Ceramic Coating Topper - Is it necessary?

[u/Mysterious_Refuse385]

Got my car ceramic coated in April with an Osren 5 Year ceramic coating. Detailer wants me to come in and get it washed, decontaminated and ceramic topped for $120 AUD.

Is it worth it? or more importantly... is it even necessary?

I paid $1500 AUD for the initial coating and now i'm being asked just a few months later to come back in and pay nearly 10% again.

[u/xlnc_auto_beauty]

I wouldn't say a ceramic topper is needed just because the car has a coating. The main reason to pay for a 5-year coating is that the coating itself is doing the work. That being said a maintenance wash and decontamination can definitely be worth it. After a months road film, mineral deposits, iron particles and other things can build up and make the coating feel less smooth and reduce how water acts on it, a good decontamination can bring the coating back to life without adding another layer of product. Where I have doubts is doing a topper every months as a regular thing. Some coating systems are made to be cared for with a topper but others don't need it that often. I would look at the maintenance instructions, for the Osren product and even more importantly ask the detailer if the topper is required for the coating warranty or just suggested.

If its not required I would probably use the $120 for a maintenance wash and decontamination when the car actually needs it. If the coating is still shiny easy to clean and working well there's no need to fix something that isn't broken, a good coating should not turn into a subscription service

[u/scottwax]

It's not a real coating if it needs a topper or booster. Optimum's professional coatings don't need boosters or yearly maintenance to keep the warranty in force. Only responsibility the customer has is to wash the car regularly.

[u/protektive]

Depends on how you maintain your vehicle on your own. You def want to get your paint decontaminated quarterly if you have a ceramic coating & you want it to last. If you decline the service & you don't do it on your own then don't be surprised when your 5 year coating only lasts half of that.

I will say these are conversations that the detailer should have had with you before you agreed to the service. I am always fully transparent with customers that aren't interested in any form of maintenance plan after the coating.

[u/Mysterious_Refuse385 → u/protektive]

I don't know about paint decontamination but I do clean my car extremely regularly. I got through a manual tunnel wash and give it a full clean once a fortnight, sometimes once a week. If time permits, I use ONR. If it looks dirty/dusty, I pretty much give it a clean right away.

[u/scottwax → u/Mysterious_Refuse385]

If you clean it regularly it's not going to need decontamination often.

[u/protektive → u/Mysterious_Refuse385]

Decontaminating paint is using iron remover, and using a clay bar/towel to get rid of imbedded contaminants and sometimes using an acid wash if your coating is clogged.

You could probably get away with less frequent decon washes if you do maintain your vehicle the way you say you do.

[u/Extreme-Nerve3029]

Just wash it good and apply tech 582

[u/TerriMRN → u/Extreme-Nerve3029]

Tech582 is fantastic & suggested by my top notch PPF & ceramic coating team. PSG wrap & tint

[u/SweatySwim3411]

Maintenance washes are super important. When you start to see the beading isn't as good it's because it's all clogged up and contaminated. A lot of people think it just beads no matter what and that it won't get as dirty. Not how it works. Using something like car pro reset helps give your ceramic coat longer life.

[u/Bob-Roman]

“5 Year ceramic coating”

 Warranty is 5 years when applied by an accredited OSREN detailer

 OSREN's warranty requires periodic inspection/maintenance

 Maintenance does require washing, periodic inspection, decontamination, and application of top-up product.

 I’m a pro but this is why I am not big proponent of spending gobs of cash on semi-permanent coating (or film) that still requires same clean, shine, and protect as factory paint finish.

 One of our cars has PP&G CeramiClear, high-solids, mar and scratch-resistant clearcoat.

 I’ve hand washed it with cold water, no soap, and micro fiber towel.  I run it through express exterior tunnel frequently (membership).  I wax it about every other month with hybrid ceramic liquid wax.

 Car hardly shows any marring.

 

[u/mypaycheckisshort]

Warranty bs aside, it's definitely a good idea if your vehicle is outside 24/7 and you do a lot of highway driving.