Myths and the Reality about Ceramic Coatings

I want to clarify some doubts and talk about the benefits of ceramic treatments. I (Elite Detailing) have used and sold all the coatings.  CQUARTZ , where I have the most experience (10 years) with this coating line. But much of what I'll be talking about applies to other similar brands of ceramic coatings.

Ceramic coatings are primarily used to protect car paint. They also exist for plastics, leather, fabric, rims, and glass. They are different from sealants or waxes because their ingredient, SiO2, is used. This offers greater protection because it creates a harder layer than wax and remains on top of the paint. This layer can be as thick as 3 micrometers. Typically, this lifespan is measured in several years; in comparison, the maximum lifespan for a sealant may be 12 months, but the average is 4 months.

Below I will talk about some myths that exist about ceramic coatings.

"Ceramic Paste Coating"

It can also be found as "Ceramic Coating Wax." These products take advantage of the trend in coatings and, to sell more products, add or create these waxes. It's a paste wax with silica (SiO2) added to it to give it similar attributes to a ceramic coating, such as increased hydrophobicity, shine, chemical resistance, etc. In other words, it combines new technology with the depth, ease of use, and nostalgia of using a paste wax.

It's completely different from using a ceramic coating. I've found that these waxes last a little longer than traditional waxes, but they're still nowhere near a true coating. If you like using a paste wax, it's an option for something new.

Hardness: "Ceramics can withstand scratches, stones, or impacts."

Ceramic creates a thin layer over the paint, or rather over the transparent lacquer of the clear coat. This layer may be slightly harder than the clear coat itself, but it's much thinner than the clear coat. The normal thickness of most coatings is 3 to 4 microns; a factory-made paint can be as thin as 3 to 4 microns.  plus 100 microns. This is the complete paintwork, meaning the base or primer, color, and clear coat. This means the layer the detailer works on, which is the clear coat; that thickness can be 30 to 40 microns.

This means it can't withstand deep scratches. It does help reduce wash marks (if washed properly), but this is because the dirt comes off more easily and the surface provides more support (creating less friction). Swirls will appear over time, but it only takes longer, if maintained properly.

However, it doesn't offer protection against stones and impacts. It's not thick enough to withstand deep scratches or stone chips. If what we're looking for is protection from scratches and stone chips, a paint protection film (PPF) is a better option for stone chip protection. It offers this protection primarily due to its thickness, which is over 190 microns. An example of a PPF is Immortal by CARPRO .

Maintenance: “After having the ceramic treatment, you don’t need to apply wax.”

The quick answer is correct: with a coating, it's no longer necessary to use traditional wax. Waxes have different characteristics than today's coatings. Mainly, coatings are more hydrophobic and stay clean longer. If we use waxes over a coated paint (ceramic), we add a layer with different characteristics than the coating. For this reason, I recommend using the products recommended by the coating manufacturer.

We also often talk about "applying wax" to maintain the shine of the paint, in this case if it is necessary for coating maintenance.

Maintenance: “After having the ceramic treatment, you only need to wash the car.”

Like any paint treatment or protection, it requires maintenance. In addition to washing your vehicle, it requires simple maintenance (decontamination and application of a product compatible with the ceramic or coating). This maintenance can be performed every 3 to 12 months, depending on the environment the car is in, whether it's used daily, the mileage, the coating used, etc. It's not the same whether the vehicle is used every day or once a month. If it's used daily, my recommendation is to perform a chemical decontamination at least every 3 months.

I only recommend products that are compatible with the treatment you're using. This way, the characteristics and properties of the ceramic protecting your vehicle will be maintained.

Duration: Warranty

Each product offers a warranty, typically only available to installers certified or authorized by the company. These warranties typically range from a few months to several years and are provided by the manufacturer. Sometimes, installers slightly extend the warranty they offer, or they also offer a warranty on the coating when the manufacturer doesn't. I always suggest carefully reading what any warranty covers. Some suggest applying the treatment every year to maintain the warranty. It's important to thoroughly verify and read each warranty offered by the product manufacturer, as well as the warranty offered by the installer.

In the case of CQUARTZ , they have two coatings with a warranty: CQ Professional with a 2-year warranty and Finest Reserve with a 3-year warranty. The warranty states that during those years the product will not turn yellow, will not peel off the paint, and will lose no more than 20% of its shine. In 2022, CARPRO introduced a new coating, DQUARTZ Pro . This coating also has a 2-year warranty and can also be used as a base for later application of CQ Professional or Finest Reserve ; when used this way, CARPRO extends the warranty for an additional two years.

Duration: Duration time after applying the paint.

Each product tells you how long it can last. Some even guarantee a certain amount of time (typically, products with a warranty are only available to installers authorized by the manufacturer). These products can last for several years, protecting your paint. But something I've noticed (having worked with ceramics for over 10 years) is that at some point they start to become marked or stained, especially if proper maintenance is not done. These stains or marks don't affect the protection much, which remains the same, but visually, the appearance is not as it was on the first day. Right now, there are products that can repair and improve the appearance without damaging or removing the treatment.

Another way many assess the coating's longevity is by looking at the paint's hydrophobicity. If they see it diminishing, they assume the ceramic has been damaged or failed. This hydrophobic effect can be affected by several things, and it doesn't mean the coating is no longer present. Ninety-five percent of the time when paint loses its hydrophobicity, it's because the paint is dirty or contaminated. With paint decontamination, we restore the paint's hydrophobicity.

Application: “ Mirror Appearance ”

It's a fact that ceramics offer a different appearance and shine than what we're used to with the waxes or sealants we're all familiar with. But that final appearance depends 95% on the paint's preparation. Creating the best appearance requires washing, decontamination, and paint correction. Paint correction (multiple polishing steps) is necessary to eliminate swirls, defects, and deep scratches found in the paint. It's also necessary to have a very clean surface (free of oils and wax) so that the treatment can adhere to the paint.

The coating can be applied to unpolished paint, but the appearance will not be optimal.

Benefits

From the first day, you'll notice a shine unlike anything you're used to; even if the paint is dirty, it will still have a tremendous shine. Ceramic paint offers a glass-like appearance. Your car stays cleaner longer. When you go to clean your car, it will be much faster because the dirt comes off more easily.

It also has a sacrificial layer. This means that light marks, stains, and watermarks will first affect the coating. This is beneficial because they won't mar the paint, and the coating can be repaired without damaging it.