The Low Down on Ceramic Clear Coats

The REAL Truth About Ceramic Coats

If you are a car enthusiast and haven’t been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ve likely heard of ceramic clear coats.

These days the automotive world is abuzz talking about ceramic coats. But what are they? What are they for and should you consider one? How do they stack up against paint Protection Film?

First, let’s talk about what a ceramic coat is. Ceramic coats are made on a nano-polymer ceramic solution that when applied to paint or clear coat, forms a permanent bond with the factory coat or paint. This means it will not wash off even if a stripper is used (no not that kind of stripper). The only way to take a ceramic coat off is either to use heavy cutting compounds and high powered rotary buffer or DA Polishers to cut it off or to allow it to wear of naturally, which for any high quality ceramic coat is usually a few years.

So now that we know a little about what a ceramic coat is, how does it stack up against waxes and sealants? or even paint Protection Films (PPF)?

Modern poly-synthetic sealants and waxes have come a long way over the years. While the newest ones provide longer lasting protection than ever before, they still fall short in quite a few important areas.

Durability. The first question most people ask me is usually, “How long will it last”. In the case of modern waxes/sealants, the highest level brands can last between 4 to 6 months. Any claims beyond that belong in the fiction section. While that may seem like a decent amount of time, it is important to remember, most ceramic coats will last between two to five years, with most falling somewhere in the middle.

Protection. The second question I always hear, '“Will it protect my paint?”. The answer is yes…and no. Yes it will provide some protection against the elements, such as water, dust, etc. But will waxes and sealants protect against scratches? No, not really. One of the biggest differences between waxes/sealants and ceramic clear coats becomes very clear when we talk about scratch protection.

Waxes and Sealants form an ultra thin layer over the clear coat and while the can repel dirt and water pretty well, they are simply too thin and too soft to stop most sources of scratches from marring the finish.

Ceramic coats on the other hand are many times thicker and are rated as a 9H on the mos scale. For reference, a diamond is a 10, so ceramics are no joke when it comes to protection.

Shine/Gloss. When it comes to appearance, modern waxes and sealants provide great gloss and shine and for a few weeks will make your ride look showroom ready. After that however, well, they shine and gloss starts to wear down and you find yourself wondering if the product is still on the paint. Ceramic coats on the other hand, will have the car looking car show ready for the entire duration of the product, meaning several years rather than a few weeks.

Paint Protection Film Vs Ceramic Clear Coat

I often get asked what the difference between PPF and ceramic coats are and which is better.

To answer this we need to look at the pros and cons of each product. PPF like xpel and 3M, are vinyl overlays that are scratched and heat sealed against the vehicle. They are definitely thicker than ceramic coat and do a better job of stopping rock chips than ceramic coat do. HOWEVER, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, while PPFD have come a long way in quality and durability and for the most part will no longer turn an ugly yellow color, they will still turn a foggy white color over time. This is usually due to a couple of issues. One, they are very soft, not rated at all on the Mos scale. This means they are very permeable and over time they trap on hold onto pollutants and grime that land on the vehicle. Unlike ceramic coats, which are hydrophobic (water repellent) and dirt repelling, vinyl protection film does nothing to push water or dirt off the car. The other issue that you run into with PPF is SWIRLS, the very thing you are here to find a solution too! That’s right, the dirty little secret of the paint protection film world is that the film WILL swirl up over time and there isn’t much you can do about it.

I hear you asking, “Can’t ceramic coats get swirls in them too?” Yes. However, with proper care and maintenance, it becomes very unlikely that you’ll see swirls appearing in a ceramic coat.

COST

A big factor in deciding which is best for you between a ceramic coat and PPF is cost! PPF can cost THOUSANDS of dollars to install across the entire vehicle. It is not uncommon for a shop to charge 3,000 or more if want the entire vehicle wrapped. However, most people only wrap certain parts of the vehicle, like the font bumper and hood (meaning the rest of the car is unprotected) and that will usually run you about 1,200 to 2,000 USD.

Ceramic coats on the other hand have a much larger and lower cost range, with the upper range for something like Gtechniq’s Serum Ultra (TM) costing about 1,500 total. However, in many cases, you can find installers that will do paint correction and ceramic coats for less than 1,000.

How Bout Both?

While ceramic coats are more economical, PPF do provide superior rock chip protection and are highly useful on front bumpers and hoods, areas that often take the most road wear. Ceramic coats can be applied over the PPF, which will significantly improve their anti-swirling ability and stop contaminants from embedding themselves in the film. So when it comes to which should you chose, if money is not your main concern, BOTH! If however, money is an object and your significant other would kill you for spending too much money on “car stuff”, the ceramic coat is going to give you the best bang for your buck!

*Jamie is the owner of Sunset Detailing OC, laughs at his own jokes and can be contacted at sunsetdetailingoc@gmail.com*

www.sunsetautocoats.com