Ceramic Coating - worth it? | FerrariChat

Ceramic Coating - worth it?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by RunDMH, Jun 6, 2025 at 1:31 AM.

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  1. RunDMH

    RunDMH Rookie

    May 26, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Damian Holland
    First time Ferrari owner (collect my 488 Spider today!); been offered ceramic coating by the Ferrari approved dealership - is it worth the cost (£995)?
     
  2. Mrpseudonym

    Mrpseudonym Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 7, 2020
    597
    Sydney, Australia
  3. Zarakoff

    Zarakoff Karting

    Jul 8, 2020
    151
    Uk
    Full Name:
    Ian Curley
    No ,
    Go buy your own for £40$45 and do it yourself it’s easy
    Then the answer is yes 100% makes it so much easy to clean and will last 2/3 years
    Just prep it well before you start
     
    dgl36 likes this.
  4. RunDMH

    RunDMH Rookie

    May 26, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Damian Holland
    Thanks, that's helpful - does it offer much protection from minor chips etc or PPF more effective?
     
  5. Mrpseudonym

    Mrpseudonym Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 7, 2020
    597
    Sydney, Australia
    995! They are having a lend. PPF much more effective
     
    RunDMH likes this.
  6. RunDMH

    RunDMH Rookie

    May 26, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Damian Holland
    Thanks...that's why I said I would think about it rather than agreeing as 1) don't like being pressured into something less than 24hrs before collection and 2) wanted to do my research first in case I was in danger of being ripped off!
     
  7. Vegas CS

    Vegas CS Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 5, 2018
    1,154
    Vegas
    Full Name:
    James
    If you’re looking for chip protection, you want ppf. I personally think ceramic coating is worth it. It protects the paint and carbon better than classic wax products. Helps with “spider webbing” you get if you clean improperly. I’d recommend ppf front of car and rockers then ceramic coating the whole car. Or ppf entire car if the budget allows. jmo though

    You can ceramic coating yourself but it’s labor intensive and must be done correctly or else you get rainbows in your paint. Nobody wants that.
     
  8. 3POINT8

    3POINT8 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2014
    5,230
    ppf then ceramic coating over the top. you won't regret it.

    not sure i would go with dealership as they will likely bilk you.
     
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  9. mdrums

    mdrums F1 Rookie

    Jun 11, 2006
    3,308
    Tampa FL
    100% this....
     
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  10. mdrums

    mdrums F1 Rookie

    Jun 11, 2006
    3,308
    Tampa FL
    I do not know how it is in the UK but here in the USA dealers normally do not do a good job and use great products to detail cars. Always do your research and take your car to. professional detailer....OR....learn on line to do it yourself with the correct tools and products. I've done both. My F8 was professionally done PPF fully and ceramic coated but my other 2 vehicles I took the time and did myself like Ive done on other cars I have owned.

    My 488 and before it many Porsches were only PPF'd/Ceramic coated for the front bumper and mirrors and they least of the car is only ceramic coated. I noticed normal road grime and dust to adhere more to the parts of the car that were not PPF'd. So on my F8 I PPF'd the entire car and then ceramic coated. On normal sunny day drives it seems like dust etc does not stick to the car like it did my others.
     
  11. Zarakoff

    Zarakoff Karting

    Jul 8, 2020
    151
    Uk
    Full Name:
    Ian Curley
    no protection against chips ,
    I get all my cars ppf’d your best just getting the bonnet bumper lights wings and sills (high impact areas ) then coating over the top ,
    The coating just makes it easier to clean dirt won’t stick
    The key is in the prep take it to a dedicated shop the dealer normally does a terrible job you really need any imperfections polished out first
     
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  12. RunDMH

    RunDMH Rookie

    May 26, 2025
    4
    Full Name:
    Damian Holland
    Thanks all - really helpful. Should have said already PPF’d.
     
  13. Zarakoff

    Zarakoff Karting

    Jul 8, 2020
    151
    Uk
    Full Name:
    Ian Curley
    lol after all that
    Simple then just ceramic coat yourself over the top just panel wipe down and clay bar first . Make the ppf easy to clean
     
    dgl36 likes this.
  14. There are really two questions being asked here.

    1. Should one get ceramic coating (with or without PPF)?

    and

    2. Is it worth it to get ceramic coating on a Ferrari 488 Spider (a car that retails for around $300k, give or take).

    As to question No. 1, yes, especially if you like that "wet" glossy look.

    As to question No. 2, if you've already spent 300k on a car, what's another $1000 to $3000? Which is literally something like 1% of the total purchase price of the car (if that).
     
    BuyHighSellLow and dgl36 like this.
  15. 488Julius

    488Julius Formula Junior

    Feb 10, 2024
    506
    Full Name:
    Julius Gergly
    I just got it done.

    It’s about a grand. It’s worth it. Even When you quick wash your car, it always looks great
     
  16. 488Julius

    488Julius Formula Junior

    Feb 10, 2024
    506
    Full Name:
    Julius Gergly

    Attached Files:

    Vegas CS likes this.
  17. BGP-21

    BGP-21 Karting

    Jun 23, 2024
    64
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Benjamin G
    Ceramic coat is great. You can just pressure wash the car or blow it after a drive without needing to get the soap and bucket out. That means you'll end up with less swirls and imperfections in the long run.

    It offers zero chip/scratch protection though... One thing to keep in mind is if you're going to do it then have the car clay bar'd/decontaminated first, or even a full paint correcting detail depending on the paints condition and appearance. Ceramic coat will 'lock in' whatever's underneath so it pays to start with a perfect base.

    Most PPF's are hydrophobic these days so you don't really need to ceramic a car with film on it.
     
  18. BGP-21

    BGP-21 Karting

    Jun 23, 2024
    64
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Benjamin G
    Oh and do your wheels as well! Keeps them looking nice.

    I have GTechnic on my 550 and it even dials up the gloss factor.

    Highly recommended and you'll pay half as much (and get a better job) by going with a private detailer over a dealer...
     

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