Ceramic coat MIC hard top?

[CalvinT]

I'm getting my Bronco ceramic coated. The shop says they've done a number of Broncos with the MIC hard top without any problems.

I've had no problems with my top but I don't want to give Ford any excuse to deny a future claim. It seems to be a good idea to let them ceramic coat it. The resin would seal any micro cracks that may have developed and it would make it easier to keep it clean.

I'd like to hear the thoughts of others.

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[Ducati1098]

Personally I wouldn’t put anything on the MIC top. It’s just not necessary and opens up the potential for issues.

I’ve never used anything other than normal soap and water and mine still looks as good as the day I bought it after sitting outside 24/7 for the last 3 years.

 

[JAD67428]

Well I took a chance an had mine Ceramic coated along with the rest of the vehicle, but mine is only 5 months old, so only time will tell.

 

[RagnarKon]

I ceramic coated my Bronco myself, and as an experiment I ceramic coated a small section of my MIC top. Because... well frankly... I was too chicken to do the entire top.

Two years later and I can firmly say that ceramic coating did not benefit the hard top at all. Lasted maybe 6 months at most, and now it looks like I never even touched it. Meanwhile the coating on the painted pieces are still holding up fine (although my hood is starting to fade a bit).

I didn't notice any ill effects, but the risk is still greater than zero. Given that it'll probably cost you extra and offers no real noticeable benefit... I personally would skip it.

 

[tonytexchappy]

Thought about it but decided against it. Ford says to not use solvents on the MIC top and all real coatings use solvents. I’m using Griots ceramic spray wax instead.

 

[MotoFish]

I put Adams advanced graphene ceramic coat on a MIC top in March of 2023. The vehicle was a week old. To this day it still sheds water and dust like it did when I put the product on. Zero issues. The only surface the coating did not stick to well was the PPF on the hood.
Id coat the top again without hesitation. These tops are cracking on garage kept pavement queens that get hand washed...

 

[CalvinT]

My first impulse was to not have it ceramic coated. Seems that's the consensus. There's an undermined upside and known downsides.

 

[Exec_B6spd]

Mines coated with Modesta like the rest of it. No issues. Wasn’t taking any UV chances.

 

[Mjasi3]

I didn’t. I ppf and ceramic coated the body, but not taking a warranty denial on the mic. I’m on my second one already. The first replaced within 2 weeks of ownership.

 

[RagnarKon]

I put Adams advanced graphene ceramic coat on a MIC top in March of 2023. The vehicle was a week old. To this day it still sheds water and dust like it did when I put the product on. Zero issues. The only surface the coating did not stick to well was the PPF on the hood.
Id coat the top again without hesitation. These tops are cracking on garage kept pavement queens that get hand washed...

That was the exact product I used and it didn't last more than 5-6 months for me.

Do you park inside??

Wondering if it's just user error on my part. I've ceramic coated dozens of cars before, but obviously never done a MIC top, so not sure if it just requires a thicker application than normal or.... something....

Either way, the coating on the painted pieces is holding up fine 2 years later. The coating on the top is gone.

 

[MotoFish]

That was the exact product I used and it didn't last more than 5-6 months for me.

Do you park inside??

Wondering if it's just user error on my part. I've ceramic coated dozens of cars before, but obviously never done a MIC top, so not sure if it just requires a thicker application than normal or.... something....

Either way, the coating on the painted pieces is holding up fine 2 years later. The coating on the top is gone.

Yes, the factory hard top. The one everyone is posting photos of cracking and delaminating issues. The vehicle is parked inside unless my wife is driving it to work. Then it sits in the sun/elements.
The water still beads off of the top the same as the painted stuff.
If there are "downsides" to coating the top I've not experienced any. The cost? The UV protection? Water beading off and running forward to the windshield if it's raining?

 

[RagnarKon]

Yes, the factory hard top. The one everyone is posting photos of cracking and delaminating issues. The vehicle is parked inside unless my wife is driving it to work. Then it sits in the sun/elements.
The water still beads off of the top the same as the painted stuff.
If there are "downsides" to coating the top I've not experienced any. The cost? The UV protection? Water beading off and running forward to the windshield if it's raining?

Huh, wonder if it's just a matter of it being parked inside. I am unfortunately garage-less.

I too have not experienced any downsides... just the coating didn't last as long as one would expect it to.

 

[Tilzbow]

I coated my 2022 in June or July of that year. The ceramic coating on the paint lasted well into last year but I honestly didn‘t notice much difference on the top after a few months. It’s garage kept.

 

[CalvinT]

From the replies so far it appears that while a ceramic coat may not damage the MIP top. It also doesn't do much good as it doesn't last as well as ceramic on paint. Only MotoFish has found it worthwhile.

I've decided to ask my detailer for the SDS for the ceramic coating they're using. If I don't see solvents that attack might attack the top then I'll let him apply it, otherwise I'll pass on it. I'll also ask if I can smell it.

 

[tonytexchappy]

From the replies so far it appears that while a ceramic coat may not damage the MIP top. It also doesn't do much good as it doesn't last as well as ceramic on paint. Only MotoFish has found it worthwhile.

I've decided to ask my detailer for the SDS for the ceramic coating they're using. If I don't see solvents that attack might attack the top then I'll let him apply it, otherwise I'll pass on it. I'll also ask if I can smell it.

like I mentioned earlier, if it’s a real coating then it will have carrier solvents in it.

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