WHAT IS A CERAMIC COATING?

Ceramic Coatings are a fairly new phenomenon within the auto detailing world. To make things simple, ceramic coatings are extremely strong, and protective coatings that bond to car paint so intensely they can last up to 7+ years (in some cases the lifetime of the vehicle). We like to call them "wax/sealant on steroids." While a wax or a sealant may protect your car's paint mildly for several months, ceramic coatings not only last years longer, but are extremely tough. To put this into perspective, your car's clear coat measures anywhere from 2h-4h on the hardness scale, while many ceramic coatings measure a 9h (the highest measurement on the scale).

WHAT MAKES CERAMIC COATINGS DIFFERENT?

There are many things that differentiate ceramic coatings including lifespan, hardness, chemical makeup, and more, but these three are really the most important. The three major brands in the ceramic coating industry are Ceramic Pro, C. Quartz, and Opti-Coat Pro. While Opti-Coat is made up of "Silicon Carbide" (SiC), most other coatings are made up of "Silicon Dioxide" (SiO2). Coatings that are made up of Silicon Carbide (SiC) are a truly permanent coating, because they chemically bond to the paint, and more or less become one with the paint, as they take on the very properties of the car paint itself. Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)/Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) coatings do not become one with the paint as much as they form a very distinct, and separate barrier that sits on top of the paint. 

WHICH IS THE BEST?

There is no way we can say one coating is better than the other, simply because in our opinion they are so similar. While some detailers argue that different coatings give different visual appeals, We really cannot tell a huge difference, not to mention, they are both extremely incredible paint protections, that are more or less permanent. After using many coating companies over the years we have chosen to use Ceramic Pro nano coatings and have seen tremendous results and durability.

Some things to be aware of, with all-ceramic coatings, is that, though coatings are truly incredible, and represent huge technological advancements in the detailing industry, they are not the ultimate and complete protection that will keep your car paint perfect under any circumstances. What we mean is this, these protections, by enlarge, do not altogether protect against rock chips, water spots, and scratching/swirling. Yes, they do protect against these things better than a traditional wax or sealant, but that does not mean that it is impossible for damage to happen. A good way to think about it is this: Your car is manufactured with a clear coat (a protective layer on top of the paint), and while that clear coat is strong, it is not invincible, and it can be damaged. A ceramic coating is simply another layer of protection, that is even stronger than the clear coat that is already on the paint, and this coating, though it is extremely strong, can still be damaged if it is not cared for properly. The upside to this is that if it does get damaged, it acts as a sacrificial layer between the clear coat and the outside world, so when that protective coating is removed, the clear coat remains in perfect condition.

ARE CERAMIC COATINGS EXPENSIVE?

The simple answer to this question is yes, but of course, that is extremely subjective. This is a bit of an oversimplification. However, we have never heard of a reputable professional auto detailing company installing an actual nanoceramic coating (not a spray “coating”) for less than $800, but conversely, we’ve rarely seen them installed (at least on average cars) for more than $3000. In our area, it is safe to assume that installing a ceramic coating will cost somewhere around the $1800 to $3000 range, but again, that is an oversimplification. Are there some places that charge more, like $10,000? Probably, but again, they are probably catering to the crowd that drives Lamborghini and Bugatti.

The reason ceramic coatings are a more expensive service, other than the fact that they are permanent protection that can last as long as 7+ years, is simply because of the work and skill it takes to prepare the paint and install them. It’s not nearly as simple as just slapping on some protection and letting it dry for a little while. Before a ceramic coating can ever be applied, the vehicle must be polished, at a minimum, one time, but more often than not, because most paint has serious swirls, scratches, etc... the paint requires a 2 or 3-step correction/polish. On a good day (and done properly), paint correction (polishing) can take between 8+ hours to 3 days, depending on the paint’s condition and vehicle type. Paint correction is normally required before the paint is “sealed in” with the protective ceramic coating. The swirls, scratches, and defects in the paint must be corrected (removed/reduced). Otherwise, we would be permanently “sealing in” all those horrible scratches, swirl marks, etc., and who wants that? After the paint correction is finished, the coating is finally installed, but even that is not quite as simple as it sounds. Many coatings require certain "prep" products to be used before actually applying the coating itself, and then after the coating is installed, there are finishing products that must be applied over it as well. The entire coating installation process can take many more hours as well, depending on the size of the car itself. It is for this reason that ceramic coatings tend to be more expensive. The 20-40+ hours of work that coatings may take to install require a more hefty compensation for obvious reasons.

SHOULD YOU GET A CERAMIC COATING ON YOUR VEHICLE?

Again this isn’t a question that we can answer for you. However, here are some things to consider:

1) The road is a jungle, and scratches, rock chips, swirl marks, water spots, and bug etchings are unavoidable. With no protection on your car's paint, it will inevitably degrade more and more until it really just looks sub-par, and in the detailing world, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN THE CURE because, in many cases, the cure is either too expensive or it just doesn't exist. Many clients say to us, "I want my paint to look showroom new," to which we respond, "You should have decided that five years ago when showroom “new” was possible because now, at best, you are looking at average paint condition." Once again, spend the money now for protection, so you don’t have to spend MUCH MORE later on. Too often, people wait, and the "cure" may or may not restore it to the condition they are looking for.

2) This is probably obvious, but the trade-in value is dramatically affected if a car's paint is maintained. Ceramic Pro Nanoceramic coatings are warrantied and registered with CarFax to help maximize your vehicle’s resale/trade-in value. To many customers, we explain it like this: If a ceramic coating on your new 2018 Toyota Camry costs $1800, that may feel like a lot of money, but if taken care of properly, that protection will keep the paint looking the way it looks right now. This will drastically increase the trade-in value when it’s time to purchase another car. So, let's say with ceramic coating protection, after seven years, your paint still looks very close to how it looked the day you bought it. Right off the bat, the dealership offers you $6000 to trade it in, whereas the next guy who did not take care of his paint rolls up in his 7-year-old Camry that has weathered many storms on the road with no maintenance... they offer him $3500... if he is lucky. The Ceramic coating has already paid for itself... literally! If you look at it from this perspective, you can see where spending more to protect your vehicle’s paint early saves or makes you money in the end.

3) Another reason why we consider ceramic coatings worth the investment, is for the ease of maintenance and upkeep. When a ceramic coating has been installed on a vehicle, washing and maintaining that vehicle becomes DRAMATICALLY easier. This is because of the advanced technology of these coatings. They resist bonding, unlike the factory clear coat of a car that bonds fairly easily with the elements in the outside world. Ceramic coatings resist bonding with outside elements, making maintaining the vehicle easy. It really is amazing! 

4) How long do you plan on keeping your vehicle? We offer three Ceramic Pro packages (Gold- Lifetime Warranty), Silver (5-Year Warranty), & Bronze (2-Year Warranty). If you don’t plan on keeping your vehicle for more than three years, there may not be a reason to spend the money for the Gold package besides trade-in/resale value.