What is a Ceramic Coating 2025
What is a Ceramic Coating?
A ceramic coating, also known as a ceramic nano coating, is a liquid polymer that is applied to the exterior surfaces of a vehicle to protect them from damage caused by environmental factors, such as UV rays, acid rain, bird droppings, and other contaminants that may cause harm to the paint.
Effects of a ceramic coating
A ceramic coating forms a protective layer on the paint surface of the car, protecting it from light scratches and environmental contaminants. It should be noted that a ceramic coating is not scratch proof as if enough pressure is applied on the paint surface, it will be scratched.
Nano Coating chemistry explained
The ceramic coating is made up of Nano sized ceramic particles that bond with the surface of the material, creating a protective ceramic layer that is highly resistant to light scratches, chips, and fading.
The term 9h ceramic coating, describes the hardness of the ceramic coatings on the market. Ceramic Coatings are silica based. SiO2 (silicon dioxide) is the main component of a ceramic coating used in the automotive industry.
This technology of using silicon dioxide for paint protection is an amazing breakthrough for the car industry.
Hydrophobic Properties and Effects
A 9h Ceramic coating also provides a hydrophobic layer that has amazing hydrophobic properties where the transparent layer of the coating enhances the color of the paint on the car.
Best reason to insatall a ceramic coating
A nano ceramic coating is popular in the automotive industry because it provides a long-lasting protective layer or as we now describe as coating, that can help maintain the appearance of the paint for years. A ceramic coating for cars protects the paint against UV rays which can cause fading or degradation of the clear coat on the car, against rock chips and against acid rain.
Types of Ceramic Coatings
- Professional Grade Ceramic Coating
- Consumer Grade Ceramic Coating
Professional Grade Ceramic Coating?
A professional-grade ceramic coating is a high-quality coating for use by professional auto detailers. The coatings are typically formulated with advanced ceramic materials such as a high quantity of silica oxide and may have additional additives for enhanced performance and durability. They are also more expensive than consumer-grade coatings.
A professional grade ceramic coating is also known as a 9h ceramic coating. These cannot be used as a diy ceramic coating. A diy ceramic coating kit may be ideal for detailing enthusiasts which will still provide protection at an affordable price. DIY consumer kits are available online for purchase as well as auto detailing shops.
What does a professional grade Ceramic Coating Cost.
The cost starts from USD$400 upwards and professional grade car coatings in my opinion are the best for surface protection thus far for cars and trucks.
Professional Grade Ceramic Coating Benefits
The benefits are below:
Enhanced durability,
Improved scratch resistance,
Outstanding gloss,
High chemical resistance,
Amazing paint protection
Great longevity
Bird droppings that are mainly made up of acid, will also have little to no effect on a professional grade ceramic coating. A professional grade ceramic coating will also add protection against minor rock chips. The best ceramic coating in my opinion would be the System X MAX Nano Ceramic Coating to provide a level of protection against rock chips
Some of the best ceramic coatings can have a curing time of up to 72 hours. These ceramic coatings are known as professional grade ceramic coatings.
It must be noted that professional grade ceramic coatings are a lot more challenging to apply than a consumer grade ceramic coating and may require specialized equipment and training to achieve optimal results for perfect car paint protection.
With that being said, it’s often recommended that a professional grade ceramic coating be installed by accredited installers with the necessary expertise and equipment.
What is a Consumer Grade Ceramic Coating?
A consumer-grade ceramic coating is designed for use by non-professional individuals or DIY enthusiasts and also provides great paint protection.
Benefits of a Consumer Grade Ceramic Coating
These coatings are inexpensive
Curing process is a lot shorter
Easier to apply than a professional grade ceramic coating, making them a popular choice for DIY car enthusiasts and homeowners.
They can also be purchased at local auto detailing shops and do not require certification for installation.
Good durability for the paint’s surface
Scratch-resistant properties,
Good gloss finish
It’s important to note that consumer grade ceramic coatings may not offer the same level of performance or durability as professional grade coatings. For best results, it is important to carefully research and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying a ceramic coating.
What does a consumer grade ceramic coating cost.
The cost starts from USD$300 upwards.
Disadvantages of a consumer grade ceramic coating
A consumer grade ceramic coating however, wont be highly resistant to some factors such as rock chips but still will add protection for up to 18 months depending on the brand of ceramic coating used. Once the consumer grade ceramic coating is applied, it needs to cure for some time, typically 24 hours, before the vehicle can be driven.
Why is a ceramic coating used?
The automotive industry mainly use a ceramic coating for paint protection, high temperature and extreme heat resistance, easy cleaning of the car and paint enhancement. A ceramic coating also provide hydrophobic properties to allow water to easily glide over the vehicle’s paint.
This transparent ceramic coating is definitely a revolution in paint protection. Overall, a ceramic coating is an effective way to protect the exterior of a vehicle or other surfaces from damage and preserve its appearance for a longer period of time.
Is a ceramic coating good for your car?
Ceramic coatings make your cars look a lot better than other car coats. With paint correction performed before application, it can enhance the look and color of the automobile paint giving you an enhanced and even better showroom finish. Also that level of protection is amazing as it also preserves the color of the vehicle.
Don’t buy a Ceramic Coating until you read this!
In the ideal situation, every car will be ideally clean when it is rolled out of the factory assembly line. Fortunately modern ceramic coatings have provided car manufacturers with heightened weapons and protection against the elements, including bird attacks, trees’ sap, and oxidation, amongst other things. You can also check out my listing below for the best ceramic coating.
There are many brands of Ceramic Coatings available on the market today. Choosing a Ceramic Coating is all about your budget coupled with the quality of your paint surface on your vehicle to be ceramic coated. Some of the brands are listed below:
Professional Grade Ceramic Coatings
- System X
- Gtechniq
- Carpro Finest Reserve
- Nanolex
- Feynlab
- Modesta
- IGL Kenzo Coatings
Consumer Grade Ceramic Coatings
- Adams Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating
- Adams Advanced Graphene Ceramic Spray Coat
- Adams UV Graphene Ceramic Spray Coat
- Carpro Cquartz UK 3.0
- Ethos Graphene Matrix Coating
- Ethos Boats & Coats Marine Coating
- Ethos Graphene V2.0 Matrix Coating
- Ethos Graphene Ceramic Coating MAX
- Angelwax legacy Titanium Ceramic Coating
Note: No professional grade ceramic coating will protect your automobile against bullets as it does not make the car bulletproof.
What’s with all of the online hype about a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is the best protection to present date, giving you protection for your vehicles paint and other parts from 18 months to over ten years. Ceramic coated cars last longer ! 🙂
Is a Nano Ceramic Coating permanent?
Although a ceramic coating creates a semi-permanent bond between the paintwork of vehicles, glass plastics, or clear coats it does not make any indestructible armor. Over time the molecular structure in even the toughest 9H coatings may deteriorate, causing the removal of the coating completely. However, the use of ceramic coatings provides at least a two to ten year lifespan.
Paint correction
A car’s paint does not have to be perfect to apply ceramic coating. The vehicle’s paintwork must at least show no signs of degradation. The car’s surface must be cleaned of microscopic imperfections, various forms of impurities and other substances.
The paint must be properly cleaned of any chemicals used in the preparation process. Performing a degreasing treatment, a clay bar treatment, tar removal and polishing the clear coat on the car surface is crucial prior to ceramic coating application.
If a car has just came out of the paint shop, the paint must be allowed to cure at least one month before a ceramic coat application. Paint condition and paint surface is very crucial in a ceramic coating application for all types of cars.
The surface of the clear coat must be basically bare so the ceramic will properly adhere to the surface. Proper surface application is key for all ceramic coatings using the proper application with the proper applicator pad.
How do you remove an existing ceramic coating from a car?
Removing ceramic coatings from the vehicle is seldom as easy as its application, however, with appropriate tools, materials, and of course, skill coupled with experience, it is possible to complete it in a few days.
The simplest and most effective method of removing the thin layer from your vehicle’s exterior firstly by polishing. Then if there is still ceramic coating present, micro-fining followed by a 2 stage paint correction must be used.
Both methods are crucial and require skill and experience to perform. Knowledge on types of cars and car paint is necessary to accomplish this task. Different models of cars carry different quality and thickness of paint on them. Over time, this knowledge on different model of cars will increase.
How many layers of ceramic coating does a car need?
With our trusted brand such as System X Ceramic Coatings, only one layer is needed. Some other brands need 2 layers of ceramic coating application and must be applied by certified professionals.
How long does a ceramic coating last?
A high quality ceramic coating such as System X carries a range from 2 years to 10 years depending on the package the customer chooses and is most definitely a professional grade ceramic coating and is also known as the best ceramic coating of choice in the industry today.
Once a diy ceramic coating enthusiast does the proper prep work, proper preparation and it is properly applied, they will get an extended longevity for the car’s finish.
This also applies to the professional grade ceramic coating. A ceramic coat also provides long lasting protection for the paint.
Is a ceramic coating better than car wax?
Car owners commonly use wax by incorporating a lot of elbow grease but this merely acts as a sacrificial layer as it is removed at times with just a quick rinse with a harsh chemical. Ceramic Coating is very durable.
The material resists heat a lot better than wax. Wax merely resides on the surface. It has no chemical bond like ceramic coating. In other words, wax is not durable and wax is definitely not a good layer for paint protection currently since ceramic coatings came onto the market.
Maintenance
A ceramic coated car that comes in for maintenance of the paint’s protective coating after a ceramic coating application is crucial for paint protection. After a ceramic coating is applied to the paint, the car’s surface has to be washed with a very soft microfiber towel or wash mitt for cleaning it to upkeep the maintenance of it.
A ceramic coated car has to be treated with utmost care. The vehicle must be washed often using a pH-neutral car shampoo that has no wax or sealants incorporated into the formula. This regular washing has to be done to remove dirt and other contaminants from the surface that will compromise the coating’s integrity.
The wipe process must also be gentle to avoid heavy swirl marks. Fortunately the ceramic coating protects against light swirl marks and light scratches. Using the proper cleaning agents for ceramic coatings on the paint surface, impurities such as road grime and tree sap can be removed easily without causing any harmful effects such as heavy scratches.
After the wash process is completed, a ceramic spray coating may be applied over the car paint. This ceramic spray coating is known as a “topper” and lasts from 3 to 9 months depending on the brand you choose to enhance the coating’s super hydrophobic abilities.
This is called a ceramic topper. Choice in a ceramic coating product as a topper can make a lot of difference in the longevity of the ceramic coating as well as enhancing the scratch proof capabilities.
This now provides ultimate paint protection and acts as an additional layer of ceramic protection. This how you maintain the surface thereby preserving your ceramic coating and by extension your paint.
Once a ceramic coated car is carefully treated and maintained, longevity of the paint, clear coat and ceramic coating will be ensured.
Care must also be taken when working on the surface of the paint. Ceramic coating for cars is extremely revolutionary and I would definitely recommend it to any one who is interested in protecting their investment.
Maintaining a ceramic coating is a very simple process and this helps in the overall appearance of the coating. it also extends the longevity of it as well as some nano ceramic coatings come with a warranty attached.
The vehicle should be dried using an air blower or a very soft low pile microfiber towel with a gsm rating of around 800 to 1100.
Harsh or abrasive chemicals and automatic car wash with brushes will most certainly scratch the surface and damage the coating.
Ceramic coatings must be inspected bi-annually to detect any wear and tear. This wear and tear can be due to harsh chemicals being used on the vehicle. Also, grime and tar can cause a common problem known as “clogging” on the paint surface.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your ceramic coating remains in good condition and provides long-lasting protection for your car or cars
