Kick in the teeth!

[beyond the blue]

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to find a reputable Ceramic Coating company (not someone that does it on the side in their back street) to do my yet to be delivered ES 300h. I have called at a couple of places that specialise in the higher end market, and although they are willing to talk me through the process they quite visibly and quickly loose interest when they find out what the car is. Their premises appear to have Jags, Mercs and BMW's in there being treated and even though I say I'm fine with their prices I never hear from them again. I understand that the ES is only a mid priced car these days and maybe not very prestigious to some, but it's the nicest car I will ever own. Gutted that they are not interested.

[NemesisUK]

So, they have quoted you a price to coat the ES?

If so the balls in your court to call them to accept and book in?

A car is a car to them and I'd be surprised if they turned away business 

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, beyond the blue said:

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to find a reputable Ceramic Coating company (not someone that does it on the side in their back street) to do my yet to be delivered ES 300h. I have called at a couple of places that specialise in the higher end market, and although they are willing to talk me through the process they quite visibly and quickly loose interest when they find out what the car is. Their premises appear to have Jags, Mercs and BMW's in there being treated and even though I say I'm fine with their prices I never hear from them again. I understand that the ES is only a mid priced car these days and maybe not very prestigious to some, but it's the nicest car I will ever own. Gutted that they are not interested.

Not quite sure how or why you expect them to contact you when you haven't even got the car yet. They could have had a few people like you who never went back to them because the new car purchase fell through or was delayed.

You've asked for a price and they gave you one, now it's up to you to go back to them when you have the car and can make a definitive booking to get it done.

[ColinBarber]

I'm sure they are willing to take money from anyone irrespective of the car.

Ask your dealer not to polish or even wash your car before handing it over to you, otherwise you will pay extra to remove more micro scratched than necessary.

[peniole]

Just curious. Our paint is of the self healing variety, with warnings on not to polish. It has a claimed life of 5-8 years. How does polishing and putting on a ceramic coat figure into that?

[ColinBarber]

58 minutes ago, peniole said:

Just curious. Our paint is of the self healing variety, with warnings on not to polish. It has a claimed life of 5-8 years. How does polishing and putting on a ceramic coat figure into that?

The ceramic coating will go over the top to give more protection and make it easier to clean. The paint shouldn't need polishing beforehand, unless any existing swirls cannot be removed with just heat.

[LenT]

7 hours ago, beyond the blue said:

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to find a reputable Ceramic Coating company (not someone that does it on the side in their back street) to do my yet to be delivered ES 300h. I have called at a couple of places that specialise in the higher end market, and although they are willing to talk me through the process they quite visibly and quickly loose interest when they find out what the car is. Their premises appear to have Jags, Mercs and BMW's in there being treated and even though I say I'm fine with their prices I never hear from them again. I understand that the ES is only a mid priced car these days and maybe not very prestigious to some, but it's the nicest car I will ever own. Gutted that they are not interested.

Just a few thoughts to add to the very good advice you’ve already had, Neil.

Firstly, I suspect these are not ‘Ceramic Coaters’ you’ve contacted but Car Detailers and the coating part would normally be one of the last processes in a long and…well, detailed operation.  As has been mentioned, the idea that they lose interest on hearing it’s a Lexus is very unlikely.  It’s more likely down to the realisation that you don’t actually have car.

The guy who detailed mine took four days and that needed some weeks notice - and a deposit - to fit it in.  In other words, it’s a fair commitment for what are usually small, one person businesses.  However I do recall other posters who have firm delivery dates from a dealer arranging to take the car directly to the Detailer to have the paint finish ‘corrected’ and coatings applied.  

So that’s probably the time when you’re in the best position to get the work organised.  Incidentally - and I’m sure you already know this, but it’s probably worth repeating - most Detailers will emphasise that you should stay clear of car washes - and most car washers - in future as they are the prime causes of paint swirls.  That I was going to have to start washing my own car again did come as something of a surprise!

[beyond the blue]

41 minutes ago, LenT said:

Just a few thoughts to add to the very good advice you’ve already had, Neil.

Firstly, I suspect these are not ‘Ceramic Coaters’ you’ve contacted but Car Detailers and the coating part would normally be one of the last processes in a long and…well, detailed operation.  As has been mentioned, the idea that they lose interest on hearing it’s a Lexus is very unlikely.  It’s more likely down to the realisation that you don’t actually have car.

The guy who detailed mine took four days and that needed some weeks notice - and a deposit - to fit it in.  In other words, it’s a fair commitment for what are usually small, one person businesses.  However I do recall other posters who have firm delivery dates from a dealer arranging to take the car directly to the Detailer to have the paint finish ‘corrected’ and coatings applied.  

So that’s probably the time when you’re in the best position to get the work organised.  Incidentally - and I’m sure you already know this, but it’s probably worth repeating - most Detailers will emphasise that you should stay clear of car washes - and most car washers - in future as they are the prime causes of paint swirls.  That I was going to have to start washing my own car again did come as something of a surprise!

Just to clarify, I visited two Ceramic Coaters, firstly in order to see their set-up and secondly because I am hard of hearing and don't like to use the telephone. I was impressed with both setups and they gave me roughly the same advice with regard to not having the dealers do too much to the paintwork during the PDI although some dealers will want to do for the hand over experience. One guy said he would prefer the car with the protective film still on if he could have his way. They both give me literature with their package prices on, paintwork, wheels, glass etc and suggested I read up as much as possible and if I wanted to go ahead I should contact them as they would require a deposit to secure as (flexible as possible) time slot.

One guy said he would need the car for 1-3 days depending on what package I chose and the other said 2-4 days. I decided to go with the first guy I visited and sent an email asking how to pay the deposit, I got an automated reply but nothing else, after two further emails and sending a text asking for a text reply I have heard nothing.   I contacted the second guy via two emails and one facebook message and again nothing. So I have given up trying and put it down to the reason in my first post.

I put a post on the detailing section of the forum a couple of weeks ago asking for recommendations for Ceramic Coaters but didn't get any. Thanks for reading folks.

[LenT]

3 hours ago, beyond the blue said:

Just to clarify, I visited two Ceramic Coaters, firstly in order to see their set-up and secondly because I am hard of hearing and don't like to use the telephone. I was impressed with both setups and they gave me roughly the same advice with regard to not having the dealers do too much to the paintwork during the PDI although some dealers will want to do for the hand over experience. One guy said he would prefer the car with the protective film still on if he could have his way. They both give me literature with their package prices on, paintwork, wheels, glass etc and suggested I read up as much as possible and if I wanted to go ahead I should contact them as they would require a deposit to secure as (flexible as possible) time slot.

One guy said he would need the car for 1-3 days depending on what package I chose and the other said 2-4 days. I decided to go with the first guy I visited and sent an email asking how to pay the deposit, I got an automated reply but nothing else, after two further emails and sending a text asking for a text reply I have heard nothing.   I contacted the second guy via two emails and one facebook message and again nothing. So I have given up trying and put it down to the reason in my first post.

I put a post on the detailing section of the forum a couple of weeks ago asking for recommendations for Ceramic Coaters but didn't get any. Thanks for reading folks.

Many thanks for the extra detail, Neil.  From my (limited) experience I would say that you got very sound advice from both Detailers.  If you weren’t about 120 miles away, i’d recommend my guy!  He was very happy to add my modest IS250 to the many exotica that fill his Facebook page.  And I understand it received a reasonable number of likes - whatever that means.

But it must be said that great as he was on detailing, on business detail… not so much.  I suspect that these guys - and they all do seem to be guys - are more hands-on than management, shall we say.

It’s not for me to excuse their poor business practice, but unless they’re stacked out doing motors for Mancunian footballers I really don’t think they’d turn down a car for being a Lexus.  And once you can provide a delivery date I’m sure that will focus their mnds!

I don’t know how you located the two you consulted, but there are websites devoted to professional Car Detailers and I’m sure there are more than two in  the GM area.

I can only urge you to persevere as you are clearly a Lexus enthusiast and this is the one chance to give your brand new ES a special finish from the very start!

[LenT]

1 hour ago, LenT said:

I don’t know how you located the two you consulted, but there are websites devoted to professional Car Detailers and I’m sure there are more than two in  the GM area.

The main site I had in mind is detailingworld.co.uk 

I don’t know if it has a geographical search facility.  Or maybe it’s possible to place an enquiry for a local Detailer?  May be of some help?

[beyond the blue]

6 hours ago, LenT said:

Many thanks for the extra detail, Neil.  From my (limited) experience I would say that you got very sound advice from both Detailers.  If you weren’t about 120 miles away, i’d recommend my guy!  He was very happy to add my modest IS250 to the many exotica that fill his Facebook page.  And I understand it received a reasonable number of likes - whatever that means.

But it must be said that great as he was on Detailing, on business detail… not so much.  I suspect that these guys - and they all do seem to be guys - are more hands-on than management, shall we say.

It’s not for me to excuse their poor business practice, but unless they’re stacked out doing motors for Mancunian footballers I really don’t think they’d turn down a car for being a Lexus.  And once you can provide a delivery date I’m sure that will focus their mnds!

I don’t know how you located the two you consulted, but there are websites devoted to professional Car Detailers and I’m sure there are more than two in  the GM area.

I can only urge you to persevere as you are clearly a Lexus enthusiast and this is the one chance to give your brand new ES a special finish from the very start!

I can see you would be right about the business side being the weak link. The guy I was hoping to use seemed to be rushed of his feet as he was opening 2 new detailing bays. I have written to him again this morning, lets see what happens.

[beyond the blue]

4 hours ago, beyond the blue said:

I can see you would be right about the business side being the weak link. The guy I was hoping to use seemed to be rushed of his feet as he was opening 2 new detailing bays. I have written to him again this morning, lets see what happens.

Well I've heard back from the guy, he was very professional and I'm finally booked in for the full package with a flexible date.