What is a Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coatings are for every vehicle, not just exotics!

 Ceramic coatings are the BIGGEST thing in the car care world in 2021. We get calls all the time where customers ask us, "what exactly is a ceramic coating, and what can it do for my Tesla ?" We thought it would be a fantastic idea to walk through what exactly coatings do, how they work, and what they will do for your vehicle. 

What Is a Ceramic Coating?

There are two types of ceramic coatings on the market. Some of the biggest names in the market like Ceramic Pro, Gtechniq, and IGL Coatings all fall into this first category. These coatings all consist of silica particles suspended in a resin that bonds to the surface of the paintwork and created a "top coat" of protection. 


The other type of coating, chemically bonds into the paint system. The only true Silicon Carbide based coating is called Opti-Coat. This particular brand of coating forms a more robust bond with the paint work and does not require a yearly refresh like the first type of coating.

All ceramic coatings serve as a replacement for car wax or synthetic sealants. Unlike traditional wax, ceramic coatings will not break down during normal washing and they dont need to be re-applied every few months. They are all extremely chemical resistant, glossy, and easy to wash!

What Do Ceramic Coatings Actually Do?

• Chemical Protection - Bugs, bird droppings, and other environmental contaminants can wreak havoc on your cars finish. Ceramic paint protection will greatly reduce the chance of chemicals permanently damaging your paint work.
• Ease of Cleaning - Unlike traditional car wax, the extreme slickness and hydrophobic properties (water beading) will not diminish after a few washes. This allows the paint work to release dirt and grime much more quickly thus reducing the time spent cleaning your vehicle. Most of the dirt will come off with a simple spray of the hose.
• Extreme Gloss - My favorite thing about ceramic coatings is how glossy they appear. Due to the hard-wearing ceramic composition, the gloss level does not go away after washing, and the paint will not oxidize. Every wash results in a vehicle that looks like it was just waxed.
• Ceramic coatings do not protect against rock chips or deep scratches. If you are looking to protect against those things, clear auto bra is what you are looking for
  

Should You Get a Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coatings are meant to help your vehicle's paint system look its best for years, not months. If you want to minimize the time you spend washing, polishing, and waxing your car or you just want the absolute best for your vehicle; a ceramic coating would be a worthwhile purchase.

If you have questions about coatings or anything car-care related, reach out to a local detailing professional and they will happily chat about their passion - keeping cars looking their best!