7 Simple Benefits Of Ceramic Coating (+6 Major Disadvantages)

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:

  • Your car is protected from UV rays.
  • Ceramic coatings repel dirt and mud to keep cars cleaner.
  • You don’t need to wax your car.
  • Your car will look glossy and new.
  • Ceramic coatings protect your car from chemical stains.
  • It’s an effective investment for maintaining your car.
  • Ceramic coatings last a long time.

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:

  • Alumina
  • Titania
  • Zirconia 
  • Alumina-magnesia 
  • Hafnia
  • Silicon carbide 
  • Silicon nitride
  • Boron carbide 

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: 

  • Your car is protected from UV rays.
  • Ceramic coatings repel dirt and mud to keep cars cleaner.
  • You don’t need to wax your car.
  • Your car will look glossy and new.
  • Ceramic coatings protect your car from chemical stains.
  • It’s an effective investment for maintaining your car.
  • Ceramic coatings last a long time.

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.
  • Car washing is still required.
  • Ceramic coating application is expensive.
  • Ceramic coatings are difficult to apply.
  • Your car is still susceptible to water spotting.
  • Paint imperfections must be fixed before the coating is applied. 

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: 

  • Ceramic coatings make cars rock chip resistant. Ceramic coatings are strong, but they’re not that strong. If a rock flies up and hits your car, it can still leave a chip even with a ceramic coating. 
  • Ceramic coatings make vehicles fire-proof. Some ceramic coating companies have made this claim, but it’s false. Ceramic coatings do prevent heat exposure and UV rays, but they’re far from fire-proof. 
  • Ceramic coatings last forever. Ceramic coatings are extremely strong and last a long time if properly maintained, but re-coating will be necessary eventually. The ultimate longevity depends on maintenance and outside elements. Still, they certainly outlast sealants and waxes. 
  • Ceramic coatings are a substitution for basic maintenance. It may seem like a ceramic coating can be applied to your car as a catch-all preventive measure, but this isn’t true. You must still wash your car frequently with high-quality car shampoo.  

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: 

  • Car waxes. Wax is a mix of materials that act as a barrier to protect your car’s paint from the environment, just like a ceramic coating. The most popular waxes are paraffin, montan, and carnauba waxes. Waxing provides protection, but it doesn’t last nearly as long as a ceramic coating. However, if you’re looking to avoid the high initial cost of a ceramic coating installation, waxing may be the way to go. 
  • Graphene coatings. Graphene is slick, highly flexible, and durable, making it comparable to other coatings and sealants on the market, including ceramic coatings. Graphene coatings are less prone to water spotting than ceramic, and they are easier to apply. They tend to be cheaper than ceramic coatings, but not by much. 
  • Glazes. Glazes are non-abrasive products that mask imperfections and enhance your car’s surface. This is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to enhance your car’s paint job, but the effects are short-lived, especially if you wash your car frequently. 
  • Sealants. Sealants are synthetic, man-made products that provide durable protection and are resistant to heat and UV rays. They are less glossy than ceramic coatings, but they have similar hydrophobic potentials and encourage water and other grime to come right off. 
  • Layering multiple products. Layering multiple product types can offer various benefits, but you have to make sure you’re layering them properly. First, the most durable product should be used as the base, and the topcoat should be whatever outward behavior you want to notice the most. Typically, sealants go on the bottom, and any coating (graphene or ceramic) goes on top. 

Key Takeaways

  • Ceramic coatings are polymer solutions applied to a car’s exterior to provide additional protection and an aesthetically pleasing shine. 
  • Benefits of getting a ceramic coating include its overall effectiveness and protection of your car’s paint job. 
  • Disadvantages to ceramic coatings are they’re expensive, difficult to apply, and don’t protect your car from every kind of damage. 
  • Ultimately, a ceramic coating is a quality product, but whether or not it’s right for you depends on your car’s current condition and your personal preferences. 
  • Alternatives to ceramic coatings include waxes, graphene coatings, glazes, and sealants. You can even layer multiple products if desired. 

Sources

YouTube: Detail Peoria: Considering a Ceramic Coating? Watch This First! 

International Journal of Modern Trends in Engineering and Science: Enhancement of Car Life, Engine Performance, and Emission Test by Using Coatings 

Vive Houston: Ceramic Coating: What Is It? Benefits? Disadvantages?

Workshop Insider: Ceramic Coating Benefits And Disadvantages | What Is Ceramic Coating?

Jan-Lucas Ganssauge
Jan-Lucas Ganssauge