Who’s installing Ceramic Coatings?

[washnshine]

There’s nothing truthful about it imho. In fact, if the car wash industry continues to push this service I think it will further diminish its credibility by confusing the public. Such a disconnect having the front-end car wash selling a $5 “coating” through the wash lane that the back-end detail shop also tries selling one for $300. Bottom line, it’s NOT a ceramic coating in any way, shape or form. It’s simply playing off of the recognition that the detail industry has built by whoring out the word & concept. Just because the selling price and longevity is a minute fraction of what a real ceramic costs/lasts doesn’t validate the use of the concept incorrectly.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Keep in mind, some of the chemical manufacturers that manufacture the $300 coatings are also manufacturing the $5, wash applied formulations, and are naming them as well. Additionally, some manufacturers of the $300 coatings also manufacturer “ceramic” quick spray detail formulations, and “ceramic infused soaps” which are also certainly not the same as the $300 coating - and it is not trying to be , just like the wash applied formulations.

With the sales operators have seen with ceramic sealants, I do not foresee any diminishing credibility in the services. I personally have never had a customer come back and tell me they did not get the expected results from the product. I would argue that most of the motoring public is first hearing of ceramic products at their local car wash. If customers like the result and wish to have a product applied that has more longevity, and durability they can go to a detail shop to have it applied. I’d be the first one to tell them that is the place to go if that is what they are looking for.

 

[Pro-Techt]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Keep in mind, some of the chemical manufacturers that manufacture the $300 coatings are also manufacturing the $5, wash applied formulations, and are naming them as well. Additionally, some manufacturers of the $300 coatings also manufacturer “ceramic” quick spray detail formulations, and “ceramic infused soaps” which are also certainly not the same as the $300 coating - and it is not trying to be , just like the wash applied formulations.

With the sales operators have seen with ceramic sealants, I do not foresee any diminishing credibility in the services. I personally have never had a customer come back and tell me they did not get the expected results from the product. I would argue that most of the motoring public is first hearing of ceramic products at their local car wash. If customers like the result and wish to have a product applied that has more longevity, and durability they can go to a detail shop to have it applied. I’d be the first one to tell them that is the place to go if that is what they are looking for.

The ones you’re probably referencing is most likely Sonny’s and/or Simonize I would imagine? And yes, they also sell an ultra low end consumer grade hand applied coating that is marketed towards car washes due to the overwhelming need to be user friendly. They’re the absolute lowest on the totem pole when it comes to quality, performance & longevity. I’ve yet to see any reputable detailer use or praise them. And they, along with the other big consumer grade names such as Turtle Wax, Mothers & Meguiars are also whoring themselves out with the ceramic terminology too. Way worse than the car wash industry has or probably will ever. Brings me back to the days that Teflon was all the rage! Lol. The downward spiral of misinformation is surely being perpetuated by car washes and consumer product lineups at the big box stores without a doubt as their exposure to consumers is far greater than what every detailer cumulatively could ever do. Again probably diminishing the notion of anyone ever needing an expensive detailer applied ceramic when they can get the similar thing through their local tunnel wash for an extra $5. Or heck, even grab a bottle of Mothers CMX and coat their car 50 times for just $16.99.

 

[washnshine]

Again probably diminishing the notion of anyone ever needing an expensive detailer applied ceramic when they can get the similar thing through their local tunnel wash for an extra $5. Or heck, even grab a bottle of Mothers CMX and coat their car 50 times for just $16.99.

If customers are pleased and satisfied with the results of these products as a regular part of their washing routine, then perhaps they do not need or desire a $300 ceramic application. After all, it is the result that has to speak for itself. Like I said, if anyone asks me where they can get a ceramic coating that will last 2,3 years or forever- whatever they are advertising it for, I’ll gladly tell them it should be done at a detail shop, as that is not what I advertise or promise with my products. I just have never had any customers ask me about it.

 

[MEP001]

Can you two knock it off? I can't hear my customers spraying high pressure "wax" on their cars over all the bickering.

 

[Waxman]

Ok, I see both sides.

Now lets talk about solutions; what should I offer as a "better than wax" sealer or gloss- enhancer on my new Razor???

And what about the customer??? Does it matter to them what the chemicals are called or is the result / appearance / effect most important? Are they repeat customers because the car looks great or because they get Simoniz, RainX, Ceramic Sealer, Hot Wax, Lustra Shield, Samurai Shield ETC?

If you don't name the product with brand recognition, what is it called? "shiny stuff" and "better shiny stuff" ?? Or go with the technical name and call it: "mineral seal oil and water emulsion niw being applied!!!"???

I'm all for clarity and transparency in marketing my product, but tell me what to call the " stuff"...

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I'm all for clarity and transparency in marketing my product, but tell me what to call the " stuff"...

Customers will refer to it as wax as that is all they know. Whenever someone asked me what tri-foam is, my standard answer was always "fancy wax". They all understood that it was just a different kind of "Wax" and always got a chuckle out of my description. I think trying to educate the general public would be futile and in five years, ceramic will be as passe as silicon and Teflon. Now, if we can work nanotechnology into it's name, all bets are off.

 

[AnalyticWash]

There’s nothing truthful about it imho. In fact, if the car wash industry continues to push this service I think it will further diminish its credibility by confusing the public. Such a disconnect having the front-end car wash selling a $5 “coating” through the wash lane that the back-end detail shop also tries selling one for $300. Bottom line, it’s NOT a ceramic coating in any way, shape or form. It’s simply playing off of the recognition that the detail industry has built by whoring out the word & concept. Just because the selling price and longevity is a minute fraction of what a real ceramic costs/lasts doesn’t validate the use of the concept incorrectly.

How much of your market share do you think I am capturing with a $5 upcharge for a "ceramic wash"...

I think we are talking about completely different customer base that gets the $5 coating vs the $300 coating.

Even if the big names are playing off the recognition that the detailing industry built, so what? I would argue that detailers ride on the millions spent on marketing that those large industry players (Turtle Wax, Mothers & Meguiars ) put down to get their products into the hands of consumers.


In the last 5 years I have seen car wash applied protectants taken to another level. I would bet they will be even better in another 5.

 

[Kramerwv]

This argument is like a Rolls Royce dealer being pissed that Kia dealer also sells “cars”, how inferior. Competition is tough and I get it but this seems silly.

 

[Greg Pack]

It's a legitimate argument in my opinion. My chemical mfg. (Quest) will not name his products ceramic because he feels it is misleading. But it makes his products a tougher sell because ceramic is the latest buzzword in our industry. The shine and protection for most "ceramic" products on the market is coming from polymers sourced out of Europe. It's still a great product. I think the consumer detail industry providers (meguiar's, turtle wax, etc) were first to market these spray on polymer products as ceramic. Before that, a true ceramic coating was a niche product for aficionados.

 

[soapy]

I found a guy on you tube Scott HD who does a pretty good job of test all the different ceramic coating from the pro stuff to the basic spray on stuff. He puts many examples on car hood and tests the hoods monthly and shows which ones actually hold up best. It is worth checking out his videos for unbiased results.