There are thousands of directions to choose when it comes to protecting the newest jewel in your garage. Some are great; some aren’t. In this article we will be exploring one of the greats that has prevailed as one of the most popular and effective treatments in the automotive world: Ceramic Coating
What It Isn’t
Thanks to an abundance of internet marketing (really, mismarketing), there is an equal abundance of misinformation out there – which is why I wanted to kick this off by stating what it isn’t. All across the internet, you’ll find overzealous companies online that greatly exaggerate the benefits of Ceramic Coating (claiming that it makes your car scratch-proof, or that you’ll never have to wash it), or companies selling cheap DIY “Ceramic Sprays” that they claim will perform like a professional-grade Ceramic Coating.
These are both misleading stances that hurt the consumer and further perpetuate misunderstanding. Ceramic Coatings will not cure your baldness, bring your childhood pet back, or help you win the lottery. However, with the right expectations set, it delivers in spades.
Now with that out of the way…
What It Actually Is
Ceramic Coating is a liquid concentrate applied by hand to the exterior surfaces of your vehicle.
Several of the benefits that a Ceramic Coating brings are:
- Up to 9H Surface Hardness to help resist fine scratches
- UV Resistance to prevent fading
- Magnified Gloss to enhance the shine and reflection
- Hydrophobic Property to resist water, dirt, and debris
In the context of owning a luxury vehicle, or really any car that you care about, these are all massive benefits that help preserve the appearance and improve the quality of your ownership experience. It’s no industry secret that hand-washing is the best way to maintain the exterior of your vehicle. If you are committed to proper upkeep, the last benefit I listed, by itself, makes Ceramic Coating worth its weight in gold.
How Does Ceramic Coating Work?
This is where the science comes in. Ceramic Coatings are a liquid polymer that forms a covalent bond with the surface it is applied to. As it cures, the coating crystallizes and forms a glass-like shell that seals and protects the top layers of your paint. This bond is exactly why Ceramic Coatings are so effective, and perform far longer than a traditional wax.
While we have nothing against waxing, we can’t help but acknowledge its shortcomings when compared to a Ceramic Coating. Because waxes do not form any kind of bond with their applied surface, their performance lifespan is typically limited to 2-3 months. Ceramic Coatings, on the other hand, can perform throughout the entire duration of a typical car ownership period with proper maintenance.
Water Beads!
Water beading is a surface condition where water quickly forms tight individual droplets that combine when they interact with other droplets. Gravity can bring droplets together and ultimately slide water off of the surface in the path of least resistance. The magical water beading effect brought about by a Ceramic Coating can be attributed to the backbone of its formula, Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). These silica particles create an environment of low surface energy, which forces water and contaminants to behave differently.
The great thing about this is that there are plenty of car wash soaps available (such as
HydroSuds by Chemical Guys) that actually feature silica particles in their formula. Using silica-infused soaps is ideal for washing a Ceramic-Coated vehicle, since it will boost up the hydrophobic performance every time you use it.
Why Drivers Can’t Get Enough
In the world of Luxury Automotive, vehicle condition plays a major role in determining the resale value of a car. See for yourself! Try checking the difference in your car’s value between “Good” and “Fair” on Kelley Blue Book.
While there is no mythological fountain of youth for your car, Ceramic Coatings are one of the closest tools we’ve got – and it simply works. Here are a few reasons why new car drivers have integrated Ceramic Coatings into their new vehicle purchase process.
- Stops black plastic and rubber trim from fading to gray
- Resists the buildup of swirls and scratches
- Greatly reduces the time and effort involved with washing
- Allows you to maintain a “wet-paint” finish that would impress at any car show
- Performs great with Paint Protection Film (PPF).
Want to explore Ceramic Coating for your vehicle? AP3 has you covered! Honored three times as XPEL’s top Ceramic Coating Installer in the US, our team of professional installers will enhance your paint and deliver results that you have to see to believe! If you are looking for a Ceramic Coating in Atlanta, it doesn’t get any better than AP3. Request a quote HERE!
