There’s so much hype in the market regarding ceramic coating so I’d like be genuine and honest to my customers on what this product is, how it work, how it can benefit, when you should and when you should not have it at all.
But before I get into ceramic coating, there are a few pieces of information regarding car’s paint that we all need to know. Car’s paint is made up of 3 layers (primer, base coat and clear coat) that sit on top of the bare metal. Clear coat is what gives the car that shine and gloss but if you chose not to protect this layer, it’ll start to deteriorate very quickly.
We all know that our cars are constantly under attack from the elements: UV rays, tree sap, bird droppings, salt, environmental fallouts, etc… all are going to damage and fade the paint, causing your car to look dull and dingy.
So, if you want to keep your car showroom-looking new, it’s imperative to choose something to protect the clear coat. Most of us heard of wax and sealant but in this particular article, I will talk strictly about ceramic coating – the highest level of chemical protection.
What it is:
Without diving too much into the science of it, ceramic coating contains silicon dioxide, or commonly known as silica – which is a hard glass-like polymer that creates an invisible barrier that protect your paint from the outside elements. Because of its hard shell, it has the ability to “reduce” fine scratches and swirls caused by incorrect methods of washing.
The coating also makes it easier to clean, maintain, and protect the surface over a long period of time, usually 1-5 years instead of the 6-8 weeks with wax or 6-8 months with sealants.
Besides its durability and gloss, its ability to protect against harsh detergents, chemicals and environmental pollutants is excellent, not to mention its water repellent ability is second to none due to its unique low slip angle (see video below).
What it isn’t:
Although ceramic coating is of a harder surface compared to a wax or sealant, it is not scratch proof nor will it prevent from rock chips. The hard surface of the coating can “reduce” light marring from washing but in no means will it protect from scratches like many claims.
It is also not a way out of car maintenance; it is actually the opposite. It’ll certainly make car wash a lot easier because not many things stick to it but it still needs regular maintenance to fully ensure its durability.
It is not permanent. Everything has a shelf life. It won’t crack and fall off the paint but it certainly won’t last forever. It is removable and can be reapplied.
That’s it. Ceramic coating is definitely not for everyone, but for those who love high end protection and having people walk backward to stare at their cars, then ceramic coating is for you.
Drive clean, drive protected, drive sharp.