
In this episode, I take my 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S to Metropolitan Detail in Redmond, Washington, to find out what ceramic coating actually does—and why it makes sense to put ceramic coating over PPF. Because that’s what I did.
Once STEK DYNO paint protection film was installed on the front of my Taycan, STEK Final Coat ceramic coating was added. It’s formulated with advanced carbon nanotube technology. STEK claims a 9H hardness rating (there’s is no 10H or 11H, don’t be fooled).
Learn the differences between PPF and ceramic coating, how ceramic coating protects the finish, why it makes a car dramatically easier to clean, how long a professional ceramic coating can last and why proper paint correction and PPF application is so important BEFORE applying the ceramic coating.
I'll show you what the ceramic coating application actually looks like, including the flashing and leveling process, what happens if you let the coating “high spot” and why professional application requires considerably more skill than simply wiping a product onto your car.
The Taycan is five years old, and although it looked pretty good to me, the transformation is dramatic.
And a bonus discovery: while the wheels were being coated, removing one of them revealed tire damage I never would have noticed, saving me from a potentially bad outcome on an upcoming 1,000-mile road trip.
This Video Covers:
• Ceramic coating vs. paint protection film
• What ceramic coating actually protects against
• Why ceramic coating doesn't prevent rock chips
• Why PPF and ceramic coating work well together
• Paint correction before ceramic coating
• How ceramic coating is professionally applied
• What "flashing" and "high spotting" mean
• How long ceramic coatings can last
• Ceramic coating maintenance and washing
• Why ceramic coating makes cars easier to clean
• Ceramic coating wheels and brake dust
• STEK Final Coat ceramic coating
• STEK DYNO PPF
Disclosure: STEK USA is providing the materials for this series. I will continue to evaluate the products honestly over the coming months and years.
This is part of my ongoing Porsche protection series covering PPF, ceramic coating and window film. If you haven't seen the first episode about installing paint protection film on the Taycan, check that one out first.
Have questions about ceramic coating, PPF or paint protection? Leave them in the comments.
#CeramicCoating #PPF #PaintProtectionFilm #PorscheTaycan #CarDetailing #STEK #AutoDetailing #paintcorrection
ceramic coating, ceramic coating explained, ceramic coating for cars, is ceramic coating worth it, ceramic coating pros and cons, ceramic coating vs PPF, ceramic coating vs paint protection film, PPF and ceramic coating, ceramic coating over PPF, best ceramic coating, professional ceramic coating, ceramic car coating, car detailing, auto detailing, professional car detailing, paint correction, ceramic coating application, ceramic coating maintenance, hydrophobic coating, ceramic coating water beading, ceramic coating scratches, does ceramic coating protect against scratches, does ceramic coating prevent rock chips, does ceramic coating protect paint, ceramic coating myths, ceramic coating truth, ceramic coating durability, how long does ceramic coating last, 9H ceramic coating, STEK Final Coat, STEK ceramic coating, STEK DYNO, STEK PPF, Porsche Taycan ceramic coating, Porsche paint protection, paint protection for older cars, protecting your car paint, Metropolitan Detail, car paint protection, automotive detailing, ceramic coating wheels, wheel ceramic coating, brake dust protection,
TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS BY CLICKING THE “BELL” BUTTON AFTER SUBSCRIBING!
FOLLOW TOM VOELK ON TWITTER / X ► https://twitter.com/TomVoelk
About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 How Ceramic Coating Protects Car Paint
00:55 STEK USA is Providing the Materials
1:10 The Difference Between PPF and Ceramic Coating
2:20 Why Do Both PPF and Ceramic Coating?
3:00 Life of Ceramic Coating and Price
3:15 Prep is Important
4:20 Difficulty of Installation
6:00 The Difference in Feel
7:09 Why Do the Wheels?
7:50 Maintenance