A ceramic coating is a semipermanent paint protection product that won’t fade away like a car wax or paint sealant after a few car washes. Ceramic coatings are highly chemical-resistant, and abrasion is the only way to remove them; whether from a paint correction or general wear and tear from road debris. It can be easy to get caught up in manufacturers’ claims regarding how long a ceramic coating will last. However, it’s better to consider the number of annual miles a car travels and the climate. Weather conditions are a more significant factor in ceramic coating longevity than time.
Ceramic Coatings Explained
- Types of Ceramic Coating
- Ceramic Coating Pros and Cons
- Professional Coatings vs. Consumer Coatings
- Are Ceramic Coating Warranties Worth It?
- How to Maintain a Ceramic Coating
- Is Ceramic Coating Worth the Cost?
Ceramic Coating Types
Read on to learn more about the different types of ceramic coatings and which ones might be right for your car detailing needs.
Each ceramic coating has a different formulation and offers unique properties to better protect each section of the car. In most cases, you can use leftover ceramic paint coating to protect wheels. However, ceramic wheel coating is formulated to withstand higher heat and will last longer under extreme conditions.
- Paint Coating
- Glass Coating
- Wheel Coating
- Trim Coating
Ceramic Paint Coating – Protecting the paint is one of the best ways to maintain a car’s resale value. A ceramic paint coating is a long-term investment in preserving a car’s appearance. It can help a vehicle look like it just rolled off the showroom floor when the odometer reaches six-digit numbers. A 30-milliliter bottle of ceramic coating is enough to coat small and medium vehicles, and a 50-milliliter bottle is enough to cover large vehicles.
Ceramic Glass Coating – Whether or not you care about your car’s looks, a ceramic glass coating makes sense for every driver. Not only will a glass coating prevent mineral deposits, but it also will improve visibility while driving in inclement weather. Water will bead and roll off the windshield starting at around 40 mph (depending on the slope of the windscreen), decreasing the need to use the wipers.
Ceramic Wheel Coating – Wheels experience some of the most extreme conditions on a car, and ceramic wheel coatings are extra tough. With a temperature resistance of almost 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, wheel coatings are also up to the challenge of protecting brake calipers and exhaust. Applying a layer to the wheel faces can quickly be done while they’re on the car. However, a wheels-off ceramic coating application will provide maximum protection because it also protects the wheel barrels (the part of the wheel between the outboard face and inboard rim edge).
Ceramic Trim Coating – Plastic trim fades over time from exposure to the sun, and ceramic trim coatings can help minimize damage from UV rays. Trim coatings protect the porous plastic often found on the wiper cowl or used as fender cladding. One bottle of ceramic trim coating will coat multiple vehicles, including vehicles like the Honda Element and Subaru Outback Wilderness, which have no shortage of plastic cladding.
Ceramic Coatings Pros and Cons
Ceramic coatings are extraordinarily hydrophobic and have a low surface tension, making car washes effortless. Besides regular car washes, a ceramic coating will benefit from an application of ceramic spray sealant/coating booster every few months to provide a sacrificial barrier. Coated paint contaminated with tree sap can easily be washed clean compared to uncoated paint, where the sap bonds almost instantly.
Ceramic Coatings Pros – Ceramic coatings offer a level of protection that is unsurpassed. The length of time that a ceramic coating lasts, surface slickness, and hydrophobic properties are genuinely something to behold. Coatings are unaffected by strong chemicals such as all-purpose cleaner, iron remover, and tar remover, which can easily remove paint sealants and waxes.
- Long-term durability
- Self-cleaning abilities
- Enhanced contamination protection
- Improved scratch resistance
- Increases paint gloss and shine
Ceramic Coatings Cons – Ceramic coatings have a lot of positive attributes. Still, their greatest strength might also be their Achilles’ heel. The long-term durability that ceramic coatings provide can pose challenges when maintaining swirl-free paint. Proper car care is required to minimize paint scratches and etchings. Once a ceramic coating is damaged, fixing it involves polishing the paint and adding a new layer of coating. Spot repairs are possible but should cover the entire panel to ensure thorough coverage.
- Time-consuming application
- High upfront cost
- Professional application recommended
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Professional Coatings vs. Consumer Coatings
Professional-grade coatings require proper coating maintenance. Without it, the paint may have scratches and swirls long before the coating degrades. Three to five years is a long time for a car’s paint to go without needing any paint correction, especially if it’s your daily driving vehicle. Remember this as you research ceramic coatings: Nothing lasts forever, and claims of lifetime ceramic coatings are not likely to stand the test of time.
Professional Grade Ceramic Coatings – These are only available through manufacturer-approved detailers and usually have a more concentrated formula. Professional-grade coatings are significantly more expensive due to their increased durability and, in some cases, warranty coverage.
Consumer Grade Ceramic Coatings – These are less concentrated and have decreased durability. However, on average, DIY ceramic coatings will still last two to three years or 30,000 miles. The ease of application and durability of a ceramic coating often don’t go hand-in-hand. The more durable coatings may create unsightly high spots if not carefully applied under the right conditions.
Are Ceramic Coating Warranties Worth It?
Some ceramic coating warranties might be worthwhile, but most require an annual coating inspection and maintenance detail. Most ceramic coating warranties don’t offer coverage against paint scratches, swirl marks, water spots, or hydrophobic performance. Warranties will often cover against paint oxidation and loss of gloss. However, few car detailers have a paint gloss meter in their shop. Without measuring the paint’s gloss after the ceramic coating application, it could be an uphill battle to prove that the car’s paint isn’t as glossy as before.
Cars in snowy regions often face road salt or calcium chloride. A driver with a ceramic coating on their vehicle shouldn’t expect much warranty support from the product manufacturer. At least one leading ceramic coating company gives some guidance in its warranty brochure. It says that more frequent car washing is necessary during the winter to combat harsh chemicals that may reduce the coating’s lifespan. However, the brochure doesn’t recommend a specific number. Wash the vehicle often to have a clean ride and to help avoid any warranty claims.
Using a car for any commercial usage will void some ceramic coating warranties. That means the warranty will not cover a construction vehicle or a real estate agent’s car. However, a person who logs above-average annual miles commuting may be eligible for warranty coverage.
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How to Maintain a Ceramic Coating
Washing ceramic coatings with traditional car shampoo is fine, but they benefit from a dedicated coating shampoo. Many conventional car shampoos are purposefully gentle on car wax and paint sealants. But some formulas may leave behind residue that hinders the hydrophobic properties of the ceramic coating. In addition to choosing the right car shampoo, it’s essential only to use ceramic spray sealants/boosters to refresh the slickness of the coating and provide an additional layer of protection from the elements.
Hand Car Wash – A two-bucket car wash is a must, especially for vehicles with black paint. Coatings are more resistant to scratches than clear coats. However, there is no quick and easy fix once there is a scratch. Using two buckets equipped with debris filters will help minimize the chance of inflicting wash-induced paint defects. Avoid automated car washes with brushes and rollers. While they may be convenient, automatic car washes can quickly ruin a car’s appearance in as little as one wash.
Ceramic Coating Booster – Applying a ceramic coating spray sealant will help enhance protection and extend the lifespan of a coating. This treatment is often called a coating topper or booster. Refreshing the ceramic coating every few weeks is beneficial in many ways. The primary benefit is a decrease in surface tension. Reducing surface tension makes it harder for contamination to stick. Also, microfiber towels glide effortlessly over paint with a coating topper. As durable as ceramic coatings are, they need a little extra boost now and then.
Annual Coating Decontamination – The chemical and physical cleansing of the ceramic coating is necessary to ensure maximum performance. In some instances, not performing annual coating maintenance will void the product’s warranty if a professional-grade coating is applied. Decontamination involves using iron removal, tar removal, and a clay bar to remove embedded and bonded contaminants.
Is Ceramic Coating Worth the Cost?
Yes. If preserving a car’s appearance and resale value is a top priority, then ceramic coatings are the way to go. It is better to prevent damage from the start than to repair damage from years of subpar car care. Also, if an older car needs a paint correction, adding a ceramic coating is an excellent choice since all the prep work is complete. Installing a ceramic coating can be costly, ranging between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Consumer-Grade Ceramic Coating – $600+ (2-3 years of protection)
Professional-Grade Ceramic Coating – $1,000+ (3-5 years of protection)
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