Have you ever considered applying a ceramic coating to your car? Keeping your car looking great means protecting it from many environmental factors. This is why ceramic coating is something you may want to consider if you’d like to keep your car looking its best for a long time. Ceramic coating is an excellent method of protecting the paintwork of your car from unwanted scratches and damage. It improves the performance of your vehicle and protects it against environmental influences.
What Is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is the process of applying liquid polymer on the exterior surface of your car in order to protect the paint from fading, minor scratches or abrasions, and stains which preserves its luster and minimizes carwash frequency. The exterior of your vehicle is regularly exposed to elements and objects that can damage its appearance over time. Having ceramic coating applied to your car preserves it from these external factors.
All products have pros and cons. When you’re trying to decide if the product is a good fit for you, you’ll want to know all of the benefits and problems that come with it to properly make your decision. Let’s run through all of the ceramic coating advantages and disadvantages so that you can make an educated decision.
Pros: Advantages and Benefits of Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating works either as a permanent or semi-permanent coating that binds to the paint on a microscopic level which gives it an entirely new secondary exterior. It is essentially a layer that is used to protect and preserve the paint underneath. Here are some advantages to ceramic coating:
1. It is hydrophobic.
Its hydrophobic properties make your car much easier to clean since it repels water. It makes the water beads from the rain easily glide off of your car’s paint which also allows it to stay cleaner for a longer period of time. Dirt and typical road grime are also less prone to sticking to the paintwork. Any dirt or grime that manages to stick to it will be much easier to remove in comparison to if you do not have a ceramic coating applied to your car.
2. It is glossier than most waxes and sealants.
Ceramic coatings are extremely glossy. It makes the surface of your car body shine and be mirror-like. The titanium dioxide present in the coating reflects alight and the surface of the car shines. Pure carnauba wax is the only other product that can provide better shine, but carnauba wax only lasts for a few days compared to ceramic coating which lasts for years.
3. Prevents damage from harsh chemicals, acidic bugs, and tree saps.
The hydrophobic properties and durability of ceramic coating provide a lot of protection from common damaging elements. Tree sap and bugs can damage unprotected finishes. Ceramic coating not only creates a barrier that cannot be penetrated by these contaminants, but also makes the removal process much easier.
4. Lasts for at least 2 years.
Consumer-grade ceramic coating usually lasts for a minimum of 2 years but many last for much longer. Professional-grade coatings take longevity to an even greater level. They typically start at 5 years of protection and can even last for up to 10 years.
Cons: Disadvantages and Limitations of Ceramic Coating
It is important to remember that ceramic coating is not a permanent solution to keeping the exterior looking good as new. Every product has its drawbacks and whether they are deal-breakers or not is for each car owner to decide. Here are some things that ceramic coating cannot do:
1. Protection from all types of scratches and swirl marks.
Ceramic coating will not protect your car from the usual threats of scratches, swirl marks, and rock chips. Despite its blending properties, it still retains the characteristics of the paint. This is why you should still expect your car to be susceptible to these undesirable elements. If you prefer to have protection from scratches and chipping, you should opt for an advanced paint protection film.
2. Still susceptible to water spotting.
Water spots can be a very frustrating problem. Whenever water beads on a car evaporate, any dissolved elements will be left behind leaving a ring or spot where the water bead dried. Minerals left behind from evaporated water are extremely difficult to remove and are also unsightly. Unfortunately, ceramic coatings aren’t able to prevent this problem. If you have hard water in your home, don’t wash your vehicle in direct sunlight, and make sure to dry it thoroughly with a microfiber drying towel or an air dryer before the water beads evaporate.
3. Paint imperfections should be corrected prior to coating.
Prior to having your ceramic coating applied, it is recommended to have the paint corrected in order to remove original swirl marks and fine scratches. This is because once the ceramic coating is applied, the swirl mark, scratches, and other defects in your paint job will be locked and this cannot be fixed without removing the coating. Taking the time to correct these imperfections prior to application is a wise move.
4. The gloss and hydrophobic properties dull over time.
While the hard protective layer of ceramic coating will last for years, the gloss and hydrophobic properties tend to fade much more quickly. Most ceramic coating manufacturers offer maintenance products that you can apply from time to time to boost the gloss and hydrophobic properties.
