This may be a can of worms, but having just ordered a new car I've been advised to get the new paint ceramic coated to preserve the cleaning ritual.

The reason for this is that modern water based paint finishes are very 'soft' compared to the older more resilient solvent based finishes, and unless lots of TLC is used, the new finish will ultimately mark & swirl.

Given that this coating costs around £700 upwards, what does the team think..?

Worth it, or snake oil salesmanship..?

The few folk that have had it done are very strongly in favour, with no-one dissenting that I've spoke with.

Hmm..

can’t do any harm, a bit like oil of Ulay, if you believe it works, that’s enough.

Most dealers are all keen to push these products, there are numerous complaints about salesmen being just that bit too keen, as they can earn them more commission! (they need to earn a living I suppose)

No doubt these products do their job for a limited time

However you can probably do a similar job yourself using off-the-shelf products, or you could get an independent car detailer to do the job for less than the dealer want to charge.

I have no idea how good aftermarked third party products work. But our 2010 E Class has a factory ceramic coating from new. This is unbelievable. I never waxed her, just an automatic wash and the drops perl the same way as day one.

Pay a good detailer to do it, rather than the dealer's car washer.
If the coating is applied when the car surface is not dry,you will end up with white areas, usually drop sized. To correct this they will need to take the ceramic surface back and reapply.
Steve take you car to someone like Autowax in the Bicester Heritage Centre.

They work, but that sounds at least twice the price I paid at Toyota.

Poppy cock, all aqua (water based) paints are basecoat then Lacquered, so the Lacquer is the protection and if it is high quality it will have good UV additives, in my opinion this is salesmens gimick for comission as these kits are worth £25.

See below pasted in, this is where i would put my pennies, my Aeromax had it fitted and when removed at 4 year old paint was brand new underneath.





Genuine paint protection film helps guard your vehicle from road debris that can chip and scratch the finish. Manufactured from durable, nearly invisible urethane film layers which contain UV protectants to help resist yellowing, the film is designed to help protect portions of the front of the vehicle

I had Modesta, a brand of ceramic coating put on one of my vehicles. Lasted three years (the car is stored in the winter) and prevented all swirl marks on the car after washing (I do by hand) and I don't wax after a wash. Finish looked effectively new after three years. That said, the car is garaged after use. I do use a rinse-less wash product which improves shine.

Worth it? Not clear, but the Modesta did work as advertised. BTW, I think if it does afford chip protection, it is minimal.

I have used ceramic detailer at £300 for home visit and £400 for dealer applications.
Results very good.

""and prevented all swirl marks on the car after washing (I do by hand) and I don't wax after a wash. ""

Not to be pedantic but you cant acheive swirl marks by hand polishing...swirl marks are created by high speed mechanical polishers..so you clearly nurture your car in the right way, that would in any case protect the paint finish.

£300/£400 to detail who am i to judge, i just apent £120 on a pair of trainers made of man/made material, not a cow hide in sight, if its your hard earned cash waste it how you will.