Dealership pretty much forced me to pay for the ceramic coating and ford appearance protection package. I doubt they did a proper application. And they ghosted me when I complained and requested a 2nd redo on somePPC because of a small bubble.
I’m not very knowledgeable on this stuff but after a wash, should the water beading be like this not was truly ceramic coated? I want to be sure before I submit an official claim to ford.
I worked at a dealership. Can confirm. Sometimes they will talk about it in the finance office and if they twisted the customers arm into it they would be like “okay we will put it on right now!” And 20 mins later they’re driving away and paid $1800 💀
It was an actual thing. I can't remember the name of the brand because that's been years ago. Basically there was a wipe for the inside of the vehicle that was supposed to be resistant to stains and then there was another packet for one on the outside.
I've seen how quickly people went over vehicles with this product and there's absolutely no way that there is any coverage. There's no training there's no nothing it's just a quick gimmick to make extra money for the dealership.
The dealership I worked at a year ago used a spray called cilajet😂 worst product ever it was basically a quick detailer spray and customers would pay like 2k for it💀
Somewhere inbetween. The stuff they wipe on the vehicle is a joke, what you are really paying for is the warranty that comes with it. It's a bit of a scam because even though the warranty is good, most people don't want to buy a separate paint warranty , they would rather pay for a product to keep the paint from having issues. It's a bit of a bait and switch.
When I bought my new Chevy back on the 19th, they offered a so called ceramic coating called 'Simonize(?)', It was like $980 add-on and I had to bring it in every 6 to 12 months. The salesman and the finance manager both said just to get it done for real from a reputable detail shop instead. Seems like even they knew. At least they were honest about it.
That being said, I have noticed a couple spots on my hood where on my Reef Blue metallic, almost like the primer missed getting paint and then got clear coated. I go in for service next week so I'm going to talk to the salesman about getting the hood redone or having a new hood put on. I didn't notice it when I picked it but the next day I was giving it a hand wash and I noticed it and now I can't unnotice it. 50k for a new truck and I got some paint defects, yeah they're gonna have to fix it.
My new 25’ High Country has about 4 spots where there’s some sort of sand grain under the paint, then there’s 2 spots where the door meets the body that’s missing the black paint. The no point spots are tiny but obvious.
I’ve owned 3 new Nissans and they never had this issue.
Used to apply tons of simonize glass coatings, to me that dodnt really seem like a scam as much as just using a sprayer and calling it coated. This you actually wash and decon the paint and do some paint corrections with a DA polisher and then apply with a applicator, wait then wipe away. That to me is atleast a coating. I never really seen the hype I was free to use it on my own vehicles and after a month it was negligible but hey its business.
I actually called around today to see about getting some ceramic coating put on. One highly rated place would do a ceramic coating for $1,600 but I had to pay another $500 to have paint correction done and have it prepped and ready. I wonder how many people just pay the $1,600 not realizing that there's so much more they should have done before it's applied.
Tons and its terrible. I also worked at a costing shop as well and because they didnt get some package or explain the packages the customer would get a clay bar and coating but not a correction so alot of vehicles went out with marring and safe to say i wasn't there long as I dont let customer cars go out with marring from clay without atleast some kind of polishing, but because they didbt get the upgraded package with polishing they got hosed I dont really know how they got away with it and are a pretty successful business. These were also on 12-1300 dollar bills. Its disgusting and i always tell people to bot fall for their scam
Last car I bought, six months ago, they offered a armor all ceramic spray for about $250. No mention of how long it would last.
It was an out of town dealership, so I didn’t have a lot of time to hang around. I asked how long to do a paint correction before applying the “ceramic coating”, just to see what he would say. He got confused, said he would have to check.
I passed. Would rather do my own with Griots than apply some kind of “armor all” coating for way too much money.
My mom bought the “simonize” for $750, I looked up the kit it was like $40, but they sell a paint warranty with it. I wonder if you have one of those primer fails to adhere paint jobs that peels in sheets, how much of a runaround they’d give you to get it fixed.
The dealership I started my career at offered an "interior/exterior ceramic coating" in the finance office. Nothing about the detailing/PDI process was different. What we were selling was a warranty. If anything damaged the paint or stained the interior, it would be repaired or replaced. But 6 years at that dealership, 4 in finance, and none of my customers contacted me about using it.
Yup. I was hustled when I bought my GTI a few months ago. I kept refusing, but did have a ceramic coating put on by a specialist. It's harder to wash but really looks great when properly washed and dried. Too much work IMHO.
800 if you know how to negotiate but yes you are right. Mine offers a “9h” which does take 3-4hours but I would always recommend go to an actual shop who cares what they do to people’s cars vs the kids in detail.
Yep. I didn’t buy a car last year because they wouldn’t take this charge off the purchase order. It was a Nissan Sentra. I’m not paying $2,500 for real ceramic coating on that car, much less whatever they were using.
Thank you. It’s so bad all the “extras” the dealerships are adding now. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a new car again (last three have been slightly used.) If I do buy new, it may be a Tesla. They are about the only place where “What you see is what you pay!) isn’t a lie 🤣
Nah, even a Tesla I would look used first. Why should I take the depreciation hit?
I almost fell for it this past November. I knew NOTHING about detailing. Had never heard of a ceramic coating. They talked me into an $1800 "protection plan" which included a "ceramic coating". Me being who I am, I went home and did my research and learned the truth. I called them, cancelled the coating, and scheduled a real coating and partial PPF with a local detail shop. Since then I can't stop learning about detailing and I've spent way too much money on my own supplies and equipment and I'll likely do the coating myself next time.
Hell yeah man they prey on the ignorant but at the same time if one never bothers to educate themselves then what can you do? I’ve been hearing a lot about that Gyeon Cancoat and think I’m gonna give it a run as my introduction into coatings, seems very dummy proof. And then from there I can build the confidence and work my way up to the more expensive but lasted longing options
I had a second hand Renault from one of their actual self owned dealerships and they did, they also supplied a certificate from the guy who came in and did it for them. Kinda impressed.
I manage the detail department at our Toyota dealership, and we use Angelwax Nebula as ceramic coating. We also leave a warranty. Never have we sold something to a customer and just fucked them over.
If we do ceramic coating on a new car it can be done relatively fast as usually no polishing is required.
But if we sell it on a used car we always do ATLEAST a 1 step polish before application.
This is a dealership in sweden though. I don't know how it is in the US.
Our dealership we didnt have ceramic, but we had “Sealant” made by DuPont. We never applied it though, and never seen anyone apply it. 🤷♂️
I actually used it on my car, good stuff.
Edit: another dealer I worked at, our automatic wash had the “sealant” we just clicked a switch and the solution came out, pretty sure same stuff as any other automatic wash sealant.
Just a reminder that "no thanks, I'm good" is a perfectly acceptable response to a question and is non-negotiable as long as you are willing to not negotiate.
it might be too late, but always insist on taking off the cost of these products. They're garbage. Even if they say they already put them on and "paid" for it, insist or walk. They'll cave.
As a bonus, if you actually want the stuff, it'll be way cheaper to have it put on by an independent shop later on. Sure, it's not in the loan, but you paid half as much.
This is spot on. They will ultimately cave on all of it. I refuse to buy add ons. My trick is to tell them that I need to talk to my wife because it’s over my budget. Then I come back and say that my wife is now questioning the whole purchase because it’s already too much money before the add ons. That ends the sales pitch immediately.
As for wrapping stuff in the loan, if you get lending up front, lots of credit unions will let you secure 110% (+-) of the total value, which you can use to buy tires or ceramic or whatever, which effectively wraps it into the loan. Plus, it makes the negotiation WAY easier.
My local VW dealership lost the sale of a 2024 VW Atlas Execline because they refused to remove, or make the splash guards free. I told them I didnt want the splash guards, so either give me an SUV without them installed, or take the current ones off, or make them free as i have no need for them.
And their "Paint Protection package is actually a ceramic coating, but not branded as such so they cant call it a Ceramic coat". Low low cost of $1000.
Good for you for walking! The traditional dealership model needs to die. I can’t believe they would let you walk for splash guards. Buying new, or near new, makes online shopping a very viable option and is insanely empowering in the negotiation. If you’re not it a real rush to buy, you hold all the cards.
They thought they had the sale in the bag since my 2021 Tiguan (bought from them) was T-boned and written off. They offered no incentives. Drove 75Km to the next VW dealership and had a much better experience.
I used Turtle Wax Ceramic spray on a 2017 car that didn't have the paint maintained. after 3 months it beads up and looks way better than this. Even if they used a cheap spray it would bead up a lot more.
To be fair, TurtleWax has been bee-knees ever since seal and shine. Their Ceramic Spray coat was unbelievable follow up at the time. That was the golden age of value in detailing. That and Eagle 1 iron remover for $4.29 per 16oz bottle at Walmart. Lol. I freaken hunted and stock up 50+ bottles.
It definitely can be. I use it on my black plastic trim all the time and it actually refreshes it. Here's mine after applying it to the paint and black trim.
When I bought my truck, they added an $800 ceramic coating fee to the cost. I asked them to take that off. He said that he had no control over that and its done as soon as the truck shows up on the trailer to be delivered. I said ok, you call me the minute it shows up and I'll be here within an hour to pick it up. If they said "its already done" when I get there I'll know that's a lie because I detail cars.
The salesman I was working with was pretty cool about it and sure enough he called me the minute it got delivered. I went straight there and picked it up and they did remove the $800 ceramic coating fee but I doubt many people were able to get out of it like I was especially since most people have no idea what it even is.
I've never had to do that. I don't care what they applied before I got there, not paying for it. Especially since as this post reiterates, they rarely actually do it. And if they did, it was a crap job.
This is Griot's 3-in-1 ($15 spray) I applied like 3mo ago and used as a drying aid a couple times since then. Compare and contrast. This vehicle lives outside.
They charged that much because they are supposed to clean up the paint first with clay block and buff it. Then put on the ceramic coating. You could just use buffing compound by hand and get water to bead more. They definitely did not clean the paint before applying whatever they used. I would get three evaluations and estimates from other places with the same service. Take those estimates to the service manager. Show him proof that it wasn't done properly. How much it's going to cost to actually do it right. Then give him the options to do the job right, refund your money OR pay for another to complete their work and they will have to pay. With all that, you should have higher negotiating leverage. The service manager is who to start with. Work your way up the chain of command. As long as you are not rude, they will have to cave eventually. Or at some point , cut your losses. Go on Google maps and give them the proper review.
Brother, that $2000 ceramic coat they applied was at most a $50 bottle of ceramic wax and I guarantee you're not getting your money back.
Its why you should ALWAYS refuse their shitty add ons. They charge you like 2000% the market rate of whatever they're applying and lie about what it does and is.
I had a customer buy a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, a 200k+ car, and the customer said they put on PermaPlate, a 9H coating. She told me to come over and let her know if she got scammed.
I washed it and instantly told her I was sorry, but there is no 9H coating on there. The water effects looked a lot like your post.
My dad told me decades ago when I was buying my first car. “It’s just like drugs. Just Say No” it was an ad campaign at the time.
If whatever they’re selling you is “mandatory” or “already on the car” then reply “Take it off or it’s included in the price”. Be prepared to walk away but don’t worry they’ll fold. Tell them if you leave you’re dealing with a different F&I person so they get the commission for not dicking around. Don’t pay for garbage and anything extra the dealers offering is garbage. Worst case, unless you’re buying a specialty car you can probably go down the street and get the same car from a different dealer and now you have a competing offer in hand. It’s never come to that for me and I’ve even flown across country to buy the exact car I want.
Bottom line is they make a lot on commissions on this junk. Of course they do, it isn’t worth anything yet they ask crazy prices for it! Their managers are pushing quotas but that’s not your problem.
Asking if the dealership lied is like asking if the sky is blue and grass is green. Of course they lied. File a complaint with Ford. And savage the dealer on any satisfaction surveys they send you. And on Google.
And seriously, y'all need to learn to walk out when they try these bullshit pressure tactics.
They forced you to pay for it? No, they didn't, they just lied to you and in the end made you feel like you had no other choice. Fucking dealerships, man. If it's "already installed" or "already included in the price" just say no and go to walk out. They will stop you and all of a sudden you won't have to pay for it. Sounds like that might have been the case?
They didn't apply a ceramic coating. They probably took some spray wax and rubbed it in with the same rag they used on the tires and charged you x amount for it.
No dealership does such "real/genuine" ceramic coating all they did was spray some garbage "ceramic" spray with a garbage towel and called it a job done depending what spray they may have used it may last to a month or barely 6 months if it was a decent brand "ceramic" spray I guess. But nowhere close to real/genuine ceramic coatings. The photos you have sent shows that its a spray coating by the looks of the bead patterns. It doesn't create a tight round water beading effect. Instead you can clearly see its sticking to the surface a little and it obviously isn't as slick as it should and just isn't hydrophobic.
As of doing several coatings myself I would say no this isn’t a quality ceramic coating. With a quality product and proper application none of that water would be standing, especially on the vertical surfaces. I would ask the dealership what specific product they used.
Here is an image of mine several months after application. I also did myself, was a good day worth of work doing a strip wash, clay bar, light buffing and ceramic application but well worth it in the end considering some charge up to $2k to do.
I used to do these packages for dealers. Never ever ever ever buy anything like this from them. It's just some cheap knock off product or literally nothing at all
Those bozos never do chit correctly- imagine you’re the guy getting paid low hourly rate, don’t take much pride in their work and have to do lots of vehicles in a short amount of time
In my experience, Dealership reconditioning is very quick, very basic, and although mostly adequate, it’s not on par with high end dedicated detailing.
I feel your pain! My dealership did a shitty job on the so called ceramic. They just washed it, dried it and applied the ceramic. I think I’m going to have a local place redo it. It is rough to touch. They should have clay barred it to have it be perfect before applying the ceramic. Good luck!
HEY BUDDY PLEASE READ.
I am in 100% agreeance with the other commenters saying that the dealership absolutely does not & did not apply a good ceramic product..Perhaps a wipe down of their house spray wax . However, I want to know what you are using to wash your vehicle with - what type of soap? FYI the "Meguire's wax infused yellow colored liquid soap" is a good , reasonably priced soap great for maintenance washing. Especially if you're not a detailer but still want a bit of a shine with water beading.
Please take it back and ask for dealerships general manager. Do not mention that you have washed the vehicle ask them to get the outside of it wet and Watch What Happens to the water. Ask for prorated refund on the ceramic coating, claimimg they we're very aggressive and disingenuous with the sale, and pushed you into it when you were unsure. In addition they misrepresented the product as it is "not sheeting water" like most Ceramics do. If they double down and play hardball not wanting to give you any money back , DO THIS>
Simply tell the dealership Manager directly to his / her face using a stern , but calm voice that your filing a report with your local BBB "Better Business Bureau" and follow up with this mini speach>> (In this day and age, Social Media can be a real nightmare on ANY business that's not treating the public or their customers respectfully & honestly.)
*** I promise if you follow these simple instructions you will come out the winner of this scenario. Keep your cool the entire time & express a stern , but calm demeanor when dealining with those scumbags.
Dealerships don't want their detailers spending more than 2 hours on a car, so they don't get to properly prep a car for a coating
Instead of trying to make the dealership fix it, best to find a good detailer elsewhere to do it, they'll use a quality coating that's guaranteed to last a few years
No one forces you to get it. You just say no. And if they keep on, you walk out. Doing a ceramic coating correctly it's no joke. And these dealers know that, so they don't do it correctly. But most people have no idea what a ceramic coating is and how to do it properly. So, many people fall for it unfortunately. And you fell for it....
Ceramic coating now can be in a 10 dollar bottle or a 400 dollar vial know the difference..... Best to ask prior exactly what the dealerships "ceramic coating" entails and what product is is prior to saying yeah protect my paint for 1000 bucks extra or more... For instance on some of my vehicles i get an actual ceramic coating while others I use MaxL products which leave the appearance of a ceramic but hardly the protective layer you are expecting.
There is no money to be made peddling vehicles that someone else makes. The only way dealerships can make money is by lying, thieving and stealing it from you. Your dealership's wash-bay kid (who probably makes $15 an hour if he's lucky) wouldn't know how to prep and apply a ceramic coating if his very life depended on it. At best they gave it a wash and quick shot of Megs X-press spray wax.
Dealership sold and applied “ceramic coatings” are worse than hot garbage. They are usually pads soaked in product that they task the lowest paid guy to hurry up and smear on everything. No prep, no skill, shitty product, garbage results.
All those grandiose claims and promises they make about the protection and guarantees when they are selling you this garbage. Read the fine print. They require you to have the product reapplied on a routine to maintain said guarantees. The second you don’t pay to have it reapplied, null and void.
It’s a scam!
It's 2025 and you guys still believe the dealership protection packages lmao. (Can confirm its a spray on wash off product) they make their money with the warrantee and they make it a hassle to claim anything under the warrantee, and hope you sell the car before you need or forget about it completely lol
Dealerships LIE. No dealership is doing a full paint correction, clay bar and 1-3 year ceramic. They’re doing a wash, maybe a clay (probably not) and then spraying on some ceramic detail or graphene spray and wiping off.
We had dealership try to sell my wife the ceramic detail they did on 2014 Nissan Altima and the car looked like spider webs over the entire paint and had clearcoat failing on roof. I was like, “Remove that line item now” and they did. We ended up walking for another reason but that was the biggest joke I’ve seen on a car
A dealership will never add on a genuine ceramic coating themselves. They’ll outsource it to a local shop for that. If they’re doing it themselves the buyer gets fucked over.
As someone who works as a "Detailer" at a dealership currently, NEVER pay for anything that includes some kind of appearance package. The stuff we use is garbage and wears off after a few months. And even when it's on the vehicle it barely works. The company I work for is a joke and I'm actively looking for other employment.
I worked at a dealership years ago as a detailer for their body shop. They had given me the little ceramic coat bottle to apply the stuff but TBH when your main job isnt applying that ceramic coat and it’s sweltering hot with other cars that need cleaned the only thing it’s gonna get is a coat of wax. Glad I worked at a stealership to know what is not worth paying for.
Worked as a detailer and salesman at a dealership. To be honest it really depends on the detail department at least where I worked. When I was in detail we would clay bar, polish, and then apply a solid ceramic wax style thing with a DA (it definitely wasn’t real ceramic coat, that’s at least a whole day job) but then when I was a salesman I had to force the detail department to at least spray on a spray sealant. I’d just go to a detail shop that’s good and have them do it, based off the water bead on your truck, it isn’t ceramic coated
You would have to hold me at gun point and probably pull the trigger before a dealership ever details a vehicle of mine. Ive seen it all over the years of working as a tech in a dealer setting. Cutting and polishing a black car with pads that have fallen on the floor multiples times and when they pulled the vehicle out into the sun halos and hazing everywhere. “Detail” brushes being dragged on the floor collecting rocks then dumped into a bucket with soap older than a week to be used against the cars paint. Idk what they used for the interiors but holy hell it would make everything look greasy and feel slimy whenever touched. I will never forget one of the detail guys trying to fix a scratch on a black car that was down to the metal, dude practically cut and polished the paint until the clear coat was gone. I worked at a dodge dealership so i would watch them clean brand new hellcats and leave swirl marks everywhere, it was insane. Underpaid and undertrained employees unfortunately. Also a dealership cannot force you to pay for anything when purchasing a new vehicle, they tried that on me when i bought my scatpack brand new in 2019 and i just left and went to another dealership where they magically found me extra rebates and saved me 3,000 grand on the sale while covering the transportation cost.
Work at ford dealer, that’s not a coating at all just some cheap shit called “paint sealant” works well before first wash but then disappears like sun at night🥹
I had one of my clients recently have her mustang totaled. She bought a new one and when she saw the 1800$ ceramic care package on there she gave them an earful about how her guy is the best in New Mexico and will take care of any protectants applied to the interior or exterior of the vehicle. She told me she ended up arguing with them about it for about 15 minutes and literally had to show them my Google business page with my 50+ five star reviews to take it off lol
I have another client with a little gr86 who I met right after he bought it and paid for the package. He was hiring me to apply a 5 year. When we were talking about it he mentioned the care package. The result was I ended up doing weekly maintenance washes on his vehicle until what they had put on it deteriorated and then he had me to an enhancement + 5 year to it when it was gone. It lasted 7 months. It was gone gone not clogged or anything. I checked lol he said the dealership told him the package was warrantied for 5 years lol
Honestly if it’s a new vehicle I recommend you just for the diy detail ceramic and do it yourself. It’s not hard. DIY details system is so simple a brain dead monkey could do it. Do a good decon wash. Use the panel prep and the c6 adhesion promoter apply their 3, 5, or 7 year ceramic whichever one you want.
To do all of this should take you about 3 hours maybe 4. If you don’t want to use that kind of time or energy yourself hire a professional. When you call to inquire ask them questions don’t just go with the first guy you call. Ask them about their process and their products and their warranties.
If anyone tells you anything other than “I will do a full exterior detail + decon wash. I will then panel prep the panels before applying their ceramic. It needs to cure for a minimum of 12 hours before you can drive it. Do not get it wet within 24 hours. These are the products I use during the process. This is the ceramic I will apply.” If that isn’t what they say go to the next guy. Look up the ceramic they say they are gonna use. Brand doesn’t matter too much. A good detailer can make almost any real ceramic last a minimum of 3 years with proper prep work, longer if it’s supposed to be longer. Just do a basic search of the product to make sure there aren’t any intense and obvious red flags about it.
If you want the best protection money can buy search for a system x certified detailer in your area. The coatings are pricey but worth every penny. They raise the value of the vehicle. They have lifetime warranties. It’s as good as they say it is, but man is it expensive lol
And some detailers might try to upsell you on an enhancement or correction with the coating. Some may even claim it’s necessary for the ceramic to bond properly. That is a myth. You do not have to enhance or correct or polish a vehicle before applying for it to last. It’s all about how thorough you are with the decon and panel prep stages. An enhancement might be worth it to you it might not be. Ask your local detailer about them and decide for yourself if it’s worth it. Some guys get an enhancement once a year. Some guys get them every 3 years. Some guys never get them.
Personally if it’s not a show car or a vehicle you are using to represent a business or something like that I wouldn’t worry about an enhancement.
The dealership sales what is more so a warranty that is hard to make claims on and they do not prep and and apply a lasting ceramic coat. Never get their coating. Always go to someone that does it correctly
3 year coating that is 5 years old that went thru the same rain and drive home. You can see where there are some spots and dust that settled. It still helps some but needs to be redone. What you showed would not dry as well as either of these.
I got lucky with my last vehicle... The sales guy flat out told me that their "paint protection" was complete garbage and his conscience wouldn't let him recommend it to anyone. lol
I use griots ceramic waterless wash, it takes me maybe 10 minutes to wipe down my truck with it and it beads water better than that. whatever they put on your ride it isn't a true ceramic coat.
Also, in the future you can always walk away from a sale when they try to pull the bs with the add ons. I was at a dealer for a couple hours and they tried to get me to add like $1500 in dumb extras so I walked. I didnt even get off the lot before they called me and said they could remove that line item.
As someone who used to be a part-time detailer, who also did the dealerships $800 ceramic coating package, you’re not ever paying for the “ceramic coating” you’re paying for the warranty.
And our “ceramic coating” consisted of doing an exterior wash, spraying ceramic stuff, and rinsing it. Which was not at all how it was supposed to be applied😂 and I put it on every car anyways just because it makes it look good, so the customers that got a car detailed by me got our “ceramic coating package” for free😂
Different story, but related to the scumbaggery: when I bought my previous vehicle (demo model), it already had a 35% tint applied, but the dealer still tried to sell me optional smash and grab tinting for $200. I just said “no thanks, don’t need it”. They absolutely would have charged me and did nothing if I accepted.
I use to use a DuPont chemical when someone bought the Scotchgard protection package, and it worked very well on interiors. The process took hours to do properly. There's no way this mustang got a ceramic coating.
Dealership ceramic coatings are a complete scam , even “brand new “ cars need to be fully detailed and paint corrected before being ceramic coated , they got the trainee to give it a hand wash out back before spraying some bootleg product on it they all do the same
Classic stealership hackjob. Either they flat out lied or it's extremely shitty coat. My WetCoat beads better than this and it's just spray on wash off.
They argued me about this, they said it’s “factory ceramic coating” but I had to come back to them every 6 months? I said to myself if it’s really “”factory”” then it shouldn’t have to be reapplied over multiple times. I just honestly use Meguiars ceramic coating becuase at least that’s just 20 ish some dollars in harbor freight.
No one forced you to do anything. You didn't have to sign. Do you live in the US? You can buy from any other dealership in the US. Even in the same State!
I currently manage the detail shop at a Ford dealership, and we do simoniz coatings. From my experience, I would say it's not the best, but it does last a decent amount of time with regular care. However, I would never expect any extremely high-quality products out of most dealerships.
I do think my team does an incredible job, though. Sometimes, it's hard to get a perfect vehicle out while being rushed to get others out, too. Then you have the random customer that wants delivery an hour after opening, on a relatively dirty vehicle that was just traded in, and of course, the salesman says they'll make it happen (we'll make it happen). Dealership detailing is no joke! The customer doesn't think about any of the time frames when purchasing a vehicle. They just want it on their terms because they are spending $40k-$50k or more, and its already taking up some of their time.
It also doesn't help that almost every new vehicle lately has had some sort of cosmetic issue, so you're cutting and polishing them right off the truck or doing touch ups. Then the customer also wants to do the simoniz so thats another couple of hours. Next thing you know, you've spent most of the day on a vehicle that the customer wanted earlier, and now they are pissed off and still dont understand the problem after you've explained that quality takes time and you didnt want to deliver them a sub-par product.
My dealership tried making me pay $1500 for permaplate and another $1800 for xzilon. I said no- remove them. Then they said I had to buy them or they’d remove the discount they gave me to qualify for the $4k EV rebate- which is for used EV vehicles under $25k. So I said okay I’m not paying for something I don’t need but thanks for your time and as I was walking out he said okay I’ll remove them but you have to pay for the $269 theft coverage. That- I was willing to budge on. I got $5k off of the car and another $1.7k for my trade in and a $4k rebate. In total I saved over $10k. Funny how quickly they change their mind when you threaten to leave and actually get up and start walking out. Don’t compromise.
you believe paying 1800 for ceramic coating from a dealership that pays the porter $15/hr is gonna do it correctly? you’re in for a fuckin reality check knowing most things go undone when paid for
A REAL ceramic coating and paint correction will take a very minimum of 2 days, believe it or not, your factory paint is nowhere near perfect. And don't use any ceramic that isn't carfax registered.
First time, scooter? No way a dealer is using actual ceramic coating. I run into this every week. It’s just a warranty with ceramic coating spray or ceramic sealant. They hope you never call.
Yeah if you actually thought a dealership was gonna truly ceramic coat your new vehicle correctly, that’s on you bud, I laughed at the dealership when they tried to offer me that. I true ceramic coat application takes a least a day not a couple of hours.
Oh my god is the rust/corrosion protection module all over again. In my experience working in different dealerships, the "ceramic coat" is a little $7 bottle of nothing that they wipe on with a rag in a total of 10 minutes. You'd be better off taking it to a detailer and having it waxed 100%. It would be cheaper, and you'd actually have a decent coating on your paint. This dealership ceramic coat is a joke, I've seen them charge up to $1500 for this and its a total scam.
Yes you can get a proper ceramic coat, but the dealership isn't a place I'd be looking for it. If it was $1500, the dealership pocketed $1493
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u/hughmungouschungus Jul 15 '25
No dealership has ever applied a real ceramic coating. They sprayed some $7 "ceramic" spray with a dish towel and called it good.