Every car owner would love to see their vehicle in pristine condition as if it was just recently brought. However, the roads can be unforgiving to the exterior of a car. Sooner or later, you will see the wear and tear apparent on the body of the vehicle. Surface scratches, paint stains, and UV ray fading are some of the factors that can blemish your expensive vehicle. However, with ceramic coating for cars becoming more and more common, there is quite a bit of hope for car owners.
A ceramic coated car is far more resistant to the above mentioned hazards. The Nano ceramic coating forms a protective shield as it chemically bonds to the car. Automotive ceramic coating has picked up a lot of hype and for good reason. You may be confused as to the application of the coating and how and where to start. Fret not, this article will guide you through a everything, from the technical detail to the pros and cons of the coating. Keep reading to find out whether the ceramic coat is viable for your vehicle or not.
What is a Ceramic Coating for Cars?
To further expand on the small nugget of the information above, a ceramic coating is a polymer coating. This acts as a second skin and protects your vehicle from all sorts of hazards. As stated before, the ceramic coating bonds to the coat of paint on your vehicle. Therefore, the protection lasts far longer than the old fashioned wax and silicone protective skins. The protective layer is hydrophobic in nature, meaning that it repels water and slashes. Moreover, due to its nature of being a layer, the original paint job of the vehicle is untouched.
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However, a ceramic coating is hardly a superpower that allows your car to auto self itself. You will still need to wash the car but the advantages of the adhesive coating are undeniable. The following are the more frequent questions and we have the answers for you.
How to Ceramic Coat a Car? What do I Need?
The process of coating the exterior of the car can take up time but does not need professional guidance. Anyone can coat their car but to start, you need to purchase a ceramic coating kit. You can find numerous ones online and most of these come alongside essentials accessories. These essentials include the sponge, buffing towel, and most importantly, gloves to protect your hand. Be very sure that you wear gloves before you start applying the ceramic coating to your car. The following are some of the top brands you can find online.
- Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax.
- Shine Armor Fortify Quick Coat.
- Mothers CMX Ceramic Spray Coating.
- Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating.
- Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax.
- Chemical Guys Ceramic Coating Wash & Wax Kit.
- Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit.
- CarPro Cquartz.
- Ethos Ceramic Wax PRO.
- Nano Bond Ceramic Coating PRO.
How to Apply Ceramic Coating to the Car? What are the Steps and Prep?
Before you actually start the process, be sure to wash your car. Do so vigorously and make sure there is not a speck of dirt visible on the body of the car. Your car needs to be spotlessly clean; otherwise, the coating will not stick properly. After you are done with the wash, dry clean the body of the vehicle. Moreover, make sure the surrounding temperature is 50-70F as it is considered the optimum temperature for the application of the coat. Furthermore, make sure the area has low humidity levels.
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How do You Go About Actually Applying the Coating?
That does it for the prep. Now, you can actually start the process. Remember to keep your hand steady and gentle throughout.
The Conditions of Applying
After you have done the prepping then begins the actual application process. Again, before you begin, make sure that the temperature is not too high. Never apply the ceramic coating in direct sunlight as the coating will harden too quickly, making it hard to buff.
Apply Gently
To start off, wrap the supplied suede cloth around the sponge, and so tightly to make sure it does not fall off.
Measurements to Take
Before applying, shake the bottle of ceramic coating vigorously and then drip about 6–10 drops on the surface of the cloth. Be sure to keep the cloth moist at all times so that it slides across the surface with ease.
Quick Tip:
In order to keep the suede applicator cloth loaded with liquid throughout the duration of the install process, periodically add drops of Armor Shield IX to the fabric. You’ll know it’s time to reapply when the applicator pad does not want to slide smoothly and starts to snag on the surface. This typically occurs after 2–3 swiping sessions and is easily remedied by reloading the cloth with a few drops of nano-ceramic coating.
The Precision Technique
Gently wipe the cloth across the surface, always keeping your movements steady, side to side, or in an up and down. You should focus on one section of the car at one time. Keep at it, with slow and precise motions until the entirety of your car has been coated.
Focus on the Results
After you are done, you will have to wait for the ceramic coat to harden. The amount of time you have to wait will depend on the temperature. The following is a rough estimate of the waiting time, against a certain temperature range.
| Temperature Range | Length of Time |
| 50°F | 4 to 5 minutes |
| 60°F | 2 to 3 minutes |
| 80°F | 1 minute |
Final Touches
Once the coating has dried off, the last instep in the ceramic application process is to buff away the remainder of the residue present on the surface that may be sitting on the surface. Use the buffing cloth that came alongside the box for this final job. Just gently wipe the surface using the microfiber buffer cloth. Do not wait too long to buff the surface as the coating will get hazy.
All Done!
There, congratulations on your new ceramic coated car! Just let the car sit for 1-2 hours and you are set to drive.
How long does It last?
If you habitually carry out proper care and maintenance, your coating will protect your car for two to five years. Moreover, ceramic coatings, if done with due and professional diligence, can last the lifetime of the car.
What are Pros of Ceramic Coating?
- Each drive on the road exposes your car to hazards which cause the paint to deteriorate over time. The hydrophobic layer from ceramic coating protects against away all foreign particles. Furthermore, it ensures the original coating is safe from dirt, debris or accidental scratches, etc.
- The constant exposure to the sun can affect the paintjob of your vehicle, leading to fading. The ceramic coat blocks these rays and safeguards the original color.
- A ceramic coating helps you in cleaning your car. The hydrophobic ensures layer that wet dirt and filth slides right off with a simple swipe.
- The ceramic coating adds to the appeal of your car. The ceramic finish gives it a glossy overlook, making it look brand new.
- It is long last. When applied properly, the coating can last up to five years. This saves you quite a bit of cash in the long run.
Are There Any Cons of Ceramic Coating?
- The ceramic coating is not invulnerable. The coating reduces the effects of hazards and scratches but it does not turn your car invincible. Regardless, as long as you don’t get anything heavy thrown at the car, the minor scratches are easily taken care of.
- The hydrophobic nature of the ceramic coating goes a long way to protect water spots. However, the natural minerals & other particles present in these contaminants tend to stay on the surface.
- You will still need to wash your car regularly, even after the application of the coating. Do know that the coating will definitely help you in keeping your car clean.
What is the Cost of a Ceramic Coating?
The cost of the coating depends on a number of factors. These factors include the size of the car, the condition, how often you wash, and the coating agent itself. Generally, a mid sized vehicle in good condition will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000.
Is Ceramic Coating Really Worth It?
Using a ceramic coating is worth it, no matter what way you look at it. Sure, the coating does not turn your car invincible and you will still need to wash it. However, considering the various benefits discussed above, the decision is a no-brainer. The coated vehicle will go a long way in reducing your stress when it comes to the protection of your car. Furthermore, you will save costs in the long run and your car will look great on the road.
