Despite all the hype and infomercials, ceramic coating isn’t the answer for every car owner. It’s an expensive process that requires professional installation, and the protection it provides isn’t guaranteed to keep your car spotless for years. There are also several myths floating around about the process that may leave you wondering whether or not it is really worth it.
The Facts About Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a chemical polymer that blends with your car’s paint job to create an additional layer of hydrophobic protection. Its extreme heat resistance means it shields your car from harmful UV rays that cause paint to fade over time, while its water-displacing properties mean any dirt or debris that comes into contact with the surface will bead and roll off, leaving your car’s paint looking newer for longer.
The best ceramic coating for cars protects against bird droppings, tree sap, road grime and any other environmental contaminants that can damage your paint job. It’s even able to resist the acids in some chemicals like brake fluid, removing those damaging stains and protecting your vehicle against any future ones that might be caused by them. Additionally, ceramic coating is incredibly easy to clean and maintain, making it much less likely that you’ll end up with hard water spots that can take hours to remove.
However, just like any product on the market, it’s not perfect and has its drawbacks. Unlike a traditional wax, ceramic coating adheres to and bonds with your paint. This means that if your vehicle is not properly prepped prior to application, or if something happens to the car before it’s fully cured, the entire coating will have to be removed and reapplied by a professional. This is one of the primary reasons why a ceramic coat can be more costly than a simple car wash.
Another thing to note is that ceramic coating doesn’t prevent your paint from scratching or chipping, and it doesn’t protect against the usual threats of swirl marks or rock chips. While it does reduce the chances of these things happening, you still have to be careful when driving your car.
What’s more, if you apply a regular wax over a ceramic coating, the wax will actually repel the water and make your car even more susceptible to stains. To protect your investment and get the most out of your ceramic coating, you should wait until it’s cured for at least two days before applying any type of car wax.
Getting your car coated with the best ceramic coating for cars can be an investment, but it is definitely worth it. The protection it offers your paint and the convenience of not having to worry about spots, scratches or other common paint problems makes it well worth it.
Just make sure to work with a reputable and experienced company to avoid any potential mistakes that could result in you paying more than you should or not seeing the long-term benefits of your decision. The key to getting the most out of your ceramic coating is proper prep and application, so you should always look for a service that can provide both of these.