If you’re a car enthusiast or have an expensive paint job on your vehicle, you may have considered getting a ceramic coating for your vehicle at one point or another.
But are there advantages in getting a ceramic coating?
Or is it just a gimmick?
Here’s the full list of all ceramic coating benefits:
While ceramic coatings have a variety of benefits, they’re not the right choice of paint protection for everyone.
Keep reading to discover the advantages and disadvantages are of ceramic coatings and how to determine if investing in a ceramic coating is the right choice for you and your vehicle.
What Is Ceramic Coating Used For?
Quick Answer
Ceramic coating is used for both aesthetic and protective reasons. Made of an industry-grade chemical polymer solution, the coating is applied to the outside of a vehicle, creating an additional hydrophobic layer, and can help protect the paint against damage.
This paint protection material is made of a mix of silicates, quartz sand, and polymers. Today’s most common coatings on the market include:
When these elements are applied to a car’s paint job, they form a glossy protective film and refresh the car’s body.
Their thermal and electric properties offer insulation that is protective and long-lasting.
The primary application method in the automotive industry is liquid coating because of its lower cost.
Still, this method can be tedious and difficult and should be done by a professional in a suitable environment.
Benefits Of Ceramic Coatings
The main reason why people pay a hefty price tag for a ceramic coating is that it comes with some serious advantages for you and your car.
The advantages of a ceramic coating are:
Let’s take a detailed look at each of these benefits received from a ceramic coating.
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Your Car Is Protected From UV Rays (Less Oxidation)
Ceramic coatings help protect your paint job and keep your car looking great. Consider the damage the sun is doing to the paint every time it’s exposed to UV rays.
The sun’s rays can oxidize and fade the paint, which makes your car look older and junkier than it actually is.
The additional protective layer that a ceramic coating creates prevents this process from happening, which is especially important if you frequently park your car outside.
Ceramic Coatings Repel Dirt And Mud To Keep Cars Cleaner
Ceramic coatings repel these substances from your vehicle, so if you live in an area with a high level of contaminants or frequently drive on gravel roads, your car will stay cleaner for longer.
Additionally, the process of cleaning your car is easier with a ceramic coating, as it is extremely hydrophobic, so all water-based dirt beads on the surface and slides off.
Also heavier grime like bird droppings, fallout, etc. are easier to clean because they can’t stick to the coating.
All you’ll need to do is hose your car down, and it’ll be shining like new!
You Don’t Need To Wax Your Car
A ceramic coating does everything waxing your vehicle does, so there’s no reason to do both.
Gone are the days of spending hours waxing and buffing your car or spending a fortune to have someone else do it for you!
Ceramic coating is thicker and more durable than wax, so it is ultimately a better product and requires less maintenance.
Your Car Will Look Glossy And New
Adding a ceramic coating to your car gives it a glossy, just-like-new look that lasts a long time.
You’ll have a showroom shine that everyone will be envious of, assuming you take proper care of your coating.
But don’t expect a ceramic coating to turn your used car into a new car.
A ceramic coating will protect your vehicle, but paint damage or other problems might still be visible under the coating.
Ceramic Coatings Protect Your Car From Chemical Stains
Airborne contaminants can damage your car’s paint job without you even knowing.
A ceramic coating creates a chemically resistant surface, preventing contaminants from bonding with your paint.
Chemical damage can come from all sorts of sources, including bird poop, tree sap, industrial fallout, and acid rain.
Getting a ceramic coating will protect your car from all of these.
It’s An Effective Investment for Maintaining Your Car
Getting a high-quality ceramic coating applied to your car isn’t cheap, so it should be considered an investment in the beginning.
However, you’ll save money in the long run on car washes, waxing, and other car detailing services.
Ceramic Coatings Last A Long Time
Unlike waxing and buffing, ceramic coatings last a long time if they are well-maintained.
Unless the coating is exposed to high amounts of abrasion, it will not come off.
You can wash your car as many times as you’d like, and the coating will stay just as strong and effective as it was when it was applied.
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What Are the Disadvantages of a Ceramic Coating?
No product is perfect, and ceramic coatings are certainly no exception.
Here are the disadvantages of a ceramic coating:
Ceramic Coatings Won’t Prevent All Scratches
This is a common misconception. While ceramic coatings are strong and durable and protect from mud and grime, they aren’t magic shields.
If a rock flies up and dings your car, a ceramic coating will not prevent that damage.
At the end of the day, no coating, wax, or sealant will stop all possible damage.
Someone keying your car will damage it, no matter how strong your coating is.
Car Washing Is Still Required
Another common misconception is that getting a ceramic coating eliminates the need to wash your vehicle, but this isn’t true.
The coating certainly makes the cleaning process easier, and your car won’t get as dirty as quickly, but you still need to clean your car.
Ceramic Coating Application Is Expensive
As mentioned above, getting a ceramic coating applied is an effective solution to keeping your car looking great and protecting it from external contaminants.
Still, if you don’t have the money readily available, the initial cost can be a potential deterrent.
Ceramic Coatings Are Difficult To Apply
You may want to avoid some initial expenses by applying a ceramic coating yourself, but this is a difficult and tedious process.
The surface of your car has to be absolutely spotless and with no scratches or damages.
Additionally, ceramic coatings should be applied in non-humid environments, or else you’ll have improper finishing that will ruin your car’s appearance.
Your Car Is Still Susceptible to Water Spotting
Whenever water beads on a car and evaporates, the minerals present in that water are left behind and leave a spot on the paint job where the water dried.
Because ceramic coatings are hydrophobic, the chances of this happening are lower with the coating, but there’s still a chance this could occur.
Paint Imperfections Must Be Fixed Before Coating Is Applied
Unless your paint job is brand new, you most likely have some damage already, such as swirl marks and fine scratches.
If you get a coating applied on top of this damage, everything will be locked in and won’t be fixable unless you remove the coating.
Therefore, you’ll need to take the time and the money to correct all imperfections before getting the coating applied.
Common Ceramic Coating Myths
As ceramic coatings become more popular, several myths have emerged about what they are and what they do.
Here are common myths about ceramic coatings:
Is Ceramic Coating a Gimmick?
Quick Answer
A ceramic coating isn’t a gimmick, but it’s not right for everyone. Ceramic coatings provide additional protection for your car and help keep it looking at it’s best; this particular service is often utilized by serious car enthusiasts and those with expensive paint jobs.
Ultimately, whether or not a ceramic coating is right for you depends on personal preferences, lifestyle, and your vehicle.
If, for example, your car is already scratched-up, a ceramic coating applied won’t fix it, so it may not be worth the investment.
Additionally, if you simply don’t care enough to maintain your car’s paint job, a ceramic coating probably isn’t for you.
However, if you want an effective way to protect your vehicle’s paint job and keep it looking as high-quality as possible, a ceramic coating may be the right solution for you.
Keep in mind, you should only invest if you’re committed to properly washing your car often.
Ceramic Coating Alternatives
If reading this article led you to decide that a ceramic coating isn’t the right choice for you, you have other options. Here are a few to consider:
Key Takeaways
Sources
YouTube: Detail Peoria: Considering a Ceramic Coating? Watch This First!
Vive Houston: Ceramic Coating: What Is It? Benefits? Disadvantages?
Workshop Insider: Ceramic Coating Benefits And Disadvantages | What Is Ceramic Coating?
