4 Benefits of Ceramic Coating

If you like to keep your car's exterior clean and shiny, then you've probably heard of ceramic coating. Ceramic coating works like a protective layer on your car's paint - similar to car wax or sealant, but designed to last longer.

Being a liquid polymer, ceramic coatings actually bond with the paint and act as the first line of defense against scratches, dirt and water. They typically have a resin or quartz base that uses nanotechnology to spread thinly over the surface of your car and fill in all the tiny pores in the paint. Its liquid state evaporates quickly, leaving a clean outer layer.

Image Source: Avalon King

Ceramic coating can significantly improve the appearance of most vehicles. However, to achieve a glossy look, the paint itself must not be too runny or defective. Otherwise, the transparent layer will fix debris and other damaging elements.

When properly applied, a ceramic coating provides 4 benefits to the durability of a vehicle's exterior.

1. Durable coating

Car owners add coatings to their cars to protect their car's paint. Paint coatings can be stored for one to three years, depending on the brand. High-quality ceramic paint finishes can protect your paint for up to five years before replacement is required, and may even come with a warranty. Wax and sealants last a maximum of several months.

While ceramic coating provides the longest lasting shine, it takes longer to apply. The application process involves thoroughly cleaning the car's surface of any dirt, debris, or even swirl marks, and then lightly applying the glaze.

2. Acts as a protective coating

The ceramic coating provides paint protection by acting as a sheath against various sources of paint damage:

• Water: Because the ceramic coating is hydrophobic, the car's surface will shed water and roll rather than damage the paint due to water stains and accumulated moisture.
• Chemical substances: Some chemicals found in bird droppings, all-purpose cleaners, gasoline, brake fluid, shoe polish, and shaving cream can severely damage car paint. The ceramic coating primarily withstands exposure to these chemicals, preventing fading or peeling of the paint.
  
  
• UV rays: Ultraviolet (UV) rays can oxidize and discolor car paint or even contribute to rust. Ceramic coating keeps the car from looking older than it is.
• Scratches: While ceramic coatings are often advertised as being scratch resistant, ceramic coatings are only scratch resistant, which is still extremely effective against minor scratches from bushes, small brushes from bikes, or even from people passing by. They will not protect your body from high speed rockfalls or car keys.

3. Car stays cleaner longer

Thanks to the ceramic coating, debris, liquids and chemicals bounce off the outer surface more easily, rather than damaging it. The car feels cleaner because the dirt is harder to stick to the surface.

This does not mean that your car never needs to be washed. You won't have to wash your car as often, but there is still dust and dirt on the roads that accumulate over time. In addition, washing your car won't require a ton of effort from you - the dirt should come off without much resistance.

4. Improves the appearance of the paintwork.

Cars with ceramic coating will shine and look like new for longer. Their translucent nature, like a second skin, will protect fresh paint on a new car and keep it looking glossy.

However, this sparkling appearance can only be achieved if proper preparation work has been carried out before coating. Faded paint, haze or swirl marks will still be present if not taken care of before applying the ceramic, although they will still shine.

Application time and cost

With the many advantages of ceramic coating, two notable drawbacks remain: application time and cost. They differ depending on whether the layer was applied by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. A professional application typically starts at $500 and can go up to several thousand dollars depending on how much prep work is involved. Do-it-yourselfers can purchase ceramic coating kits ranging from $20 to $150. The kits allow consumers to weatherproof their vehicles with some extra shine, but not to the level of professional performance.

Adding a ceramic coating to your vehicle has several benefits to the durability of your vehicle's exterior and appearance. While luxury was once reserved for the few, there are now many DIY ceramic coating kits available. The job still takes time, but it also comes with a number of benefits. Good nanocoating kits have a high hardness rating, the highest of which is 9H, and last for several years. Some of the most reliable coating kits include:

• Avalon King Armor Shield IX DIY Kit: As one of the best kits, Armor Sheild IX costs $70 and lasts an average of 3 to 5 years with a 9H rating.
  
  
• CarPro Cquartz Kit 50ml: The CarPro Quartz Kit is very easy to apply and provides solid protection for $76.
• Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit: The $60 Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit is rated 9H and stays durable for 100-150 washes.