Exterior Protection - What's your advice & experience?

[aubradford]

My Maverick (Alto blue Lariat LUX w/ BAP) should be here any day. It's currently in Memphis waiting to be loaded up for the quick trip to Nashville.

It seems for every post that raves about paint protection film or ceramic coating, there's another post that says they're not worth the money. This truck will be my daily driver, and I'll do truck things with it (haul bikes, yard waste, camping gear, etc.). It will be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I definitely want to take care of it, but I'm not the guy who's going to spend hours washing and cleaning my car every weekend. I also don't have a garage, so the truck will be in the sun a lot both at home and at work.

What do you guys suggest as far as caring for the exterior? For those of you with PPF or ceramic coating, has it been worth it in your opinion?

Thanks for the input!

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[JP4AZ]

Brad,
I just did this Ceramic/Graphene coating. I put 2 coats on and did the normal prep.
It seems to be working great so far (3 weeks). There are youtube tests/comparisons with this product. It preformed very well compared to others, and the cost is a fraction of most coatings.
Good Luck!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LCZ51BY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is some other stuff I did:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...stalled-mud-flaps-and-budget-bed-liner.32650/

 

[Flight Test]

My truck is a simple work vehicle, not a daily driver as I have other vehicles in my stable to drive. I'll wash it when convenient and I will only use Zaino on the paint and 303 protectant on the plastic surfaces. I thought about PPF before it was delivered, but I gave up on it because I know it will get beat-up with highway miles.

 

[icegradner]

I just use Turtle wax ceramic wash, paint still looks like the day I rolled it off the dealership lot. They did wax and undercoat it though, so it's been protected from day 1.

 

[OleFordGuy]

If your not one that enjoys cleaning/detailing vehicles alot, wants to save some bucks, my guess is you will be happy with the new Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic products. Another option would be the 303 Automotive products. IMO their very good products, quick and easy to use. Also, easy to find at you local auto parts stores, walmart, etc.

https://www.turtlewax.com/collections/wax-seal-coat

https://www.turtlewax.com/products/hs-pro-pure-wash-professional-car-wash-64-oz

https://www.turtlewax.com/collections/cleaners-disinfectants/interior-detailer

https://www.303products.com.au/product-range/automotive

 

[Exranger]

My Maverick (Alto blue Lariat LUX w/ BAP) should be here any day. It's currently in Memphis waiting to be loaded up for the quick trip to Nashville.

It seems for every post that raves about paint protection film or ceramic coating, there's another post that says they're not worth the money. This truck will be my daily driver, and I'll do truck things with it (haul bikes, yard waste, camping gear, etc.). It will be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I definitely want to take care of it, but I'm not the guy who's going to spend hours washing and cleaning my car every weekend. I also don't have a garage, so the truck will be in the sun a lot both at home and at work.

What do you guys suggest as far as caring for the exterior? For those of you with PPF or ceramic coating, has it been worth it in your opinion?

Thanks for the input!

Do you want to diy? Turtle wax Si02 with graphene works well. Lasts 2-3 months or more and is super easy to use. Been using it for about a year on other cars as well.

 

[Tim d]

My Maverick (Alto blue Lariat LUX w/ BAP) should be here any day. It's currently in Memphis waiting to be loaded up for the quick trip to Nashville.

It seems for every post that raves about paint protection film or ceramic coating, there's another post that says they're not worth the money. This truck will be my daily driver, and I'll do truck things with it (haul bikes, yard waste, camping gear, etc.). It will be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I definitely want to take care of it, but I'm not the guy who's going to spend hours washing and cleaning my car every weekend. I also don't have a garage, so the truck will be in the sun a lot both at home and at work.

What do you guys suggest as far as caring for the exterior? For those of you with PPF or ceramic coating, has it been worth it in your opinion?

Thanks for the input!

My 2010 ram has got a meticulous spring wax job by myself every year I have had it and the original paint still looks great,no rust and it's been a Michigan truck it's whole life.thats all I plan to do with my maverick.hopefully it holds up the same!

 

[Paulyz]

My Maverick (Alto blue Lariat LUX w/ BAP) should be here any day. It's currently in Memphis waiting to be loaded up for the quick trip to Nashville.

It seems for every post that raves about paint protection film or ceramic coating, there's another post that says they're not worth the money. This truck will be my daily driver, and I'll do truck things with it (haul bikes, yard waste, camping gear, etc.). It will be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I definitely want to take care of it, but I'm not the guy who's going to spend hours washing and cleaning my car every weekend. I also don't have a garage, so the truck will be in the sun a lot both at home and at work.

What do you guys suggest as far as caring for the exterior? For those of you with PPF or ceramic coating, has it been worth it in your opinion?

Thanks for the input!

My dealership offers Zurich Shield, which I had done. Exterior & Interior protection. Supposed to eliminate the need for waxing. So far seems to be working well. B4 that I had used Turtle Wax Ceramic on my Mustang which I applied in the Spring & Fall.

 

[gator_dub]

Having a regular car care routine to include wash, wax, and interior detail will go above and beyond any ceramic coating or protective film.

Personally I would not recommend the paint protective films.
They will eventually deteriorate and are a pain to remove. If you are able to park in garage you will prolong this process. If you park your car outside within 3 years it will start to look terrible and fall apart regardless of your car car routine.

 

[yoyomav]

look into 3M rhinoskin, which is a type of polyurethane film. I already got a sizable rock chip on A pillar. I just applied it last weekend and if done correctly it's pretty much invisible. Re-applying every 3 years sounds much better than dealing with rust issues down the road.

All the ceramic coating will be useless against rock chips.

 

[Radman73]

We get a ton of rock chips so I am planning on going with PPF on the hood, front fenders, and bumper. Will likely try to DIY it first. For the rest it will be Zaino. I can lay down 2-3 coats in a day and then 1-2 coats every 3-6 months and it will shine forever.

 

[Joe Mac]

I Have PPL on the front end off my Shelby and it works great. i wouldn't do the whole vehicle however. I did get it ceramic coated and love it.
I'll be getting the Maverick coated soon

 

[Waterick]

Having a regular car care routine to include wash, wax, and interior detail will go above and beyond any ceramic coating or protective film.

Personally I would not recommend the paint protective films.
They will eventually deteriorate and are a pain to remove. If you are able to park in garage you will prolong this process. If you park your car outside within 3 years it will start to look terrible and fall apart regardless of your car car routine.

I recently spent $200 to have a body shop remove deteriorated PPF from an eight year old car. I tried to remove it myself, but gave up after several hours and slight progress. Tried all the tricks, I think. It was really ugly, looks almost new now. Car has been carport stored in the South; retired, so minimal weather exposure.

 

[TKranbuhl]

I bought Adam's Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating from Amazon. Spray on, buff it out, let dry, wipe off. It's about $45.00, enough for 2 treatments on your Maverick. Best sealer I've used. Water beads, dirt just hoses off. 1st coat lasted about a year. Going to use on '24 Maverick when it shows up.

 

[Shakesbear]

My Maverick (Alto blue Lariat LUX w/ BAP) should be here any day. It's currently in Memphis waiting to be loaded up for the quick trip to Nashville.

It seems for every post that raves about paint protection film or ceramic coating, there's another post that says they're not worth the money. This truck will be my daily driver, and I'll do truck things with it (haul bikes, yard waste, camping gear, etc.). It will be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. I definitely want to take care of it, but I'm not the guy who's going to spend hours washing and cleaning my car every weekend. I also don't have a garage, so the truck will be in the sun a lot both at home and at work.

What do you guys suggest as far as caring for the exterior? For those of you with PPF or ceramic coating, has it been worth it in your opinion?

Thanks for the input!

Two different issues here:

1. Keeping it clean and shiny - There are many, many options here. The key is to just "keep it clean". Any wash with some kind of polymer or graphene additive will do you well. Just do it often, and hopefully park under some kind of cover (carport or garage). It will look great forever

2. Keeping it from getting chipped up - PPF is really the only thing that will do the job. I just did the front end/fender wrap, front part of the hood, skull caps on side-view mirrors, and a strip above the windshield. After almost fifty years of driving all over Texas, to the East coast and West coast, these are the areas that take the worst beating from road debris being kicked up in your face

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