Just as cars have evolved over time, so has the paint protection we use for them.
The newest form of protective technology is ceramic coatings!
1900’s: Wax
1970’s: Polymer Sealants
2000’s: Ceramic Coatings
Unlike organic-based waxes and sealants, ceramic coatings are inorganic and Si02 (silicon dioxide) based. This is what gives them their well-known durability. The Si02 particles are suspended in a resin with solvents and additives in order to bond to the paint.
These coatings provide a thin, measurable amount of film protection for your vehicle, typically about 1 micron. This is extremely thin, but very durable. This chemical makeup of Si02 helps give the same properties as that of glass.
This DOES NOT mean you have an actual layer glass on your paint, only the same properties, meaning your paint will be more hydrophobic, chemically resistant, and slick.
These hydrophobic properties however actually come from those additives within a coating. Many coatings by themselves are still very durable and protective, but don’t necessarily provide the same hydrophobicity and slickness as waxes and sealants.
Therefore coatings can lose some of their hydrophobic properties over time and become more hydrophilic and sheet water. This is why many companies sell top layers, or “toppers”, for their coatings. These toppers will help keep the water-beading and slickness most people love.
Expanding upon common misconceptions - claims of 7H or 9H hardness are irrelevant. Coatings will indeed make your paint harder than from the factory, but it will not automatically be as hard as the rating of the coating. This is just not simply possible from adding 1 micron of coating. It will however add an increase of around 2H or 3H hardness to your OEM clear coat.
Coatings are NOT scratch proof! Improper hand washing, automatic car washes, key marks, and shopping carts will still scratch your paint.
The main benefit of a coating is to provide a durable, slick layer of protection. The slicker and more hydrophobic your paint is, the easier it will be to clean and the less you will need to touch your paint resulting in less scratching and swirls marks.
Coatings will also provide much more chemical resistance than other paint protections. Many coatings can provide resistance to chemicals from a Ph of 2 and up to a Ph of 12! This means you will have significant protection from bird droppings, bug guts, and tree sap.
Coatings are NOT maintenance free!
Routine washing is still crucial in extending the longevity of a coating. As dirt and road grime build up on your coating, you will notice a lack of hydrophobic properties. Regular washes with a ph-neutral soap or rinseless wash will keep the coating from becoming clogged and help it perform properly. Adding the Si02 toppers every so often can also help extend the longevity and hydrophobic properties by filling in any weak areas of the coating.
Many people think of coatings as being reserved for special, high-end vehicles but this is simply not the case. A daily-driver is actually a great candidate for a coating because it is the vehicle coming in contact with nasty contaminants.
Overall, ceramic coatings are a great improvement in paint protection and the car care industry. If you’re thinking about getting your vehicle ceramic-coated, just make sure to understand the limitations and myths before diving in. There is no magic pill for car care!