Is Ceramic Coating Worth it? Benefits of Ceramic Coating
Sea-Land Chemical Company |
Ceramic coatings have revolutionized the auto detailing industry, enabling car owners to preserve a like-new paint job for years. These coatings deliver a showroom shine while standing up to challenges such as UV rays, dirt, and pollutants. Available in professional, car wash, and DIY formulations, quality ceramic coatings offer varying levels of protection. Below, we’ll define the term ceramic coating, compare ceramic coating types and how they measure up against traditional waxes and polishes, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic coating.
What is Ceramic Coating, and How Does it Work?
What does ceramic coating do for a car, and how does ceramic coating work? Ceramic coating creates a barrier over the vehicle’s paint, which provides some protection from outside elements such as soil, water spots, and small scratches. This coating can be applied in various ways, including by a professional, in a tunnel wash, and at home with DIY ceramic coating. Each of these options will give the vehicle’s paint a protective and hydrophobic layer.
Professional Ceramic Coating
For a professional detailer, ceramic coating is a semi-permanent nano-coating that creates a protective and hydrophobic clear coat for the vehicle’s paint. Professional ceramic coating is a paint treatment cured on the vehicle to provide a semi-permanent bond with paint. This type of ceramic coating is typically made from silicone dioxide to create a hydrophobic barrier.
Tunnel Wash
A tunnel wash provides a ceramic coating effect on the vehicle’s surface, which is a spray-on silicone that helps keep the vehicle shiny and prevent water spots. This silicone coating creates a hydrophobic surface and allows the car wash to last longer than other tunnel wash treatments. This type of treatment can last up to a few car washes.
DIY Ceramic Coating
The third way to achieve a ceramic coating is to apply it at home in a do-it-yourself ceramic coating. These auto detailing products come in a spray bottle and are applied to the car’s surface with a soft microfiber cloth. This type of product can be tricky to use, time-consuming, and not as effective. These DIY ceramic coating products also have a silicone base to help provide a hydrophobic surface on the vehicle and help protect against water spots and dust.
Waxes and Polishes
Alternatives to ceramic coatings include waxes and polishes, which can be applied by professional detailers, in tunnel washes, or at home. While these products also enhance shine and offer hydrophobic properties similar to ceramic coatings, they typically do not provide the same level of durability. Waxes and polishes generally require more frequent application to maintain their protective effects compared to longer-lasting ceramic coatings.
How Long Does Ceramic Coating Last?
The length of time a ceramic coating lasts will depend on a few factors, from the type of ceramic coating to the upkeep of the vehicle. A professional ceramic coat will last 2 to 5 years, depending on the maintenance and upkeep of the owner. A tunnel-wash ceramic-style coat will work for a few car washes. Lastly, a DIY ceramic coating is similar to a tunnel wash ceramic coating and will last for a few washes before needing to be reapplied.
Is Ceramic Coating Good for Your Car?
Ceramic coating can be good for your car because it helps to protect the paint from external factors such as debris in the road, bird droppings and small scratches. A professional ceramic coating creates a durable and long-lasting barrier on the vehicle’s surface. A DIY and tunnel wash will create a hydrophobic surface that will help to protect the vehicle’s surface as well.
Is Ceramic Coating Worth it?
The answer is it depends. There are many pros and cons to ceramic coating. If you have the time to do it yourself or pay a professional, adding a protective layer to the vehicle does not hurt. An alternative to both is adding it on at the next tunnel wash. This will also provide the vehicle with a short-term protective silicone layer.
More Benefits of Ceramic Coating
Why consider a ceramic coating? It provides a protective layer for your vehicle’s paint, helping it stay looking new for longer. The hydrophobic properties of the applied ceramic coating prevent water spots and make future washes easier by reducing the adhesion of debris. Additionally, a ceramic coating can minimize the likelihood of scratches. While professional ceramic coatings offer the longest-lasting protection, DIY and tunnel wash options also provide some degree of durability, with each type offering varying levels of effectiveness.
Ceramic Coating Disadvantages
Ceramic coatings offer significant paint protection but are not a permanent or foolproof solution. While they can shield your vehicle from scratches, they don’t make the paint scratch-proof. Ceramic coatings come in various types and price ranges. Professional-grade coatings, which require expert application, can be quite costly and must be applied by a specialist.
On the other hand, DIY and tunnel-wash ceramic coatings are more budget-friendly but do not offer the same longevity or protection as professional treatments. These at-home options often need to be reapplied more frequently and can be challenging to apply evenly, potentially leading to streaks or uneven protection.
Learn more by vising Sea-Land’s Auto Care page
Conclusion
There is a lot of buzz about the silicone-based coating that protects vehicle paint. Ceramic coating will provide the vehicle’s paint with a protective coating. On the professional scale, this will be a semi-permanent, long-lasting nano-coating, while the at-home and tunnel wash options will be a silicone spray.
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