Originally Posted by Anonymous4Runner

HELL YES, it is worth it. Never mind these folks who's saying, 'no it's not worth it.', 'no it's cheaper to do it yourself', 'ceramic coating isn't worth the cost"

I just looked up where you lived - you are close to Forth Worth. If you're serious about having it coated professionally - you're better off going with a certified Modesta installer.

MODESTA - WORLDWIDE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS

I'm forever thankful to have come across Modesta at this local shop that performs Modesta coating on all of exotic cars that's sent to them from dealerships including Ferrari, Bentley's, Maserati and your brands such as Ford, Toyota, etc. Long story short...there's a reason why dealerships send over new cars to have them do the work, including ones that's an hour out from where the shop is located. They're the best at what they do and it isn't easy to be certified by Modesta. My shop is extremely good at what they do and they stand by their work performed on any vehicles that rolls through their shop. Modesta Coating is king and if I could do it all over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I paid for long-term Modesta coating including the wheels and interior seat coating and I'm extremely happy with the results afterwards. It hasn't been a year and I barely put effort into cleaning because of the coating itself. Even the seats feel crisp from the coating and I'm a fat guy All of these things you mention in regard to weather elements, birds and insects leaving traces on the body, yes it is absolutely effortless to clean if it's been coated with Modesta. As long you don't take it a car wash for your washes and do hand washes only, you would be extremely happy with how long the coating keeps up over the years with proper maintenance and your annual Modesta inspection.

No disrespect to others but I don't think anyone's ever had experience with Modesta and probably had CCeramic Pro or whatever inferior brands they went with to save costs if they DIY'd or paid a non-certified installer to apply coating for said brand so they shit on ceramic coating in general. Long story short, take a trip out to Fort Worth area and visit one of the certified installers in your area.

Originally Posted by JoshDub

FWIW the pictures don't really show the benefits of a ceramic coating. What you're seeing is primarily the paint correction. You can get the same depth/gloss from any typical combination of quality glazes, sealants, and waxes.

Those results come down to prep. If the paint isn't perfect or the detailer doesn't do a phenomenal paint correction then you aren't going to get those results regardless of what products you put on top.

Originally Posted by JoshDub

FWIW the pictures don't really show the benefits of a ceramic coating. What you're seeing is primarily the paint correction. You can get the same depth/gloss from any typical combination of quality glazes, sealants, and waxes.

Those results come down to prep. If the paint isn't perfect or the detailer doesn't do a phenomenal paint correction then you aren't going to get those results regardless of what products you put on top.

Originally Posted by Easydistracted

I already had the paint looked at. It IS perfect, and I was told that it needs no paint correction. I do not have the time or energy to detail this vehicle as with my age comes a bit of turbulence with it!
I would much rather go without the time and trouble to pain stakingly detail.

Originally Posted by BaddaBing

Ceramic coating is not worth the expense. Paint shields and fabric guards are all profit centers. Wax your 4Runner twice a year and it will look great.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by Easydistracted

I already had the paint looked at. It IS perfect, and I was told that it needs no paint correction. I do not have the time or energy to detail this vehicle as with my age comes a bit of turbulence with it!
I would much rather go without the time and trouble to pain stakingly detail.

Originally Posted by cb1111

I wouldn't trust that detailer.

When the wrap comes off at the dealer, the car needs paint correction. After the lot boy (or girl) adds swirls taking the glue residue off (only in the obvious places) and slops some glaze on, the car will look good for a week or two until the glaze washes off.

At that point you'll see all of the swirls appear like magic.

Any detailer who says "you don't need paint correction" is a hack and you will end up with a sloppy job - although it might look perfectly fine for a few months just like that dealer crap.

I have a friend who has been doing many of my cars (probably six or seven) over the past years. To do PPF and ceramic costs me $950 - about half of what he normally charges when he does everything together. It usually takes all weekend.

Originally Posted by JoshDub

FWIW the pictures don't really show the benefits of a ceramic coating. What you're seeing is primarily the paint correction. You can get the same depth/gloss from any typical combination of quality glazes, sealants, and waxes.

Those results come down to prep. If the paint isn't perfect or the detailer doesn't do a phenomenal paint correction then you aren't going to get those results regardless of what products you put on top.