How Long Does a Ceramic Coating Last? Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Vehicle’s Coating
We can answer this significant question with the precision of experts who understand the process of installing, maintaining, and repairing ceramic coatings.
Here we will also describe the advantages of having your car coated and how you can care for your vehicle so your ceramic coating works optimally and lasts as long as possible. Read on for this information as well as answers to common queries regarding ceramic coating.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Ceramic Coating Last on a Car?
- The quality of coating used
- The method used to apply it
- The environmental conditions to which your vehicle is exposed
Loupe Detailing offers professional application of the highest quality ceramic coatings available and can provide maintenance recommendations to keep your ceramic coating as pristine as possible. Call us today or visit our website to learn about our ceramic coating options.
Benefits of Ceramic Coating
When properly applied and cared for, ceramic coatings have a better chance of lasting a long time. We promise it’s worth the benefits. A ceramic coating protects the longevity of your automotive paint and thus its aesthetic appearance by:
- Protecting against UV rays, grime, and harsh chemical cleaners: The UV barrier prevents the fading and peeling of paint. Mud and grime slide off easily because of the hydrophobic properties of the coating.
- Repelling water and toxins: Instead of being absorbed, water (along with any dissolved minerals or contaminants) forms beads and rolls off the surface, preventing the formation of water spots and the disintegration of the exterior paint. The sliding angle also plays a role in the hydrophobic effect of the ceramic coating. While beads tend to roll more easily, more factors are at work. A car’s clear coat can be re-engineered to optimize the sliding angle so the surface is slick enough that beads will certainly roll off.
- Lowering the drag: The slickness of a ceramic coating allows less accumulation of dirt on wheels so that the car maintains its aerodynamic profile, leading to better fuel economy. Throughout your car’s life, this can end up saving quite a bit of money.
4 Ways To Quickly Wear Out Your Ceramic Coating
Before we delve into the best ways to maintain your ceramic coating, consider these tips about what not to do. The following mistakes can significantly decrease the lifespan of your ceramic coating.
#1: Driving in Extreme Weather Conditions
Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, cause a vehicle’s paint to expand and contract. If you live somewhere where this happens frequently, tiny cracks may begin to appear on the surface, allowing water to seep through, causing rust and damage to your ceramic coating and your automotive paint.
Cold weather, in particular, can make paint less flexible and thus more vulnerable to chipping and damage by impact, such as from road debris, hail, or a minor collision.
Although ceramic coating provides UV protection, leaving your car in the sun for prolonged periods can lead to premature degradation of the coating over time. A fully cured ceramic coating can withstand high temperatures, but exposure while the coating is still curing can lead to decreased durability and uneven application.
#2: Using Harsh Chemicals
The abrasiveness and harshness of cleaners, soap, and other strong products can scuff the surface of the ceramic coating over time, compromising its ability to protect against water penetration, and also resulting in rust.
#3: Improper Washing
Do not use only one bucket when washing your vehicle. Instead, use the two-bucket method for washing your ceramic coating to reduce the risk of scratching it. Having one bucket for washing and one for rinsing keeps dirt out of the wash water so that you don’t rub dirt particles onto your car’s exterior as you wash.
In addition, never wash in direct sunlight. When the surface of your car is very hot, two negative effects may result:
- The soap dries more quickly than you can scrub it in and rinse it off, leaving ugly streaks and spots.
- Water essentially boils off your car, causing brief moments of intense heat that can burn off the ceramic coating.
#4: Polishing the Exterior
It’s not recommended to polish over a ceramic coating. This diminishes its effectiveness and leads to water penetration and rust. Polishing involves using abrasive compounds to remove imperfections on the car’s exterior. This can damage the ceramic coating so it can no longer fulfill its protective functions.
Polishing a ceramic coat can lead to the following:
- Swirl marks: Fine, circular scratches
- Hazing: A cloudy appearance
- Delamination: A weakening or breaking of the bond between the coating and the paintwork, leaving an uneven appearance
Rather, polish your car before having a ceramic coating applied. If you want to enhance the shine of the coating, there are ways to do so without polishing:
- Use microfiber towels and a neutral cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants.
- Use microfiber towels or a blower for gently drying the surface.
- Use a spray detailer between washes to maintain the gloss and slickness of the ceramic coating.
- If your ceramic coating develops minor imperfections, discuss repair options with a professional.
Tips for Extending the Life of Your Ceramic Coating
The best way to extend the lifespan of your ceramic coating is to give it proper care. But there are other, less obvious, things you can do to maintain its health and integrity:
- Allow time for it to cure (2-3 weeks): This doesn’t mean you can’t use the vehicle, but you’ll need to be extra careful. During the first two days after application, it’s best to leave the car indoors to prevent the risk of wind-blown debris, bird droppings, and rain. If you must drive, avoid doing so in the cooler hours of the day, when humidity is highest, as this can compromise an uncured ceramic coating.
- Clean regularly with proper cleaning techniques: Use the two-bucket method and soft towels or mitts. Wash at least every two weeks, though you may need to wash more frequently, depending on your car’s usage.
- Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive washing techniques: Use only cleaners professionally approved for cars. Wipe from top to bottom in straight lines, not circular motions. Gravity causes dirt particles to move down. Following these tips prevents the recirculation of already-scrubbed dirt.
- Detail regularly (about every 6 months): Protecting the upholstery and preventing major mechanical issues can increase the car’s resale value.
- Apply maintenance boosters: A ceramic coating booster contains a high concentration of silicon dioxide, which helps to restore the ceramic coating’s protective properties.
- Keep it covered: Park indoors to protect against environmental factors that could damage your ceramic coating.
To go into more detail about any of these tips and for guidance about how to apply them to your vehicle, call Loupe Detailing today.
FAQs Regarding Ceramic Coating on Cars
How Often Do You Need To Apply Ceramic Coating?
- A permanent dullness to the glossy finish
- Failure of water droplets to bead and roll off
- Peeling of the coating
A ceramic coating kept in optimal condition through proper maintenance is still limited by its quality. Basic, standard, and elite ceramic coatings differ in their longevity and protective capabilities. How you use your car and where you drive it are also factors that affect the ceramic coat’s lifespan. Of course, the old coating must be removed before a new one can be applied.
Are There Different Ceramic Coating Options?
As mentioned briefly, there are many kinds of ceramic coatings that differ in terms of quality. Here are the available options in order from lowest to highest quality:
- PTFE-based spray, also known as Teflon-based spray: This type offers the least protection, but it does offer a hydrophobic barrier, a non-stick surface, and heat protection.
- SIO boost spray: This type contains silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide and also creates a hydrophobic barrier, but it offers added protection as well. This is because silicon dioxide forms a bond with the clear coat of paint, adding to its thickness. It also has an excellent hardness rating.
- Consumer: This type can be bought online or in retail stores. It lasts only a year or two, at most.
- Professional: This type includes coatings applied only by professionals. They are composed of a concentrated mixture of solvents, including silicon or titanium dioxide, that makes the coating easier to apply, enhances its binding efficiency, and. These coatings provide the hydrophobic protection of the Teflon-based spray with added protection against swirl marks and minor exterior flaws. They are applied in several layers and typically come with a warranty.
When Is The Best Time To Get a Ceramic Coating?
Loupe Detailing: Trusted and Professional Application and Maintenance for Ceramic Coating That Lasts
We guarantee professional, timely, and conscientious service, whatever your need may be. Our services include:
- Windshield and wheel repair
- Interior and exterior detailing
- Paint protection film installation
- Dent repair
- Window tinting
- Car interior repair
- And more
If you are looking for a professional to perform ceramic coating installation in Buffalo, call Loupe Detailing today to schedule an appointment.