Choosing the Best Ceramic Coating: Factors To Consider and a Comparison of the Top Brands
Your spouse jokes that you treat your car like it’s one of your children.
You change her oil and perform tune-ups to keep her healthy and strong. You keep her clean, protecting her from spills and dirty shoe prints. You’re patient when she gives you a little trouble knowing that cars act up from time to time.
Even with all your love and care, the daily washing and monthly waxing to help remove those scratches, stain marks, and grime keep coming back the following day with additional swirl marks from all the washing.
Frustrated by the amount of time and energy you put in with little to no results, you’re willing to try anything effective and permanent to protect your car.
Keep reading to learn more about ceramic coating, factors that may affect its performance, and which ceramic coating brand is best for your car.
Understanding the Purpose Behind Ceramic Coating
What is ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to your car’s exterior.
What does ceramic coating do?
It creates a bond with your car’s paint and forms a layer of protection on top of the clear coat to add a level of defense, repelling environmental factors and contaminants such as:
- Dirt
- Dust
- Rust
- Rainwater
- Road grime
- Bird droppings
- Tree sap
- Road salts
- UV rays
What is ceramic coating made of?
The main ingredient of ceramic coatings is silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is sourced from natural materials such as quartz and sand. No two ceramic coating brands are the same; all contain different percentages of SiO2. Typically, the higher the SiO2 percentage, the stronger and more durable the coating becomes.
Due to the small size of these nanoparticles, ceramic coating can fill in microscopic pores and imperfections on the surface of the paint to create a uniform and highly durable protective layer. The car’s factory paint job remains untouched because of the chemical bonding that occurs in the creation of this brand-new layer.
Loupe Detailing specializes in advanced ceramic coating installation. We care about your customer satisfaction and offer CARFAX-certified ceramic coating packages with warranty-guaranteed installation.
Contact us for a personalized quote today and we’ll set you up with an appointment after speaking with you directly about your ceramic coating needs and goals.
What Is the Best Ceramic Coating?
You’ll want to invest in a product that provides long-lasting protection and enhances the appearance of your vehicle.
When choosing the best ceramic car coating, there are specific qualities you should be looking for, including:
- Durability: The strength of the ceramic coat can block UV rays from touching the clear coat, reducing the potential for corrosion and the development of rust on the vehicle’s exterior.
- Effectiveness: The ceramic coating functions to help resist scratches and abrasions, and the car’s exterior doesn’t need to be washed and maintained as often.
- Longevity: While ceramic coating doesn’t last forever, a high-quality product should last for several years before needing to be reapplied.
- Shine and depth: Ceramic coatings come in different gloss levels, from matte to high gloss. A higher gloss finish can increase your paint job’s color depth and may amplify your car’s natural color and luster.
- Hydrophobic quality: A water-repellent surface causes water and other liquids to bead up and slide off effortlessly, which makes cleaning your car easier and reduces the chances of water spots and stains.
- Coating thickness: A thicker layer boosts the hydrophobic qualities and offers superior defense against environmental factors like rainwater that’s full of salt.
- Value for money: Prices for ceramic car coatings can vastly vary depending on the type, professional or commercial grade.
Given the many qualities a ceramic coating should include, the best ceramic coating is the one that is applied properly and uses high-quality materials and technology.
3 Factors That May Affect Ceramic Coating Performance
Although it’s important to consider what brand is the best ceramic coating, there are other factors that can affect how a ceramic coating performs.
#1: Application
How well the coating is applied often determines how effective the ceramic coating will be.
To ensure that the coating bonds to the applied surface, the vehicle’s surface must be properly prepared. This includes a thorough:
- Decontamination wash
- Machine polishing
- Panel wiping
Otherwise, the ceramic coating won’t be able to achieve its maximum durability.
The entire preparation time can be tedious and may range between five and ten hours.
Here is a list to give you an idea of the steps and time it may take to accurately prepare for the application of your ceramic coating:
- Pre-wash and contact wash: 60-90 minutes, depending on your vehicle’s size
- Chemical decontamination wash: 20-30 minutes
- Physical decontamination: 20-30 minutes
- Wash again and dry: 10-20 minutes
- Inspection of the car’s paint: 15 minutes
- Machine polishing: 3-6 hours
- Panel wipe solution: 10-20 minutes
The application of a ceramic coat for most medium-sized cars can take between 30 minutes to an hour.
Application is meticulously done by hand, working on one panel at a time in this pattern:
- Apply the product
- Wait for it to flash
- Buff it out
- Repeat on the next panel
Applying ceramic coating requires uniform application, moving in steady, circular motions at a 15-20 degree angle from the surface over the entire vehicle.
Curing is an essential process completed after the application of ceramic coating and is necessary for the material to harden completely. Curing times may range from 12-24 hours after the application.
If a coating does not dry properly, this can affect its performance and can result in flaws, poor adhesion, and premature coating failures.
The ceramic coating application process requires diligence, patience, and a consistent, even application technique.
Loupe Detailing has the experience necessary to execute flawless ceramic coating installations. You can trust our professionals to work attentively to enhance and safeguard the exterior of your vehicle.
Call us today or visit our website to learn about our ceramic coating installation options.
#2: Type of Coating
There are several types of ceramic coating for your car.
Each is made in a specific way and has its benefits and drawbacks. Some of the different types of coating include:
- Silica-based ceramic coating
- 9H
- SiO2 boost spray
- Quartz-based ceramic coating
- PTFE-based ceramic spray
- Polysilazane
- Nano-ceramic coating
- Graphene-based ceramic coating
#3: Quality and Technology
When determining whether to choose a DIY ceramic coating or hire a professional, it’s critical to consider factors such as:
- Cost
- Available time
- Expertise level
- Desired longevity of the coating
- The condition of the vehicle’s paint
When it comes to quality and technology, there are several advantages to professional-grade ceramic coating, including:
- Professional products are built to last. Boasting advanced compositions such as a higher concentration of titanium dioxide, they provide a superior level of protection for your vehicle’s paintwork.
- Their multi-layered, high-grade formulations are designed to stick better to the surface of your vehicle, creating a strong barrier against damage and increasing durability and resilience.
- Professional-grade ceramic coatings are typically very concentrated (usually >80% SiO2). DIY products on the market have roughly the same chemicals but are far more diluted and, over time, may not last as long.
- Trained professionals have access to advanced techniques and equipment that allow them to apply the coating impeccably, ensuring uniform coverage and optimal bonding for maximum protective properties.
- Professional ceramic coating includes attractive warranties that provide peace of mind, DIY products do not.
Professional-grade ceramic coatings are formulated with advanced chemical compounds that offer superior protection compared to their consumer-grade counterparts.
Advanced ceramic coating technologies have been developed and trusted to perform in numerous industries such as:
- Automobile
- Energy
- Marine
- Aerospace
- Surface engineering
- Healthcare
Which Ceramic Coating Brand Is Best?
When choosing a brand and considering what is the best ceramic coating for your car, it’s also useful to research manufacturers carefully, read reviews from other users, and seek advice from experienced detailers. To give you a starting point, we have provided information on four popular brands of ceramic coating below.
Comparing 4 Popular Types and Brands of Ceramic Coating
Silica-Based Ceramic Coating
The SiO2 (silicon dioxide) ceramic coating is the most well-known and widely used version of ceramic coating.
It’s made from a silica-based liquid polymer that contains 80–85% SiO2 and achieves a hardness of up to 9H on the hardness scale.
Silica-based ceramic coating is known to provide a slicker surface and richer color than other coatings.
Chemical Guys HydroSlick
Reviewers are typically happy with the appearance and shine that Chemical Guys HydroSlick offers.
Here are some of the pros of this brand:
- The formula is an easy-to-apply gel.
- It works on all exterior surfaces.
- It’s made from hydrophobic SiO2 polymers.
- The gel is thick and feels like you’re applying a layer of protection.
Some drawbacks include:
- The effects don’t last as long as other products.
- It doesn’t deliver the same level of shine and scratch resistance as a traditional ceramic coating.
Graphene-Based Ceramic Coating
Graphene is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, making it very thin but also extremely tough.
It’s often mixed with ceramic coating and, as a result, it’s one of the strongest types of ceramic coating.
Some advantages of graphene-based ceramic coating include:
- Water-spot prevention and reduction
- Chemical resistance below PH 12
- Higher abrasion resistance due to its strength
- High slickness and wet, glossy appearance
Adam’s Polishes Graphene Ceramic Coating Advanced
Here are some reasons why this brand is all the rage:
- The coating has 10H on the hardness scale, the highest level, indicating a tough-as-diamonds strength.
- The addition of graphene provides an extra layer of resilience, making the coating more robust and long-lasting compared to traditional ceramic coatings.
Disadvantages of this brand include:
- High cost
- Complex application (best done by professionals)
- It may be more difficult to remove or repair than other coatings.
PTFE-Based Ceramic Coating
Also known as Teflon coating, PTFE is a synthetic polymer coating made of a compound called Polytetrafluoroethylene, which is known for its water-repellent and non-stick properties.
This coating efficiently repels water and dirt, making the vehicle easier to clean and possibly reducing the need for frequent washing.
Meguiar’s
The advantages of this brand include:
- High protection against scratches and small damages caused by rocks or debris on the road
- Shiny, high-gloss finish that enhances the appearance of the vehicle
The drawbacks include:
- The layer of protection is relatively thin, resulting in a shorter lifespan, and may need to be reapplied every 6-12 months.
- It’s not resistant to high temperatures and can get damaged under extreme weather conditions.
- It may not be suitable for surfaces with a lot of dirt or grime, as it can trap dirt and grime under the coating and cause further damage to the paint.
Nano Coatings
Nano ceramic coatings are a relatively new technology that’s becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry.
The coating is made up of extremely small particles of ceramic, which provide a durable barrier against wear and tear. Nano coatings provide a layer of 9H protection that’s nearly as strong as solid quartz.
At Loupe Detailing, we find that nano coatings prove to be a premier ceramic coating for a car because they are:
- Reliable
- Efficient
- Stunningly glossy
- Extremely hydrophobic
- Long-lasting
Diamond ProTech
Diamond ProTech’s coatings are made from a combination of enriched nanodiamonds and perhydropolysilazane (PHPS).
That’s right, diamonds.
Diamonds are the hardest natural material on the planet. When reduced to nano size and enriched, they can be blended with polymers.
There are several notable benefits of Diamond ProTech nanodiamond coatings. These advantages include:
- Ease of use
- Efficient application process
- Heat and UV-resistant
- Hydrophobic quality that lasts
- Minimal environmental impact
- True H9 hardness
- Super smooth, caramel-like sheen
Expert Diamond ProTech Ceramic Coating Services From the Professionals at Loupe Detailing Service
At Loupe Detailing, our goal is to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Our mission is to be upfront and personal about our services, and our lead detailer will call you to discuss:
- The benefits of ceramic coatings
- Our different ceramic coating packages
- Maintenance care for ceramic coatings
We know your car means the world to you.
That’s why we make it our priority to provide you with superior Diamond ProTech ceramic coating services — resulting in a stunning, glossy finish to enhance your car’s aesthetic appeal and simplify its maintenance.
If you’re looking for ceramic coating installation in Buffalo, NY, contact us today for a personalized quote — your car is certainly worth it.