Protecting paint, keeping it shiny

[Zahmed1094]

Bought a 2024 Performance Z with just 1083 miles about 45 days ago, took it on a 4065 trip across country, returned. It now has 6560 miles on it. It’s black. I am wondering what I could do to keep the car shiny and looking great. I have been reading about various ceramic coatings, about PPF paint protection and more.

sadly, I cannot do it myself. Don’t know what is best. Budget is a factor too. What is your advice?

 

[ill-legal?]

Black is going to be the hardest color to maintain, PPF is your best defense but you'll likely need some paint correction prior to install and a good installer/quality film won't be cheap. You can choose which parts of the car to have covered, but at a minimum I'd say full front (bumper, full hood, front fenders, mirrors). I did full front, AND because my car has a black roof, I also did A-pillars, full roof + hatch to minimize any scratches. Some people will do their full vehicle. And this is just my opinion, but don't get a partial hood. Paint protection film essentially serves as a sacrificial layer over your paint, this is the only thing that will actually protect against stone chips or moderate scratches. Good films are self-healing (within reason), and most offer 10+ year warranty on the product.

A legitimate ceramic coating makes the car easier to clean, and the hydrophobic properties make for cool reels on Instagram, but it isn't going to offer much in the way of preventing scratches, definitely won't prevent rock hits. You'll want to abandon any thought of going to a car wash again, and get used to the idea that you'll be hand washing the car exclusively. Probably want to invest in a good air dryer/blower and some nice microfibers.

If you enjoy detailing your car, you can go skip the ceramic and do a wax or a sealant every 3-6 months.

Tons of helpful detailing info at Autogeek.net and Autopia.org if you want to go down the rabbit hole or shop for products.

 

[Zahmed1094]

Black is going to be the hardest color to maintain, PPF is your best defense but you'll likely need some paint correction prior to install and a good installer/quality film won't be cheap. You can choose which parts of the car to have covered, but at a minimum I'd say full front (bumper, full hood, front fenders, mirrors). I did full front, AND because my car has a black roof, I also did A-pillars, full roof + hatch to minimize any scratches. Some people will do their full vehicle. And this is just my opinion, but don't get a partial hood. Paint protection film essentially serves as a sacrificial layer over your paint, this is the only thing that will actually protect against stone chips or moderate scratches. Good films are self-healing (within reason), and most offer 10+ year warranty on the product.

A legitimate ceramic coating makes the car easier to clean, and the hydrophobic properties make for cool reels on Instagram, but it isn't going to offer much in the way of preventing scratches, definitely won't prevent rock hits. You'll want to abandon any thought of going to a car wash again, and get used to the idea that you'll be hand washing the car exclusively. Probably want to invest in a good air dryer/blower and some nice microfibers.

If you enjoy detailing your car, you can go skip the ceramic and do a wax or a sealant every 3-6 months.

Tons of helpful detailing info at Autogeek.net and Autopia.org if you want to go down the rabbit hole or shop for products.

cant do anything myself. Too old (77), weak. My car is black. Was look8ng for a solution under $1k.

 

[Bamafanatic]

I went with Ceramic coating on my black Nismo. I am more than happy with the results. I hand wash and dry with a blower and good quality micro fiber and a ceramic spray detailer. I have had a black vehicle before and I know its difficult to maintain so I want to get a protection on it quickly.

 

[Zhoop44]

Sadly, there are very little ceramic options under $1k especially if your car needs paint correction. Forget PPF that gets expensive quick! Just use a quality wax but then again, if you pay someone to do it, it may get pricey. Good luck.

 

[garfias503]

Yeah unfortunately for something under 1k is going to be difficult. The average price of a solid great film clear bra (PPF) is approximately 2k or so. And that’s not even covering the full car, that’s mainly to cover the most vulnerable sections.

 

[FantaZee]

Went the ceramic route for $1600 (all exterior body parts including wheels and glass). Just picked her up today. Best investment for rare/dark colored cars imo.

 

[ill-legal?]

cant do anything myself. Too old (77), weak. My car is black. Was look8ng for a solution under $1k.

That's going to be tough, I'd suggest maybe doing a little research to see if there's a highly-rated detailer in your area (Yelp, Google, etc) and let them know what your budget is and see what they can put together for you. Maybe they can do a light polish and apply a sealant or spray-ceramic that will give you 6 to 12 months of protection, and offer a "maintenance package" to handwash it for you once or twice a month? If you pay for it up front it might help lower the cost a bit...just an idea. Best of luck!

 

[Zahmed1094]

I posted locally on cars and coffee group and got a whole lot of responses. Trying to research the many who do wraps, detailing, ceramic packages and such..

 

[Mugzilla]

Bought a 2024 Performance Z with just 1083 miles about 45 days ago, took it on a 4065 trip across country, returned. It now has 6560 miles on it. It’s black. I am wondering what I could do to keep the car shiny and looking great. I have been reading about various ceramic coatings, about PPF paint protection and more.

sadly, I cannot do it myself. Don’t know what is best. Budget is a factor too. What is your advice?

WHY can't you do it yourself?

I have a black Sport. Washing, polishing, coating was the most rewarding thing I have done. It was a journey; not a destination. It was relaxing. She looks great.

- Clay with a $13 mitt and detailing spray.

- Polished her with DIY detail's gold standard polish.

- Adams Advanced spray ceramic (Lasts 2 years)

https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/t...d-nope-that-wasnt-anal-retentive-at-all.4464/

Will you get chips and dings? YES. Would I love to not have gone back in time and had a rock skip off my hod? Sure. But I had the ding popped out, and I drive her more.

Let me get through a few things, and I'll list out the steps.

 

[Zahmed1094]

WHY can't you do it yourself?

I have a black Sport. Washing, polishing, coating was the most rewarding thing I have done. It was a journey; not a destination. It was relaxing. She looks great.

- Clay with a $13 mitt and detailing spray.

- Polished her with DIY detail's gold standard polish.

- Adams Advanced spray ceramic (Lasts 2 years)

https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/t...d-nope-that-wasnt-anal-retentive-at-all.4464/

Will you get chips and dings? YES. Would I love to not have gone back in time and had a rock skip off my hod? Sure. But I had the ding popped out, and I drive her more.

Let me get through a few things, and I'll list out the steps.

Reason I cannot do it myself is that I am a 77 year old who is not in the best of shape.

 

[Hernandooo]

Full PPF with Ceramic Coat

Its the best option, and has saved my paint from heaps of dents and chips.

I've seen numerous cars with just ceramic coat, and their cars still got paint chips to the metal

 

[Zhoop44]

Full PPF with Ceramic Coat

Its the best option, and has saved my paint from heaps of dents and chips.

I've seen numerous cars with just ceramic coat, and their cars still got paint chips to the metal

He wants to spend under 1k. Not $7k. Lol

 

[Hernandooo]

He wants to spend under 1k. Not $7k. Lol

Saran Wrap

for real though, there isn't many options, other then not driving your car,

 

[Zhoop44]

For what it’s worth, I had my 23 GR86, full PPF thinking I would keep it for many years. 2 years later I’m driving the Z. PPF is great. Literally never have to worry about paint damage from driving or micro scratches from cleaning. But, it’s a big sunk cost and I got nothing for it when I traded in my car. Only person happy was the new owner.

I’m never going that route again. My 24 Z Heitage has some minor chips with only 3,800 on the odometer and I was pissed when I saw them but I only see them when detailing it. No one else sees them.

Ceramic is a waste of $ especially if you have to go back yearly for a touch up to keep “warranty” active. Just my opinion so don’t drag me.