[sarkankur]

We welcomed our Altroz in 2020 in Chennai.

I wanted to protect the paint with a ceramic coating. I was looking for a shop that was close to my house and offered quality service without the glamour and price tag associated with upscale shops. However, COVID occurred, resulting in lockdowns and delivery delays and throwing a wrench in my plans as most of the small and medium-scale businesses had to close. As a result, the idea was dropped and rarely revisited because of other obligations.

Fast-forward 4 years, and we have moved to Bangalore, re-registered the car, and experienced minor dents, scrapes, and corrosion along the road.

Getting a ceramic coating became necessary because of the car's red colour, the regular waterlogging in Bengaluru (which was common in Chennai as well), and the pegion infestation in our parking lot. Thus again, I began my search for a detailer who could get the job done efficiently at a reasonable price.

I had my car washed at CARJAX Auto Care in my neighbourhood in May and was blown away by how efficiently they cleaned the old scale marks in a single wash (that too at a competitive price). I was glad to meet the proprietor, Naveen, who is also a fellow BHPian (nbhat24). Below is an image of the wash area and a video containing a glimpse of the process (from a recent wash a few days ago).

The wash area

Wash Process at CarJax Auto Care, BTM, Bengaluru

After a pleasant conversation with Chandrashekara and Naveen, I chose to have my car ceramic coated. They even assisted me in finding a good body shop for the repairs, which I have already mentioned in the thread:Body Repair & Painting at Trust Motors, Hulimavu (Bengaluru)

I chose the Premium Diamond 10H coating because it was on sale at a 20% discount and came with a 6-year warranty for the coating with maintenance. Two coats are applied during the initial coating, followed by an additional maintenance coat every year for the next six years (until 2030). I would be charged INR 1,000 for each maintenance coat at the time of coating. I also received complimentary services like coating for the plastics and windscreens.

On July 1st, I turned over the car to be coated. Since I couldn't be there to oversee the job, I requested that they give updates via WhatsApp, which Chandrashekar and Naveen gladly agreed to.


Here are some images from the process.

Step 1: Prep work (Day 1)
It involved:

• a complete wash,
• applying clay,
• exterior restoration (including trim and plastics),
• masking,
• paint correction, and polishing.

Cleaned and detailed engine bay



Polishing

Prep work in progress

Post prep

Step 2: Cleaning with Nano-based IPA
It helped remove all polishing oils and ensured proper bonding of the ceramic coating.

Post-cleaning with IPA

Step 3: Apply the ceramic coating (2 Coats)
A few drops of the liquid were put on an applicator sponge and applied in a uniform motion from one panel to the next while keeping the sponge moist.

Application of ceramic coat at CarJax Auto Care, BTM, Bengaluru

Step 4: Curing the coating
The coat was allowed to settle in and bond with the paint. It was cured in the same location where it was coated because the environment is clean and controlled.

While getting cured post-coating

Step 5: Delivery (Day 3)
The car was delivered along with an electronic invoice that includes the following:

• The invoice.
• Maintenance schedule for the paid maintenance plan.
• Instructions for cleaning and maintaining the vehicle after coating.
• Warranty rules.

Post-ceramic coating

My car has been ceramic coated for approximately a month and a half, and I have had no concerns thus far.

Here are my observations so far:

• The coating has held up well, with no degradation in the gloss finish or swirl marks after one and a half months of use.
• Water beading works nicely both on the body and on the windscreens. In fact, the water from the roof just flows down the front and rear windscreens under gentle braking or acceleration (refer to the video below).
• It has made it much easier to clean the car, as mud and bird droppings do not stick to the body as they used to.
• It does make my four-year-old car look considerably newer. I was really pleased when the service advisor at Tata Motors said that he assumed this was a 2023 model.

I will post an update after a year of use on how this coating holds up.

Video and images of the water-beading capability

Water-beading post-windscreen coating

The gloss effect on the paint

My cleaning routine:

• Dusting: Under typical conditions, I dust with the Jopasu duster every 2 to 3 days. I intend to purchase a blower so that I can use it when it gets too dusty.
  
• Wash: Pressure wash once or twice a month at CarJax. Depending on how dirty the car is, especially after driving in rain or over mud.

If you are looking for a good detailer or a good place to have your vehicle washed in South Bangalore (near Hulimavu/BTM Layout/Bommanahalli), this is a business that offers good value.

Advantages (based on my personal experience):

• A variety of services are provided for both four-wheelers and two-wheelers.
• Quality of work done.
• Quick service time.
• Friendly staff.

To reach them, call or WhatsApp +91 807-345-7258 or email them at magicalmachinecarjax@gmail.com.

Here's the Google Maps location as well. CARJAX Auto Care, BTM (Master Franchise)

Some recent pictures

P.S.

• I have no association with the detailer. I'm a delighted client and wanted to share my experience with our Team-BHP members.
• Have a thorough discussion regarding the procedure and materials involved so that both parties understand the scope of work and desired outcome.
• The finishing and restoration may vary depending on the colour, age of the car, the elements it gets exposed to, and other factors. The red paint on my Altroz looks different under different lighting conditions, as is evident in the images that I have shared.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[finneyp]

Nice work!
How much did the entire detailing cost you?

[sarkankur]

Originally Posted by finneyp

Nice work!
How much did the entire detailing cost you?

INR 27K after the discount.