What are ceramic coatings?
Ceramic coating is a polymer blend applied on the surface of your car. It acts as a fourth layer on the exterior of your car. The first of the three being the primer, which is the first layer on top of the metal sheet, then comes the second coat which is the base color of your car. The third and last layer is the clear coat that gives your car the shiny fresh out of factory look that you get out of new cars. Ceramic coating is the fourth layer applied on top of the clear coat so that your car can maintain that glossy look even after years of use. It’s like a suit of armor for the exterior of your car.
How long do ceramic coatings last?
To put it straight ceramic coats can last from anywhere between 3 to 5 years and the longevity and performance of your ceramic coating depends on several reasons such as the weather conditions, the environment, how you maintain your car and other factors that we will discuss in detail below to help you get the most out of your investment.
How Durable Is Ceramic Coating? Is it even worth it to get your car ceramic coated?
A ceramic coating is an invisible coat of armor around your car, and it is durable. It creates a hydrophobic (water repellent) layer around the car that causes water to bead and slide the car with ease. It causes the dirt and grime to not stick to the surface and protects the car from UV rays and oxidation. Every new car owner should opt for some type of paint protection for your car and ceramic coating is a good option. If you want your car to get a good resale value, don’t have a dull color and maintain its original shine ceramic coating is a great option, and it is well worth it.
Different Qualities of ceramic coatings and how durable are they?
There are different qualities of ceramic coatings and how long they last vary for each type. Let’s discuss the factors that affect the durability of each type.
There are spray-on coatings, and they can be classified into two types. The first one is Teflon based sprays and in the world of ceramic coatings they have the lowest life. These sprays have low strength, and they can be worn quickly, but these sprays can create a hydrophobic surface and provide a good enough non-stick and heat proof surface, but you have to reapply the ceramic spray every month or so.
Another spray on solution is the SiO spray coatings. They contain silica and titanium dioxide and can create a stronger bond than Teflon based sprays as they use nanotechnology. This enables the spray to bond at a microscopic level which creates a stronger layer of bonding. Ceramic sprays can last from a couple of months to a year. Read this to understand more about spray on ceramic coatings.
Then in terms of durability come the DIY kits. These are consumer grade ceramic coatings and are easy to use but are not for everyone as not everyone, especially those who are doing this for the first time can mess up. These can last up to 2 years.
The final type is professionally applied coatings. Nanotechnology is also incorporated in them and your car’s surface is usually professionally coated before it is applied. Professionally applied coatings provide the most strength and last the longest, which is up to five years.
What causes ceramic coating to wear off and how to stop that from happening:
Ceramic coating is prone to wear and tear as it is constantly protecting your car’s surface from various elements. There are a lot of thigs that can cause the coat to wear off quickly such as harsh weather conditions, UV radiations Environmental factors and oxidation. Let’s dive into these factors and talk about how to protect your car from them.
Harsh Weather:
Areas with extreme hot and extreme cold weather conditions will make the coating expand and contract. Where we live it can gets chilly, so when we drive the engine produces heat, and the coat expands and when we park it overnight in the snow it contracts. This is how harsh weather conditions cause significant wear and tear to the coating.
Environmental conditions :
Environmental conditions such as bird droppings, tree sap, mud and how much rain your area will affect your ceramic coating. Ceramic coating provides excellent protection from all these things but negligence to clean the car of such things and too much exposure will shorten the life of the coating, it is highly recommended that you park your car indoors especially when parking overnight.
Protection from UV Damage and Oxidation.
The sun can be a real enemy to the paintwork, it can dull the colour of your car and even cause oxidation. The good thing is that ceramic coating can easily protect your car from UV radiations, but it is strongly advised to park your can whenever possible.
Professional vs. DIY Application?
There are two ways to get ceramic coating applied to your car. You can hire a professional to do the job or you can do it yourself. The appeal of the latter is increasing day by day as new DIY kits are emerging in the market and they are cheap too. They can work for some people who have some knowledge about them, but they are not for everyone, and they only last from a couple of months to a year. If you want your ceramic coating to last it is recommended to get it professionally applied from a well reputed place, so that every single inch of your car gets the protection it deserves.
Maintenance tips to maximize the life of your ceramic coating:
As we have discussed above, ceramic coating can last anywhere between 2 to 5 years and even beyond. The question is how I can maximize the longevity of my ceramic coating and get the most out of it. Here are some essential tips to help you do just that:
Proper maintenance can extend the life of your ceramic coating. There are a lot of things trying to damage the coating but your commitment to maintaining your car can extend the coat’s life and get you your money’s worth. There is not a lot to consider. Just start using a pH neutral car soap when cleaning your car. Do not use soap with high alkaline blend, ceramic coatings don’t work well with soaps containing harsh chemicals. And keep your car away from automatic car washes. Click here to learn everything about how to wash your ceramic coated car.
Along with regular washes you should also opt for detailing every six months or a year along with a check up on the ceramic coating. Most of the professional vendors provide packages for regular checkups and detailing.
What is the best time to get a ceramic coating?
The best time to get your car coated is right after you buy it. Or when you have done paint correction on your car or have it repainted. That is when your car looks its best. That is the time to ceramic coat your car to keep it looking like that for years. Ceramic coating is a type of paint correction and the best time to get it done is when your paint looks its best, which is right out of the showroom.
