Ceramic Coatings: What are they? Advantages and disadvantages?

Ceramic Coatings! They get us excited but what exactly are they? Let’s discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and lean into why they’re considered the “Ultimate wax job”.

Before we dive deeper, make sure you check out our 3 at-home MUST HAVES! from Amazon Here:

• 4-in-1 Car Vacuum Cleaner (Best Value)

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• 14-Piece Car Wash Kit with Foam Gun

Covering the basics.

We understand. The aim is to maintain your automobile looking fantastic all of the time. Therefore you're ready to go to any effort to achieve that goal. You've already tried all the basics like washing it weekly and waxing it monthly to get rid of those scratches, dirt marks, dirt, grime, and everything in between. And yet, you arrive the next day with more swirl marks from all that washing. Or worse even, a snow or rain storm has your vehicle left looking grimey.

So, you think of something else. Simple maintenance keeps your car looking great every day. Something that is a one-time procedure against the threat of etching and oxidation - you apply it and forget about it for years.

This is the magic potion for cars that everybody is talking about: Ceramic coating. We know you've heard it before from that friend who recently applied it to his VW Golf GTI and couldn't help but show it off.

But what about the naysayers? Critics, who doubt its reliability? Is there any truth to what critics say about ceramic coating?

Is it the best solution to prevent dirt and grime from sticking to your car? Let's find out.

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What is a ceramic coating?

Industrial-grade ceramic coatings protect a vehicle's exterior paint from damage by combining chemical polymers. Typically applied by hand, it bonds with your car paint and creates an additional layer of hydrophobic protection.

Due to this chemical bonding and creating a new coat, the car's original paint finish remains neat.

While many auto enthusiasts and even detailers believe it is an alternative to the clear bra (PPF), ceramic coatings are an alternative to waxing. The main idea is to prevent marks, dirt and dirt from appearing on the paint and ruining the clear coat.

A ceramic coating, also called a nano-ceramic coating, is a semi-permanent solution to your concerns, depending on the coating and the polymer used.

Due to its intrinsic chemical properties do not degrade under normal atmospheric conditions such as rain or summer heat.

Some of the most popular ceramic brands include Modesta, Nanolex, CQuartz, Ceramic Pro, and IGL Kenzo. They are used extensively, especially in the United States, Korea and Japan. Let's learn a little more about them before you decide if you should try them.

People keep talking about them, so what else can it do for your car?

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF CERAMIC COATINGS

Anything that contains chemicals is a tough solution. The same applies to ceramic coatings, which have high durability and facilitate cleaning once they are applied.

Besides the obvious, here are a couple more reasons to apply it to your car:

Providing protection from UV rays

Your car's paint is susceptible to damage from ultraviolet rays from the sun. A ceramic coating will protect your paint from rust, preventing it from fading and looking dull. 

Protection against chemical stains (etchings)

The chemical marks that come off due to acidic pollutants in the environment represent other potential damage to your car. A coating will prevent these contaminants from adhering to the paint. As air pollution grows in cities, ceramic tile is a great relief.

Hydrophobic nature, easy to clean

The process of waxing your car and other detailing activities makes car washing a hassle. With ceramic coatings, you don't have to worry about whether the polymer will degrade (by the way, removing it completely requires another process that involves polishing and sanding).

Not only does it stick to your car paint, but it is also water repellent. This means that water-based dirt and grime will separate on the surface and eventually slide off the surface. A quick pressure washes, and you've got a shiny, stain-free car.

Shine like caramel

This part is where the aesthetic that all car owners love will come through. Like PPFs, a ceramic coating also adds shine and depth to a car's paint. It will give a shiny appearance to the car, bringing out the best of the original paint.

All the benefits have revealed the truth about ceramic tile, haven't they? In recent years its popularity has only increased. Reviews from both users and automotive industry experts have been extremely positive.

Still, there are some myths and misinformation out there regarding this advanced form of protection. Below are a few common misconceptions about ceramic coatings.

The things you can't do

Every product has its limitations if these would make you avoid the product that depends on yourself. They are not exactly faults, just things that a ceramic tile doesn't promise to do.

Scratch and swirl mark protection for any type of vehicle

Ceramic coatings cannot prevent normal threats such as scratches, swirl marks, and rock chips. Despite its adhesion properties, it still maintains the characteristics of the paint. That is why you should be aware that your car will still be at the mercy of these common and undesirable elements.

For protection against scratches and chips, you should opt for the most advanced paint protection films (PPF).

Protection against watermarks

As mentioned before, after applying a ceramic coating, the water-based contaminants will remain suspended on the surface of your car and will eventually slip off. But they still contain natural minerals, and the soluble particles will remain on the surface if you let the water evaporate.

Ceramic tiles cannot be removed from the watermarks that occur due to this, which will require a more direct and physical procedure to remove.

Stop the need to wash the car.

You will still need to wash your car regularly. A layer of the ceramic coating does not give the car super self-cleaning powers. While we wait for the miracle product to do that, for now, let's focus on the pretty part of ceramic tile.

Is a ceramic coating worth it?

The short answer is yes. As seen in this article, A ceramic coating offers several advantages that increase the long-term value of your vehicle. . The less time you spend cleaning and maintaining the car, the more time you will have to drive and enjoy it.

But if you ask us if this is an all-in-one solution for all your concerns regarding your painting, we would rather say no. It is impossible to find a product on the market that guarantees comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. If there were, we wouldn't be talking about ceramic coatings, one of the best automotive paint protection systems available today.

Also, contrasting the cost of ceramic tile against that of annual maintenance and waxing is simply unmatched.

The key to maintaining the appearance of your car is to carry out constant maintenance. But suppose you are a fan of your car and you are convinced of the wonders of ceramic coatings and the value they add to your car. In that case, you can start to quote with your favorite detailer, or if you already have some experience, propose to learn how to apply them, with all your due precautions and proper methods. 

At Detail Doctors, are speciality is Ceramic Coating! We only use the best products, and we’re the only shop in Wisconsin allowed to use Jade Graphene products. Jade has been tested by Boeing and if it’s good enough for an airplane traveling 700Mph+, 30,000 feet in the sky you can bet it will work wonders on the road! 

We’re here to keep your vehicle healthy. Consult with the best auto detailing in Milwaukee for high-quality products, ceramic coatings, and local detail services in Milwaukee, WI.