Ceramic coating by Toyota...Thoughts?

Toyota had the simonize guys do their glass coat on my 2020 tacoma when i bought the truck...so far not a single paint chip on the body. The sides, and front of the truck would have been peppered silly by now if not done. It wasn't available when i owned the tundra, and that truck was pretty bad having paint chips everywhere on the bed sides, and front hood. I tell everyone if they can afford the extra money, by all mean do it.

 

A ceramic coating will do absolutely nothing to protect from chips. With a little research Simoniz is nothing more than a sealant. We all want a miracle product that can protect from everything....this isn't it.

 

The conclusion of this thread: I covered my truck in raptor lights and punisher stickers, so come at me rocks!

 

Just coming across this thread now, as I’m awaiting delivery of my new truck any day now and I’m trying to decide what, if anything, to do in terms of paint protection. Grateful for this perspective. I’m mostly looking for UV protection, living in the desert in AZ. I don’t really care about how my truck looks, honestly, it’s more about protecting its longevity and value. Looking at ceramic coating, and the dealership does offer Simoniz Glasscoat with a lifetime warranty. But I’m skeptical of anything done at dealers. Also talking to local detailing shops. Considering maybe doing PPF on the front, most vulnerable parts of truck since I encounter a lot of gravel, and then doing ceramic coating. Seems like local detailers with best reputations use Ceramic Pro, IGL, or CQuartz. Anyone from this thread have any insight on any of this? Thanks in advance if you do.

 

Skip the dealer. Go to a detailer with the better products.

 

I personally use the Nexgen ceramic spray. I was skeptical at first as it was the first time using “Ceramic Spray” but I can say it does hold up really well. The trick with it is continued use to build up the coatings.

When I washed my truck the first time I clay-bared it. Then I foamed it down and hand washed it. Spray detailed it again before applying it. It held up for a month. Re-applied it monthly and can go every 4 washes and the water still falls off the truck.

For the winter I usually hit it again in early-mid December and put a coat of wax over top and it will get me to the spring without issue.

 

Having worked at a Toyota dealership - as the Lead Detailer - before it was sold out to a mega-dealership, I think I can answer this one. Go to a professional detailer if you want something that's going to actually do anything and last. The whole Simonize program can be done by a high school kid with zero training in less time than you can believe. Like many things pushed by dealerships, it's pure profit with pathetic performance.

 

As far as the simonize glass coat I had done, the dealership I bought the truck from sent it out to an area simonize franchise shop that does this, and only this. I ended up with a clear hard coating over the paint that appears like glass. No a single paint chip yet in 3 years. I had many on my older tundra by this time that didn't have this. My tacoma still looks like the day I picked it up except for the tires. Imo, it all comes down to the shop or crew doing the job. I've seen these paint sealant jobs of the past on some vehicles...they're just a temporary looking job.

 

Skip the dealer for anything detailing related, any detailing enthusiast or professional will agree with me on this. Instead pickup some Carpro HydrO2 lite and spray it on and rinse it off one panel at a time after you have washed your truck and it’s still wet from rinsing. Then proceed to drying it off with something like Carpro Ech2O or Sonax Caramic Detailer and a quality microfiber drying towel like the Gyeon Silk Dryer. Your truck with then be ceramic coated. It’s one fastest and easiest way to ceramic coat your vehicle. As long as you’re doing this every wash or every other wash you should always have your truck coated and protected.

 

I can't stand companies that have to use 50 cent names for their products, especially when they're nothing special. You can probably get similar stuff like tech shine that do the same.

 

While those products you listed are solid products, those products are not true ceramic coatings. They act more like a sealant.

All of those are well respected companies in the detailing community. That is a pretty narrow mindset to judge a product by the name. Same good be said for Tech Shine, which makes me think Walmart knock off.

 

I know what you mean. I just use them because I have had good luck with their products. I do agree that their products names are stupid though.

 

I completely agree that they are not a “true ceramic coating”, however they do have ceramic properties. I suggested this because they are products that are very easy to use especially for the majority of people out there who don’t have the time to do paint correction, then an application of a true ceramic coating.

 

I'll bet the dealer is using a mobile service for that, same with wheel repair you mention. VERY unlikely they have that skill in house.

Find out who that is and use them yourself, as needed. Or at least get quotes.

 

Like most are saying: go to an actual detailer. There are very few dealerships out there that are using legitimate detailers for this process, or even actually doing the work. If you still cannot resist the dealership, find out who is actually doing the work. Then skip the dealership. Anything the dealer is selling is garbage.

A real detailer will perform paint correction before the coating. This is a multi-day process and your paint will look better than the factory. Then the coating will be applied. It will last for years. And it will not be cheap. But if you think about it, you will not have to wax for those years, and a simple hand wash and dry will make it look like you spent hours.

 

I agree. I’ve used some of them as a booster for coatings. Super easy to use.

 

Glass coat by Simoniz. Interior and Exterior treatment. You can look it up and it will tell you about. Works great for the exterior. Never really have to wax. Dust virtually rolls off it. The chip thing is an insurance coverage you can get at the time you buy your Tacoma I believe it is a product of Allstate

 

Been detailing 40 years and have used just about all the products on a commercial level and everything off the shelf including Simonize glass coating and their paint protection sealants. It is not going to prevent rock chips! Simply put, but the clear film that some apply on the hood and bumpers helps a lot but is a pain in the ass to remove as body shops frown on this protection method.

 

Dealership-offered ceramic coatings can vary widely in quality. Some dealerships use true ceramic coatings, while others apply paint sealants that last months rather than years. A high-quality ceramic coating should provide long-term protection (2-5 years), hydrophobic properties, and resistance to minor scratches and UV damage. The key is to ask what specific product they’re using, how it compares to professional-grade coatings, and whether they do a full paint correction before application. If they’re simply applying it over whatever condition your paint is in, it may not be as effective as a professionally prepped and installed coating.