Here’s How Ceramic Coatings Give Your Car the Best Defense Against the Elements.
Ceramic car coatings are surging in popularity, and for good reason: They offer an unparalleled level of protection for your car’s paint compared to other options on the market. From UV rays to water and everyday road debris, ceramic coatings protect your car’s paint from damage that shows its age.
The secret is in the science. In this article, you’ll learn:
Understanding Ceramic Coatings: How Do They Work?
Ceramic coatings are made of a silica-based liquid polymer that is applied by hand to the car’s surface, then cured to harden. This hardened layer acts as a protective shield that will prevent damage to the paint when properly maintained.
Compared to wax coatings, ceramic coatings are much harder and more impervious to damage. Waxing is an excellent choice to keep a car looking shiny and new, but because of its soft nature, wax must be applied every couple of months to continue protecting the car’s finish. Environmental contaminants and even harsh car wash soaps can break through a wax coating, which leaves your car more susceptible to damage.
With ceramic coatings, your car gets a complete “seal” against UV rays, water, chemicals, and other environmental contaminants such as insects, bird droppings, and tree sap! The components cure together to create a smooth, seamless appearance. This makes it a tougher, more durable option, plus it lasts much longer than other solutions.
The Chemistry of Ceramic Coatings
What makes ceramic coatings more durable than other types of paint protection is the bond formed between the chemicals and your car’s paint.
Ceramic coatings are made up of resin (which forms the backbone of the coating), solvents, and additives. These resins are typically silicone-based polymers called polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMs). PDMs are ideal because they are chemically inert, clear, thermally stable, non-flammable, and non-toxic.
The PMDs produce a clear, glossy, hard surface that’s hydrophobic and UV stable. However, the PMDs alone aren’t enough to adhere to the paint’s surface. This is why ceramic coating also contains solvents and additives, which allow the resins to “link” to the paint and create a semi-permanent bond. This improves its durability and ensures the coating can’t be washed or rubbed away.
In Cilajet, we use silicon dioxide (SiO2) and graphene in our ceramic coatings. Graphene is the strongest material on earth—even harder than diamonds. Our proprietary technology creates a powerfully protective shield for your car using the benefits of graphene and the appearance of… nothing.
How Ceramic Coatings Protect Against Environmental Damage
Even the best drivers or most diligent caretakers can’t protect a vehicle from external elements all of the time. Ceramic coatings protect your car’s paint from a range of environmental threats, many of which can produce long-term damage to its appearance.
One example is bird droppings. Parking your car in a garage or carport doesn’t fully protect your car against Mother Nature. Bird droppings contain a high amount of uric acid, which can eat away at the clear coat and wax. If left on your car for too long, it can eventually make its way to the paint and even the metal below. Ceramic coatings provide superior protection that not even bird droppings can eat through.
Acid rain is another concern. While acid rain’s threat is far lower than it was in the 1970s, it still exists and may impact your car’s paint. When the rain evaporates, the acid is left behind and can eat away at the clear coat and paint.
Other common sources of paint damage include sunlight (which can cause fading), tree sap, bugs, gasoline drips, salt, dust, and road debris. Washing your car regularly can help, especially if your car has been victimized by tree sap or bird droppings, discoloration and oxidation can’t be washed or buffed away. Plus, you’ll want to remove causes of damage (like gasoline drippings) as soon as possible before they affect the paint. In some cases, you might not even realize that a bird has bombed your car or that you’ve parked under a sticky, sappy tree, which may delay you taking action.
Because of their durability and solid construction, ceramic coatings prevent environmental threats from penetrating through to your car’s paint. With proper care, the coating stands up to tough challenges so your ride looks shiny and new for longer.
The Long-Term Benefits of Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings carry several long-term benefits for your vehicle, aside from making it look shop-floor new. For starters, it has the potential to extend the lifespan of your car’s paint, and by extension, the life of your vehicle.
Your car’s paint isn’t just about making it look pretty. Its function is to protect your vehicle from road damage. It reduces the likelihood of rust and potential harm to the car’s components. But the paint can only do its job if it’s well-sealed.
Compared to wax, ceramic coatings last much longer, meaning your protection will last longer, too. Waxes can disappear in a matter of months because they’re not bonded to the car’s surface. With ceramic coatings, you won’t need to manually wax or polish your car as often, saving you time, money, and effort. Ceramic coatings are applied by professionals, so you can protect your ride without doing any heavy lifting.
Considering Ceramic Coating for Your Ride?
Is ceramic coating the best option for your vehicle? The benefits are hard to ignore. Cilajet Ceramic protects your vehicle in ways that no other coating can, plus it can extend the life of your paint and the car itself!
To learn more about ceramic technology or to schedule service, contact Cilajet for more information about our industry-leading ceramic coatings.