New 1250 GS Ceramic Coat

[littleade]

I'm not convinced these ceramic coatings are worth the expense and trouble. Somehow the hype about how well they protect the paint feels like expensive snake-oil. It's not that I'm old fashioned, I'm all for modern paints and coatings, I've competed with my Porsches in multiple concourse events. However, I think a good wax and wash, paying attention to using quality cleaning methods and materials will do a superb job by themselves.

I think some people just want an easy and quick option and are prepared to pay for it which is far enough. My concerns would be what happens when you get some swirls etc as the only thing you could do then would be to use a da or rotary polisher which would remove the coating and also what happens once the ceramic coat gets to the end of its lifespan so like you I'm happy to use more traditional methods even though they take longer.

 

[adm1]

I am no expert, but when I got my new bike done back in August prior to collection, the guy doing it spent hours multi-stage cleaning the bike first (even though it was brand new) to get all traces of oil or contaminants off, then "corrected" the paintwork where there were minor swirls and other blemishes. He was very, very picky indeed, to the point that the dealer had to replace one plastic panel as he just wasn't happy with it. I wouldn't even have noticed the blemish....

So a lot of it is about the preparation. If the surface is surgically clean, then the coating will have a much better chance of bonding properly.

Then putting the coating on, he used various different applicators to get into nooks and crannies, removed panels where possible, etc, etc... obviously you can't get to the entire bike, but he did a much more thorough job than I was expecting. I thought he would really only do the main painted panels, but everything that was possible to get to got properly coated - down to individual spokes and bolts.

The price was very reasonable for the time he spent working on the bike. Would I have it done on another bike? I don't know - I'll need to see how it holds up over the next year or two.

 

[simondippenhall]

I am no expert, but when I got my new bike done back in August prior to collection, the guy doing it spent hours multi-stage cleaning the bike first (even though it was brand new) to get all traces of oil or contaminants off, then "corrected" the paintwork where there were minor swirls and other blemishes. He was very, very picky indeed, to the point that the dealer had to replace one plastic panel as he just wasn't happy with it. I wouldn't even have noticed the blemish....

So a lot of it is about the preparation. If the surface is surgically clean, then the coating will have a much better chance of bonding properly.

Then putting the coating on, he used various different applicators to get into nooks and crannies, removed panels where possible, etc, etc... obviously you can't get to the entire bike, but he did a much more thorough job than I was expecting. I thought he would really only do the main painted panels, but everything that was possible to get to got properly coated - down to individual spokes and bolts.

The price was very reasonable for the time he spent working on the bike. Would I have it done on another bike? I don't know - I'll need to see how it holds up over the next year or two.

My experience was very similar to yours…it’s all about the person doing the work


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[stever1]

My experience was very similar to yours…it’s all about the person doing the work


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That’s true of many things in life we spend our money on.

 

[DS]

I am no expert, but when I got my new bike done back in August prior to collection, the guy doing it spent hours multi-stage cleaning the bike first (even though it was brand new) to get all traces of oil or contaminants off, then "corrected" the paintwork where there were minor swirls and other blemishes. He was very, very picky indeed, to the point that the dealer had to replace one plastic panel as he just wasn't happy with it. I wouldn't even have noticed the blemish....

So a lot of it is about the preparation. If the surface is surgically clean, then the coating will have a much better chance of bonding properly.

Then putting the coating on, he used various different applicators to get into nooks and crannies, removed panels where possible, etc, etc... obviously you can't get to the entire bike, but he did a much more thorough job than I was expecting. I thought he would really only do the main painted panels, but everything that was possible to get to got properly coated - down to individual spokes and bolts.

The price was very reasonable for the time he spent working on the bike. Would I have it done on another bike? I don't know - I'll need to see how it holds up over the next year or two.

+1. Supershield did my bike at home. 12 hours and about 9 cups of tea. Incredible standard of work. Looked better than the day I collected it new from Barnstormer.

 

[NeilGS]

My bike was done from new at day 1 at a cost of £350.
Bike now 7 months old and you just could not tell it has been done.
My previous 1250 wasn’t done and there is absolutely no difference.
Not easier to clean. Does not stay cleaner. Certainly looks no better than my previous bike.
I will not be having my next bike nano coated!
Just clean it, polish it, ACF50 ….

 

[Winjar]

My bike was done from new at day 1 at a cost of £350.
Bike now 7 months old and you just could not tell it has been done.
My previous 1250 wasn’t done and there is absolutely no difference.
Not easier to clean. Does not stay cleaner. Certainly looks no better than my previous bike.
I will not be having my next bike nano coated!
Just clean it, polish it, ACF50 ….

yes is snakeoil, I do mine with cheap nano coat paint only every 6 months, not sure if has help or not, but same as acf50 in a way