What is Ceramic Coating? The Science of Ceramic Coating

Sea-Land Chemical Company | October 4, 2024

How does a professional ceramic coating work and what is ceramic coating made of? This protective layer applied to the automobile can be attributed to nanoparticles incorporated into the ceramic coating process. These particles are included in the ceramic to make the vehicle’s paint stronger and smoother.

Nanoparticles are tiny particles that range from 1 to 100 nanometers and are the building blocks for professional ceramic coating. These particles help to significantly enhance the durability and performance of the ceramic material. To name a few of the nanoparticles, they are a combination of silicon dioxide, graphene oxide, and titanium dioxide.

The science of ceramic coating boils down to the way these nanoparticles interact and bond with the vehicle’s surface and paint. The nanoparticles work to improve the hardness and durability of the paint. these particles will also help increase the hydrophobicity and smoothness of the vehicle’s surface.

The Bonding Mechanism Behind Silicone, Titanium, and Graphene Coating

Since a professional ceramic coat is applied and cured for some time, this allows the chemicals to bond with the vehicle’s paint. This bonding allows for the surface to harden and be protected from small scratches and environmental soils.

Some of the nanoparticles in ceramic coating that help achieve this bond are:

Silicone dioxide works to improve the hardness and scratch resistance. It helps by forming a durable high-gloss finish and improves the overall wear of the coating.
Titanium dioxide provides a UV protective property and works to improve the coating’s resistance to weathering.
Graphene oxide enhances the mechanical strength of the coating. Graphene ceramic coating is used in more performance based and specialized applications

Hydrophobicity and Self-Cleaning Properties

Ceramic coatings create a hydrophobic layer over a vehicle’s factory paint, causing water to bead up and roll off effortlessly. This water-resistant layer not only enhances the vehicle’s appearance but also provides a “self-cleaning” effect by preventing contaminants from sticking to the surface. Thanks to the hydrophobic properties of automobile ceramic coatings, water and other potential pollutants are easily repelled, keeping the vehicle looking cleaner for longer.

Ceramic Coating information

Ceramic coating has become a popular choice in automotive detailing for protecting a vehicle’s paint. It can be applied professionally, added during a tunnel wash, or even done at home. Regardless of the application method, ceramic coating offers significant benefits for maintaining and enhancing your car’s paint. For car owners seeking to preserve a like-new finish, choosing ceramic coating is a worthwhile investment to safeguard the paint against various elements.

Learn more by visiting Sea-Land’s Auto Care page

Benefits of Ceramic Coating

The purpose of ceramic coating is to provide an additional layer of protection for a vehicle’s factory paint. This coating helps maintain the paint’s pristine appearance by shielding it from environmental damage. One of the key benefits is its UV resistance, which prevents the original paint from fading over time. Additionally, ceramic coatings protect against contaminants in water, such as acid rain and minerals, by creating a hydrophobic layer that causes water to bead up and roll off, reducing the risk of water spots. Ceramic coatings also offer some scratch resistance by filling in minor scratches and helping to prevent new ones from forming.

Types of Ceramic Coatings

This blog primarily focuses on professionally applied ceramic coatings, but there are also DIY options and ceramic coating-like treatments available at tunnel car washes. These alternatives are more affordable but generally offer shorter-lasting results. Despite this, they still provide a notable shine and some level of protection for your vehicle’s paint. Typically, these options use a silicone-based formula to create a hydrophobic surface that enhances gloss. While DIY and tunnel-wash ceramic coatings offer some resistance to minor scratches, they lack the durability and hardness that the nanoparticles provide in professional formulas.

Disadvantages of Ceramic coating

There are some ceramic coating disadvantages, even though it offers many benefits. Professional-grade ceramic coatings typically last between 2 to 5 years, depending on maintenance. Tunnel wash and at-home treatments will last for a few washes. However, they are not permanent and will eventually need reapplication. Additionally, ceramic coatings provide excellent protection against minor scratches but they cannot prevent larger scratches or more severe damage. The coating creates a thin protective layer that helps guard against everyday wear but does not offer complete immunity against all types of damage. Additionally, professionally applied ceramic coatings can be quite costly.

Future Innovations in Ceramic Coatings

There are always new trends and advancements in the automotive care industry. Some of the advancements that could further revolutionize ceramic coatings are graphene-based coatings. A graphene-based coating will incorporate graphene into the ceramic coating. This will improve the strength and flexibility of the coating as well as create a more durable and versatile coating.

Another advancement is with eco-friendly and sustainable coatings. These could be in the form of biodegradable coatings which are developed with environmentally conscious materials or that can safely break down. Another sustainable option would be a low-VOC formulation. By reducing the volatile organic compounds in the ceramic coating formulation, they can be made environmentally friendly without compromising performance.

Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Ceramic Coatings

Permanent ceramic coating doesn’t exist, but regular ceramic coating applications provide your vehicle with a layer of protection while on the paint. A professional ceramic coating works by nanoparticles bonding with the surface of the vehicle to provide a long-lasting, durable, and hydrophobic coating. These nanoparticles play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of professional ceramic coatings by improving the hardness, durability, chemical resistance, hydrophobicity, surface smoothness, and even some self-cleaning abilities.

There are different types of ceramic coating, including professionally applied, at-home, or tunnel wash. All provide your vehicle with protective and hydrophobic benefits. The difference will come down to how long they last.