Ceramic Coatings - What & How
What Is A Ceramic Coating?
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer, applied by hand to the exterior paint, plastics and glass. It chemically bonds with the vehicle's OEM clear coat, to create a layer of protection. Providing a permanent bond with your vehicles paint. Unlike a wax or silicone infused coatings a ceramic coating will not wash away or require repeat applications every few months.
How Does It Help?
Additional protection to the coated surface, with the correct care a ceramic coating maintains that new paint gloss-look. Reduced maintenance and more resilience to environmental contaminants. Enhances the protective properties of the vehicle's UV protective layer.
The most widely desired feature of a ceramic coating, is its hydrophobic properties. The ability to bead and repel water, significantly aids in keeping the surface cleaner longer, slowing down the build up of contaminants. In addition, modern ceramic coatings help to improve the gloss and depth of the paint finish through enhancing the reflective properties of your vehicle's paint finish.
What Don't Ceramic Coatings Do?
They don't eliminate the risk of water spotting. A normal drop of water contains a percentage of dirt and other minerals - tap and bore water contains very high levels of minerals that leave crystallised deposits when left to dry, creating visible spots. The nature of a genuine ceramic coatings hardness means these water spots sit on the surface rather than down in the paint where they can act as micro abrasives - eating away at the vehicle's paint surface.
While genuine ceramic coatings can keep your vehicles paint looking like new for significantly longer. They don't eliminate the need to wash and dry the surface. The road is a dirty place and you car will get dirty with wet roads, road works, dust and general road grime. Thus, a ceramic coating will not make your vehicles surface maintenance free. But! it will make keeping it looking like new significantly easier and provide a more rewarding vehicle ownership experience.