I own a 2021 Mazda with the 3-stage Soul Crystal Red Color. I only have 5K miles on it and chipping doesn't seem to be above normal but there's quite a lot of anecdotal evidence from owners of the same color Mazda's that it's not a very durable paint. Rumor is because they are painted in Japan, which has more stringent Enviro standards, the painting processes/chemicals they use is less durable. It could also be the 3-stage process. Unfortunately due to the 3-stage process that includes a tinted clear coat on the 3rd stage, no rock chip kit matches the paint as well as the kits for 1-stage paint.
I passed on a clear braw as I've always taken good care of my paint (mainly use Klasse), done careful touch up, and this isn't a Ferrari or collector car I need to worry about chips having an effect on resale value. Nor am I taking a mid-priced stock SUV to any car shows, LOL. (Plus I'm older now and not as anal about the paint being showroom perfect, have better use for my time now, so I sort of compromise between time investment and good results. Claying, cleaning, polishing and sealing with Klasse has always given great results for the time invested.)
Never looked into Ceramic Coatings as my gut was this was mainly a new profit makers for detailers being overhyped to empty the pockets of over-anal owners.
Now that I know this particular paint color is prone to chipping, I'm more curious about the cost/benefit ratio of a ceramic coating. I'm definitely not going to invest hundreds of dollars to have a detailer do it, so I'd only consider good DIY options.
So my question is, does it provide any real-world increase in protection against chips for the time/hassle involved with proper application? My interim solution is on the occasional long road trip I just install a bug deflector which helps protect the front area of the hood from chips and then just quickly take it off for my normal driving around town (I work from home and don't have a commute. On a road trip I don't mind the slightly dorky look of the bug deflector.)
My gut tells me it would not be worth the time/cost/hassle, given my less anal attitude about my paint in my older age, for the little benefit, as I can't see any liquid application really providing that significant of a benefit from a rock chip standpoint. Or am I wrong?
If there's a product that does provide some actual increase in chip protection that isn't a huge pain to apply, I'd consider it though.
I passed on a clear braw as I've always taken good care of my paint (mainly use Klasse), done careful touch up, and this isn't a Ferrari or collector car I need to worry about chips having an effect on resale value. Nor am I taking a mid-priced stock SUV to any car shows, LOL. (Plus I'm older now and not as anal about the paint being showroom perfect, have better use for my time now, so I sort of compromise between time investment and good results. Claying, cleaning, polishing and sealing with Klasse has always given great results for the time invested.)
Never looked into Ceramic Coatings as my gut was this was mainly a new profit makers for detailers being overhyped to empty the pockets of over-anal owners.
Now that I know this particular paint color is prone to chipping, I'm more curious about the cost/benefit ratio of a ceramic coating. I'm definitely not going to invest hundreds of dollars to have a detailer do it, so I'd only consider good DIY options.
So my question is, does it provide any real-world increase in protection against chips for the time/hassle involved with proper application? My interim solution is on the occasional long road trip I just install a bug deflector which helps protect the front area of the hood from chips and then just quickly take it off for my normal driving around town (I work from home and don't have a commute. On a road trip I don't mind the slightly dorky look of the bug deflector.)
My gut tells me it would not be worth the time/cost/hassle, given my less anal attitude about my paint in my older age, for the little benefit, as I can't see any liquid application really providing that significant of a benefit from a rock chip standpoint. Or am I wrong?
If there's a product that does provide some actual increase in chip protection that isn't a huge pain to apply, I'd consider it though.
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