Regulations regarding a fire extinguisher in a car When it comes to road safety, a lot of attention is paid to the skills…
Ceramic coating – what is worth knowing about it and how to care for it?
Ceramic coating – what is worth knowing about it and how to care for it?
The varnish is sensitive to dirt, scratches and weather conditions. One way to protect the bodywork is ceramic coating. What is it and what are the benefits of using it? Here's the answer.
Ceramic coating for paint – what is it?
Due to EU environmental protection regulations, car paints containing substances such as toluene or lead can no longer be used to paint cars. Instead, so-called water-based varnishes are used.
For users, this means that the paint coating in new cars is not as hard as in older models. Therefore, it is less resistant to scratches and weather conditions.
To extend the durability of the paint and better protect it, you can apply a ceramic coating. It is a special preparation created using nanotechnology. Ceramic car coating bonds with the car paint. An additional protective layer is created on the body, up to several microns thick.
Why is it worth applying a ceramic coating to your car's paint?
Ceramic coating helps protect your paint in several ways. First of all, it has hydrophobic properties. Thanks to this, water does not settle on the body, but flows down it. This feature also makes it more difficult for dirt to stick to the bodywork. Getting rid of dirt becomes easier, and visits to the car wash may be less frequent.
In addition, the anti-corrosion properties will be improved. The varnish will be more resistant to chemicals and bird droppings. Road salt will not damage the body as much as it did before applying the protective layer.
Ceramic coating on a car brings out the depth of the paint. It takes on an effective appearance and becomes glassy. Moreover, thanks to the ceramic coating, the body becomes more resistant to UV radiation. The paint will not fade.
Applying a paint coating will reduce the risk of micro-scratches or chips appearing on the body. This does not mean, however, that the bodywork will be resistant to more serious mechanical damage, such as after applying the foil. The coating will not protect against parking abrasions or scratches with a key, but the paint will still be harder.
A big advantage of ceramic coating is its durability. If you take care of it, it can last from 5 to even 10 years.
What are the types of ceramic coatings?
The basic ingredients of the ceramic coating are silicon oxide and titanium oxide. Before choosing a given preparation, it is recommended to check whether it is approved. One of them is SGS, awarded by the Swiss company Société Générale de Surveillance, specializing in certification.
Another aspect worth paying attention to is the degree of hardness. In the case of ceramic coatings, the so-called pencil scale. High-quality preparations are class 9H.
Ceramic coatings can be divided not only by quality. Features and application are also important. A given preparation may, for example, have better hydrophobic properties but worse color depth parameters. It may also have the opposite effect - it will repel water slightly worse, but it will provide a more interesting appearance to the paint. The better the quality of the coating, the smaller the differences between efficiency and effectiveness.
In addition to ceramic coatings for paint, there are also agents for protecting plastic elements and glass. Ceramic preparations can also be used on rims and brake calipers, which makes it easier to remove deposits from the pads.
How to care for a car with a ceramic coating?
The ceramic coating requires proper care. First of all, it should be "unblocked" from time to time, i.e. a treatment should be performed to maintain its hydrophobic properties.
It is worth rinsing a car with a ceramic coating with water once a week to prevent the accumulation of dirt that impairs the protective parameters. If we want to do a more detailed one car detailing, let's stock up on car cosmetics good quality, neutral pH.
The cleaning process can start with application active foam on the still dry body. However, we rinse it before it dries. If we use a sponge for washing, we try to use perpendicular movements. WITH car accessories will be useful, among others: microfiber cloth.
Bodywork with a ceramic coating should not be covered with wax, as it may impair the protective properties. It will also be better to avoid automatic car washes. It is recommended to use it quick detailer, for example to remove small but potentially damaging dirt, including bird droppings or insect deposits.
How much does it cost to apply a ceramic coating to a car's paint?
The cost of a ceramic coating depends on several factors, including the size of the car and whether the preparation is also to be used on windows, rims and plastics. An important issue is the current condition of the paint coating.
It should be in the best possible condition before applying the coating. Therefore, it must be thoroughly cleaned and degreased. Sometimes you need to make paint corrections. In addition, the bodywork is often polished before applying a ceramic coating. In the case of newer cars, the cost of the entire service may be lower compared to older vehicles, as initial preparation may require less work. It is estimated that a ceramic coating costs from approximately PLN 1500 to approximately PLN 5000.
What are the disadvantages of installing a ceramic coating on a car?
One of the main disadvantages of ceramic coating is the mentioned price. Applying a layer will keep the paint in good condition longer and reduce the costs of keeping the car clean. However, in the case of older cars, using a ceramic coating may be moderately profitable. The cost of the service may be close to the total value of the car.
Ceramic coating should not be applied to damaged paint. It can additionally highlight body defects. Therefore, sometimes you have to take into account the costs of paint corrections.
Moreover, as we have already mentioned, a ceramic coating on a car requires proper maintenance, which also requires financial outlays. You can't put it on and forget about its existence for a few years.
When looking for the best offer, it is worth paying attention not only to the price. A good company should offer a several-year warranty on the ceramic coating.
