There’s a lot of hype—and a lot of misunderstanding—surrounding ceramic coatings. Some people believe they act like an impenetrable paint shield that prevents everything from deep scratches to small dents. Others think a single application will keep your car looking showroom-new for 5, 7, or even 10 years without any maintenance at all.
The truth, as with most things in life, is a bit more nuanced. This blog post will unpack some common misconceptions about ceramic coatings, and explain what they really are and how they can benefit your car ownership experience.
What is a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is a clear liquid applied over your paint that cures into a thin outer layer that is chemically similar to glass, typically comprised of silicon dioxide (SiO2) at its core. A true ceramic coating requires professional installation for optimal adhesion, appearance, and performance.
When purchasing a ceramic coating package, there are a few ways to ensure you are buying a true professional-grade product.
- Cost: though not a foolproof method, as any coating service can be marked up to a high price point, a professional-grade coating will typically cost upwards of $500 to install, and sometimes as much as $3,000 or more. On the low end, expect to only have the coating installed on your paint, and not additional surfaces like glass, wheels, or interior.
- Installation: a true professional-grade ceramic coating must be installed by a professional detailer. With some coatings, the installer must even be certified by the manufacturer of the coating to be licensed to sell and install the product.
- Durability: a professional ceramic coating should last 2 years or more. Be wary, because some products claim to last as much as 10 years, but imply a complete reinstallation at the halfway mark in order to do so; this reinstallation can be an inconvenience to you or even an added cost.
- Performance claims: a reputable, professional ceramic coating manufacturer or installer will not claim that the product can prevent scratches and dents, because this is not true for any chemical vehicle coating. Ceramic coatings can only minimize micro-marring, or tiny scratches, during an approved maintenance-washing method.
- Maintenance: a professional-grade ceramic coating must be maintained by routine washing, adhering to strict methods and chemical usage. If you opt to do maintenance washes at home, you should be knowledgable of the appropriate chemicals and tools to use to wash your vehicle. Otherwise, you should schedule regular washes or full details with your installer for optimal performance and durability. A professional-grade ceramic coating should not be maintained by visiting an automatic car wash, whether it’s a touch wash or touch-free wash.
How is a ceramic coating installed?
Professional application is a multi-step process that begins with a deep wash and decontamination. This step involves washing the car down with harsh soaps that remove old wax, as well as mechanical removal of contaminants, using a clay bar or clay-infused microfiber towel, that have embedded into the clear coat and cannot be removed by soap and water. Note that professional detailers will not use sponges or brushes to wash your car, but will use ultra-soft microfiber wash mitts, pads, or towels.
The car must then be polished before installation of the ceramic coating. Between scratches, fading and etching from UV light or acids, and general wear and tear, the surface of a car’s paint becomes uneven over time. A ceramic coating requires a level surface to bond to the paint for its advertised duration. Additionally, a car cannot be polished after the coating is installed without the polishing process removing the coating and requiring reinstallation.
Thus, coatings that are not installed by a professional or applied to contaminated, unleveled paint will not last as long, perform as well, or look as glossy. Naturally, this includes the spray-on coatings you find at the auto parts store.
Now, with the car fully washed, decontaminated, and polished, we’re finally ready to install the ceramic coating. Any residue from the previous preparation steps must be fully removed, leaving the paint in its natural state as if it left the factory floor. No waxes, oils, dust, or other substances may be present on the car for the installation step.
A professional installer then installs the coating in portions, usually 2-foot by 2-foot areas of the car’s painted surfaces—this can vary depending on the coating being used. The installer uses a small microfiber sponge or suede-wrapped foam block, with only a few tiny drops of the coating applied, to spread the coating over this area. Then, a fresh towel is used to “level” or “buff” the excess coating off the panel after letting it bond, usually for an amount of time determined by the coating manufacturer and the conditions of the room the coating is being applied in.
Depending on the ceramic coating package that was purchased, the installer may also apply the same coating or a specially formulated coating to the vehicle’s windows and exterior trim, wheels, brake calipers, and even interior surfaces.
Why do ceramic coating prices vary so much?
Many simple spray-on protectants you might buy at an auto parts store claim to perform like ceramic coatings, or even contain ceramic in their formula. This may be true, but these formulas contain substantially less SiO2 than professional-grade ceramic coatings, leading to their low cost and ease of installation.
Unlike DIY options, professional application involves meticulous paint decontamination and polishing to ensure a flawless surface for optimal adhesion. This translates to longer life expectancy with superior protection against UV rays, dirt and grime, and micro-marring from regular maintenance washes.
A DIY solution may be better for you, but keep in mind that you will be reinstalling the product more frequently and with less consistent results, and you will not have had a professional decontamination and polish performed by a professional detailer, which substantially bolsters the high gloss and hydrophobicity promised by many ceramic coatings.
Why should you get a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating deepens the glossy appearance of your vehicles paint (or even protects your matte finish paint, if you have it), keeps your car cleaner for longer between maintenance washes, and makes maintenance washing easier and less likely to introduce micro-marring.
If you’re someone who wants to appreciate the full beauty of your car’s paint and adheres to a regular washing or detailing routine with your vehicle, a ceramic coating may be right for you.
