DIY Detail Ceramic Gloss vs Tough As Shell – Which One Lasts?
DIY Detail’s Ceramic Gloss gets a lot of love from its own community—but how does it actually hold up against pro-level ceramic sprays like Tough As Shell? We ran a side-by-side comparison. Here’s what we found.
First Impressions
- Ceramic Gloss: Easy to spray and wipe, nice initial slickness
- Tough As Shell: Slightly thicker formula, levels smoothly, immediate high gloss and feel
Water Behavior After 1 Week
Both products showed strong beading in the first week. However:
- Ceramic Gloss began to lose some of its sheeting ability on vertical panels
- Tough As Shell maintained tight beads and fast water runoff on all surfaces
After 4 Weeks of Real-World Driving
- Ceramic Gloss: Beading mostly gone, surface felt dry and grabby
- Tough As Shell: Still showing noticeable hydrophobic behavior and light gloss
Surface Compatibility
- Ceramic Gloss: Paint only (can streak on trim, not recommended for glass)
- Tough As Shell: Safe for paint, trim, glass, wheels, and PPF
Longevity Side-by-Side
| Feature | DIY Detail Ceramic Gloss | Tough As Shell |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Gloss | High | High |
| Ease of Application | Very easy | Very Easy |
| Durability | 2–3 weeks average | 8–12 weeks average |
| Slickness | Good initially, fades fast | Stays slick for weeks |
| Surface Compatibility | Paint only | Paint, trim, glass, wheels, PPF |
What Detailers Are Saying
"Ceramic Gloss is great on camera but I had to reapply it every 2–3 washes. Switched to Tough As Shell and it holds up way better."
– Anthony M.
"I liked DIY’s spray at first but it just doesn’t last. Tough As Shell feels like a real coating. I use it on client cars all the time now."
– Jason L.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for short-term shine for a weekend or video, Ceramic Gloss might get the job done. But for real durability, slickness, and versatility, Tough As Shell is the clear winner.
