FAQ’s – Ceramic Coatings

Nano, meaning made from nanoparticles that form the structure of the coating. The most commonly used nanoparticles are made of Si02 and Ti02, Silicon Dioxide and Titanium Dioxide.  These ultra-tiny particles are combined with a clear carrier liquid that allows them to be applied to the paint where they crosslink with the clear top-coat (clearcoat) that is applied by the vehicle manufacturer.  Crosslinking means the coating bonds to the clearcoat at a molecular level. In effect, it becomes a second clearcoat that is harder than the factory clearcoat.  For reference, a nanometer is 1-billionth of a meter.

A properly applied ceramic nano coating chemically bonds to the vehicle’s factory paint.  This creates a long lasting layer of protection.  A coating will provide protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and will all but eliminate oxidation (fading) of the paint.  The ceramic material (nanoparticles) in a quality coating will greatly reduce the risk of damage from direct sunshine at higher elevations.  These strong rays are brutal on cars that spend time parked outside during the summer.

The short answer is no.  However, a ceramic coating will provide better protection from the weather than a wax, glaze or paint sealant.  In the Truckee Meadows and Northern Nevada our soils are not soft and fluffy.  Our dirt is decomposed granite rock and if you look at it under a magnifying glass you will see hard, sharp edges that are perfect for scratching up the exterior of your car. The best prevention is frequent washing using proper washing technique.  If you don’t enjoy the DIY- do it yourself approach then have a qualified person with the right tools do it for you.

A layer of wax is typically 0.02 microns thick.  A 2-layer (base coat & top coat) ceramic coating can measure 2.0 to 3.0 microns thick.  The ceramic coating is more than 100 TIMES thicker than a layer of wax.

Quality ceramic coatings are designed to have extreme hydrophobic properties (the ability to repel water).  If you are driving in the rain you will notice the rain water will bead up and roll right off the paint.  The top layer of ceramic coatings is formulated to be ultra-smooth and slick.  Mud, road grime, dust and dirt will not easily bond to the surface of the vehicle. When washing your car snowmelt, road salt, brine and other contaminants can be washed off much easier without having to scrub the paint which creates swirl marks and scratches in the factory clearcoat.

Quality ceramic coatings reduce surface tension and reduce static.  Many carnauba waxes create surface static when they are applied to the vehicle.  It can be annoying when you look closely to see dust clinging to your paint after having wax applied to your vehicle.  Your car usually looks great for a few days but if it’s exposed to dusty conditions, the airborne dust is attracted to the surface because of the static charge and it clings to the paint until it’s washed off.  Ceramic coatings collect much less airborne dust and really do stay cleaner.

A ceramic coating WILL NOT totally eliminate scratches and swirl marks but if you learn and follow proper washing procedures swirl marks and scratches will be greatly reduced.

A ceramic coating WILL NOT prevent chips or dings in your paint created by flying pebbles or rock chips.  The only material that will prevent this is Paint Protection Film (also known as a Clear Bra).  Certain ceramic coatings can be applied on top of Paint Protection Film to give the vehicle a uniform,natural appearance across all areas of the car regardless of whether or not, it has a protection film or does not have a protection film on different parts of the vehicle.

Ideally, three times a year the surface of the vehicle should be treated with a spray sealant.  Generally a Silica (Si02) or Siloxane (Si-0-Si) based spray sealant is used. If your vehicle spends a lot of time outside than I recommend application of the spray sealant four times a year to maintain the ceramic coating.  These spray sealants are designed to be a sacrificial layer and are CRITICAL in helping to protect the coating from environmental contaminants. They are applied to the paint after washing and drying the car and application is quick and easy and takes less than ten minutes.

These are the enemy of ALL vehicles and will damage any coating, wax or sealant unless they are removed quickly.
Bird Poop: Must be removed with a quick detailing liquid or car shampoo and lots of water ASAP!!  If there is etching on the surface contact me right away for treatment.
Hard Water Spots: Water spots can be prevented by never washing your car when the paint is warm and never washing in the direct sun.  Properly drying your vehicle with quality microfiber drying towels and a spray-on liquid drying aid will eliminate any chance of creating water spots and will make the job go faster.

In the unfortunate event your vehicle is sprayed by landscape sprinklers or any type of landscape irrigation you must take action quickly!  The water in many irrigation systems is loaded with minerals that will damage your paint within a couple of hours. The vehicle should be washed immediately and if there are any traces of water spots remaining on the surface contact me for immediate treatment with water spot removers.