THE FACTS ABOUT NEW CAR CERAMIC COATING INSTALLATION
There is no debating the effectiveness of a professional-grade ceramic coating. The nano technology and advanced formulations in Ceramic Pro 9H coatings are customized for specific materials, applications, and customer use. When it’s applied by a professional auto salon, it provides a sacrificial layer of protection that can last for years. The questions many people often ask is what is the best ceramic coating on new cars? Should it be done immediately – or should you wait a while?
Like any other protective coating, optimal results occur when the surface or substrate is clean and free of contaminants or debris. So – it kind of makes sense that applying a nano ceramic coating when the vehicle rolls off the dealership lot is the best time to complete this task – right?
Well – yes and no. Make no mistake, the choice to have a professional auto salon protect your ride with a high-grade nano coating is a smart one. But it is important to consider all the options available to you, before setting up that appointment. That’s what we’ll help you with today.
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What Are the Benefits of Ceramic Coating on New Cars?
A ceramic coating elevates protection to your new paint job the highest level. This ultra-concentrated quartz coating uses advanced nano technology to penetrate microscopic imperfections found in all porous surfaces including the vehicle’s paint clear coat, headlight covers, glass, carbon fiber, and more.
When the car’s paint and other surfaces are clean and free of tiny contaminants, the microscopic nanoparticles will fill those peaks and valleys, leaving the surface exceptionally flat. With every additional layer or ceramic coat, the protective shield will expand, and the level of protection against minor scratches and exposure to harmful elements increases.
A growing trend in the import performance market is installing chrome vinyl wraps to new cars. Proactive car owners add a professional-grade nano ceramic coating on top of that wrap to enhance their protective efforts.
Ceramic coatings for cars deliver a plethora of benefits including:
Helps to Repel Mud, Rain, and Dirt
Most cars arrive to the dealership with a protective coating of wax or a thin paint sealant. It’s mainly a spray on product that is applied at the factory to help protect the surface during transit. But these coatings are not strong or durable. In fact, they can be removed by using a decontamination car shampoo and clay bar treatment in most cases.
When you apply the nano-ceramic coating when the car is new and that paint sealant is removed, it will help improve protection against mud, rain, and dirt. This is due to the super hydrophobic properties caused by the flat, 9H hard surface that is created once the coat has cured. The super slippery surface also makes it less likely for bird droppings, tree sap, pollen, and other stuff from sticking.
Protection Against Oxidation, Corrosion, and Rust
Even a new car is prone to UV exposure and damage produced by UVA and UVB rays. Constant exposure to ultraviolet rays eventually breakdown the clear coat. This will introduce oxygen, water, and salt or other road grime to metal, which leads to oxidation and corrosion. The ceramic coat is so strong that it blocks UV rays from touching the clear coat, which eliminates the potential of corrosion and the development of rust on the vehicle’s exterior.
Enhanced Shine and Paint Depth
A common misconception of a car ceramic coating like Ceramic Pro 9H is that is makes paint glossy. That’s not entirely accurate. If your paint is a gloss finish, the applied coating will increase the depth and richness of that glossy paint. On the reverse, if the paint is a matte finish, it will make the matte stand out, without producing a gloss effect.
There are some colors that are more prone to fading than others. One of them is red. By applying a professional ceramic coating when the vehicle is new, you’ll protect that brilliant color – and enhance it at the same time.
This introduces our first KEY TIP for applying a professional coating when you have a new car. A new car is less likely to have any paint damage, like swirl marks, marring, or scratches. The ceramic coating needs a clean and damage-free surface to enhance the vehicles appearance. This is accomplished through paint correction or polishing the vehicle. If there is damage or small scratches on the car’s paintwork, the ceramic car coating will enhance those imperfections.
KEY TIP #1 – Have your car coated as soon as possible after purchasing from the dealership, as you’ll require less paint correction or prep work – which can save you money and time.
What Are the Different Types of Ceramic Coating for Cars?
Did you know that not all ceramic coatings are identical? In fact, it’s one of the most saturated protect categories in the paint protection world – filled with some coatings that simply resemble a nanocoating – but don’t offer the same protection. There are generally three types of ceramic paint coating products for cars.
Spray-On Ceramic Wax
The first category is the easier to apply, is the cheapest, but offers the worst protection. This is your range of spray-on ceramic coatings or ceramic wax products. There are several different formulations, with some infused with polymers, others using Teflon or Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). They are usually very hydrophobic, but not hard, and as such, only last for about six months.
DIY Nano Coatings
The quickest growing ceramic coating product type is the expanding line of do-it-yourself nano coatings. Essentially, these products are watered-down versions of professional grade coatings, that have fewer carrier solvents, which makes it easier for the average car enthusiast to apply. There are some great quality DIY kits – but, there are some less-than reliable ones also. The tradeoff is you can’t apply extra layers or coats – so it’s a one and done solution that will only hold up for 2 years at most.
If you’re going to apply a ceramic coating to a new car, and are not an experienced DIY detailer – opt for a professional auto salon near you. This will ensure a superior installation and longer-lasting, high-quality protection you expect.
Professional Nano Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic Pro 9H is a prime example of a professional-grade 9H ceramic coating. This solution is highly concentrated, is difficult to apply, and is only installed by certified and trained professional detailers in a controlled environment. A pro-grade coating is the only glass coating that comes with a warranty. The packages range from two years to a lifetime of protection.
If you wait to apply a car wax or automotive ceramic coating to your new factory paint, its likely going to become damaged. At that point, your car paint will require paint correction which can be costly depending on the car’s finish.
Do Ceramic Coats Void Manufacturer’s Warranty?
That’s a tricky question to answer – as it depends on the ceramic coating used – and the manufacture warranty on paint. For the most part, a professional-grade nano ceramic coating installation on your new car will not void a manufacturer warranty. This is amplified and supported when the pro-grade coating is backed by a reliable company like Carfax.
However, the jury is out when you take the initiative to apply a DIY ceramic coating. There are multiple variables that can cause damage, such as applying too much, leaving the coating on too long before removal, or trying to remove mistakes with chemicals or cutting compounds.
If you’re going to complete a ceramic coating application to your new car, truck, or SUV, ALWAYS opt for a professional installation of a high-quality ceramic coating – to ensure your factory warranties will stay active. Which transition nicely to our second TIP.
KEY TIP #2 – If you have a matte finish or custom paint job applied by the factory, ALWAYS consider your paint protection options. With a matte finish, you’ll want to use a professional-grade nano ceramic coating, a clear bra, or a combination of both. If rocks or road debris causes minor scratches on a matte finish, you’re pretty much S.O.L.
What Factors Are Important When Comparing Ceramic Coatings for New Cars?
Anytime you’re going to apply a long-lasting product on your vehicle’s paint surface, it’s crucial to do some research. There are some important factors or product qualities that a good ceramic coating should possess before you pull the trigger.
Long Lasting
If you’re going to spend the money on a ceramic coating, it’s gotta last – right? Funny enough, many car owners don’t factor how longevity effects the overall cost of installing a nano ceramic coating. It’s really a simple concept when you break it down. The longer the coat holds up with 100% effectiveness, the less money you’ll spend on maintenance, upkeep and having to replace the old coating.
If you have a choice, always opt for a package that offers the longest protection – as you’ll find the price differences between mid-grade and top-shelf nano coatings is not a lot. Do yourself and your car a favor and spend the extra cheddar for superior protection. Not only will it provide superior UV protection, but a smooth ceramic coating will give you the durability across your vehicle’s exterior.
In fact, professional-grade silica dioxide coatings are often formulated for specific materials. This means you can apply a customized coating to glass surfaces, which is what Ceramic Pro rain offers car owners. A DIY coating is a generic formulation that can be applied on multiple substrates but is not amazingly effective.
Annual Inspections
When you have a ceramic coated car – it is important to have that coat and the vehicle inspected once per year at the minimum by the individual completing the installation. This permits them to treat any imperfections or signs of premature degradation before major problems occur. The annual inspection is also a requirement of most professional-grade ceramic coating warranty packages, so always take them up on the offer.
Consider Extra Paint Protection Options
A nano coating is indeed a great paint protection solution. However, they aren’t bulletproof. It’s still possible to experience paint damage due to small rocks, road debris, and hard objects striking high visibility areas of your ride.
If you’re serious about protecting the outside of your new car, consider adding a paint protection film – either to the front end or the entire vehicle. PPF as its commonly known is a high-durable, ultra-thin, and exceptionally strong polymer-based protective film. It’s transparent and can enhance the gloss or matte finish on your vehicle, based on the type of PPF you choose.
A new leader in PPF technology is Ceramic Pro – who launched their new paint protection film Kavaca in 2019. While other PPF’s can self-heal if scratched via heat gun or exposure to directly sunlight for a certain period, Kavaca is infused with nano-technology and instantly heals in a matter of seconds.
KEY TIP #3 – If you want the ultimate shield of paint protection, add Ceramic Pro 9H coating on top of the Kavaca PPF – which will give you a lifetime warranty for protection against light scratches, paint fading, oxidation and other common paint damage.