Every car owner likes to protect their vehicle exterior. Your vehicle is your investment that you don’t want to wear down early. Neither do you want to spend money on repairs. However, you can not avoid environmental factors such as sunrays, rain, tree saps, bird droppings, or road salt.
If you are a resident of Ontario, the winter season here starts in December and may last in February or later. The winter season is extreme here. It may bring rain or snowfall that can damage your car paint in the long run. So, protecting your car paint is necessary. Ceramic car paint is one of the long-lasting protective options. It is especially good for people living in areas with heavy rainfall or snow.
What is ceramic for car paint?
Ceramic coating is silica or SiO2-based liquid polymers. It is sprayed or applied by hand, which cures to form a hard layer. If you maintain it properly, it may last for several years.
Disadvantages of ceramic coating
Ceramic coating is a long lasting protection to your vehicle paint as compared to sealants or waxes. Everything has some disadvantages accompanying the benefits
Expensive
The major disadvantage of the ceramic coating is its cost. The ceramic coating cost depends on its quantity and application, along with surface preparation. If your car is new, it requires less correction work. However, the cars having more scratches, swirl marks, and paint damage require more paint correction.
Although applying ceramic coating by yourself is possible, for surface preparation, you need specialized tools.
Hard to apply
Even if you have enough space and equipment, you still need the knowledge to apply the ceramic coating. Although several tips are available on the internet, you should not apply them if you haven’t detailed a car yet.
Requires surface preparation
All paint protection solutions need surface preparation. The car surface has to be perfect prior to applying a coating to your car. If the car surface is not prepared properly, the ceramic for car paint won’t adhere to the surface.
Not easily available
DIY ceramic coating kits are available in the market. Anyone can buy the ceramic coatings available in the market. However, some brands prefer selling professional grade ceramic for car paint to only licensed installers. You can buy these brands only if you are certified or licensed. Some of the companies sell ceramic coatings only to those who pass their installation course.
Most DIYers consider selling ceramic to professionals as a drawback. However, others may consider it as an advantage.
Water sports
Ceramic car paint is made to prevent damage caused by contaminants. However, some of the ceramic coatings don’t come with enough protection against water spots.
The most fascinating thing about ceramic coating is that it causes water to drop off. It is a very good thing when you drive in the rain. However, it can be an issue when your vehicle is parked under the rain. Rain droplets will bead off, but some can be retained on the surface. If these droplets are left untreated, they can cause water spots.
The drying water may leave mud or chemicals on the vehicle’s surface. Auto Boss experts suggest washing your car after driving in the rain. Use low pH, non-water-based shampoo, and a clean new microfiber mitt. Hand cleaning is the best option to prevent water spotting.
Misleading claims from the manufacturer
Although a few manufacturers will provide complete details about their coating, however, some don’t. The major misleading claim is regarding the longevity of the coating. Some manufacturers claim that the lifespan of their coating is up to 9 years. But it is only true when you don’t drive your car at all. Because in the real world, it is not possible. Road debris and contaminants affect your vehicle’s ceramic coating, which reduces its effectiveness.
According to our experts, don’t expect the ceramic coating’s lifespan for more than 5 years. Forget about the claims. In certain cases, if you don’t have a garage and the weather conditions of your region are harsh, the coating’s lifespan may not exceed even five years.
Related Article: Where Can I Get My Car Ceramic Coating Near Me?
Proper maintenance required
According to a common myth, your coated car will not require much maintenance. However, this is not true. The ceramic for car paint needs proper maintenance include
Proper vehicle washing with pH neutral cleaners or shampoo.
Apply coating toppers, boosters, or sprays after a few months to keep your car shining. We suggest using System X Renew Ceramic spray coating with an additional protection layer. It can last up to six months, thus increasing the lifespan of your coating.
Try parking your car in a garage or a roofed place. Avoid parking it under the trees as it may receive tree sap, bird droppings, and bug splatters.
Dry your vehicle as soon as you wash your car,
Conclusion
Ceramic car paint is not ideal for every car owner because of its cost. A coating adheres to the vehicle surface that cannot be wiped off or reapplied easily. Its application should be consistent and smooth. If you apply it yourself, you may leave the car’s surface greasy. Small bubbles may appear in the coating when air is trapped. These imperfections occur when the vehicle surface is not prepared properly.
Car ceramic coating requires proper surface preparation. The detailer required specialized tools to prepare the car’s surface. We suggest having professional installation of the ceramic for car paint. Auto Boss has all facilities under one roof. The facilities are auto detailing cleaning and coating installation. Get a hassle-free coating installation, and contact our experts now!
FAQs
Does coating wear off with time?
Yes! Any protection option, including ceramic coating, degrades with time. Sometimes, it requires reapplication after a few years, depending on the coating’s quality and maintenance.
Can car coating damage your car paint?
No! Ceramic coating doesn’t damage your car’s paint. However, improper installation and then removal can cause damage to the paint.