Top Three Myths About Ceramic Coatings
Assuming that you have detailed your car in the past, there is a high chance you have heard about ceramic coatings (maybe even from me!)
A ceramic coat is an excellent option if your car is constantly exposed to dirt, rain, UV rays, chemicals, and bird droppings, but you still want it to look good. It offers better protection than waxes or sealants, hands down.
That being said, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what ceramic coatings can or can't do.
If you read a lot of the stuff online, you might be left wondering if a ceramic coating is a miracle car-care product or just a bunch of fluff wrapped in marketing jargon!
As a person who deals with ceramic coatings all day, every day, it doesn't sit well with me when people share half-truths and sometimes blatant lies to get a sale. 😤 So let's debunk a few myths about ceramic coatings.
MYTH #1: Ceramic coatings are scratch-proof.
Ceramic coatings are scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof. Perhaps that will happen one day in the future, but the best they can currently offer (and they do it well) is giving the coated surface scratch resistance. Ceramic coatings provide good protection against finer scratches and swirl marks, but expect some scratch marks if you run your coated car through a dirty-brush automatic car wash or accidentally scrape against a wall.
MYTH #2: You don't have to wash your vehicle.
You still have to wash your car regularly with proper wash techniques and products. Again, I am not talking about automatic car washes. Stay away from those if you want to prolong your ceramic coating’s lifespan. Wash your car the correct way, and your ceramic coat will serve you well for years to come. Don't have time for that? You can always sign up for our Smartwash Program.
MYTH #3: DIY coatings can match up to professional, industrial-grade ceramic coatings.
Sellers of DIY ceramic coating will try and convince you that ceramic coating your car at home is simple and straightforward. Coat an imperfect vehicle, and you'll simply lock those imperfections (only to be amplified even more) beneath a slick, protective layer. Before a ceramic coating is applied, any blemishes and scratches on the car's exterior need to be polished off first. This applies even to brand-new vehicles. Also, ceramic coatings require precise temperature and humidity levels to bond well to the paint's surface. I doubt you have the necessary equipment lying around in your home. Most car owners are insufficiently trained for such a job and only end up disappointed when they realize it's not simple and their money is already down the drain.
I get asked frequently, "Robert, should I ceramic coat my car?" Often my answer is simple “yes” — but that's after I have explained to them all the benefits. Let me dig a little bit more into that...
You will benefit from ceramic coating your car if:
Your car is outdoors a lot, especially if you have to park your car outside.
Then the sun's UV rays can, over time, damage your car's paint job, causing it to fade and have a dull look. A ceramic coating will give your car superb protection against harmful UV rays.
You miss that mint showroom look and want your car's exterior to look 'freaking amazing.' Then ceramic coating is the way to go as it adds gloss and depth to your car's paint.
You value cleaning your car regularly but you want to make the cleaning process less tedious and time-consuming. Due to the coating's hydrophobic qualities, all water-based dirt and grime will bead on the surface and eventually slide off. This means a car that stays cleaner for a longer period of time and is much easier to wash.
You have the budget for it. Professional detailers don't work for free, and you should expect to pay not just for the coating products but also for their expertise. For instance, a 2-step paint correction and ceramic coating by a premier installer like VIP AutoSpa will cost upwards of a thousand dollars. For people on a really tight budget, this might be a big ask.
Still not sure? The video below is super-helpful for explaining the ceramic coating process and how it can keep any car looking brand new forever.
If any of the points I have mentioned above resonate with you, definitely feel free to reach out. I would love to discuss more on how a ceramic coat could be an excellent investment for your car.
