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Car care enthusiasts are always on the hunt for new paint sealant technologies to give their vehicles the best possible shine and protection. In this post, we will explore one of the best options out in the market: ceramic coatings. a bit of the history, explain its basic structure, and explore the benefits ceramic coatings can provide when installed on a vehicle.
Research into ceramic coatings began in the 20th century in an effort to improve the properties of metallic engine components. This resulted in an inorganic, non-metallic, inert film made of silicon-based polymers that forms a strong bond to metallic surfaces. Since then, ceramic coatings have found a spot in various fields and applications due to its many unique properties. It is virtually weightless, anti-corrosive, heat resistant, and wear resistant.
The automotive care industry, in particular, takes great advantage of all of these features in order to provide many amazing benefits for various surfaces on vehicles, from the paint, to the glass, trim, and rims! To explain how it functions, let’s dive into the basic model of how coatings are structured when they are installed.
Most ceramic coatings will be applied in 2 layers: a softer, flexible base layer and a harder top layer. The base layer acts as the carrier for the hard top layer coat, which would have a difficult time forming a bond directly with most substrates. It is the point where most of the coating adhesion occurs and a major factor in the durability of a coating.
The top layer provides all of the functional features of a coating: the gloss, the hydrophobicity, the chemical and swirl resistance, etc. These two layers interlink, forming a sealant that scores high marks in all the qualities an enthusiast could want: candy gloss, top-of-the-line hardness, slick hydrophobics, and extreme longevity.
Ceramic coatings, having glass-like clarity and nano-thickness, provides any surface it is applied to with an extra layer of depth. It also acts as a filler for microscopic imperfections. These properties, in turn, provide a car with a wet-shine as light reflects off of coated paint.
Being a physical layer that encapsulates the surface it is installed on, it takes all of the wear and tear that surface would have taken if it were bare. Professional grade coatings have a superior hardness in comparison to clear coat paint, making it better equipped to handle the day to day. They also feature a higher density than clear coat, making it more difficult for contaminants such as tree sap, water spots, and tar to bond to it.
The inherent repellency of ceramic coatings also aids in keeping daily dirt buildup down to a minimum. This ensures that there will be less dirt to wash off during regularly scheduled washes. Its hydrophobic nature also makes drying vehicles after the wash easier as well by reducing the amount of water left behind and the chance for water spots to form.
Realistically speaking, there is an answer to that. Through the miracles of marketing and spectacular anecdotes, some misconceptions pop up every now and then. Here’s a list to clear up some of them:
It is important to realize that ceramic coatings are not an apply-and-forget-it product. They exist to make standard maintenance of your car much, much easier and way more enjoyable.However, if you are looking for a hardcore, impact resistant solution to protect your vehicle instead, then it might be time for you to research paint protection film: a clear wrap that completely encapsulates your paint, softens impacts, and provides exceptional gloss.
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