[Loco_iX]

Originally Posted by JonoNZ

I've ceramic coated my last few cars and it's definitely worth it -- but just be aware of what you get from it. Ignore the discussion about its hardness and it gives zero reduction of stone chips, swirling or anything like that. Thought swirls are easily polished out. What it does do is make cleaning your car significantly easier -- and that is a big benefit it my opinion. The car also stays looking cleaner a little bit longer. For example if you get some dust on it, and then it rains steadily it all just beads off nicely.

My RS 3 had a ceramic coat put on it day 1, and it's now 6 years old and the paintwork looks like new, it attracts many comments on how good it looks.

On the new M60 we did XPEL Stealth PPF + XPEL Ceramic Coat and I'm not sure if it's the PPF or the ceramic coat, but this is the easiest car I've ever cleaned. Just amazingly easy, all the dust and dirt just falls off the car. PPF provides the stone chip protection.

Did you have it done at the dealer?
How much was it to have it done in the iX?
I’ve seen pictures of an iX and it looks really good..

[TallyCane]

We have been considering a ceramic coat for my wife’s x7. Just have not pulled the trigger yet.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Protects them from oxidation/staining, just like paint. My X5 leather (Merino) required much less attention with CC, and it's a soft, natural finish leather.

Which leather ceramic coating did you use?

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by admranger

Which leather ceramic coating did you use?

Ceramic Pro on the X5, XPEL Fusion Plus on the iX.

[JonoNZ]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Ceramic Pro on the X5, XPEL Fusion Plus on the iX.

My detailer is recommending the Ceramic Pro Leather Ceramic Coating -- any comments on it?

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by JonoNZ

My detailer is recommending the Ceramic Pro Leather Ceramic Coating -- any comments on it?

Actually works great, and I think their warranty is 2 years from date of application (same with XPEL I believe). They do require an annual inspection to maintain the warranty, but my X5 leather looked like the day I bought it 3 years later. I wouldn't want a leather interior (particularly light leather) without it now - particularly recommended for sun damage and fading if you live in a sunny climate, but it also protects against spills and stains and doesn't affect the quality or feel of the finish at all.

[JonoNZ]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Actually works great, and I think their warranty is 2 years from date of application (same with XPEL I believe). They do require an annual inspection to maintain the warranty, but my X5 leather looked like the day I bought it 3 years later. I wouldn't want a leather interior (particularly light leather) without it now - particularly recommended for sun damage and fading if you live in a sunny climate, but it also protects against spills and stains and doesn't affect the quality or feel of the finish at all.

Cool, thanks for that. I was most concerned if it changed the feel or finish in any way but it sounds like it doesn’t which is good news. We have kids in the back of the M60 so a little bit of extra protection is a good idea. Everything is holding up well after a lot of use 2+ months in, but I must get onto getting it applied.

[LuisBoston]

Re upping this thread:

Offered a ceramic pro pkg for $1000:

Ceramic Pro 9H with a 3-year warranty, this package includes a layer each of Ceramic Pro 9H Base Coat and Ceramic Pro 9H Top Coat for complete exterior protection. It also features chemical decontamination, one-step machine polishing, Ceramic Pro Glass treatment for all glass surfaces, and Ceramic Pro Wheel application for wheels.

They will also add leather coating protection.

It’s a sapphire black iX 3-year lease that will live outside in New England. What do you think?

[Windshieldfarmer]

I decided not to apply a commercial grade ceramic coating to my ix since it is a lease. That said ceramic coatings making washing easier if you enjoy hand washing your vehicles.

[LVBMW]

I paid $950 for about the same treatment on a three year lease. It looks great and with a car duster I can literallly brush off light dirt and pollen. Definitely find a good hand wash company - I have a great mobile wash company.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Windshieldfarmer

I decided not to apply a commercial grade ceramic coating to my ix since it is a lease. That said ceramic coatings making washing easier if you enjoy hand washing your vehicles.

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I paid $950 for about the same treatment on a three year lease. It looks great and with a car duster I can literallly brush off light dirt and pollen. Definitely find a good hand wash company - I have a great mobile wash company.

Thanks. Any thoughts on the leather care? I have castanea.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Thanks. Any thoughts on the leather care? I have castanea.

I did not do anything to the leather as I wanted to enjoy the new leather smell as long as possible. Plus I figured it’s probably easy for me to treat it later if I decide to. Ceramic coating is beyond DIY for me at least.

[Paladin1]

It's a lease, so depends on how you want a lease to look. That said, outside in New England you definitely want paint protection for a car you value, and that's a good quote. I favor leather protection as well, because the iX leather is close to Merino in quality/softness, so isn't coated.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

It's a lease, so depends on how you want a lease to look. That said, outside in New England you definitely want paint protection for a car you value, and that's a good quote. I favor leather protection as well, because the iX leather is close to Merino in quality/softness, so isn't coated.

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I did not do anything to the leather as I wanted to enjoy the new leather smell as long as possible. Plus I figured it’s probably easy for me to treat it later if I decide to. Ceramic coating is beyond DIY for me at least.

Thanks!

Does the coating affect the leather smell? I kind of like it.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Thanks!

Does the coating affect the leather smell? I kind of like it.

Interior ceramic coating essentially makes analine and other soft leathers into "coated" leather (although not stiff or hard like some coated leathers), providing better protection. It didn't noticeably affect the texture or feel of either the Merino or Amido leather in my cars, but does somewhat reduce the "new car" leather smell (which dissipates over time on untreated leather anyway). What it does is reduce dye transfer, staining and wear, keeping the leather appearance new longer. Most CC detailers recommend a reapplication annually (usually included). You can restore or enhance the "new leather" smell with a good leather cleaner (I use Sonax), but all you really need is a damp microfiber for cleaning. Mixed opinions on using a conditioner, but the general concensus is that there's no benefit, just like on coated leather.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Interior ceramic coating essentially makes analine and other soft leathers into "coated" leather (although not stiff or hard like some coated leathers), providing better protection. It didn't noticeably affect the texture or feel of either the Merino or Amido leather in my cars, but does somewhat reduce the "new car" leather smell (which dissipates over time on untreated leather anyway). What it does is reduce dye transfer, staining and wear, keeping the leather appearance new longer. Most CC detailers recommend a reapplication annually (usually included). You can restore or enhance the "new leather" smell with a good leather cleaner (I use Sonax), but all you really need is a damp microfiber for cleaning. Mixed opinions on using a conditioner, but the general concensus is that there's no benefit, just like on coated leather.

Appreciate the lengthy response.

I’ve been using Zaino products for years, leather cleaner/conditioner. I haven’t anything as nice as the Amido before, though. I did use a little cleaner the other day, but it can leave a strong scent which I don’t like much.

[NomoTesla]

Ceramic coatings are the biggest scam in the aftermarket space.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Ceramic coatings are the biggest scam in the aftermarket space.

Interesting opinion but based on….? The idea makes sense to me. Cover the soft clear coat with a hard and durable transparent coating to protect from scratches and swirls.

[RixT]

I applied a Shelby ceramic coating myself. A few hours of prep work to get the panels clean. Applied a panel at a time and polished off as per instructions. Wash and apply a ceramic detailer to keep it shined. Can't complain for the cost of the product and set of disposed microfibre cloths. The iX is a dirt sprayer and puts tar spots everywhere so helps with the shine but doesn't prevent the dirt adhering.

Also surprised by how much dirt appears in the rear sills where you'd think the rubbers would prevent ingress and coating the sills helps with cleaning

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

Interesting opinion but based on….? The idea makes sense to me. Cover the soft clear coat with a hard and durable transparent coating to protect from scratches and swirls.

Except ceramic is not hard. It offers no protection against anything other than spots. It will not protect your car from scratches at all. That's a myth. If you want that you'll need to move up to PPF. Ceramic makes your paint look nice, but so does good old cheap car wax.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Except ceramic is not hard. It offers no protection against anything other than spots. It will not protect your car from scratches at all. That's a myth. If you want that you'll need to move up to PPF. Ceramic makes your paint look nice, but so does good old cheap car wax.

Ceramic coatings are many times harder than clear coat (9H vs 2-4H).

[Windshieldfarmer]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Ceramic coatings are the biggest scam in the aftermarket space.

I had ceramic coating applied to my Model 3…a car I kept for nearly three years. I was a somewhat sceptical to pay for the application but a friend of mine encouraged me to give it a try. I must say the coating vastly exceeded my expectations, made the car easy to wash…and it lasted. A good application is expensive however and there are plenty of scam artists who use cheap coatings that don’t last.

Since I don’t plan to keep my IX once the lease ends I’ve elected to not spend the money. If I was planning to keep the IX longer I would ceramic coat it.