Why You Should Ceramic Coat Your Car

Ceramic coating a car has many benefits, not least that it will keep your car looking good as new, even after years of use. This is achieved with minimal maintenance, replacing the need to wax your car every few months to create the shine the car had when new. Here are some detailed reasons why you should ceramic coat your car.

Protection from UV damage

Over time, the paint on a vehicle exposed to the sun becomes dull and faded, due to oxidisation. A ceramic coating protects the car’s pain from ultraviolet light from the sun, which reduces the amount of oxidation.

Protection from chemical stains

Vehicles react to chemicals in the environment that can stain because they are naturally acidic. Whilst environmental pollutants can still attach to your vehicle, it will take much less effort to clean when there is a ceramic coating because the attachment is much less strong. This is because a ceramic coating dramatically lowers the surface tension preventing things like bird droppings, bugs, dirt, tar and graffiti paint from bonding to the surface.

Whilst a ceramic coating can stop some chemicals bonding with the car’s paint, the pollutant still needs to be removed as soon as possible or it will cause damage.

Easy cleaning

Probably the most significant benefit of a ceramic coating is that it repels water. By creating a hydrophobic layer, the coating causes the water to bead on the surface and slide off more easily. This is known as the self-cleaning effect.

Permanent protection

Ceramic coatings can be a one-time application if maintained correctly, whereas sealants and waxes degrade quickly and have to be reapplied every few months.

Cost effective

Whilst a ceramic coating may appear execessive, you are paying for several hours work not just in applying the coat, but in preparing the car ready for coating. Over time, there is a good return on the money, particularly when compared to the cost of protecting a vehicle with a car wax over a period of time. If you calculate how much it would cost to wax your car over five years, which would be about 20 times if you want to keep up with durability of many ceramic coatings, you will save money with a ceramic coating compared to waxing. Add in paint protection and ease of maintenance and ceramic coatings comes out on top.

Good investment

A ceramic coating will protect the vehicle’s exterior and interior from deteriorating over its lifetime. This means that the resale market value will be substantially higher, giving a good return on your investment.

Ceramic sealant

It is important not to confuse a ceramic coating with a ceramic sealant. The main ingredient in ceramic coatings is Si02 (silica / silicon dioxide). You can find this in other products such as wash soaps and paint sealants, but there are not “coatings” as they are not resin based so protection lasts from just days to months. Be careful you are not being sold a sealant when you want a ceramic coating.

Improved gloss

The nano technology allows the Ceramic nanoparticles to fill the smallest pores in the paint which, when expertly applied to the vehicle will enhance the reflective properties of the paint, which adds depth and clarity to the colour. Read more about nanotechnology

Choosing a professional

If you are looking for someone to install the ceramic coating, check online for reviews and ask for photos of previous work. You may be part of a car enthusiasts group where you can ask for recommendations and see the workmanship on the vehicles that have already been treated.

Also look up reviews on the brand product that is being used on your vehicle so that you can gain an understanding as to what you can expect.

The skill set of the installer is more important than the product they use, as many coating products are similar in chemical make-up, so seeing previous work is most important. If possible, ask to see cars that have been ceramic coated a while ago and then maintained by the same installer. This helps you choose a specialist who can maintain the coating on your vehicle on an annual basis.