How Does Ceramic Coating Work?

February 5, 2023

Ceramic coating is a popular term in the car detailing industry. Its popularity has risen significantly in the last couple of years due to the many benefits it offers car owners.


If you are curious to know how ceramic coating works, worry no more, as this article will provide all the information you need. If you have yet to detail your car with a ceramic coating and are curious about the science behind its effective results, you are also in the right place.


With so many ceramic paint coatings out there, each promising the same glossy sheen for your car, it's easy to get confused when deciding. With the right information on how it works and the ingredients that make it effective, you can make informed decisions whenever you want to detail your car with this new car detailing service.


To understand how a ceramic coating process works, you first need to understand what it is and the main chemical ingredients deployed during its production.


What is Ceramic Coating? 


Ceramic coating is a car detailing process that applies a thin film of a chemical solution to the surface of a car's frame to protect it from the elements. This film solution creates a sacrificial layer or additional skin to a car's paint job and absorbs all dirt, grime, bug splatter, and other elements that may cause imperfections in the car's bodywork.


Skilled car detailers handle the application process to perfection, ensuring that nobody can tell the difference between the car's original bodywork and the film applied.


Ceramic coatings work with their hydrophobic properties to repel water, so you won't worry about acid rain, bug splatter, or dirty water when your car rides over a slimy surface. You can apply ceramic coating to your entire car, including its glass, wheels, side mirrors, etc. 


They are more durable than similar paint protection products like car wax or paint sealant. Expect them to last up to a year or two before their quality starts to decline, and you may need to apply the product again. However, while the ceramic coating lasts on your car's paint job, you will enjoy every bit of it. From its glorious sheen, which enhances car pride for you, to the extra value it will add to your car when you decide to sell it, investing in having a ceramic-coated car never goes wrong.


What is Ceramic Coating made of?


Ceramic coating is a product of several chemical constituents, which include the following:


Nano Sio2 


Silica or Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is the principal chemical present in ceramic coatings. However, it's present in nanoform, which makes it less than 100 nanometers in size. Nano implies extremely small, and in science, any molecule that measures in nanometers is almost invisible, and that's a high-grade property of any chemical. This nano-ceramic coating molecule is responsible for its thin yet hard and nearly invisible layer of protection.


Fluorine 


Activating fluorine in ceramic coatings protects your car's paint job from dust and debris effortlessly after application. It's the main ingredient that gives the ceramic coating its dust-repelling property.


Nano TiO2 


Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is a primary chemical compound used in the production of many cooking utensils, antiseptics, and pharmaceutical products. Titanium Oxide is hydrophobic, meaning it repels. As a result of this ingredient, titanium dioxide, you have the hydrophobic property of ceramic coating.


Shiny Silicone Particles 


The candy-gloss appearance of your car's paint job after applying ceramic coating is due to shiny silicone particles. They are responsible for the aesthetic allure of ceramic coatings.


What Ceramic Coating Can't Do


Now, you know it will protect your paintwork by repelling dust, rainwater, dirt, grime, bird droppings, and other light environmental elements. It will also keep your car looking like new for a long time. Yet, there are a few things a ceramic coat won't do for your car, and it's best you learn of them and avoid setting high expectations, especially when you overstretch your car detailing budget to get one.


Consequently, understand that a ceramic coating doesn't replace a good car wash service; you would still wash your car, but not as often as you would without the coating.


The ceramic coating doesn't create a tough protective layer on your car's exterior. When your kids hurl stones at your car, there will be noticeable dents, and you may need paint correction services. If someone pokes your car with a sharp object, the ceramic coating won't prevent your car from reflecting the result of that action. To get the best out of your ceramic coating, you still have to be careful when washing the car, as aggressive scrubbing can leave swirl marks on it.


How Long Does Ceramic Coating Last? 


One of the highlights of ceramic coatings is durability. Industry-grade ceramic coating can last from a few months to five years, which is a significant improvement from what other paint protection film packages offer. It means fewer worries about your paintwork and more peace of mind when you ride through muddy waters or when birds use your car's frame as their dumpsite. 

ceramic coating protects

What Does a 9H Rated Ceramic Coating Mean? 


Ceramic coatings come in various degrees of hardness. The 9H hardness rating is measured by the Wolff-Wilborn pencil scratch resistance testing scale. The scale begins with 0 and increases to 9. Higher ratings indicate high scratch-resistant properties, and low ratings indicate the opposite. 


If a ceramic coating product has a 9H rating, it's professional-grade and certainly one of the best you'll ever find. The 9H is the highest on the scale and boasts extreme toughness when applied to your car's paintwork. Be mindful of ratings lower than 9H or above, as they might just be upgrades of waxes and paint sealants.


Types and Grades of Ceramic Coating Products


Various ceramic coating products are out there in detailing shops, but they all fall under three main categories, which include the following: 


Professional or Industry-grade Ceramic Coatings 


Professional-grade ceramic coatings are top-tier products meant for use by expert detailers and are not budget-friendly. They are more durable, lasting up to 5 years, and offer better protection from the elements when applied to your car's frame. Industry-grade coatings use higher percentages of SiO2 and other essential chemicals to enhance their results. If you run on a shoestring budget, a professional-grade ceramic coating might be unrealistic. However, other affordable options are available that will guarantee almost the same results.


Consumer-grade Ceramic Coating 


Consumer-grade products are almost the same as their professional variants. They only have lower percentages of chemicals, such as SiO2 and TiO2. They are also easier to apply, and most detailers can perfect the application process. This would be a good fit for your slim budget while giving you all the benefits you desire.


Durability might not be as high as professional-grade variants; they fall in the 1–5 year range, and that's not entirely bad. Budget ceramic coating sprays also fall into this category. You simply spray them on your car's frame to improve its shine, but they won't last more than 6 months. A DIY ceramic coating kit also falls under this category but is not fully effective.


Substandard Ceramic Coatings 


Daily, low-grade products enter the market, and you can tell by their features. They typically contain labels full of unrealistic promises or benefits, such as rock chip resistance, extended durability, and sometimes 10H hardness. These benefits are impossible, and even the best brands won't promise them. Avoid products that are too good to be true in their features; they are substandard and will waste your time and cash.


The Bottom line


Ceramic coating creates a thin, invisible layer of protection over a car's paint job. This thin film layer is hydrophobic and repels water, dirt, dust, and other elements. Coatings typically last a few years and don't eliminate the need for regular car washes. Beware of fake products that promise unbelievable benefits like insane longevity. If you have the budget, go for industry-grade ceramic coatings with 9H ratings, allow professional detailers to handle the application process, and enjoy the best ceramic coatings. 


Get the Best Ceramic Coating Service at Detail Solutions 


Detail Solutions is Baltimore's leading provider of automotive detailing services. We provide a range of car detailing services, such as paint protection, interior and exterior detailing, and high-quality ceramic coatings, to every car owner who trusts us with their car maintenance needs. 



We are locally owned and have been operating since 2011, providing the best customer experience for car owners in Baltimore and its surroundings. We have the best team of auto detailers with years of experience behind them. They commit to excellence in all their work and would be happy to serve you. 

Contact us now for the best and most durable ceramic pro coating services, or request a free estimate. 

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