Anybody know anything about Graphene ceramic coating?

[Dbldwn11]

I’m trying to decide between two shops for ceramic coating my new 2025 Toyota Tacoma. One shop uses McKee’s 37 Graphene Pro-Coat 2.0 and quoted me $1,800 for detail, paint correction, and coating. The other uses Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) and quoted $2,200 for the same services. From what I’ve read, CSU seems to be considered the gold standard, but I’m not sure if graphene is truly better or just more of a marketing angle. I’m new to all of this, and both shops have excellent reviews, so I’m torn. The truck will be kept outdoors year-round (no garage), and I plan to hold on to it for at least 5–7 years. Which place would you guys choose?

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[Andrace]

Your upkeep routine will make more of a difference than which coating you go with. I used to detail cars when the ceramics were just getting going, CarPro Cquartz was the leader then and still is a great option. I don't buy into the pissing contest between brands at all, the good stuff is amazing these days compared to what they started out as.

I used Adams Graphene Advanced, and it's amazing how easy today's polishes, pads, and coatings are to work with.

If you're forking over that much, then I'd say use whichever shop you're most comfortable with doing the regular upkeep on your truck.

Better yet, diy and save $1,500.

You're in NJ, and the truck will be outside, so it will have to endure snow and road salt, and with the lower temps you're probably not washing it every weekend to keep it up. Even with a proper upkeep routine, the coating will need maintenance before and after the winter months, so factor that in, and if you're taking it through car washes and going weeks in between washes, then it's going to get hazing and require more upkeep come spring. Coatings aren't an invincible barrier to the elements by any means.

They are instead a layer which allows contamination to be rejected when rinsed, minimizing the damage incurred when the mit eventually contacts the surface.