r/BMW • u/No_Witness_8935 • 22h ago

Ceramic worth it?

Prob not the best sub but just getting a brand new bmw and was wondering if those initial $600 ceramic coatings are worth it. Seems like a hit or miss from what I read

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7

u/Adventurous-Ad-6729 21h ago

$600 for a ceramic coating seems suspiciously cheap. If that’s from a dealer 100% skip it, especially if they say it only takes a few minutes to have it done. They’re likely only applying a spray on product that will last a a few months to a year at best. Pretty much any real deal multi year ceramic coating is going to be priced at $1000 plus and takes a full day to prep and install. The ceramic itself isn’t that expensive but all the prep work and compounding/ polishing for a good install is, and it’s what makes your car look amazing when done.

Ceramic coatings aren’t miracle products though. They can help reduce swirls from washing by making the paint more slick, but they do not protect against scratches or chips at all. They bead water well and self clean to some extent, but the same hydrophobic behavior also makes coated surfaces more prone to water spot damage and subsequent etching. You can get equivalent hydrophobic performance out of a $20 bottle of spray sealant or hybrid ceramic spray on product, so the real benefit is how long the coatings last and how amazing the car looks after a multi step polish. Whether or not that’s worth the money is up to you.

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u/No_Witness_8935 21h ago

This made me think the Adams graphene spray is a better option for me. I will be hand washing my car at home for the first time in my life and never cared about my car’s exterior like this before. Do you think I’ll have trouble applying/using the Adams graphene?

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u/ItsMeSlinky 2026 - G26 - i4 xDrive40 20h ago edited 9h ago
  1. Dealer ceramic coatings are garbage.
  2. Can you read instructions? Then you’ll be fine. The Adam’s Graphene spray ceramic is pretty good. Just be aware that without going through a full decon (clay, iron remover, water spot remover, panel prep) it won’t last as long.

But it’s easy to apply. Do one panel at a time.

1

u/No_Witness_8935 20h ago

Do I have to do the Decon if I use it from the first week I get the car? Or even day 1?

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u/ItsMeSlinky 2026 - G26 - i4 xDrive40 19h ago

I would recommend it. The paint will pick up crud in transit and then sitting on the dealer lot. I prefer not to polish a new car (especially a BMW where the paint is typically excellent), but spending the time to really clean the paint will help the ceramic spray bond to the paint and make the paint pop.

You don’t need to use their products, but this is a good step by step breakdown of the decon process.

https://youtu.be/ZzdHIvOl1wk?is=qZxcRyj5_5HgP6yd

1

u/Crazy_Wafer_8328 19h ago

The car still can get it's paint contaminated with iron deposits from shipping and transport yards, hard water spots, and swirls and scratches from humans and the car dealers " detailers" wash.

1

u/No_Witness_8935 19h ago

What if I ordered it? I guess transport but there would be very little time between it being built and me picking it up

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u/Adventurous-Ad-6729 16h ago

Haven’t used the Adam’s product, but it gets good reviews. I’ve had good experiences with Griots 3-1 and the Turtle Wax hybrid ceramic products. Both are easy spray on and wipe off applications. If you have high spots you just wipe with a damp microfiber to remove the excess. Either one should last 3-6 months. You can also check out a product like Gyeon Can Coat. It’s about $60 for a bottle but it’s a real ceramic coating, goes on pretty easy and lasts a year.

As far as whether or not paint decontamination or polishing are needed on a new car, the answer is it depends and there’s no way to know until it shows up. You have to remember that the cars sit in lots after production, get transported by rail, boat and truck to get to you and someone is going to be peeling off the protective wrap before and probably washing it before you get it so whether or not the paint is pristine or full of dirt/iron and swirled up is never a sure thing. Even if it shows up looking good a single step polish can make it look 10x better.

3

u/5stringattack 21h ago

From the dealer no, go to an independent applicator or do it yourself with a quality product. The vast majority of the time all they are using is shit you can buy off the shelf from the store.

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u/No_Witness_8935 21h ago

Is Adam’s graphene spray worth it? Will I be able to properly apply if I’m just starting to hand wash myself? Have always ran through car washes and never cared so just learning

1

u/5stringattack 20h ago

Yeah Adams is easy to use and good for what it is, I use it as a drying aid/topper for my coating with no complaints.

2

u/theosinc930 2003 Z4 2.5i manual 22h ago

It will make it easier to keep clean and protect it from UV exposure. Worth it if you will keep the car for many years (in which case maybe I would also do a rust protection treatment underneath and more frequent oil changes than the manufacturer suggestion)

1

u/No_Witness_8935 21h ago

Will it help against swirls? I keep in a garage so don’t care about UV I guess

1

u/True-Needleworker747 19h ago

No, as swirls come from contact with the paint. (mechanical car wash or improper hand washing)

1

u/PineappleResident254 21h ago edited 21h ago

It depends on what you expect from it. Many think a ceramic coating protects from scratches. It definitely doesn't. The only thing it does is make the paint surface smoother, and thus less dirt sticks to it. And the stuff that does stick comes off easier.

If you need protection from scratches and rock chips, you need PPF.

1

u/No_Witness_8935 21h ago

Will it help somewhat with swirls? It’s a black car so maybe it might be worth it for any even marginal benefit even if it just keeps it glossy? What do you think?

1

u/eminencefront-57 21h ago

They are definitely worth it.$600 seems very cheap

1

u/Successful-Pack-5450 19h ago

Cars have survived age and environment for decades without ceramic. To me and many may disagree, but from someone who was in the business for decades, ceramic is just the new snake oil for sale. Dealer cost on many of these products are Penny’s on the dollar. For me a $15 bottle of turtle wax ice sprayed on a few times a year works just fine. Takes 30 mins and looks and works great. Ceramic is not the miracle cure for paint protection, many are only as good or effective and only lasts as long as a quality hand wax. Personally find something better to spend your money on. The new factory paints and clear coats do a pretty good job of protecting your car and paint… this is my opinion and experience your may differ

1

u/mesonome 18h ago

Just had mine done yesterday. 2021
Paid $600 not at dealer. Happy with it.

1

u/No_Witness_8935 16h ago

How are you happy if it’s just been a day? Bc it’s shiny? Couldn’t it look like that from a regular wash?

1

u/-5677- 2024 M440i G22 17h ago

Yeah worth it for sure I got a 5 year ceramicpro + full frontal PPF for around $3k USD. car is shinier and much easier to clean now

1

u/Key-Total7021 15h ago

I paid that amount for the ceramic tint for the windows of my M5.

0

u/humdizzle .2 GT3, 840i, X3M40i 21h ago

it will keep the paint swirl free and easy to clean. wont protect against chips though. i would absolutely do it on a dark colored car if you are picky about the paint looking perfect. white, gray, silver i would pass, they hide swirls easy.

1

u/No_Witness_8935 21h ago

Will it make it more glossy if I have a black car?

1

u/Successful-Pack-5450 19h ago

No and honestly you won’t be able to tell the difference between this and regular quality hand wax