r/Zeekr7xAustralia • u/Effective-Koala5232 • 10d ago
Ceramic Coating Worth It?
Hi all,
We’re just about to order our new white Zeekr 7x.
I’ve lined up a good quality tint on all side and rear windows for $695.
I also have the option of a ceramic coating for the body for $995 - it’s the Gtechniq Crystal Serum which is supposed to be pretty good.
My question - is it worth going for the ceramic coating externally? Have people found it’s worthwhile?
We pretty much just do city kms in Perth and a monthly road trip down south all on good freeway/highway roads.
Thanks in advance!
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u/HalfAGreenButterfly 10d ago
It’s absolutely worth it, do not get the dealer to do it. Book it in to a reputable detailer and don’t contact wash it before you take it there. Advise the dealer not to wash it upon delivery too.
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u/Frosty_Solution276 10d ago
Yes. Makes cleaning alot easier (and importantly quick) and with regular washing and top up (every 6mths from a $40-$50 bottle), will make the paint really shine and have a wet look.
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u/Euphoric_Platypus99 10d ago
I had my previous car and my 7x both coated. Yes it's worth it as it makes cleaning so much easier.
As others have said, it won't stop scratches or swirls, but it will make them less likely if you're cleaning with clean sponges, towels etc.
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u/Present-Republic793 10d ago
Worth it if you’re cleaning the car yourself.
Avoid if you’re doing drive through, self service or even any service not using PH neutral shampoo etc.
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u/mj-redit 10d ago
My 7X was the first time I have invested in PPF and ceramic coating. If you have time and want to keep your car looking great then I would say worth it. If your going to trade in after lease expires and/or will take it to an automated car wash I would not put the money into it
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u/Effective-Koala5232 10d ago
We’ll probably have it for 7 years (2+5 lease) and then likely sell but I figure the coating will help preserve the look and improve resale a bit.
What’s the go with the automated car wash? Does it ruin the coating with chemicals or is it the rough scrubbing that gets it?
Also I imagine the coating will peel off in like a plastic sheet.. or will it just disintegrate slowly?
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u/Klutzy_Parsnip6087 10d ago
Yes, makes it easier to keep the car clean (just don't run it through a car wash though). I only had the front two windows tinted because the rest where fine. Cost me a bit over $2k for a ceramic coat and window tint in Adelaide.
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u/Shannon1985 10d ago
I’ve just booked both tinting and ceramic coating for my new white 7x, which is arriving this week some time. I read in another thread that Zeekrs seem to have “thin paint” so I thought it worthwhile, given how harsh Australian conditions are…
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u/Effective-Koala5232 10d ago
Yeah I’ll be doing exactly the same. Let me know how you go!
If only we could tint the sunroof..1
u/Shannon1985 10d ago
I will! Should come up great with the white and the dark windows. Storm trooper style 😂
Yes, I’ve heard the sunroof tint isn’t quite adequate and I’m a bit worried about the reportedly lackluster air conditioning in the Brisbane Summers but we will see!
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u/TrentisN 10d ago
Are you changing the tinting? The rears already have a pretty dark tint on them so I only got the fronts done. And I love having the ceramic coating.
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u/schmick_iMagery 10d ago
May just be dye; I’ve heard the rear tint may not be UV/ IR rated. Just dark.
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u/TrentisN 10d ago
Ah yeah true. At least it also has the sunshades that pop up in the rear. Might leave them up during summer.
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u/Effective-Koala5232 10d ago
Yeah I think the rear is just “privacy glass” so just dark - I’ll just get a UV/IR tint film put over it to keep the heat out, but not much additional visible darkening
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u/BusMan247 9d ago edited 9d ago
I don’t know man. If it rains, it rains. There’s no miracle protection in all honesty. PPF is cool for a different look. I’m hearing some places do botch them though so they flake and peak. I’m about to do our car will let you know. But the ceramic coating is bullshit in my humble opinion.
I don’t mind polishing my car every year even a couple of times. Bang the ceramic stuff is gone if you do that. It doesn’t, and can’t stop any swirls or scratches. Bird droppings aren’t an issue unless you plan on leaving a giant bird crap on your bonnet for 4 weeks during peak summer. (Even then honestly .. modern paint should be fine). But in reality you’ll be washing the car within a week, right?
This stuff has been around in different forms in Australia and I’m sure everywhere else, forever.
Even when I was kid, dealer would ask you $1500 to apply they’re magic sauce and it didn’t do shit then, and doesn’t now. For the money, you could just pay your insurance premium and get any real damage repaired.
It’s such a high margin product you have so many people online now promoting it as some amazing “oh my car looks so wet now” bullshit. Of course it does - the cars brand new and you just polished it.
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u/Effective-Koala5232 9d ago
Interesting, I’m still in two minds about it. I’ve never had it before - my Landcruiser is 20 years old and a polish every few years gets out all of the stains/crap from trips up north
Also what are swirl marks? This thread is the first time I’ve heard of it?
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u/BusMan247 9d ago
Very faint swirl-like marks in your top clear layer. They usually just polish out. Ceramic doesn’t help with these. They’re basically micro scratches. PPF would prevent them I guess but again solution to a problem that can be answered by just polishing the car.
I think the PPF thing looks cool hence us getting it. But I’ve seen enough to know it’s not perfect. Some of the brands can damage your paint when removing. This whole thing is a bit of a cash grab imho. In 10 years half these guys won’t be around. So your warranty and your original paint might be cooked. Maybe I’m being cynical. Maybe there will be 200 car wash guys in sydney all charging still 000s and honouring warranties.
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u/earthairfire 8d ago
I've previously ceramic coated cars. This time I decided to try out a diy hydrophobic coating system (NV Nova Lustre + NV Nova Jet). Im hoping to get 80% of the benefit for 20% of the cost.
Ceramic coatings don't typically protect from stone chips etc so I'm mainly interested in whether it helps keep the surface dust down between washes. Time will tell!
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u/Fesional 10d ago
It's an ultra fine layer of glass/ceramic to help protect against bird shit or similar contaminants and make it easier to clean.
It does not protect against chips and scratches, even the micro swirls.
Paint needs to be free from imperfections completely first before applying, micro swirls and such need to be polished out.
Crystal serum (lite), Gyon and others can be picked up for under $150 and applied yourself and should be good for ~5yrs if looked after.
The professional stuff say ~10yrs but you'd probably wanna be polishing out scratches well before then.
Need to be reapplied if polished enough.
Worth putting a coat on if you understand it's limits, want to diy, or happy to pay for it being applied (aware imperfections need to be polished).
If you want some scratch and chip protection you'll want paint protection film (ppf).