Detailing: Wash and wax/sealant or ceramic coating

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by daisy555, Sep 3, 2025.

  1. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    My car exterior needs a thorough cleaning. We aren’t allowed to work on our cars in the parking lot plus I would need to wear a respirator. More than I can handle right now.

    I found two professional detailers with good reviews but they use very different products. One is offering a 5 yr ceramic coating for $900 using Augalux products and a yearly boost at $50. Another is offering 3yr coating for $900 using System X with yearly $150 boost. He’s sending me quote for 5 yr. I know I would need to wash still. These prices are not including paint corrections since as far as I can tell that’s not necessary.

    Both places charge $200 for a wash and wax or sealant. This quote doesn’t include interior because I can clean that myself. Seems to be the going rate near me. We don’t have any drive thru touch-less near by.

    Sounds like it would be more economical over the 5 year period for me to do ceramic coating although one guy said ceramic coating requires more maintenance washing?? I could rinse and/or wash when I can but winter would be challenging. Unfortunately my car sits out in the sun all year round.

    Any suggestions? I’m pretty sure this topic was discussed but I can’t find anything right now. Thanks
     
    #1 daisy555, Sep 3, 2025
  2. 10^123

    10^123 New Member

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    I had a few looks at ceramic coating when getting quotes for PPF. It looked to me like snake oil. Went the PPF route. If you do get ceramic, let me know if it's really worth it.
     
    #2 10^123, Sep 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    All I can think is “someone’s always finding a new way to to extract money from folks”. I’d categorize this with dryer sheets, pedicures and so on.

    Is there no way you can just wash an’ wax the car? It entails a wash bucket and sponge, bottle of car wash liquid, bottle of liquid car wax (aka “polish”, typically come with applicator pad), and some flannel cloths for buffing (soak in dilute ammonia after, with a bit of soap, rinse and wring out thoroughly, then add to laundry load).

    You’re dealing with condo rules? Any way you can access a driveway and hose, preferably someone’s carport?

    “Respirator” has me thinking I’m trampling around in Chris Farley mode, let me know.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Sep 15, 2025 at 8:13 AM
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2025 at 8:21 AM
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I'm not that particular about my paint; as long as it looks half-way decent.
    The price seems high, though I guess labor cost is high these days.
    I detail my car annually and do a ceramic coating - not that expensive marketing bougie stuff - I do it myself. The benefit is that all I have to do is hose-off and maybe use a brush on the car, then dry it. Any stubborn stains gets the brush; then a spray of ceramic waterless detail; to restore any lost coating. I don't get really harsh weather here and they only sand the roads when needed. The worst I get is when they're repaying roads. Most tar will wash-off/rinse-off with that ceramic base coating.
    I had some nasty water spots once. Had to polish the entire panel and recoat it. Don't park near automatic sprinklers.

    YMMV
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Sep 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
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