You want your vehicle to look as good as it did on the day you bought it. So you wash it regularly and you apply a new coat of wax every few months. In spite of your efforts, swirl marks, chips, and stains start appearing on the exterior of your vehicle. On top of that, water spots, dirt, and grime stick to your car the day after you wash it thoroughly. In some ways, it is similar to powder coating, which is used for protecting machinery and property from rust.
Would it not be great if we had a product that could change this narrative; a product that would provide protection from environmental hazards, as well as making cleaning your car easier.?
I have good news! There is. It’s called a Ceramic Coating (or Nano-Ceramic Coating), and it could substantially enhance the value of your vehicle.
However, you need to be certain about the facts before you buy. You might have come across some competing claims about Ceramic Coatings if you have read anything online about them. Ceramic Coating manufacturers and detailers have made remarkable promises about the performance of their products. On the other hand, some auto care commentators have offered critiques.
Let’s take some time to resolve the issue. What’s the truth about automotive Ceramic Coatings? What are their benefits? What are their limitations? What will be best for your vehicle?
What is a Ceramic Coating?
A Ceramic Coating (such as Adams UV Graphene Coating, 10H Graphene Coating, and Nano Bond) is a liquid polymer that is applied by hand to the exterior of a vehicle. The coating chemically bonds with the vehicle’s factory paint, creating a layer of protection.
Ceramic Coatings are not a substitute for Paint Protection Film, which offers a more comprehensive form of protection. Rather, it is a premium wax alternative. Ceramic Coatings form a permanent or semi-permanent bond with the paint on your vehicle, meaning that they do not wash off or break down, and they do not need to be reapplied every few months.
What Does A Ceramic Coating Do?
Essentially, a Ceramic Coating adds additional protection to your car’s exterior and helps keep it looking like new for longer with relatively little maintenance. As a result of the coating, your vehicle exterior paint becomes more durable and easier to clean. Here are the main benefits:
Protection from UV Damage / Oxidization
When a vehicle is exposed to the sun often, its paint will start to oxidize, resulting in dull and faded paint. Ceramic Coating helps protect a vehicle’s paint from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thereby decreasing the amount of oxidation.
Protection from Chemical Stains and Etching
Chemical staining can also occur on your car due to naturally acidic contaminants. By creating a chemically resistant surface, a Ceramic Coating can keep some contaminants from bonding to your vehicle’s paint. As a result, your vehicle will be more resistant to stains and etching, provided the contamination is removed in a timely manner.
Ease of Cleaning
One of the most significant features of a Ceramic Coating is that it is hydrophobic, which is a fancy way of saying it repels water. The hydrophobic Ceramic Coating on a vehicle makes water bead and slide off more easily. Mud and grime will have a harder time bonding to your car’s paint, and contaminants will be easier to remove when you wash it.
Enhanced Gloss
You will want to add a Ceramic Coating if you want your paint to pop with gloss. A good Ceramic Coating enhances the reflective properties of your car’s paint and clear coat, adding to the depth and clarity of your paint.
What Does a Ceramic Coating Not Do?
For the reasons listed above, a Ceramic Coating does preserve your vehicle’s exterior and reduce ongoing maintenance needs. By having a Ceramic Coating applied to your vehicle, you will be adding value to it.
However, despite the claims of some manufacturers and detailers, a Ceramic Coating is not a miracle, super-cure product that will solve any and every problem for your car. Thus, it is important for you to know what a Ceramic Coating does not do.
Eliminate the Danger of Scratches, Swirl Marks, or Rock Chips
A Ceramic Coating’s scratch resistance is often exaggerated. Despite the fact that a Ceramic Coating can repel some small scratches (as we described above), a coated vehicle won’t be completely resistant to rock chips or parking lot scratches. Additionally, improper car washing techniques or automated car washes will still leave swirl marks on your vehicle’s surface. Ceramic Coatings do not replace more serious scratch and chip protection (such as Paint Protection Film, also known as Clear Bra), nor do they eliminate the need to wash your car properly to avoid swirl marks.
Eliminate the Risk of Water Spotting
The average drop of water contains a certain amount of dirt or minerals. As water evaporates from your vehicle, minerals are left behind, creating visible spots. Ceramic Coatings are hydrophobic, so consumers may assume that they prevent water spots since water slides off the coated surfaces. The hydrophobic surface will repel some water, but other water droplets will bead and remain on the vehicle, causing water spotting.
Eliminate the Need to Wash
Ceramic Coatings keep your car looking like-new with comparatively little maintenance, not no maintenance. The road is a dirty place. If you are driving your car, it will get dirty, even with a Ceramic Coating, you will still need to wash your car regularly in order to maintain its look. The benefit of a Ceramic Coating is that the cleaning process will be easier. A Ceramic Coating also eliminates the need to wax your vehicle every few months, a significant part of maintaining its exterior. A Ceramic Coating does not make your vehicle maintenance-free, but you will be able to maintain better results with less work.
So what does all this mean?
It is important to learn about a product before making a decision about whether it will suit your vehicle. Will Ceramic Coatings benefit your vehicle and add value? Certainly! Can Ceramic Coatings solve all of your vehicle’s exterior problems at once? Certainly not!Ceramic Coatings do not offer the same level of protection as a Quality Clear Bra (Paint Protection Film). If you’d like to learn more about Paint Protection Film, read our Intro To Paint Protection Film. For ultimate protection, add a layer of Paint Protection Film to the most vulnerable parts of your vehicle, then place a Ceramic Coating over every painted surface. Learn more about Combining Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coatings.
Looking for a Ceramic Coating in Long Island, NY
If you are concerned about preserving the look and quality of your car’s paint, you can request a quote in under two minutes. We’ll follow up to answer all of your questions. We do not make outrageous claims or try to sell you a product. Our goal is to help you make a long-term decision that’s right for your car and you. Toward that end, we would love to discuss your specific situation and your plan for maintaining your vehicle’s beautiful shine.
