What Is Ceramic Coating?

11/21/2020

What Is Ceramic Coating for automobiles?

The most recent development in auto paint protection are products commonly referred to as glass or ceramic, Nano-Particle coatings. These coatings are made from materials that are more durable than the polymers found in traditional automotive sealants and waxes giving you a more durable, longer-lasting protection. In addition to forming a very strong bond with the car’s clear coat finish, such a coating is generally much thicker than a wax or sealant, creating a sacrificial layer that can absorb damage and better protect the car’s paint underneath. The ceramic coating’s thickness gives it a great depth of gloss that’s hard to achieve with other products. Most automotive coatings will easily give years of protection when properly applied and can also be polished to improve their shine without impacting their effectiveness.

What Ceramic Coating Is NOT

A common misconception about automotive ceramic coatings is that they are scratch-proof. While they are often more durable than most clear coatings, they can still be scratched and damaged. Be sure to use proper washing techniques to maintain the gloss of your car’s paint finish.

A coating is recommended for enthusiasts who insist on the best appearance quality finish for their vehicle or the consumer who wants an easy, one-time application to protect their investment for many years. Coatings are especially cost-effective when compared with the time and money associated with frequent re-applications required by waxes.

Ceramic Coating Brands

A Ceramic Nano Coating (such as GTECHNIQ, GYEON, and Ceramic Pro) 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.

A Ceramic Coating is not a substitute for Paint Protection Film, which provides a more comprehensive form of defense. Rather, it is a premium wax alternative. A Ceramic Coating creates a permanent or semi-permanent bond with a vehicle’s paint, meaning that it does not wash away or break down and does not require repeated application every few months.

What Does A Ceramic Coating Do?

In short, a Ceramic Coating adds additional protection to your car’s exterior and helps keep it looking like-new with comparatively minimal maintenance. The coating achieves this result by making your vehicle more resilient and easier to clean. Here are the main benefits:

Protection of your car’s body paint from UV Damage / Oxidization

If a vehicle is exposed to the sun for much of the day, its paint will begin to oxidize, resulting in a dull faded paint. A layer of Ceramic Coating protects a vehicle’s paint from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thereby reducing the amount of oxidization.

Protection of your car’s body paint from Chemical Stains And Etching

Another danger for your car’ finish is chemical staining from 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 staining and etching, provided the contaminant is quickly removed from the paint surface.

Ease of Cleaning your car’s finish

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. When a vehicle has a hydrophobic Ceramic Coating, water will bead on the surface and slide off more easily. This means that mud and grime will have a more difficult time bonding to your vehicle’s paint, and when you wash your car, contaminants are removed with less effort.

Enhanced Gloss of your car’s paint

If you want your paint to pop with gloss, you will want to add a Ceramic Coating. 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. A Ceramic Coating will add value to your vehicle. Dangerous Curves Auto Detailing  has qualified trained Accredited and Professional installers for Ceramic Coatings in Southeastern North Carolina and the Cape Fear Region.

What Ceramic Coating Does Not Do for your car’s paint finish?

Despite claims of some manufacturers and detailers, a Ceramic Coating does not make your vehicle “bullet-proof”, nor is it a miracle, super-cure product that will solve every problem for your  car’s exterior paint finish, which is important for you to know about Ceramic Coatings for cars.

Eliminate the Danger of Scratches, Swirl Marks, or Rock Chips in your car’s paint

The scratch-resistance of a Ceramic Coating is often exaggerated. Though some small scratches can be repelled by a Ceramic Coating (as we described above), a coated vehicle will not be completely resistant to the risk of rock chips or parking lot scratches. Furthermore, improper car washing techniques or automated car washes will still create swirl marks on your vehicle’s surface. It is important to know that a Ceramic Coating is not a substitute for more serious scratch or chip protection (such as Paint Protection Film, also known as Clear Bra), nor does it eliminate the need to wash your car properly to avoid swirl marks.

Eliminate the Risk of Water Spotting on your car’s body paint

A drop of water contains a some dirt or minerals and after the water evaporates from your vehicle’s surface, the minerals are left behind, creating visible spots. Detailers and consumers may assume that the hydrophobic quality of a Ceramic Coating will eliminate water spotting, since water slides off the coated surface. While it is true that some water will be repelled from the hydrophobic surface, other water droplets will bead and remain on the vehicle, creating water-spotting.

Eliminate the Need to Wash your car’s body

While Ceramic Coating keeps your car looking like-new with relatively minimal maintenance; it does not mean “No Maintenance.”  The reality is that roads are a dirty place and while driving your car, it will get dirty, with or without a Ceramic Coating. As a result you will still need to wash your car regularly in order to maintain its look, while the benefit of a Ceramic Coating is that the cleaning effort will be easier. Moreover, having a Ceramic Coating means that you will no longer have to wax your vehicle every few months, eliminating a significant part of maintaining your car’s exterior. Thus, a Ceramic Coating does not make your vehicle maintenance-free, but it does mean that with less work you will be able to have better results.

So What Does All This Mean for Ceramic Coating’s benefits?

It’s important to be well educated about a product before making a decision to ensure it is right for your vehicle. Will Ceramic Coatings benefit your vehicle and add value? Yes. Are Ceramic Coatings a miracle, one-stop-shop solution for all of your vehicle’s exterior problems? No!

It is also important to realize that Ceramic Coatings are not a substitute for the more comprehensive protection you may get from a quality Clear Bra (Paint Protection Film). If you’d like to learn more about Paint Protection Film, call 910.769.0503. 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 Wilmington, NC

If you want to preserving the look and quality of your car’s paint, we can answer all of your questions and provide you a quote over the phone or in person.  We don’t make outlandish promises and push products on you, instead, we’re here to help you make the best decision for you and your car for the long run. We would love to discuss your specific situation and your plan for maintaining your vehicle’s appearance and value.