[KnightX]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

I was in the same dilemma for my new car after getting it ceramic coated. Even the detailer mentioned not to get it cleaned by such cleaners.
I have since stopped using their services and clean my car myself usually once in two weeks.
I stay in an apartment so got a battery operated pressure washer which works well using a bucket of water. Happy to say that after 6 months, there are no swirl marks.

The problem in my society is that it's a small one with very compact parking spots where my car would be surrounded by walls from 2 sides and pillar and another car from the third and I don't think washing the car there by spraying water is an option.
A stupid question maybe but I will still go ahead and clear my doubt. How do you get the dust settling on the car on a daily basis, from running on the roads or even just standing idle, cleaned in your case? Or is it that you only clean it at the time of pressure washing and if so doesn't the car look dirty in the interim?

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by KnightX

The problem in my society is that it's a small one with very compact parking spots where my car would be surrounded by walls from 2 sides and pillar and another car from the third and I don't think washing the car there by spraying water is an option.
A stupid question maybe but I will still go ahead and clear my doubt. How do you get the dust settling on the car on a daily basis, from running on the roads or even just standing idle, cleaned in your case? Or is it that you only clean it at the time of pressure washing and if so doesn't the car look dirty in the interim?

I have the same issue in my parking space. But there is a space in the basemeny in our apartment with access to a tap, I use this space to wash the car.
For daily dusting, I use jopasu duster. Only in rains, I wash the car every weekend, else it's once in 15days.

[Family_Man]

Hi Everyone,

I have got my XEV 9E Nebula Blue delivered last week. I am confused between Coating and PPF. For PPF, detailers will remove some parts and badging so I am little worried on this part. So I have decided against it.

For Ceramic Coating, I have got 3 quotes and bit confused between all 3 of them. I would request expert advise to choose correct one.

Detailing Mafia - 35,000.00,5 years warranty. Nano Graphene Coating + Hybrid Polymer coating. Re-service or booster service in every 18 months

Carzspa Noida - 35000.00 Crystal Shield Graphene coating , 7 years warranty, booster service once in a year

Shell car care Noida - 27000.00, SystemX Max ceramic coating, 7 years waranty but booster service in every 6 months. Booster service includes Scratch removal, Ceramic booster application and hydrophobic top coat application

As per my little knowledge on this, systemX is one of the good brand but why it requires booster in every 6 months.

Detailing Mafia is using their own product and booster service required once in 18 months so they are more confident on their product’s lifecycle.

Carzspa guy seems more technically sound but never heard about crystal shield coat.

I would request Expert’s advise to go with right decision.

[fatsoboy]

Originally Posted by Family_Man

.

Detailing Mafia - 35,000.00,5 years warranty. Nano Graphene Coating + Hybrid Polymer coating. Re-service or booster service in every 18

Don't know much about this and would leave it for others to comment but can tell you about detailing mafia. Their coating is a joke. I also had a similar graphene coating. Paid about 30k for my X1 couple of years back. The shine didn't even last 2 months. When I went to them, they just pretended as if nothing was wrong. Didn't bother going for the periodic service after that.

Somebody else has also posted about his experience with them recently in the PPF thread, so I'll stay clear of them

[Family_Man]

Originally Posted by fatsoboy

Don't know much about this and would leave it for others to comment but can tell you about detailing mafia. Their coating is a joke. I also had a similar graphene coating. Paid about 30k for my X1 couple of years back. The shine didn't even last 2 months. When I went to them, they just pretended as if nothing was wrong. Didn't bother going for the periodic service after that.

Somebody else has also posted about his experience with them recently in the PPF thread, so I'll stay clear of them

Thank you so much @fatsoboy,

You saved my day, I was almost considering detailing mafia and was planning to drop my car tomorrow morning. Now I will not.

Requesting other expert suggestions as well.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by KnightX

Any suggestions on what best can be done in this situation from people who can relate to my situation are welcome. So is there any extra protection or benefits whatsoever of getting the ceramic coating done in this case?

First, whether you get a coating or not, do not continue with the morning cleaner. He will inflict heavy scratching on all the exterior surfaces, not just paint. You’ll also get mineral deposits around the wheel lug nuts and badges and door seals, as most cities in India have a hard water problem.

I’ve lived in apartments before and it is difficult I agree with you. What I did was put a very hydrophobic coating on my paint, wheels and glass (any of the top tier ceramic coating brands) or something like Gyeon Cancaot if doing it yourself.

For maintenance, find a local carwash that’s relatively cheap as you’ll be using it often. Have them rinse + dry the car without touching it using their pressure washer and air compressor respectively (as most won’t have a leaf blower). Do this ever 3-4 days or as per requirement, with a full contact wash with foam done every 2 weeks.

I don’t know about your city but in Gurgaon we even have self service car washes where they provide all the products and equipment but labour is on you.

Originally Posted by KnightX

How do you get the dust settling on the car on a daily basis, from running on the roads or even just standing idle, cleaned in your case? Or is it that you only clean it at the time of pressure washing and if so doesn't the car look dirty in the interim?

Use a leaf blower to take off dust in between washes, works great on coated cars. It won’t clean 100% but will take off 75-80% of loose dust. Touchless and risk free.

https://youtu.be/Hmk57OOQLz8

Originally Posted by Family_Man

Detailing Mafia - 35,000.00,5 years warranty. Nano Graphene Coating + Hybrid Polymer coating. Re-service or booster service in every 18 months

Carzspa Noida - 35000.00 Crystal Shield Graphene coating , 7 years warranty, booster service once in a year

Shell car care Noida - 27000.00, SystemX Max ceramic coating, 7 years waranty but booster service in every 6 months. Booster service includes Scratch removal, Ceramic booster application and hydrophobic top coat application

As per my little knowledge on this, systemX is one of the good brand but why it requires booster in every 6 months.

I would request Expert’s advise to go with right decision.

SystemX Max does not require a booster every 6 months, it’s their flagship coating and comes with a 10 year+ warranty. Unless you take sandpaper to it or repaint the panel, you’re not removing it from the paint.

Also, this is not an authorised installer for SystemX, you can call up SystemX India (number on their website) and they will confirm the same. I don’t know where he’s sourced the products or if it’s even genuine as they don’t sell to unauthorised installers.

As for the pricing, Max will be around 60-70k minimum as the kit is expensive. Be wary of anyone offering it for super cheap. If you want something cheaper, Pro and Diamond are excellent variants as well.

[shinigami_xev]

Hi BHPians,

TLDR; PPF, Ceramic/graphene or no protection for the car? Specially piano black exterior and interiors.

I recently took delivery of my brand new Mahindra XUV 9e in Everest White and, like many, I'm navigating the world of paint protection. I'm hoping to tap into the collective wisdom of this community as I'm quite confused after speaking with multiple detailers who have offered differing advice.

My goal is to protect the car effectively, focusing on a few key areas:

Everest White Paintwork: Keeping the white looking pristine and protecting it from swirls and minor scratches.

Exterior Piano Black Cladding: These are large sections on the XUV 9e and seem highly prone to scratches, swirl marks, and potentially stone chips due to their location and finish. This is a major area of concern.

Interior Piano Black Trim: The dashboard and console areas with the glossy black finish are notorious scratch magnets, and I'd like to minimize damage here if possible.

(Note: For the leather seats, I think I've found a suitable periodic treatment, so my main query is about the paint and plastic trims).

Here are the options I've been presented with and my associated doubts:
Option 1: Graphene / Ceramic Coating Everywhere (Full Exterior + Interior Piano Black)
Detailer Claims: Some suggest Graphene (or Graphene Matrix) coatings are more durable and harder than standard ceramic, lasting longer.

My Doubts/Concerns based on feedback:
1. Will it really protect against anything more than the lightest swirls? Unlikely to help with stone chips on the cladding.
2. Will swirl marks from washing still appear relatively easily, especially on the black cladding?
3. Will debris hitting the cladding still cause noticeable scratches despite the coating?
4. For the interior, I'm told scratches will still happen and cannot be buffed out on coated plastic due to heat sensitivity during buffing. Is this true?


Option 2: Full PPF (Full Exterior + Interior Piano Black)

Detailer Claims: Offers the best physical protection against scratches, stone chips, etc.

My Doubts/Concerns based on feedback:
1. Yellowing: Major concern, especially on a white car. How bad is this with modern films? I was told the car paint yellows slightly anyway, and PPF yellows less, making it a "net win" – sounds like marketing spin?
2. Repair Hassle/Cost: If a panel (especially the large cladding) gets dented or needs repair, I'd have to pay for PPF removal, then panel repair/replacement, then PPF reapplication. This seems incredibly expensive and complex. Some suggest replacing the cladding panel might even be cheaper than the PPF hassle.
3. Interior Application: Concerns about water usage during install potentially affecting electronics (even if a small risk?). Also heard PPF edges might lift over time on interior gloss plastics.


Option 3: Hybrid Approach (My Potential Idea)
The Idea: Apply Graphene/Ceramic Coating on the white painted surfaces. Apply PPF only on the vulnerable exterior Piano Black Cladding (potentially a more budget-friendly PPF specifically for this high-impact area).
Potential Pros: Balances protection where needed most (cladding) with cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance (coating on paint). Avoids major yellowing concerns on the main body.
Potential Cons: Managing two types of protection. Need to ensure even the "cheaper" PPF on cladding is decent quality.


Cost Context (Approximate Quotes Received):
Full Graphene/Ceramic: ~₹35k - ₹40k
Full PPF: Ranges wildly from ~₹70k (basic) to ~₹2 Lakh+ (premium brands like Llumar)
Hybrid (Est. Graphene on paint + Basic PPF on cladding): Might roughly total ~₹60k - ₹70k? (e.g., ~20k partial coating + ~40k partial PPF)

My Key Questions for the Community:
1. Is there a significant real-world difference in durability/protection between good Ceramic and "Graphene" coatings, or is it mostly marketing?
2. For those with white cars and PPF: How has yellowing been over 2-3+ years with modern films? Which brands fare better?
3. Has anyone dealt with panel repairs on a PPF-wrapped car? Was the cost/hassle of PPF removal/reapplication substantial, especially for plastic cladding?
4. What's the most practical way to protect interior piano black? Is PPF worth the potential hassle, or is careful use the only real answer? Does coating offer any meaningful protection there?
5. Considering my specific concerns (cladding vulnerability, interior scratches, white paint), which approach (Full Coat, Full PPF, Hybrid) seems most logical to experienced members?

I'd be grateful for any insights, real-world experiences (good and bad!), and advice, especially from long-term users or professional detailers on the forum who can cut through the noise.

[masterkjn]

Originally Posted by shinigami_xev

Hi BHPians,

TLDR; PPF, Ceramic/graphene or no protection for the car? Specially piano black exterior and interiors.

My 2 cents on the ceramic coating vs ppf - On a white car i would recommend a hybrid approach - ppf for gloss black and ceramic for paint. All ppf no matter how high end will have some level of yellowing and loss of self healing after 2-3 years which will look horrible on white color. Also one thing to note - ceramic coating/ graphic coating hardly offers abrasive resistance against swirls - the 9H/10H hardness is marketing bullshit - it is not Mohs scale - it is pencil hardness and ceramic is barely harder than normal clear coat. What a ceramic coating does is give chemical resistance / UV resistance and most importantly hydrophobicity which makes car washing much easier. I have a black 9e and got a 2 year coating done of the whole car for 20k and bought a leaf blower from amazon for 1200 Rs and i can literally blow all water and dirt off my car with it without needing to touch it because of how slippery the coating made my paint. I only do a contact wash one a month with very mild pressure so chances of developing swirls is negligible. High end PPF looks great for the first 2 years or so while the mini ceramic coat they put on it holds and self healing is there but after that ppf starts to develop swirls really fast and does not offer UV resistance so the clearcoat under the ppf will diminish from the suns UV slowly.

[McLaren Rulez]

I may be a bit old school but I don't think any of these exterior coatings are ever worth it. Your car comes with excellent clear coat from the factory. Just leave it be and if you scratch it, then just repair it after getting enough scratches. The cost of repair is unlikely to exceed the cost of PPF.

[ramnaresh_2000]

I would strongly suggest PPF, because the cladding also has gloss finish. This is an expensive car and PPF is totally worth, it if you are using it as a daily driver. If only using for highway runs, then Ceramic/Graphene coating is more than enough.

If you are not going with either, then a simple yearly detailing will suffice. Many local detailer charge 10-15k on detailing, for a little additional cost you can get Ceramic coated.

[Abhikumar629]

I would say Bi-Weekly or monthly liquid wax spray at a local detailer which would cost you ideally between 700 - 800 (Including Exterior Wash) is more than enough. Saves money and headache.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by shinigami_xev

My goal is to protect the car effectively, focusing on a few key areas:

Everest White Paintwork:
Exterior Piano Black Cladding:
Interior Piano Black Trim:

Option 1: Graphene / Ceramic Coating Everywhere (Full Exterior + Interior Piano Black)
Detailer Claims: Some suggest Graphene (or Graphene Matrix) coatings are more durable and harder than standard ceramic, lasting longer.

1. Will it really protect against anything more than the lightest swirls? Unlikely to help with stone chips on the cladding.
2. Will swirl marks from washing still appear relatively easily, especially on the black cladding?
3. Will debris hitting the cladding still cause noticeable scratches despite the coating?
4. For the interior, I'm told scratches will still happen and cannot be buffed out on coated plastic due to heat sensitivity during buffing. Is this true?

Option 2: Full PPF (Full Exterior + Interior Piano Black)

1. Yellowing: Major concern, especially on a white car. How bad is this with modern films? I was told the car paint yellows slightly anyway, and PPF yellows less, making it a "net win" – sounds like marketing spin?
2. Repair Hassle/Cost: If a panel (especially the large cladding) gets dented or needs repair, I'd have to pay for PPF removal, then panel repair/replacement, then PPF reapplication. This seems incredibly expensive and complex. Some suggest replacing the cladding panel might even be cheaper than the PPF hassle.
3. Interior Application: Concerns about water usage during install potentially affecting electronics (even if a small risk?). Also heard PPF edges might lift over time on interior gloss plastics.

My Key Questions for the Community:

1. Is there a significant real-world difference in durability/protection between good Ceramic and "Graphene" coatings, or is it mostly marketing?
2. For those with white cars and PPF: How has yellowing been over 2-3+ years with modern films? Which brands fare better?
3. Has anyone dealt with panel repairs on a PPF-wrapped car? Was the cost/hassle of PPF removal/reapplication substantial, especially for plastic cladding?
4. What's the most practical way to protect interior piano black? Is PPF worth the potential hassle, or is careful use the only real answer? Does coating offer any meaningful protection there?
5. Considering my specific concerns (cladding vulnerability, interior scratches, white paint), which approach (Full Coat, Full PPF, Hybrid) seems most logical to experienced members?

Congratulations on the XEV 9!

First I’ll address graphene, it’s not a different coating, it’s largely marketing with no major brands even offering graphene variants to begin with, despite the graphene oxide additive being around for a decade. Silica dioxide based high quality resins are the longest lasting/most durable.

Answering in order:

Option 1

1) No, coatings are not intended to protect against physical impact, scratches or rock chips.

2) If your wash method is unsafe, you’ll scratch everything, bare paint, ceramic, PPF, PPF + ceramic. Coatings do noticeably bump up hardness levels but you still have to wash safely.

3) Yes, physical impact.

4) Completely false, the interior piano black trim is no different to the exterior trim, exact same clearcoat is used. It can be polished and coated with zero issues.

(If using a polisher inside the car, ensure they mask up everything very thoroughly as cleaning white polishing residue is very difficult later on.)

Option 2

1) Car paint can oxidise to a yellowish hue over many years of direct sun exposure but is easily fixed by lightly polishing to remove the oxidation. Only happens on neglected paint which wasn’t coated/protected from UV.

PPF yellows a lot moe than clearcoat does and more importantly, it’s irreversible. You cannot polish the film to remove the yellowing.

2) Yes it is, as PPF doesn’t stop dents and deep scratches will lead to denting in most cases, see below.

3) Yes water entry is a very real concern, your interior panels are not water proof, answered in detail below.

General-

1) All marketing, no major pro brands even offer graphene, in my testing Carpro, Gyeon and SystemX make some of the best coatings money can buy, be it for professional or consumer use.

Coatings don’t determine the final gloss of your car, it’s the machine polishing to remove minor defects and swirls every new car comes with done by a competent detailer that determines how shiny paint looks.

2) Yellowing is still very much an issue, no matter how high end your film is, it will yellow in under a year, you may be may not notice it but it will happen. It even happens on the factory applied squares of PPF found on a 911.

Expel, Llumar are two of the better ones but they all yellow, and noticeably so on light coloured cars.

3) Yes, the cost of PPF reapplication won’t change, whether it’s paint or piano black trim, the installer will charge you for their labour and material. It’ll be more than the repaint in case of high quality film + installer. Insurance will not cover PPF reapplication.

Also, avoid putting film on repainted areas as the paint integrity is nowhere near factory finish and in the majority of cases it will delaminate when film is removed, forcing you to paint again.

4) Don’t put PPF on the interior panels, adds a lot of optical distortion and edges will eventually lift up as the installer cannot tuck in behind the panels.

Just avoid touching the piano black, no other solution. Wipe very gently with a plush towel or use compressed air for safe dust removal. Coatings will make cleaning easier by greatly improving surface slickness but won’t stop physical abrasion from improper wiping.

5) Personally I haven't put PPF on any of my cars despite it being offered for free multiple times by sales teams over the years. Ruins the beautiful paint by adding a lot of optical distortion and carries a very real risk of delaminating the clearcoat when it’s time to remove, doesn’t even stop dents which one inadvertently gets with most deeper scratches, forcing you into the body shop anyway.

Add in the debadging and panel disassembly that ruins your factory fit and finish, required for tucking in the film otherwise edges lift up, the need for ceramic coating over PPF to make washing easy (as PPF has no inherent water repellent properties).

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

I may be a bit old school but I don't think any of these exterior coatings are ever worth it. Your car comes with excellent clear coat from the factory.

Coatings aren’t meant to replace your factory clearcoat, rather help protect it and make your washing easier. Once you wash a coated car, you’ll never go back to washing untreated paint, the difference in the amount of effort and time required is night and day.

You don’t have to spend a lot on a pro coating, something like Gyeon Cancoat is enough for making your paint extremely hydrophobic for a few months.

Originally Posted by Abhikumar629

I would say Bi-Weekly or monthly liquid wax spray at a local detailer which would cost you ideally between 700 - 800 (Including Exterior Wash) is more than enough. Saves money and headache.

I would avoid any shop offering a wash and wax for price of a milkshake. The low charge will ensure they cannot use quality products on your vehicle and cannot give the time required to get a good result as it is very labour intensive (when done correctly at least.)

[abaliga]

I do not recommend PPF for the following reasons
-A good quality PPF is at least twice as expensive as it would cost to paint the corresponding surface
- Lower quality PPFs are very risky as I have seen paint peeling off when it is removed
- PPF protects only from minor scratches and swirl marks, it is not immune to deeper scratches and dents
- PPF application itself needs a lot of exepertise, one needs to rip open panels to ensure proper application, if not done, the finish is going to be poor with the edges accumulating dust, if new panels are removed to tuck PPF, there are possibilities of clips breaking off or squeaks and rattles creeping in
- Most likely not good for the environment

Regarding ceramic,
- It is a coating that needs care, coating ensures the paint remains shiny by protecting the paint from environmental factors(bird droppings/UV exposure etc)
- Ceramic coating also offers Hydrophobic properties because vehicle surfaces do not retain water and it is easier to wipe, also will help in avoiding hard water stains
- Dry wiping/dusting will render the coating useless within days of application
- One needs to be careful with washing and ensure clean wipes are being used to dry the vehicle
- Ceramic coating does not provide any protection from scratches, even the minor ones

Among the 2, I would definitely go for ceramic as it is cheaper and is not risky, but I would go for a good wax polish every 6 months and detailing once in 2 years, this is much cheaper and will keep your car shining for years.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by shinigami_xev

Hi BHPians,

TLDR; PPF, Ceramic/graphene or no protection for the car?

I am not sure of the Piano black parts of the car (Tata and Mahindra are going overboard with piano black outside pieces). But in general I have always felt there is no need for a PPF/Ceramic coating. Just maintain the car well and do some basic detailing once a year or so. Keep it under shaded parking whenever possible and wash off bird droppings or tar marks as soon as possible and you are set. In case of any major mishap, replace the concerned part, the cost of the same would be significantly lower than installing and maintaining a PPF. I have seen PPF going haywire with our scorching temperatures and the state it leaves the car after 2-3 years, burns a hole in the heart as well as wallet. Therefore I have stayed away from it on all my cars.

Not that my cars needed it! Few snaps-

Ecosport Black after 4 years of use.



Ecosport white after 6.5 years of use. Purchased recently.

[Rajain]

I drive a Ford Endevour and have driven it through the length and breadth of our country. It is a marron red color. I have chosen not to have a PPF or ceremic coating etc. Here are my reasons for it -

1. The original paint work in most cars - I can say for German and Amercian cars is high quality. Putting a PPF while it does protect the paint but after 3-4 years the film itself yellows and from a distance makes the original paint look dull. Does not matter whatever written warrenty anyone gives

2. If your car is parked in a basement all through the day (office or home), is not standing in the sun or under a tree all day then PPF is not needed. If it is in sun all day or under a tree then a good polish every 6 months is a good option.

3. Personal management of the car makes sure regular cleaning. The occassional car wash also takes care of the shine.

4. I would hate for the various PPF companies to take off various panels and not be able to neatly place them back. I have heard various stories of panels not fitting properly.

5. Finally, if the paintwork needs a refresh, then might as well give the vehicle back to the service centre for an entire paintwork after 5-6 years. The cost will be less than PPF.

So, in my humble opinion PPF / ceramic costs make for no great investment. But if the car is extensively left outside in the sun and/or under a tree or in a dusty area, PPF would be a good idea.

PS - none of my vehicles have a PPF and I drive cross country at least once a month. In the last 5 weeks for work I have travelled 14000 kms.

Cheers
Rajain