When it comes to protecting your car’s exterior, you have a wealth of options to consider. The choice you make will significantly impact the longevity, appearance, and overall integrity of your vehicle’s paint. From professionally installed ceramic coatings to ceramic sprays, paint protection film (PPF), and traditional wax, the options are varied. So, why should you opt for a ceramic coating over these other choices?
Selecting a ceramic spray coating over traditional wax offers a host of advantages. These sprays provide exceptional durability, offering months of protection compared to the short-lived effects of wax. Their advanced technology delivers superior protection against environmental elements like UV rays, bug splatter, bird droppings, and acid rain, ensuring your vehicle’s exterior stays pristine. Additionally, ceramic sprays can also be used alongside PPF and professional-grade ceramics, making them incredibly versatile.
Ceramic sprays offer superior hydrophobic properties, repelling water, snow, and sleet to keep your car looking cleaner for extended periods. Their simple application process requires minimal effort yet delivers maximum results. With improved gloss, depth of color, and resistance to scratches and swirls, choosing a ceramic spray coating ensures that your vehicle maintains a high-end appearance with minimal maintenance.
What is Ceramic Coating?
A spray ceramic coating is a hard protective shield that contains nano-ceramic particles suspended in a solvent carrier. When applied, this formula creates a tough, transparent layer on the surface of the car. Unlike traditional wax, which simply sits on the car’s surface, ceramic sprays chemically bond to the car’s clear coat. This bonding process forms a hydrophobic and scratch-resistant shield, providing long-lasting protection against environmental elements and daily wear and tear.
Ceramic sprays offer more than just protection; they also provide cosmetic benefits. They are favored by auto enthusiasts preparing for the showroom floor and dealerships looking to enhance the appearance of their inventory. A high-quality ceramic coat can enrich your car’s appearance by intensifying its color, giving it a silky-smooth finish, and producing a mirror-like shine.
A ceramic coat is also a great way to prevent long term damage. We’re all aware that when paint begins to peel and water reaches your car’s panels, rust can develop. The longer you delay addressing damaged paint, the costlier the repairs become. Fortunately, paint damage is preventable.
Your car’s paintwork is more than just a surface layer; it’s a complex system of layers including primer, base coat, and clear coat. Over time, the clear coat can deteriorate due to daily wear and tear, as well as exposure to elements like UV rays, pollen, road salt, dirt, and debris that can penetrate its pores. Additionally, acidic compounds from things like bug splatter can further degrade the clear coat. As the clear coat breaks down, you may start to notice signs of damage such as faded or peeling paint. Using a quality ceramic coat prevents the damage from starting.
Benefits of Ceramic Coating
There are numerous benefits to using a DIY ceramic coating on your vehicles, as well as added benefits to using one over your PPF. Ceramic sprays are made to be incredibly versatile and cover an array of visual and protective solutions.
On its own, a ceramic spray creates a hard shell over the surface of your panels, preventing scratches and swirl marks. The slick surface that’s created prevents harmful daily contaminants like bug splatter and dirt from burrowing into the pores of your paintwork. Since these particles cannot adhere to a smooth surface, they can be easily rinsed away.
One of the key features of a ceramic coating is the water repellency. These coatings provide incredible hydrophobic properties, causing water and other liquids to quickly bead up and run off your vehicles. This not only makes a difference in visibility while driving in the rain, but also prevents water from sitting on your panels, which becomes corrosive over time.
If you have experience with Paint Protection Film (PPF) you know that they provide great protection and shine. However, they leave much to be desired when it comes to water repellency. By adding a layer of ceramic spray, you can prolong the life of your expensive PPF. While the protective properties of the ceramic act as a sacrificial coat, taking on the beating that would otherwise reach your PPF, the added hydrophobic properties will keep the PPF clean and clear much longer.
Finally, the visual aspects of a ceramic coat can be downright dramatic. If you’ve ever wondered how auto enthusiasts keep their vintage cars so vibrant and shiny, it’s a fresh ceramic spray. These DIY coatings add depth to the color of your paintwork, almost making the paint look brand new. Along with a silky smooth finish, the added gloss provides a mirror like shine.
How long does ceramic coating last
Ensuring the longevity of your ceramic coat hinges on a few key factors, with maintenance taking the spotlight. Proper care not only preserves the coat but also extends its protective benefits to your car. Ditch the drive-thru car wash for a gentle hand wash, and consider parking in covered areas or using a car cover to shield your vehicle, helping your ceramic coat stand the test of time.
Another critical factor is the brand you choose. Many off-the-shelf auto detailing products lack the quality needed for a long-lasting finish. Premium DIY ceramic coats, such as those from Adams Polishes and Nexgen, are favored by dealerships and professional auto detailers for their superior performance. Nexgen Ceramic Spray, in particular, boasts the highest SiO2 content currently available, a key element for durability. While most brands offer 1% to 2% Silicon Dioxide, Nexgen raises the bar with an impressive 13%, resulting in a significantly longer lifespan of up to 6 months compared to the average 2-month longevity of grab and go brands.
Should you use a DIY ceramic coat or pay a professional?
There are trade-offs to consider between professional and DIY ceramic coating options. Opting for a professional-grade ceramic coat applied by a detailer can provide a few years of protection, while a DIY ceramic spray typically offers 2-6 months, depending on the brand. The cost of a professional coating can range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on location and the condition of your vehicle’s paint. In contrast, a DIY ceramic spray will cost you about $30 to $50.
Choosing a professional installation means leaving your car at a shop for at least three business days. On the other hand, applying a ceramic coat at home should take less than an hour, with curing times typically ranging from 12 to 24 hours. A quality DIY ceramic coat is a more budget-friendly option and can be conveniently applied in your garage.
DIY Ceramic Coat
Pro: Budget friendly
Pro: Can be installed at home
Pro: Short cure times
Pro: Can be used to enhance long-term protective coatings
Con: Last 2-6 months depending on the brand you choose
Professionally Installed Ceramic Coat
Pro: Can last up to five years
Con: Can cost anywhere from $1k – $5k
Con: Will take longer and cost more depending on necessary paint correction
Con: You leave your car with a shop for a least three working days
Conclusion
Imagine a ceramic coating as a round-the-clock bodyguard for your vehicle. Instead of a paycheck, you maintain this guard by hand washing your car monthly and parking in a covered area. In return, it shields your vehicle from harmful UV rays, repels dirt, bug splatter, water, snow, sleet, pollen, scratches, scuffs, and swirl marks, all while keeping your car’s exterior smooth and shiny.
Moreover, applying a ceramic spray over your current PPF not only extends its lifespan but also significantly enhances its hydrophobic properties. Although PPF is an excellent long-term protective barrier, its hydrophobic qualities may not be exceptional. A ceramic spray can withstand daily environmental exposure, thus prolonging the life of the PPF. It also greatly improves water beading, causing much tighter water beads to rapidly roll off your car.
