CT5-V PPF / Ceramic Coating Recommendation

[ajamils]

It's been few years since I really looked at all the options and when I got the CT4-BW, I got the following done

• Full front ppf (Xpel Ultimate Plus)
• Ceramic coating full car including wheels (Feynlab heal light)
• Ceramic Tints (Xpel Prime XR)
• Windshield Tint (Xpel Prime XR Plus)

Now looking at something similar for my CT5-BW (Red Tricoat color), I reached out to couple of installers near by and they are offering completely different options so would like to know if anybody have any comparison and recommend one product over another.

One installer is offering the following
- System X Max G+ Ceramic coating
- Suntek Evolve Ceramic film tints

Another only offers Autobahn Ceramic i3 (as he only does tints) and other one offers XPEL FUSION PLUS PREMIUM ceramic and Xpel tints.

With all these choices, what's everybody's recommendations? Difference in prices is negligible. I am thinking about not getting the Full front ppf this time around as that was the most costly item and since I don't daily my car, I do not see much value on it.

 

[rdollie]

The tricky part for me is finding an aftermarket installer that's going to still be around in a few years to honor any warranty work! Almost (not quite) worth it to pay the dealership nearly 2x to have the PPF and Ceramic covered like the new car warranty.

 

[USMC1911]

I don't think window tint makes much difference. Get it in the darkness you want and the color you want as some tint has a hazy/blue color to it. 3M or Xpel for the PPF. As for ceramic, they seem to be about the same for the 10 year stuff. Ceramic all comes down to the prep and polish before it is applied much more then the actual ceramic applied.

 

[Z28]

Find the place with the best reputation and worry less about the film or ceramic IMO.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

It's been few years since I really looked at all the options and when I got the CT4-BW, I got the following done

• Full front ppf (Xpel Ultimate Plus)
• Ceramic coating full car including wheels (Feynlab heal light)
• Ceramic Tints (Xpel Prime XR)
• Windshield Tint (Xpel Prime XR Plus)

Now looking at something similar for my CT5-BW (Red Tricoat color), I reached out to couple of installers near by and they are offering completely different options so would like to know if anybody have any comparison and recommend one product over another.

One installer is offering the following
- System X Max G+ Ceramic coating
- Suntek Evolve Ceramic film tints

Another only offers Autobahn Ceramic i3 (as he only does tints) and other one offers XPEL FUSION PLUS PREMIUM ceramic and Xpel tints.

With all these choices, what's everybody's recommendations? Difference in prices is negligible. I am thinking about not getting the Full front ppf this time around as that was the most costly item and since I don't daily my car, I do not see much value on it.

I’m having my ct5 wrapped in Kavaca PPF Ceramic Pro and tint. Apparently it’s the best of both worlds. The research I did made it seem like this would work great for me as a daily driver on mountain roads and in the Bay Area. Just gotta make sure it’s applied by an “elite” shop. What I read is that regardless of what you have it wrapped in, how well it’s applied makes all the difference.

 

[CT5VBW]

second the Kavaca. It has been a sweet PPF since it has ceramic coating also. Almost at 4 years and looks the same as when it was put on.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

second the Kavaca. It has been a sweet PPF since it has ceramic coating also. Almost at 4 years and looks the same as when it was put on.

View attachment 30036

So glad to hear it man. I saw lots of reviews saying the same, but it just hits harder coming from someone in a BW after 4. Thanks!

Do you also get a refresh every so often? I think the owner said he recommends at least every other year or something for $100. I figure since I want this as my forevermore car it’s a small price to pay to keep her from aging.

 

[ajamils]

I’m having my ct5 wrapped in Kavaca PPF Ceramic Pro and tint. Apparently it’s the best of both worlds. The research I did made it seem like this would work great for me as a daily driver on mountain roads and in the Bay Area. Just gotta make sure it’s applied by an “elite” shop. What I read is that regardless of what you have it wrapped in, how well it’s applied makes all the difference.

What is this Kavaca thingymagic? That's the first time I'm reading about it but looks like it is a perfect solution.

second the Kavaca. It has been a sweet PPF since it has ceramic coating also. Almost at 4 years and looks the same as when it was put on.

View attachment 30036

That's awesome! I have the exact color so it is good to know that this thing works. How much did you pay for it?

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

What is this Kavaca thingymagic? That's the first time I'm reading about it but looks like it is a perfect solution.



That's awesome! I have the exact color so it is good to know that this thing works. How much did you pay for it?

Kavaca is. Ceramic infused PPF, and if you get the good stuff they coat it over with some kind of top coat to boot. It’s pricey, and they only allow certain shops to sell it, and then there’s some shops that are considered elite that have done extensive training and only sell Kavaca. It takes 48 hours to cure once applied, and two to three weeks beyond that to reach its completely hardened state. It has a 12 year warranty… there’s some videos on YouTube about the stuff, and their website is pretty informative. I’ll put pics of what it looks like when I pick the car up later this week.

 

[ajamils]

Kavaca is. Ceramic infused PPF, and if you get the good stuff they coat it over with some kind of top coat to boot. It’s pricey, and they only allow certain shops to sell it, and then there’s some shops that are considered elite that have done extensive training and only sell Kavaca. It takes 48 hours to cure once applied, and two to three weeks beyond that to reach its completely hardened state. It has a 12 year warranty… there’s some videos on YouTube about the stuff, and their website is pretty informative. I’ll put pics of what it looks like when I pick the car up later this week.

I'm sure it is expensive specially if you are getting whole car done. I don't think I want to spend that much money so might just stick with front only and ceremic on the whole car.

 

[FLYARMY]

I had wrap billboards done on my 2014 Dodge Challenger 10 years ago. They were starting to crack on the side of the car that is mostly facing the sunshine. I spent 2.5 hours pulling it off and was extremely happy how it worked out. I was mentally prepared to be pulling off small pieces all night long. Everything came off using a heat gun and a very slow pull. Now I just have to do the paint correction and make an appointment to get the billboards put back on. Then ceramic coating. 3M makes the best products ! Well worth the money.

 

[CT5VBW]

So glad to hear it man. I saw lots of reviews saying the same, but it just hits harder coming from someone in a BW after 4. Thanks!

Do you also get a refresh every so often? I think the owner said he recommends at least every other year or something for $100. I figure since I want this as my forevermore car it’s a small price to pay to keep her from aging.

I have not had a refresh, not sure what that means other than maybe look to see if there was any lifting? One thing I forgot is that they did have a hard time putting it on the door handles and the standard rear spoiler because there was not template at the time I guess?... so they painted those items glass black (without asking me) Some here know the story... but ended up looking pretty good and I later bought the sideview mirror gloss black (not in the pic i posted).

 

[CT5VBW]

What is this Kavaca thingymagic? That's the first time I'm reading about it but looks like it is a perfect solution.



That's awesome! I have the exact color so it is good to know that this thing works. How much did you pay for it?

It has worked great for me so far... back in late 2021, I think i paid $6500 for the whole car (exterior, wheels, back of the seats) and also got tinted.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

I'm sure it is expensive specially if you are getting whole car done. I don't think I want to spend that much money so might just stick with front only and ceremic on the whole car.

My thoughts on it are, if I just dropped 125k on a car in cash what’s another $5600? If it means my paint stays protected like new for the next decade then it’s money well spent IMO.

I have not had a refresh, not sure what that means other than maybe look to see if there was any lifting? One thing I forgot is that they did have a hard time putting it on the door handles and the standard rear spoiler because there was not template at the time I guess?... so they painted those items glass black (without asking me) Some here know the story... but ended up looking pretty good and I later bought the sideview mirror gloss black (not in the pic i posted).

Refresh is where they go over it to see where it needs to be decorated in their special ionic coating or whatever the heck it’s called. Wow, I just used the word heck. I’m just not sure how the community feels about cussing round here yet. I tend to swear a lot.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

I have not had a refresh, not sure what that means other than maybe look to see if there was any lifting? One thing I forgot is that they did have a hard time putting it on the door handles and the standard rear spoiler because there was not template at the time I guess?... so they painted those items glass black (without asking me) Some here know the story... but ended up looking pretty good and I later bought the sideview mirror gloss black (not in the pic i posted).

Also WTF? They didn’t even ask if they could paint your ish?!? I’d tell em they just coated my car for free unless they want to repaint my car… and I’d be happy to get 33% off but don’t tell them that!

 

[CT5VBW]

Also WTF? They didn’t even ask if they could paint your ish?!? I’d tell em they just coated my car for free unless they want to repaint my car… and I’d be happy to get 33% off but don’t tell them that!

yeah. it was not cool. they are now out of business... so go figure.

 

[ajamils]

Got couple of quotes from local shops

Quote 1
Wash - Clay Treatment - Polish (Sedan) - $300
FEYNLAB® Self Heal Plus - $2500
Apex Ultra - Premium Multi-Layer Ceramic Tint - $650
Apex Ultra Premium Multi-Layer Ceramic - Windshield Tint - $300
UPPF Ceramic PPF - Full Frontal - $1775

Total Cost: $5,525

Quote 2
System X Max G+ - $1295 (starting)
Suntek Evolve (Windows and back) - $595 OR Suntek CIR (Windows and back) - $495
Suntek Evolve (Windshield) - $295
Suntek Dynoshield Full Front-end - $2295

Total: $4480

Do these look reasonable? Seems like prices have increased quite a bit in last few years.

 

[ngoni]

That's about right for what I was pricing - front PPF, window tint, and full ceramic.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Got couple of quotes from local shops

Quote 1
Wash - Clay Treatment - Polish (Sedan) - $300
FEYNLAB® Self Heal Plus - $2500
Apex Ultra - Premium Multi-Layer Ceramic Tint - $650
Apex Ultra Premium Multi-Layer Ceramic - Windshield Tint - $300
UPPF Ceramic PPF - Full Frontal - $1775

Total Cost: $5,525

Quote 2
System X Max G+ - $1295 (starting)
Suntek Evolve (Windows and back) - $595 OR Suntek CIR (Windows and back) - $495
Suntek Evolve (Windshield) - $295
Suntek Dynoshield Full Front-end - $2295

Total: $4480

Do these look reasonable? Seems like prices have increased quite a bit in last few years.

My full wrap including paint correction and all the windows tinted was/is $5600… so you’re in the right ballpark. I just went full package with the expensive shit.

 

[USMC1911]

Windows seem high but the PPF seems ok. $300 for clay and polish seems incredibly low as it should take several hours if not a majority of a day to really do a good clay, decontamination and polish.