Month: May 2022

Is Ceramic Coating worth it?

Is Ceramic Coating Worth It?

We were non-believers at first. In fact, I can still recall mobile detailers visiting the dealership several years ago to pitch their ceramic coating services, and we did not even entertain what we then perceived as an overpriced wax. What changed our minds?

For starters, we could no longer ignore that the ceramic coating process was growing in popularity. Over the next few years, we noted a rise in fellow car enthusiasts boasting about it all over social media and otherwise. Further, we knew a quality ceramic coating job was a $2,000+ investment, so the value must be there if so many people were opting for it. We finally sought out one of those mobile detailers and asked for a demonstration on a Maserati. The result? It turns out that we were guilty of contempt prior to investigation.

We’ve seen our fair share of high-quality paint correction and polish. This was something else. Yes, the process does include extensive paint correction before applying the sealant, but the finished product proved to be far superior to that of a standard luxury detail. While our expert detailing team could speak more to the technicalities of why the sealant is so much more effective than standard wax, we’ll stick with the basics that a novice can appreciate.

1. The Ultimate Gloss & Slickness
We all know how satisfying the paint feels after a good hand wax; imagine that feeling magnified by 100. The final finish is extremely slick and provides a “high gloss” look that doesn’t start to diminish after the first wash or getting caught in the rain. Granted, much of the gratification can be attributed to the extensive paint correction that took place prior to applying the sealant, but the sealant preserves and enhances that look. In fact, the product is touted to provide this gratification for several years—assuming it’s not being taken to a drive-through car wash (please, don’t do that). The extra slickness is actually one of the added benefits of the sealant, as it also acts as a repellent for rock chips and other road debris.

2. Protection from the Elements
Speaking of the repellent factor, the ceramic coat sealant is essentially an added layer that bonds with the top clear coat of your car’s paint. The only reason we care about that is that this added layer can absorb the various day-to-day blemishes caused by acid rain, bug guts, tree sap, etc. (instead of your car’s paint). When it does rain, the rainwater beads up and easily rolls off the top surfaces instead of leaving water spots. Further, the super slick finish cuts washing time in half. These are all advantages that we’ve witnessed firsthand.

3. Interior Protection for Leather
Ceramic coating for the interior really shines with cars that feature a lot of leather. We are all too familiar with the drudgeries of replacing leather on a Ferrari dash due to heat shrinkage. No, ceramic coating the interior will not save you from the consequences of repeatedly parking your Ferrari in an open lot during the summer months. That said, coating the interior will add some UV resistance. Moreover, the interior coating conditions and keeps the leather supple, which helps prevent hardening, shrinking, wearing, and tearing—ultimately delaying expensive re-upholstery. Much like the exterior benefits, regular maintenance and cleaning become much easier as well.

There are certainly other noteworthy benefits, but to keep it simple: yes, we believe that ceramic coating is a worthy investment for your luxury or exotic car. To realize the benefits mentioned above to the fullest potential, we also suggest commissioning qualified individuals to do the job with high-quality products.

Our expert detailing team, with 40+ years of professional luxury car detailing experience, was trained to be Accredited Gtechniq Platinum Installers. To reiterate, much of the effectiveness of the sealant depends on the paint correction and preparation that takes place prior to its application, which requires a skilled detailer equipped with the proper tools. Factors such as humidity, temperature, and air pollution during application also determine the long-term efficacy of the sealant. Lastly, if the sealant is installed by a Gtechniq Accredited Dealer, a 5-year warranty is offered against stains and discoloration.

To learn more about our luxury car detail services, please visit our Detail Services page.

Used Ferrari 328 Buyer’s Guide

Looking to purchase a pre-owned Ferrari 328? Read more to learn about the 328 and specifically how to determine the car’s value.

We have had a lot of interest and questions in regards to purchasing a used Ferrari 328 and I thought it would be helpful to outline a few of the key things I consider when I am looking at this particular model.  There are three key things I look at when I am purchasing a 328, first, determine the value, next, establish the pedigree, and last, analyze previous Ferrari service.   In this article, I am going to outline how I determine the value of Ferrari’s 328.

First, it is important to have a little bit of background on this model.  The Ferrari 328 is the successor to the 308 and was produced from 1986 to 1989.  The car is said to be a little more user-friendly, a little more drivable, and a little more technologically advanced than the 308.  The Ferrari 328, also like the 308, came in two different model variations, the GTS and the GTB; the GTS is the Targa roof and the GTB is the hardtop roof.  Ferrari produced about 7,000 328s over that three year time period, and they made five GTSs for every GTB made.  This obviously makes the GTB much rarer, and in a lot of cases, it will make it more valuable, which is going to be very important to know if you are buying a used 328. The car was produced very similarly from 1986 to 1989, except in late 1988 Ferrari started adding ABS breaks, and in doing this they had to make changes to the wheels.  This change is where the concave and convex wheels came into play.  Therefore, 328’s that were manufactured in the mid to late 1988 to 1989 are all equipped ABS.  Now that you have a little bit of background, let’s talk about what you need to look for when selecting your 328.

As I mentioned, there are three things to look at when buying a 328 and we are going to look at the first one, entry price, in more detail.  First, you have to know how much you should pay for this Ferrari and in order to do so, you need to first determine what it is you are getting.  Will you be getting a GTS or GTB model?  Will you be buying an early 1987 or late 1989 with the ABS?  How many miles are acceptable to you?   What condition 328 are you looking for, is a scratch okay, or does it need to be show-worthy?  And finally, how will all of these things factor into the cost of the car.

First, let’s consider the different options the Ferrari 328 has and how they will affect the cost of the car.  As mentioned, there were much fewer GTBs produced so this model will bring a premium as compared to the GTS.  Some people prefer the earlier cars over the ABS so sometimes the premiums will help offset the newer car vs. being an older car.

Second, and one of the most important things to look at when evaluating the 328 is to look at the condition of the car, especially the interior.  A great example is the first 328 that I bought.  It was a 1989 that was supposed to have 15,000 miles on it and when it came in, the interior looked like someone had been living in it.  The entire car had been painted by who knows because it was clearly not done by a professional.  As you can imagine this greatly affected the value of the car, and this was a very costly lesson for us.

The other two purchasing factors, pedigree, and Ferrari service, we will look at in further detail in our next article because there is so much that goes into these two items that could dramatically affect the cost of the car.  However, before you address these items be sure you have determined the value based on the options of the 328 and how these options factor into the economics in the Ferrari market.