Ceramic Coating Protection

[AaronE]

Hey everyone, I was looking for some input on the protection offered by ceramic coatings. I understand the UV A/B protection, chemical resistance, easier washing, oxidization protection, and the like but I'm wondering about the paints mechanical protection (protecting the paint from swirls). I know the coating itself can have swirls induced from love touches, drying errors, Swirl-O-Matics, etc. I can live with that BUT do these defects reach the paint or do they stay above?

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[Rsurfer]

Hey everyone, I was looking for some input on the protection offered by ceramic coatings. I understand the UV A/B protection, chemical resistance, easier washing, oxidization protection, and the like but I'm wondering about the paints mechanical protection (protecting the paint from swirls). I know the coating itself can have swirls induced from love touches, drying errors, Swirl-O-Matics, etc. I can live with that BUT do these defects reach the paint or do they stay above?

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Depends how deep the swirls are. The coating is only a few microns thick and offer very little protection against scratches. Careful washing techniques are still required.

BTW S-O-M are an absolute no, no.

 

[Bruno Soares]

Coatings don't offer protection from physical abuse. Perhaps a very, very tiny bit of protection against marring but don't count on it. If that's you main goal, you need PPF. Coatings offer chemical protection and the ease of keeping the car clean and shiny. But rock chips, dings, scratches, all that will still affect the paint the same way.

 

[AaronE]

Depends how deep the swirls are. The coating is only a few microns thick and offer very little protection against scratches. Careful washing techniques are still required.

BTW S-O-M are an absolute no, no.

I agree about the techniques and staying away from a SOM but not everyone I'll do work for (my families cars) is going to use full proper techniques. They won't cause any major scratching that a polish can't clear but they will slowly web up a car.

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[AaronE]

Coatings don't offer protection from physical abuse. Perhaps a very, very tiny bit of protection against marring but don't count on it. If that's you main goal, you need PPF. Coatings offer chemical protection and the ease of keeping the car clean and shiny. But rock chips, dings, scratches, all that will still affect the paint the same way.

Sadly no one in the family is gonna jump on the PPF wagon (already tried to convince). They will do a good job cleaning but I still fear marring and spider webbing still which is the real problem the paint will face.

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[vobro]

Sadly no one in the family is gonna jump on the PPF wagon (already tried to convince). They will do a good job cleaning but I still fear marring and spider webbing still which is the real problem the paint will face.

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Is wash marking is the main issue, why not go over proper technique with them?

 

[Rsurfer]

I agree about the techniques and staying away from a SOM but not everyone I'll do work for (my families cars) is going to use full proper techniques. They won't cause any major scratching that a polish can't clear but they will slowly web up a car.

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Then don't use a coating and stick with a good sealant that you can apply every few months, or use a cleaner wax. Any polish will remove the coating.

 

[AaronE]

Is wash marking is the main issue, why not go over proper technique with them?

It's mostly time for them. I'm trying to get my dad to take over maintainence washes at home. In the winter, it's hard to clean due to living on dirt roads in Michigan. You can clean at a quarter wash but by the time you hit the driveway the car is gritty again. A lot of times, we just wash once a week in the middle of running around.

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[AaronE]

Then don't use a coating and stick with a good sealant that you can apply every few months, or use a cleaner wax. Any polish will remove the coating.

I already use a sealant. I'm trying to prevent the paint itself from receiving swirls with the care that my family will provide. I'm trying to figure out if the coating will take the marring instead of the paint

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[The Guz]

Coatings are not impervious. They can still swirl and scratch if not cared for properly.

If cared for properly then they do fine.

 

[Rsurfer]

I already use a sealant. I'm trying to prevent the paint itself from receiving swirls with the care that my family will provide. I'm trying to figure out if the coating will take the marring instead of the paint

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A coating will take more abuse than a sealant.

 

[AaronE]

Coatings are not impervious. They can still swirl and scratch if not cared for properly.

If cared for properly then they do fine.

How well do they prevent the paint from receiving the swirls though?

 

[The Guz]

How well do they prevent the paint from receiving the swirls though?

It’s not the answer you will like but it all comes down to proper care and proper wash techniques. Coatings don’t form that thick of a layer in the grand scheme of things.

They are definitely better than a wax or sealant.

 

[AaronE]

It’s not the answer you will like but it all comes down to proper care and proper wash techniques. Coatings don’t form that thick of a layer in the grand scheme of things.

They are definitely better than a wax or sealant.

These answers are great. I figured they were too thin to prevent the paint from getting hit but I wanted to verify. The big issue is I'll buff out a car for someone and then it needs it again down the road because of improper care (let's be honest, not everyone is like us here in how they take care of their cars) and I worry about polishing down paint every year to fix it. I think I'm going to just tell my parents and friends I do work for they need to start using proper wash techniques.

Do you know how well the coatings hold up to touchless washes? Being we are all from Michigan and live on dirt roads (salt, mud, ice, and snow alllll winter long) we pretty much hit the touchless wash weekly (which is hell to keep up with for the sealant).

 

[TTQ B4U]

Do you know how well the coatings hold up to touchless washes? Being we are all from Michigan and live on dirt roads (salt, mud, ice, and snow alllll winter long) we pretty much hit the touchless wash weekly (which is hell to keep up with for the sealant).

would depend on the product overall, but GYEON and CarPro hold up without issue. I use them all the time in the winter and even on badly dirty cars in the summer.

 

[392hemi]

How well do they prevent the paint from receiving the swirls though?

Still no substitute for a proper wash. A tunnel brush washes or marring induced wash will still add them. Don't fall victim to the false claim videos you see on YouTube with people hitting costed cars with keys and lighters and no scratches.

Remember the paint and clearcoat on your vehicle is almost same thickness of a post it note. Very thin.