What is a Ceramic Coating?
At one point in time, a paste wax was the top shelf choice to enhance your vehicle’s shine while also protecting your paint from external elements like rain, bird poo, dirt, etc…
Fast forward 20 years, a bunch of scientists work their magic in a lab, and we now have a far more durable and superior form of protection: ceramic coatings.
Unlike Mr. Miyagi, this is not a “wax-on-wax-off” application. The ceramic coating is a semi-permanent liquid layer that bonds to the vehicles surface. It is commonly referred to as a “sacrificial” layer of protection as it’ll absorb the weather elements like rain, dirt, and snow to better protect the paint underneath.
As an analogy: The wax is like a tent protecting you in a forest. The ceramic coating is like a brick house in the forest. Both offer protection from rain and dust, but one is nothing like the other.
At one point in time, a paste wax was the top shelf choice to enhance your vehicle’s shine while also protecting your paint from external elements like rain, bird poo, dirt, etc…
Fast forward 20 years, a bunch of scientists work their magic in a lab, and we now have a far more durable and superior form of protection: ceramic coatings.
Unlike Mr. Miyagi, this is not a “wax-on-wax-off” application. The ceramic coating is a semi-permanent liquid layer that bonds to the vehicles surface. It is commonly referred to as a “sacrificial” layer of protection as it’ll absorb the weather elements like rain, dirt, and snow to better protect the paint underneath.
As an analogy: The wax is like a tent protecting you in a forest. The ceramic coating is like a brick house in the forest. Both offer protection from rain and dust, but one is nothing like the other.
Common Myths About Ceramic Coatings
Yes, coatings are long-lasting and durable, but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with your vehicle and think the coating will protect it. It has its limitations and it’s important to understand the limitations of what the ceramic coating can handle. Too many times we see customers overthink the protection aspect of the coating and are then disappointed when they see swirls or etchings in the paintwork. The coating will not make your paint scratch-proof. When we say the coating will resist light swirls and scratches, we genuinely mean very light swirls and scratches that might be induced when properly washing or drying the vehicle. If you drag a dry and dirty wash mitt across the paint, you will scratch the paint. If you drag your hand or leg across the paint, you will scratch it. The coating will not protect your paint from rock chips. The only real option that can protect your paint from rock chips will be paint protection film (PPF). No matter how many layers you apply of any protection, whether it’s wax or ceramic coating, it cannot stop the impact of a rock hitting your vehicle. The coating requires maintenance to prolong the durability. Just like many other things in life, if you don’t care for the coating, it will degrade overtime and not last it’s intended lifespan. |