The Complete Guide to Ceramic Coating for Cars

When you take pride in your ride, you want a look to match its performance. For many drivers, that means careful and frequent waxes to achieve a deep, head-turning wet look.

But if you haven't looked into a ceramic coating for cars, you're missing out on one of the best ways to not only make your car look amazing but keep it looking amazing as well.

A ceramic coating combines many of the benefits of protective film with the showroom quality shine of the highest-quality wax. If you haven't tried it yet, we'll explain why ceramic coating can change the way you look at car care.

What Is Ceramic Coating for Cars?

Ceramic coating is a liquid silicon dioxide formula that protects a car's clear coat and paint from abrasions, liquid damage, dirt, and stains. A nano-ceramic coating fills scratches and other flaws in the vehicle's surface. It forms a chemical bond with the clear coat, creating a hard shell that repels water, resists wear, and creates a mirror-like shine.

There are many professional and DIY ceramic coating liquids and sprays. Manufacturers fine-tune formulas for certain performance features, with additives offering enhanced benefits. For example, titanium dioxide is a common ingredient in modern products to improve wear resistance.

If you opt for a ceramic coating, it's best to work with a professional detailer. A professional ceramic coating composition offers the optimal hardness and highest-grade SiO2 content for extended durability.

Benefits of Ceramic Coating

With all the available additives in modern ceramic coatings, it's easier than ever to get the benefits you desire for your car. Compared to the best carnauba wax, a ceramic coating offers several advantages.

Superior Protection

Wax provides some protection, but it lacks the hardness and deflective properties of ceramic coatings. When it comes to protecting paintwork, ceramic coating is extremely resistant to everyday threats, such as:

• Swirl marks from washing
• Scratches
• Chemicals from bird droppings, bug splatter, and road sludge
• UV damage like rust and fading

As it bonds with your car's coat, your ceramic coating forms an effective shield against environmental factors. It won't protect against dings and dents, but you'll have peace of mind that it will maintain your car's coat on the average drive.

Excellent Hydrophobicity

The smooth layering of ceramic coating and its bond with the underlying coat makes it the most hydrophobic protection you can apply. Water rolls off at a rapid pace, preventing water spots and streaking.

The water resistance of ceramic protects against common elements that try to adhere to a car surface area like mud or grease. Ceramic coating will pick up grime at some point, but the non-stick surface lets you stretch out your car washing schedule as far as possible.

When it does finally come time to wash your car, your ceramic coating will help shorten the process as well. Water will fall to the ground, making drying and cleanup a quick and easy chore.

Long-Lasting Performance

You need to apply carnauba wax about once every 1-2 months if you regularly use your vehicle and store it when you aren't driving. Some aficionados love the extra time they have to spend meticulously smoothing over a fresh layer of wax. But for practical purposes, extending your protectant is ideal.

A professional ceramic coating turns months into years, giving you up to five years of performance. Some of the highest-grade coatings even supply a lifetime warranty.

Incredible Shine

A glossy shine is the ultimate goal when you apply any kind of surface protectant. Protection from environmental factors is crucial. But the point of polish is for an immaculate mirror shine that knocks you out every time you turn the garage lights on.

Quality wax can deliver an exceptional wet sheen, but for a sustained sparkling luster, there's no beating a ceramic coating. The reflectivity lets you get even more out of your car's color, and the powerful hydrophobicity of ceramic keeps grime off for an unbroken gleam.

Downsides of Ceramic Coating

A ceramic coating can last a long time but it doesn't remove the need to wash your car, and it's not invincible as some people want to believe. Paint protection film is still the top choice for preventing abrasive damage from rocks, salt, and other debris. Ceramic coating can't self-heal like PPF, and it will wear down with regular abuse from the elements.

To a certain extent, it's unfair to compare ceramic coating to a protective film. The more appropriate comparison is to wax, which has a few benefits over a ceramic coating, namely the price and the application process.

Ceramic coating is a more expensive procedure if you go through a professional detailer. Still, it's easy to argue that the years of performance and enhanced quality are well worth the investment. Instead, the real drawback of ceramic coating is that you need to get it done by a professional to get the best look possible.

There are many DIY ceramics on the market that are about as expensive as good wax, but they also have a short lifespan like wax. And even if you do get the most expensive professional-grade coating, it can be next to impossible to pull off a professional look.

A ceramic coating creates a hard shell when it cures, and unlike wax, it's difficult to correct mistakes. Any imperfection gets sealed underneath, forcing you to strip the coating and try again.

A lot can go wrong when you try to apply a ceramic coating. Professionals have the skill and controlled environment to prevent flaws and give your car the cosmetic boost it demands.

Try Ceramic Coating for Yourself

If you're serious about caring for your car, talk to your dealer about a ceramic coating. You'll get a long-lasting shine you didn't believe was possible and hands-free maintenance you'll be sure to notice.

At Xtreme Auto Glass & Window Tint in Addison, our goal is to provide comprehensive care and expert knowledge that lets our customers get the best value out of their vehicles. If you want to learn more about the benefits of ceramic coating for cars, contact our team today.