So what of the consumer available ceramic coatings are not junk/fake. What's on Amazon I can apply myself?
Unless you REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Dont try it at home without fully understanding, if you mess up, you may be wet sanding and stripping your whole vehicle. Even the pro's mess up now and again. This is basically like refinishing woodworking, where you are putting a final gloss coat over the final finish coat. If it isnt seamless, level, smooth, uniform... It is going to look like crap, and unlike just sanding the wood, you cant do that with the new waterborne thin as hell factory finishes. There isnt a lot of material (mils) build up of finish material, ESPECIALLY the clear coat top coat. So if you "burn through" the clearcoat trying to correct swirls, scratches, imperfections... You are going to be going to the body shop for painting. I have been using Griot's Garage 3 in 1 spray ceramic wax, their ceramic speedshine between washes, and touch ups, and their ceramic wash soap, mixed with their brilliant wash soap because, the ceramic soap doesnt bubble at all. The wash helps "recharge" the ceramic properties of the wax you put on, and makes it last longer. I have used their ceramic all in one wax, for fine scratches and correction, and that works great too. It even removes, and helps prevent black streaks on trailers. I used it on our toyhauler and it worked GREAT! Now mind you this is labeled as Si02 ceramic but, it isnt the commerical/industrial, you will mess up your vehicle, if you do it wrong. On the turn of the coin... It doesnt last for 3-8 years either. This is better than wax, in my opinion, and utilizing the wash and speedshine products, after you have used either the spray or the liquid ceramic wax, it will last up to a year. It beads water and repels bugs, tar, sap pretty darn good, for a pretty long time, if you dont wash it with harsh soaps like dishwashing soaps. It is relatively inexpensive as well. I wish you good luck. I see now, they have a ceramic liquid wax, and the ceramic rinseless wash. I love the rinseless wash product they have. Especially in the winter. Go to the spray car wash close to home, rinse off the crap, go home to the garage, use the rinseless wash and dry. https://www.griotsgarage.com/search-results-page?q=ceramic Ski
I get all my supplies at a commercial detailing shop (All the pro detailers and dealerships shop here). My son is now detailing cars while he is in college. They have the best supplies, from rags to detail sprays, tire dressing, bottles, EVERYTHING. They also sell commercial pressure washers also but I just go there for supplies as I like my vehicles looking good. Ceramic coating is good. Its not expensive for the material. The reason it costs so much is for the knowledge, prep, and labor to do it. This one listed below is the product this place sells to the professionals. https://tomahawkusa.com/collections/waxes-and-sealants/products/ceramic-coating