These days there are so many ceramic coating products to choose from, and the reason you’re reading this right now is because you’re looking to find the best ceramic coating you can apply yourself at home. Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced is a really popular option for at-home detail enthusiasts, so I decided to write this review to see if their claims really hold up when testing it on cars in the real world.
In this review, I’ll get into the product’s strengths, its longevity, the application process, advantages and drawbacks compared to other ceramic coatings, and the big question: whether it’s worth the price point.
What exactly is a Graphene Ceramic Coating?
Before we get into the specifics of this product, it’s important to understand what makes a graphene ceramic coating different from other ceramics
A graphene ceramic coating contains, you guessed it, graphene. Graphene is a revolutionary material in the detailing industry that’s composed of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, and it’s sometimes incorporated into ceramic coatings to enhance its properties.
Graphene ceramic coatings typically offer exceptional durability, scratch resistance, and hydrophobicity, meaning they repel water and other liquids effectively. The addition of graphene provides an extra layer of strength and resilience, making the coating more robust and long-lasting compared to traditional ceramic coatings.
These coatings are applied onto clean and prepared surfaces using specialized applicators and techniques. Once applied, they form a transparent and protective barrier that shields the vehicle’s paint, glass, trim, and other surfaces from damage caused by UV rays, dirt, chemicals, bird droppings, tree sap, and other contaminants.In addition to their protective qualities, graphene ceramic coatings can enhance the appearance of the vehicle by adding depth, gloss, and clarity to the paintwork, giving it a showroom finish.
Overall, graphene ceramic coatings are considered a top-tier solution for vehicle protection, often favored by car enthusiasts and professional detailers for their superior performance and long-lasting results.
How Strong is Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced?
I tested this product on 3 different vehicles in the shop, a 2014 Toyota Camry, a 2019 Audi A4, and a 2022 Ford Ranger. All 3 of them looked incredible after applying the coating, but what was most impressive was probably the hydrophobic properties and water beading action. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such strong water beading from a DIY product. I’ve given Adams Graphene Ceramic Coating a solid 9 out of 10 in my rating. Boasting a formidable 10H hardness, this coating stands at the pinnacle of toughness. Its exceptional resistance to scratches, swirls, scuffs, and minor abrasions ensures a high level of protection.
Even if you start to see bug splatter or bird droppings on your car, you can rest assured that they will be easy to clean off since debris is unable to penetrate your protective coating. Additionally, with the strength of a coating with 10H hardness, you should see a long-lasting shield that keeps your car looking fresh and glossy for longer periods.
What Does 10H Mean?
This refers to the hardness test, which ranges from 1H to 10H. On a hardness scale, 1H would be a soft coating that would be quick to break down, and likely prone to scratches. 10H is the highest level on the hardness scale and indicates a tough-as-diamonds strength.
Longevity
Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating offers a maximum of seven years of protection under optimal conditions. In practical terms, regular driving might yield a realistic protection span of 4-5 years. However, if you own a sports car tucked away in the garage, seldom driven, you could potentially achieve the advertised longevity of this protective coat.
The durability of the coating is directly influenced by your care routine. To extend its lifespan, it is recommended to park your car in an enclosed area and hand wash it weekly using a dedicated car soap. If you’re applying this graphene ceramic coating to a sports car stored in a garage and regularly detailed as a hobby, you might experience the full seven years of protection – a scenario that, unfortunately, may not be the norm for most of us.
Despite this, I still give Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating an 8 out of 10 on the longevity scale. In my experience, many “long-term” coatings on the market today will only last about 1-2 years. So if you get four years out of this one you’re ahead of the game.
How To Apply Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating
Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced will come with a set of instructions, and it’s best to read the instructions provided in your kit. However, if you’re just looking for a quick rundown of the process please check out the steps I wrote out here.
The first phase of any protective coating should always be prep work. This entails thoroughly handwashing, clay barring, and drying the entire exterior. Your second phase consists of paint correction. This includes buffing and polishing scuffs and scratches from the paint. However, the process of paint correction will be specific to your particular needs. Finally, phase three is the actual application of the ceramic coating.
Phase 1: Prep Work
2. Hand wash every exterior surface of the vehicle
2. Completely dry the vehicle
Phase 2: Paint Correction
1. This could mean a quick polish, or repairing paint damage. The goal is to create the cleanest, smoothest surface possible for the coating to adhere to your car fully.
2. Clay the entire vehicle.
Phase 3: Application
1. Add a few drops of the graphene ceramic coating to the applicator.
2. Wipe in a cross-hatch pattern, covering about a 2×2 ft surface area at a time
3. Pause and wait for the coating to flash. Flash times fluctuate with climate, so it’s beneficial to use this step as a time test.
4. Once the rainbow effect fades, use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe the excess product away
5. Let the graphene ceramic coating cure for 12 hours before exposing your car to the elements.
Common Errors and Troubleshooting
Accidents happen, and even the best detailers run into small errors when applying protective coatings. It’s important to walk around the entire car to examine each area before you put your tools away. The sooner you find errors, the easier they are to correct. Below are the two most common user errors I came across and how to fix them. Additionally, if you run into issues, Adam’s customer service is pretty decent – more on that later.
Highspots: This is a very common user error, and is usually easily fixed. A high spot is an area on the vehicle where too much product was used or the product wasn’t buffed out enough. It leaves an uneven and steaky finish.
How to Fix: Use a soft microfiber towel and wipe. This is usually enough to even out faint high spots. If wiping isn’t enough, reapply a very small amount of the graphene ceramic to the applicator. Go back over the high spot with the coating. This will help rehydrate and loosen it up. You don’t need to wait for the flash. Instead, wipe the excess coating off right away with a clean microfiber cloth.
Chalky Appearance on Plastic: This is caused by leaving excess product on the plastic. You want to make sure that you’re properly wiping and buffing plastic just as you would on the rest of the car’s panels. Since the coating doesn’t produce the same rainbow effect on plastic that it does on paint, it’s best to apply the coating to the plastic while doing the nearby panels. This way, when the rainbow flashes on the paint, you’ll know it’s also time to wipe the plastic as well.
How to Fix: Use a tire and rubber cleaner to scrub the coating away. This isn’t difficult but is time-consuming. Once the product is fully removed from the plastic, you’ll need to repeat surface prep on that area. Finally, reapply the graphene ceramic coating.
What are the Benefits Compared to Other Ceramic Coatings?
Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced distinguishes itself from competing products through its use of graphene and, frankly, its proven performance with thousands of reviews on Amazon. Unlike conventional coatings, it offers enhanced scratch resistance, extreme hydrophobicity, and superior longevity, ensuring vehicles remain protected for years to come. As a detailer who has experimented with dozens of ceramic coatings over the years, I can tell you that Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced created some of the deepest shine and water-beading I’ve ever seen.
I’ll also add that the inclusion of silicate resin further fortifies the product’s protective layer, that also adds to the water–beading. Moreover, its versatility extends to various surfaces, including paint, glass, and trim, making it a versatile solution for automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike.
What are the Downsides of this Product?
While Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced excels in performance, its reliance on the UV Tracer Technology kit may be considered a downside for some consumers. The product itself is attractively priced at $132.99, the complete kit, which includes the UV flashlight, commands an additional $40, bringing the total to $172.99. This technology enhances the application process and guarantees thorough coverage, but it does represent an added cost that may deter budget-conscious customers. Also, the very detailed application process may be difficult for inexperienced users, so make sure to take your time and pay attention to the instructions to achieve optimal results.
Customer Service
I’ll go ahead and say that my experiences with Adam’s customer service have always been great. It’s rare to find a company where the customer service representatives are so forthcoming with information. A lot of companies will claim that they can’t answer certain questions because the information is proprietary – which I consider to be code for “we don’t want you to know that the answer to your question might cause you to put our product back on the shelf”.
Another aspect of customer service that I found impressive is that you only have access to three people. Adam’s Polishes doesn’t have a massive team. They have (as of now) three dedicated representatives who know the products inside and out. If your next thought is “I bet you sit on hold for a long time”, let me tell you the wait time is practically non-existent. I have never sat on hold for more than a few minutes. These guys are experts in their field and can navigate calls quickly and efficiently.
From what I was able to gather about the proclaimed 110% Satisfaction Guarantee is that the company offers a 30 day money back guarantee. They’ll also send out gift cards to help you find a product in their line that works for you. Since the company owns the chemical blending facility right at home in Denver, and those chemicals are moved and bottled by hand, they’re pretty confident in their products, and manufacturing errors rarely see the light of day.
Overall, I’d rate customer service over at Adam’s Polishes a 9 out of 10. The only negative aspect of their customer service is that they’re only available until 5pm. Meaning that if you work a day job and detail your car in the evenings like the rest of us, you’re going to have to hold onto your questions until the following business day.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Safe to Use on All Exterior Surfaces of your Vehicle
- UV Tracing Technology
- Easy to Apply
- Good Customer Service
Cons:
- Does not last long on glass
- The price of the kit (which includes the UV light) is a bit too expensive
- Easy to make errors, like high spots or chalky plastic
Conclusion
We all want to protect our assets, and for most of us, one of our biggest assets is our car. If you take care of your car, it will take care of you and hold more value. If you neglect your car that value drops. I get clients coming into my shop all the time asking the same question: How do I maintain or increase my car’s value? Aside from mechanical upkeep, it’s important to maintain the cosmetics or your car. This is where protective coatings come in.
Overall, I think Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating is a great product that will last you a decent handful of years if you take care of it. While it’s unlikely you’ll ever see the full seven years of performance, four to five years is still pretty good. Especially when you take into consideration the low cost.
Product Quality Scores
Strength
9/10
VALUE
8/10
LONGEVITY
8/10
CUSTOMER SERVICE
9/10