Explanation of ceramic coatings and their benefits

Ceramic coatings are a unique blend of nano particles that bond to a cars paint surface to create a tough, glossy coating.

They are an alternative to the traditional wax layer and the latest modern trend of paint protection film

The process was originally invented by a founding chemist John Suerth, who was amongst the first chemists to study the process of breaking down materials to nano sized (very small) to enable them to take on different physical and chemical properties.

It is this process that enables todays  true Ceramic Coating to chemical bond to a vehicle's paint job in turn forming a serious protective layer. 

The benefits of Ceramic Coatings are:

1. Greater protection due the the chemical bonding
2. Easier to clean as once the coating has been applied you need little more than a foam cannon wash down. Use of a Clay bar can help to prepare before applying I hasten to add!
3. Durability. Compared to the traditional wax coatings a ceramic coating does not need any further top up or attention for 5-6 years
4. Durability. Compared to the traditional wax coatings a ceramic coating does not need any further top up or attention for 5-6 years

Brief overview of the 8 different types of ceramic coatings to be discussed

In this blog post I will go through the different types of Ceramic Coating available. From the best for DIY through to professional grade coatings.

Highlighting their own unique qualities and their strengths and weaknesses to enable you as car owners to make the best choice for you particular car be it new paint or older. 

You will need to take into consideration how and when the car is used and stored. Is it a daily drive, a weekend car or a show car. 

Is it exposed to UV light for extended periods? Also do you use automatic car washes or are you a two bucket method washer?

A final thing to remember is that all types of coatings are only a sacrificial layer on top of vehicle's paint and the shine and depth of shine to the naked eye will only be as good as the paint work underneath the coating.

Therefore, it is essential that you do prep work to remove all swirl marks, light scratches or minor scratches with proper paint correction before the ceramic coating product is applied. And please note all ceramic coatings need a "Cure Time" after applying to fully dry and create a semi-permanent bond with the cars surface.

 9H Ceramic Coatings

Where have you heard 9H before? Can you remember? If your an artist you will know what I am suggesting!

If your not remember back to your school days when you were chewing on your pencil? 

Well often that pencil had a number and a letter on it that represented the hardness of the lead in the pencil. The hardest was a 9H and that is exactly what a "9H Ceramic Coating is, the hardest level coating you can get, pretty much a glass coating.

Any 9H type of Coating will give you great durability and superior resistance to scratches from roadside branches and debris.

They are also very resistant to bird droppings, brake dust and tree sap.

The only downside with a 9H coating is the initial cost, this however has to be considered in relation to how long it lasts compared to the traditional wax coatings that offer limited protection.

To help you choose a 9H Ceramic Coating take a look at these.

Boosted Ceramics 9H Nano Ceramic Coating Kit

This super kit gives you not only a super hard 9H ceramic coating but the whole kit of items needed to apply the coating. You get a 50ml bottle of NANO9, Applicator Block, 3 Micro-Fiber Applicator Pads, Microfiber Buffing Towel, Application Gloves. Which should enable you to apply the coating to the average car in under one hour. a really good all round Ceramic Coating kit to get you started if you have not tried the process before.

9H Car Ceramic Graphene Coating Pro

Here we have a super 9H coating that if double coated with give up to five years protection! A true leader in the 9H market it incorporates nano particle bonding with the toughness to protect from all the debris and rock chips an everyday driver can take. A great all round coating for long-lasting protection.

Nano-ceramic Coatings

Here we have what many people class as the first real ceramic coating, the nano ceramic coating. It was created by scientists that figured out if you create nano (small) particles then when they are applied to a car paint surface they will fill in and bond to the minor imperfections in the clear coat at almost a molecular level.

Here are some examples of Nano-Ceramic Coatings we like.

Chemical Guys HydroCharge Ceramic Spray Coating - The Ultimate Nano Ceramic Spray Protection

From the Chemical Guys stable backed by years of experience this Ultimate Nano Ceramic Spray is branded as the "Ultimate user-friendly DIY Nano-Ceramic Spray Coating"! It comes along with a pack of three superior grade microfiber cloths to really give you the best start and the best finish! Excuse the pun!

Car Detailing Ceramic Coating Auto Products Nano Glass Plating Crystal Car Polish

This Asian new comer into the Nano ceramic market looks by the branding to be a super product really fit for purpose. With one wipe application for super results!

Graphene Ceramic Coatings

Graphene is a form of carbon renounced for its strength a conductivity, this makes it an ideal component to feature in a ceramic coating. With graphene particles added to a ceramic matrix it forms a superior hard and hydrophobic layer making graphene coatings the ideal choice for wetter climates or if you just adore great water beading!

Another major advantage of Graphene coatings is their ease of application. This is due to the "Graphene" element in the coating acting as a lubricant.

They can usually be applied by a DIY enthusiast as well as professional detailers. Many of them come in a spray form and for best results are best just sprayed on a wiped off to leave a great shine and a reinvigorated hydrophobic surface.

Due to the lubrication factor of Graphene they all make a great coating for first time detailers as they are easy to apply and can be used for proper maintenance as an top up spray.

Here are some great examples for you to choose from.

Omni - Professional Graphene Coating and Detail Spray

This very professionally presented Graphene coating promises to be the real deal in Graphene based ceramic coatings and from the reviews it appears it really does come up with the goods and the finish you are really seeking. It has been tried and tested on planes, boats and automobiles with great all round results on every surface. A sure fire winner in the Graphene sector!

CarSusChem Graphene Ceramic Coating for Cars - Hydrophobic High Gloss Ceramic Coating

Hardness and Durability are the superior qualities of this Graphene infused coating along with remarkable hydrophobic function and high gloss finish. A true Graphene coating should only take one coat and this product can certainly fulfil this promise. It has equally remarkable results on plastic as well as paintwork giving superior water beading on either surface with a definite lack of any water spots remaining.

Sio2 Ceramic Coatings

If you live or drive your car in a heavy traffic area where the air is likely heavily laden with chemicals then you could well be best choosing an SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide) ceramic coating. These provide the best protection to chemicals on the market today. They are very resistant to acid or alkaline chemicals that can easily tarnish a vehicle's paint. There are also many Sio boost sprays available that can be used to repair any damage sustained to a ceramic coat.

Silicon Dioxide coatings are also amongst the hardest coatings and give a superior shine to all paint coatings. But a word of warning, whilst these give superior results they are very hard to apply and often best left to a professional ceramic coating specialist.

Here are some SiO2 coatings we recommend.

Chemical Guys WAC22916 HydroSlick Intense Gloss Sio2 Ceramic Coating

Any product that hails from the Chemical Guys Labs has to be respected due to their reputation and the WA22916 Hydro Slick Sio2 is no exception! They actually bill it as their "Hyperwax" product!

Further referring to its unique suspension technology that makes its application easy for anyone from complete novice to experienced detailer. Its Sio2 nano particles seal every crevice in the cars paint work to create a superb smooth ultra hydrophobic surface.

In their own words

"By filling in microscopic surface imperfections, hydro slick creates a super smooth surface that reflects light back at you with unparalleled shine like only a true ceramic can"

You can tell how much they believe in this product. Its only draw back from a few reviews is it can take a while to buff off.

XPEL - R1390 Ceramic Boost 16 oz -Si02 Silica Based Spray

Whilst the product packaging doesn't look anything special compared to other more exuberant brands the product is a really good Sio2 spray. It is specifically designed to be applied on top of an already Ceramic Coated car to boost up a tired ceramic coating.

The results and reviews speak for themselves as this is a great easy to apply product that can boost a coating for another few months which could really help towards the end of the Winter. This welcome boost can easy take you through to best part of the Spring and a new coating.

Hybrid Ceramic Coatings

A Hybrid Ceramic Coating is a combination of two or more different types of coating ingredients such as SiO2 and TiO2 in an attempt to get the full benefits of both ingredients. This combing of infusions can really work well to form a dual purpose best ceramic coating.

Some key features of Hybrid ceramic coatings are their ease of application, a real ability to repel water and reduce water spots forming and finally they are often somewhat cheaper option than the single ingredient coatings. So if your budget doesn't stretch too far then these could be your best option

Here are some prime examples.

Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating

The brand here speaks for itself, a world renowned name in car detailing whose products rarely break the bank. In my experience if you are after quality combined with value then Turtle is often the best answer. 

This product in particular offers super hydrophobic qualities and is a very easy application with the spray bottle version.

Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, Spray Car Wax

Another major name in car detailing here and another quality product backed by years of reputation and experience. A real gem of a hybrid ceramic coating here which can be applied as you wash your vehicle. Extreme beading is one of its superior qualities adn again as with our previous product in this section it is very very easy to apply.

Quartz Ceramic Coatings

We have another variety of Ceramic Coating here with the "Quartz Coatings". These are infused with quartz mineral granules to give greater qualities to the coating.

If you stop and think about the qualities of the Quartz Mineral you can understand why it is an ideal ingredient to be added to a ceramic coating.

Its main qualities are : Hardness, Durability, Clarity, Heat and Chemical resistance, what more you could ask for in a ceramic coating!

1. Hardness to prevent the scratches

2. Durability to last through the seasons and years

3. Heat resistance to protect in high temperatures and direct sunlight 

4. Chemical resistance to fend off all the air bound chemicals.

The quartz granules are infused with a resin to enable it to be added to the coating. Once applied with the suggested application process and allowed to cure this forms an incredibly hard surfaces on all the car panels.

I'm sure you will agree that these qualities provide pretty much the ideal qualities to be applied to a car's paintwork.

Here are our Quartz Suggestions!

CARPRO CQUARTZ UK 3.0_50ml Kit w/Reload & CARPRO Reset

A complete Quartz ceramic coating kit avail here to take care of all your coating needs for a long time!  The real unique advantage ceramic coatings have over traditional waxes is their durability adn this kit will give you all that and more. From the Quartz coating itself to the levelling towel and all in between. A super all round option that gives all solid materials and more.

Polymer Ceramic DIY Coating

Polymer Coatings are a mixture of polymers and ceramic particles. This combination is the classic type of ceramic coating. Polymers bind to the surface and hold ceramic particles in suspension to create a hard surface protection, as I like to say the "Classic Ceramic Coating"

They provide a high gloss look and are relatively easy to apply. They also deal well with harsh conditions, in particular high UV ray exposure. They are a really good all round performance coating.

Here is a good example.

JESCAR POWER LOCK PLUS POLYMER SEALANT

This long lasting deep wet look polymer ceramic coating can give your car a 6-8 Months. Simply apply with a foam pad or a microfiber cloth and allow to cure/haze over for thirty minutes before buffing off to a high gloss finish. Not the jazziest branded bottle I've ever seen but that really doesn't matter if the product in the bottle gives a great finish.

Hydrophobic Ceramic car Coatings

This section of Ceramic Coatings are especially important if you require a superior beading effect on your cars different surfaces. This is achieved by the ceramic coating changing the hydrophobic properties of the car surface, basically making it repel water. 

This causes the water to gather into small droplets, often in a very uniform pattern which many car owners find very appealing.

Many of this class have found their origins in the marine and boat arena, and have then been modified to suit the car market.

Here is a good example

Chemical Guys WAC22916 HydroSlick Intense Gloss Sio2 Ceramic Coating

Hydro Slick really does bring together all the best characteristics of ceramic coatings to create a very glossy and hydrophobic surface. It has the bonding capabilities of a nano ceramic coating, the suspension technology of a Si02 coating and the ease of applying a normal wax coating. This is backed by the companies reputation in the car detailing market. A great solid all round performance ceramic coating that can be applied by anyone to give a superb result.

Conclusion on different types of Ceramic Coatings

Ceramic coatings are a great way to protect the surface of your car and help slow down the inevitable depreciation. From Si02 to Ti02 to graphene and hybris coatings there is a type to fit all requirements and budgets.

They will help protect the exterior of your vehicle from scratches, harmful UV rays damage as well as making your car shine and stand out from the crowd.

Whilst their initial investment can seem quite large the savings you will make in time spent polishing and waxing are phenomenal! Once the car has its ceramic coating properly applied then the cleaning process can be as little as five minute power hose rinse to restore the deep wet look shine we all desire.

The good news is that most of the coatings covered in this blog post can be applied by yourself, but if you are unsure or not confident enough then you should seek the services of a professional detailer.

I hope I have given you some insight into the different types of ceramic coating available on the market today and you are now better informed as to making a choice to suit you and your cars needs.

You can be assured that ceramic coating your car is a solid investment and will save you both time and money due to the super durability of the coating.