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.

 

[zekesview]

I’m with @Andrace

The ceramic coating is a great start but proper bi-weekly/monthly maintenance will truly matter.
I’m also a fan of Adam’s ceramic. I use all their products and I’ve been impressed. I recently got one of their pressure washed and foam gun. Made cleaning my sprinter 10x easier.

Bonus - all their soaps smells like candy

 

[omar286]

I did graphene on mine when I got it new 3 months ago, is working great. I did it myself tho. I wash it once a week and the product is still there. It does the job protecting the paint.

 

[gofastdan]

You've sold me on the Adam's product, and they're having a 25% off all products sale at the moment!

Any feedback on the difference between the regular and advanced coatings? The advanced says it has "50% increased resin coating" but how that translates to real world performance is suspicious. One claims 7 years, the other 9. Neither seems realistic.

 

[zekesview]

I went with this one - https://adamspolishes.com/products/graphene-ceramic-coating The Advanced didn't seem necessary.

I also have https://adamspolishes.com/products/graphene-detail-spray™

I haven't used their graphene specific soap. I just used their normal soap and add mega foam.

VRT is great on plastics

Their interior cleaner is also solid.

Full disclosure - I did get semi sponsored by them a while back but I'd use their stuff even if I didn't get the occasional discount or free product.

 

[omar286]

You've sold me on the Adam's product, and they're having a 25% off all products sale at the moment!

Any feedback on the difference between the regular and advanced coatings? The advanced says it has "50% increased resin coating" but how that translates to real world performance is suspicious. One claims 7 years, the other 9. Neither seems realistic.

I bought the advance one in Labor Day sale last year. I applied it on my 1996 rav4 first and on the Tacoma 3 months ago when I got it, the same bottle is enough for 2 cars and I still have some left. On the rav4 is almost a year after and honestly is still like day 1 but that one spends more time in the garage since I drive it only on weekends but I still wash it every 2 weeks. I recommend it all the way. 9 years of duration??? I don’t know but one year so far and is still there.

 

[Andrace]

You've sold me on the Adam's product, and they're having a 25% off all products sale at the moment!

Any feedback on the difference between the regular and advanced coatings? The advanced says it has "50% increased resin coating" but how that translates to real world performance is suspicious. One claims 7 years, the other 9. Neither seems realistic.

I've only used the advanced (I would recommend, it's super easy to use), but it's the concentrations in the formulas that differentiate them, thus the extended "lifespan".

The coating will absolutely last 10 years if we're talking about a garaged weekend car that never really gets dirty and is meticulously cared for. Daily driver outdoor car that sees salted roads and is washed once a month, not a chance.

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