Foam Cannon for Cleaning

[ESquared]

The difference between the $300 and $800 coatings may be that Darrell got a "ceramic liquid" coating and the $800 may be the Xpel ceramic film (similar to a wrap). The Xpel film is very pricey, I looked at a precut sheet to fit the hood of my 330i and they wanted $800 (material only)! I have applied "professional grade ceramic liquid to both of my cars and it is still holding up well after 3 years, but can be a bit fiddly to apply. Some of the new "ceramic waxes" seem to work pretty well, apply easily and not break the bank. I use the Griot's green ceramic wax.
Chris

Here's the link to their webpage, which describes Ceramic Coating in general, calls out "Xpel" explicitly and offers up the "get a quote" form. Is Xpel ONLY a film application, or can it be brushed/sprayed on? The copy on the page doesn't seem to indicate one way or another, but it doesn't sound like a film application...

https://midwesttinting.com/ceramic-coating/

[Chris216]

The difference between the $300 and $800 coatings may be that Darrell got a "ceramic liquid" coating and the $800 may be the Xpel ceramic film (similar to a wrap). The Xpel film is very pricey, I looked at a precut sheet to fit the hood of my 330i and they wanted $800 (material only)! I have applied "professional grade ceramic liquid to both of my cars and it is still holding up well after 3 years, but can be a bit fiddly to apply. Some of the new "ceramic waxes" seem to work pretty well, apply easily and not break the bank. I use the Griot's green ceramic wax.
Chris

Here's the link to their webpage, which describes Ceramic Coating in general, calls out "Xpel" explicitly and offers up the "get a quote" form. Is Xpel ONLY a film application, or can it be brushed/sprayed on? The copy on the page doesn't seem to indicate one way or another, but it doesn't sound like a film application...

https://midwesttinting.com/ceramic-coating/

Looks like they do both ceramic and the Xpel film https://midwesttinting.com/paint-protection/ . They don't say anything about paint correction prior to ceramic application. If they are doing paint correction one could almost see $800, but still expensive for a motorcycle. If they are not doing any paint correction... I would look around for other options.
Chris

[Duccrazydave]

I have the Expel PPF on the headlights on my '16. I made a template from paper, then transferred that to the film. Looks as good as the day I purchased the bike. Wish I had used it on the front fender and painted areas around the headlights.

[ESquared]

Based on comments here, I pressed the local shop for more details on what their $800 proposal included, as it was completely non-specific. Here's the response I got:

"$800 is for ceramic coating (liquid application) the full motorcycle. There is paint correction/buffing/polishing that is included along with a 4 year warranty. You would need to bring it back once a year for an inspection where we touch up any problem areas and put an application of the ceramic booster to float you into next year.

Xpel Fusion Plus is a true ceramic coating compared to some of the other ceramic products out there. Our installers are trained and certified by Xpel, which is a global company that has been around since 1997. I understand wanting to save money however I would compare our products and warranty to the others out there. If you have any other follow up questions please dont hesitate to ask!

Have a great day "

Great detail, and would have been great upfront, but still seems out of line. I really tend to embrace the 20-30 mins I spend post-ride cleaning and polishing the shiny bits and the foam gun will serve me well for the deeper cleans. Micro-fiber therapy!

[Pyrrho]

I really tend to embrace the 20-30 mins I spend post-ride cleaning and polishing the shiny bits and the foam gun will serve me well for the deeper cleans. Micro-fiber therapy!

I'm going to commute so won't have the time for a 20-minute daily clean. That's why I think I'd really appreciate a ceramic and PPF package. My buddy things I'm nuts spending all that money. "Just ride it and wash it." He rides a Tracer, so i can see why he wouldn't bother.

[maxredline]

Micro-fiber therapy!

I'm still using dads goat skin chamois "Shammy"

[Grumpy Goat]

I'm going to commute so won't have the time for a 20-minute daily clean. That's why I think I'd really appreciate a ceramic and PPF package. My buddy things I'm nuts spending all that money. "Just ride it and wash it." He rides a Tracer, so i can see why he wouldn't bother.

Hah! I won't bite. Your buddy has decent taste in bikes. Since I have an RS as well, mine is sublime.

FWIW, the Tracer hides its dirt far better than the RS. Slightest hint of damp road conditions and the RS is thoroughly dirty. Tracer is an essentially black bike and it still does not look as dirty as the RS, conditions being similar.

[ESquared]

I really tend to embrace the 20-30 mins I spend post-ride cleaning and polishing the shiny bits and the foam gun will serve me well for the deeper cleans. Micro-fiber therapy!

I'm going to commute so won't have the time for a 20-minute daily clean. That's why I think I'd really appreciate a ceramic and PPF package. My buddy things I'm nuts spending all that money. "Just ride it and wash it." He rides a Tracer, so i can see why he wouldn't bother.

With that kind of daily riding, then ceramic may be just the ticket. Look forward to seeing what you sort out and end up doing!