As car enthusiasts, we understand. Protecting your car is pretty much a necessity against the Aussie sun and road conditions. Ceramic coating is a popular option in car protection, but do its claims hold true? How well does it fare against dirt and scratches from rocks and chips?
Protecting vehicles with ceramic coating is one of the best investments you can make for your car, and yes, its benefits are immense. However, with so much information on the web, understanding ceramic coating can be a challenge - so let us break it down for you as car detailers.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is an industry-grade coating made up of a chemical polymer solution that protects the exterior of your car from damage. This solution is applied by hand and will blend in with your car’s paint to create a transparent, hydrophobic layer of protection.
Simply put, it’s a special layer of protection applied to your car's surface to keep it safe from damage. While there are many levels of ceramic coating available on the market, a professionally applied, commercial-grade coating is still the best protection against the elements.
Ceramic Coating VS Traditional Wax or Sealants
So what’s the difference between ceramic coating and traditional wax or sealants? While they are all feasible options to protect your car, they work in different ways and have various levels of protection.
Wax is a type of synthetic or natural product applied to the surface of your car’s paint, usually in paste or liquid form. Meanwhile, sealants are purely synthetic materials that are also applied to the surface of your car.
In contrast, ceramic coating works on a molecular level to bond with your vehicle’s paint. Regular wax and sealants sit on top of a vehicle’s surface, but ceramic coating uses a chemical bonding process to become part of the surface itself.
Because of this, ceramic coating gives you better protection and lasts longer on your vehicle. But those are just a few of it’s benefits.
Benefits of Ceramic Coating
We believe that all forms of protection are great for your car, but ceramic coating offers superior performance compared to traditional car protection methods.
Enhanced Protection
The damage of harmful UV rays to your vehicle’s paint job is often underestimated! Over time, these UV rays can break down your paint’s barrier, giving it a faded, dull look. Ceramic coating has properties that protect your vehicle’s paint from oxidising and ensure it stays glossy, which is critical if your car is parked outside.
Besides UV, it also shields against chemical stains. The chemical bonding keeps dirt and grime from spreading out and sticking to the car's surface. This is, again, important if you’re leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Hydrophobic Properties
Ceramic coatings are excellent repellants of water and oil. Its molecular properties and texture ensure that water and oil glide right off the vehicle instead of spreading out. Compared to wax or sealants, ceramic coatings make it much easier to wash your car. Just a simple jet wash, and you’ll have a spotless, shiny vehicle.
Longevity
Who doesn’t want their car to have that new, glossy look that’ll stay for years? Ceramic coating brings out all the best features of your car’s paint job, and it generally lasts for up to 3 years, depending on how well it’s maintained.
In contrast, wax and sealants last only a few months, and you’ll constantly have to reapply the coating to protect your vehicle. This can be time-consuming and perhaps more costly in the long run!
Car Ceramic Coating: The Application Process
There are three main steps when applying ceramic coating to a vehicle: preparation, application, and curing.
Step 1: Preparation
Your vehicle needs to be in pristine condition before aplication. This means removing any contaminants like dust, dirt, and chemical deposits that can prevent the coating from bonding with your car.
Step 2: Application
Once your car is properly cleaned, the ceramic coating is applied. This meticulous process requires precise coating application across each section of the vehicle, and that the coating uniformly covers the car without any spots, streak marks, or excess particle buildup.
Step 3: Curing Time
After application, the coating must be cured for 24 to 72 hours. This means letting the chemicals set and bond properly with the car. This process should also be done in a temperature-controlled environment, as too much heat or humidity can ruin the newly-applied coating.
Common Myths About Ceramic Coating
As great as ceramic coatings are, they can't do everything. Here are some common misconceptions about ceramic coating and what they cannot promise to do.
Ceramic Coating Makes Your Car Scratch-Proof
While they are often advertised as protecting against scratches, ceramic coatings are not scratch-proof. They don’t protect against deep scratches and impacts from road debris, but they offer some resistance against light scratch marks.
Ceramic Coating Eliminate Washing
Many vehicle owners believe ceramic coating will keep their car clean and they don’t have to wash it - but this is far from the truth. While they repel dirt and water, you’ll still need to clean your car periodically to remove some dirt and prevent any liquid contaminants from leaving spots or streaks on your paint job.
All Ceramic Coatings Are the Same
Like any form of paint protection, ceramic coatings that are available in the market differ in quality, durability, and performance. This can affect its longevity and how well it protects your car.
Additionally, the performance of your ceramic coating also depends on how it’s applied. Having it professionally done almost guarantees that your vehicle will look spectacular and stay well-protected for years.
Key Takeaway
Ceramic coatings are a fantastic tool for protecting your vehicle and maintaining it. More importantly, it allows you to spend more time enjoying your car rather than stressing about it.
At Peninsula Tint, we pride ourselves on delivering good quality ceramic coating products with exceptional workmanship built on 17 years of experience. For all your car ceramic coating needs and queries, please contact a member of our friendly customer support team below for a FREE quote.