What Is A Ceramic Coating?
A Ceramic Coating is a liquid polymer that is applied by hand to the vehicle’s surface and may also be applied to other areas including Glass, Brake calipers, Plastic trim,
Headlights and more. The coating chemically bonds with the vehicle's clear coat, creating an extra layer of protection.
A Ceramic Coating creates a bond that last as long as the factory specs for that particular coating, which can range from 18 months all the way up to 9 years.
This bond created minimizes the maintenance required on the vehicles exterior. Unlike waxes, which require applications every 3 months and are susceptible to breaking down due to the elements, a Ceramic Coating is durable and lasting and does not wash away or break
down.
What Does A Ceramic Coating Do?
Basically, a Ceramic Coating is an extra layer of protection on top of the paint. It is much
harder than clear coat and more hydrophobic, helping keep your vehicle looking like
new for longer and makes it easier to keep clean. Below are the main benefits of
Ceramic Coating.
Vehicles begin to dull and fade from the paint oxidizing due to the sun’s harmful UV
rays. Ceramic Coating provides incredible protection against minor scratches, swirl
marks and harmful UV rays.
Chemical and minerals, acid rain and bird droppings wreak havoc on your vehicles
surface. These can cause unsightly and very difficult to remove imperfections on your
vehicles finish. A Ceramic Coating creates a chemically resistant surface, which can keep
contaminants from bonding to your vehicles paint. While they cannot be prevented it is
easier to remove.
One of the most noticeable features of a Ceramic Coating is the incredible hydrophobic
effect of the coating, which causes water to bead up, and roll off the surface. This also
prevents most dirt, grime and mud from bonding to the vehicle’s paint, which makes it
easier to clean off.
A vehicle with a good Ceramic Coating maintains a ‘wet’ look that gives great reflective
properties bringing clarity and depth to your paint that keeps it looking new and
beautiful. Some vehicles will require paint correction prior to being Ceramic Coated.
This involves removing all contaminates by thoroughly hand washing the vehicle and
then clay bar to remove any remaining contaminates on the paint. Next the paint is
checked using a bright light to reveal any scratches or swirls and then buffing them out.
Doing paint correction is necessary to prevent the Ceramic Coating from enhancing the
appearance of any scratches or swirl in the paint and ensuring the ceramic coating has a
good clean smooth surface in which to adhere.
Things that Ceramic Coating cannot do
Every product in the world has drawbacks. Whether they are deal breakers or not is for us to
decide. These are not exactly demerits; just things that ceramic coating just does not promise
to do.
Ceramic coating will not protect your car from the usual threats: scratches, swirl marks, and
rock chips. Despite its blending properties, it still retains the characteristics of paint. This is why you should still expect your car to be at the receiving end of these common, undesirable elements.
For protection from scratches and chipping, you should opt for the more advanced paint
protection film.
As discussed before, after the application of ceramic coating, water-based contaminants will
bead on your car’s surface and eventually slide off. But they still contain natural minerals and
soluble particles that will stay on the surface after the water has evaporated.
Ceramic coating cannot get rid of the water spots that are produced as a result, removal of
which will require a far more hands-on approach.
You will still need to regularly wash your car. A layer of ceramic coating does not give your car superpowers to auto-clean itself. While we are all waiting for a miracle product that would do that, for now, let’s focus on the bright side of ceramic coating.