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If it's PPF (paint protection film) how much of the car are you having done and how much are they charging you for the work?
It may not be the case with your dealership but often dealers farm this kind of work out to a specialized PPF outfit or body shop and you can end up paying a real premium. I had previous experience with an excellent PPF shop in my area so I knew where I was going to take my new car. Came to find out that my dealer used the same shop. The dealer's price would have been $2K more than what I ended up paying the PPF shop directly. Just saying...
I’m getting a dealership clear coat on my white car next week. I’m nervous about it. Should I be?
Uncertain what you mean by “clear coat”, Jennifer. Clear coat is the last clear layer sprayed over new paint at the factory.
But if you mean “ceramic coat” then you can consider doing the ceramic coat yourself IF you do not need a paint correction also. Several consumer - DIY ceramic coat products available and many good “how to” videos on YT . Most of the cost of ceramic coating is the labor necessary to prep the paint which anyone can do following instruction. You will need a garage, moderate temperature and low humidity. I did mine yesterday.
If you mean PPF or if you need a paint correction before applying the ceramic coat/PPF, go to a recognized expert.
Last edited by Fullyield; Mar 20, 2025 at 08:09 AM.
Uncertain what you mean by “clear coat”, Jennifer. Clear coat is the last clear layer sprayed over new paint at the factory.
But if you mean “ceramic coat” then you can consider doing the ceramic coat yourself IF you do not need a paint correction also. Several consumer - DIY ceramic coat products available and many good “how to” videos on YT . Most of the cost of ceramic coating is the labor necessary to prep the paint which anyone can do following instruction. You will need a garage, moderate temperature and low humidity. I did mine yesterday.
If you mean PPF or if you need a paint correction before applying the ceramic coat/PPF, go to a recognized expert.
I’m probably using the wrong name. The car is new and the dealership is doing the coat. It was paid for upon receiving car a couple of weeks ago. Goes to dealership Friday and picked up following day.
I’m probably using the wrong name. The car is new and the dealership is doing the coat. It was paid for upon receiving car a couple of weeks ago. Goes to dealership Friday and picked up following day.
It is most likely a ceramic coating. It will be OK, but given the one day turn around, they are probably doing a less than 4 hour job:
- wash the car
- wipe it down with alcohol
- apply a ceramic coating
I purchased a similar “ceramic coating” when I bought a new BMW M8 coupe last year, as part of my sales contract. It looked nice when I picked the car up, but the quality was definitely not worth what I paid for it.
Last edited by MartinHines; Mar 20, 2025 at 09:30 AM.
Sounds like either ceramic coat or paint protection film, PPF
It really depends on the dealership as some do it in-house with their own employees, while others offer the service and use subcontractors
The installer is crucial and if the car is important and you’ve purchased to keep for many years, due diligence is necessary and it starts with seeing the work and meeting the technicians performing the work
hope this helps
__________________ Specializing in Porsche/Ferrari since 1995
If it was included in the purchase price then it is probably something like PermaCoat ($795) that my dealer incudes on all contracts. This is useless. On my last car they had several mandatory items, e.g., lost key reimbursement, paintless dent repair and afore mentioned PermaCoating. I was able to cancel two of these and get a refund. So get the contracts for any added items and check for the option for a refund. Not a lot of money but I really don't like being forced to buy something I don't want or need.
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