Jsme tu, abychom vám řekli všechny podrobnosti o tom, co je keramický povlak, a abychom vám pomohli určit, který typ keramického povlaku nejlépe vyhovuje vašim potřebám.
Nejprve začněme se základy. Keramický povlak lze nejlépe popsat jako další vrstvu (nebo skořepinu), kterou můžete přidat na stávající lak vašeho vozidla. To pomáhá prodloužit a chránit povrch vozu tím, že na vašem vozidle vytvoří čirou hydrofobní vrstvu.
Co je tedy hydrofobní vrstva? Pokud zadáte do googlu „hydrofobní “, uvidíte definici jako „mají tendenci odpuzovat nebo se nemíchat s vodou “. Přesně to dělá keramický povlak, ale má i mnoho dalších výhod. Složení keramického povlaku, kterému se budeme věnovat později, se používá k přidání další vrstvy ochrany laku, aniž by se změnila barva vašeho vozu.
Tak dobře. Pojďme si vysvětlit, co je to keramický povlak v pojmech, kterým všichni rozumíme. Pamatujete si, kdy jste si poprvé koupili své auto a vypadalo naprosto bezchybně?
Barva byla nejen lesklá, ale měla úžasný lesklý/mokrý vzhled, na který jste nemohli přestat zírat? Tento lesk byl pravděpodobně jedním z důvodů, proč jste se do svého auta zamilovali.
V průběhu let, kdy se tento lesklý vzhled začíná vytrácet, většina majitelů automobilů začíná přemýšlet, jak jej získat zpět. V tomto případě je produkt s keramickým povlakem vaší odpovědí nejen na to, abyste tento pohled přinesli zpět, ale také jej tam udrželi.
Keramický povlak se používá k ochraně vašeho vozu před opotřebením a k tomu, aby tyto otravné, ale přirozené každodenní prvky, se kterými se setkáváte, nezkazily jeho vzhled. Nezdá se vám někdy, že všechno na silnici pomalu útočí na krásný exteriér vašeho vozu a snižuje jeho hodnotu?
Takže, pokud jste někdy přemýšleli, co je keramický povlak pro auta, zde je vaše odpověď. Představte si to jako ultimátní pláštěnku. Náplast fungující jako další vrstva kůže nebo štít používaný Kapitánem Amerikou… chápete! Vzhledem k tomu, že keramický povlak je čirý lak, nezmění původní ohromující barvu vašeho vozidla.
Pokud jde o keramický povlak pro automobily, MÁTE MOŽNOSTI a existuje několik různých cest, kterými se můžete vydat. Můžete vyhledat odbornou pomoc… což bude samozřejmě dražší varianta. Případně se můžete vydat cestou DIY v závislosti na vaší úrovni pohodlí a dovedností.
Na YouTube jsou videa, na která se můžete podívat, aby vám pomohla s tímto procesem, nebo si můžete přečíst recenze péče o auto a zjistit, co preferují ostatní. Několik společností také nabízí produkty, které vám pomohou získat profesionální vzhled za zlomek ceny.
Než se ponoříme do produktů v této příručce, rozpisů nákladů a naprostých podrobností, pojďme si nejprve promluvit o tom, proč vaše vozidlo potřebuje keramický povlak.
Pokud jste si dosud přečetli naše vysvětlení pro „co je keramický povlak? “, tato další otázka je jako ptát se:„proč potřebuji deštník, když prší? “
Zajímá vás životnost vzhledu vašeho vozu? Vnímáte to opravdu jako investici? Pak se musíte hlouběji podívat na keramické povlaky a spreje.
Nechcete se dívat, jak se vaše auto znehodnocuje tím, že budete ignorovat problém, který lze snadno vyřešit. Použití přípravku na ochranu laku je jediný způsob, jak udržet vaše auto co nejlepší, a keramický povlak je absolutně nejlepší způsob, jak toho dosáhnout.
Níže jsou uvedeny jen některé důvody, proč byste měli přidat keramický povlak na své auto, nákladní auto, motocykl, obytný vůz nebo jakékoli vozidlo, které má na sobě barvu!
Nyní, když rozumíte výhodám keramického povlaku na auto, pojďme si projít možnosti aplikace. Pokud nechcete utrácet malé jmění a rádi děláte věci sami, pak jsou pro vás keramické spreje a DIY sady na keramické povlaky ideální. Pojďme to rozebrat.
Protože budeme hodně mluvit o keramickém povlaku a všech vašich možnostech, pojďme si něco vyjasnit (zamýšlená slovní hříčka)! Keramický sprej je v první řadě TYP keramického povlaku.
Pokud se vydáte cestou DIY, možná se budete chtít podívat na některé z různých keramických sprejů. Mnoho společností také nabízí keramické nátěrové sady, aby byl proces spolehlivý.
S TOLIK možnostmi na dnešním trhu to může být pro někoho, kdo právě začíná, opravdu matoucí. Nikdo tam nechce sedět a číst o milionu různých produktů a pak ztrácet čas používáním průměrného. A to je přesně důvod, proč jsme založili CarCareReviews.net.
Tato stránka byla vytvořena tak, aby zodpověděla všechny vaše otázky o tom, co je to keramický povlak, různé typy keramických povlaků na trhu a další produkty pro domácí péči o auto. Když jsem začínal, měl jsem milion otázek… „Potřebuji sadu? “, „Kolik spreje musím koupit ?“, „Na jakých částech auta jej mohu použít? “, „Který z nich vydrží nejdéle? “, „Který z nich má nejsilnější vzorec?“ , “Který z nich má nejlepší hodnotu ?“ a další.
Naštěstí pro vás jsme seřadili a zkontrolovali nejlepší dostupné keramické spreje, které můžete zobrazit kliknutím sem. Můžete se také podívat, jak tato hodnocení vypočítáváme, na naší stránce Jak hodnotíme.
Jednou z hlavních věcí, na kterou se podíváme, jsou náklady, což je obecně první věc, která každého napadne. Poté rozebereme vědu a technologii za keramickým povlakem a proč je tak účinný.
Poté si projdeme všechny otázky, které se mohou objevit během vašeho vyhledávání, například „jak nanesu keramický povlak? “, „na jaké povrchy mohu použít keramický povlak ?“, „co je rozdíl mezi keramický povlak a další produkty pro úpravu detailů ?" a „jak dlouho vydrží jedna aplikace? “.
U keramických povlaků je OBROVSKÝ cenový rozdíl v závislosti na tom, zda to uděláte sami, nebo půjdete do profesionálního autodetailera.
Profesionální keramická aplikace vašeho auta vás může stát od 450 do 2 400 USD. Profesionálně nainstalované nátěry vydrží déle než keramický nástřik a DIY keramická nátěrová sada (více o tom později).
Pokud jde o to, co je profesionální keramický povlak a pro koho je určen, musíte zvážit:je to něco pro ty, kteří chtějí opravdu to nejlepší, bez ohledu na cenu.
Mnoho profesionálních detailistů vám nabídne záruku, obvykle mezi 5 a 7 lety, ale za předáním vašeho vozu profesionálovi může být také mnoho skrytých nákladů. Někteří vám řeknou, že keramický povlak bude stát 700 USD, ale nebude zahrnovat mimo jiné náklady na přípravné práce.
Další věc, kterou je třeba zvážit, je, že profesionální keramický povlak může trvat 1 až 5 dní, protože musí být vypálen UV světlem. Proto si možná budete muset půjčit novou sadu kol, když je vaše auto v obchodě, čímž se náklady ještě zvýší.
Nyní, pokud se chcete vyhnout utrácení všech těch peněz a můžete se řídit jednoduchými pokyny, zvažte pořízení keramického povlaku DIY a jeho aplikaci sami. Někteří z vás si možná myslí, že je to příliš těžké, ale my jsme tu, abychom vám řekli opak! Ukážeme vám také některé z našich oblíbených keramických sprejů pro ještě rychlejší proces aplikace.
Dobrý produkt vydrží v průměru 2-3 roky. Někteří však tvrdí, že vydrží až 5 let! Ať už se rozhodnete vzít své auto k profesionálovi nebo to uděláte sami, vězte, že keramický povlak NENÍ trvalým řešením a výsledky časem zmizí. Nenechte se tedy přesvědčit profesionálním detailistou, že jejich keramická povrchová úprava vydrží po celou dobu životnosti vašeho vozidla!
Protože většina profesionálních keramických povlaků také vyžaduje údržbu, je tu další otázka, kterou si musíte položit. Opravdu si chcete udělat čas na to, abyste své auto jednou ročně přivezli do detaileru za účelem údržby? Koneckonců, můžete si snadno vzít trochu času a udělat to sami.
Než se dostaneme do podrobností o tom, z čeho je keramický povlak vyroben a jak funguje u automobilů, podívejme se na rozdělení nákladů mezi vaše možnosti.
Řekněme, že se rozhodnete pro profesionální keramický povlak, který by měl vydržet 7 let. Když to rozeberete na vyšší cenu 2 500 $ děleno 7 lety, dostanete asi 358 $ ročně. 2 500 $ je docela velká suma na to, abyste se vykašlali na něco, co vám bude pomalu mizet přímo před očima.
Možná si říkáte, že 358 $ nezní příliš nerozumně. Když se však podíváte na náklady na profesionální nátěr, sadu pro kutily a keramický sprej, cenový rozdíl je ohromující!
Další věc, kterou je třeba zvážit, je, že mnoho typů profesionálního keramického povlaku je mnohem delší proces a bude vyžadovat, abyste své auto každý rok přivezli zpět, abyste získali maximální ochranu. Opět je to proto, že váš povlak by musel být zapečen UV světlem, takže je to mnohem delší proces. Možná vás také přemluví, abyste si koupili větší balíček keramického povlaku. Ale pozor! Možná vám prodávají myšlenku, že vydrží déle a bude vypadat lépe.
Dovolte nám, abychom vám nyní ukázali, jaká je výhoda použití keramického nátěrového produktu pro vlastní potřebu, když se podíváme na cenu jednoho z našich nejlépe hodnocených keramických sprejů.
Keramický sprej Nexgen stojí 19,95 $ za láhev. Nalakuje vaše vozidlo 4x. Nebo možná i 6krát, v závislosti na velikosti vašeho auta. A co víc, vydrží až 4krát déle než jiné keramické spreje na trhu. Jak dlouho byste řekl, že vydrží ochranný film laku?
Zkontrolovali jsme Nexgen a po 2 měsících jsme viděli, že jedno z našich vozidel stále vypadalo, jako by bylo právě podrobně popsáno. Sprej s těmito vlastnostmi vám vydrží 4 až 6 měsíců!
Pojďme si to spočítat... Nexgen vydrží 4 až 6 měsíců s jedinou aplikací. Předpokládejme, že používáte jednu láhev Nexgenu ročně. To by znamenalo, že jste své auto opravdu protáhli skrz naskrz, hodně ho osahali a nějak jste ze spreje dostali jen 3 aplikace. Za 7 let, ve srovnání s dobou, kdy profesionálové tvrdí, že jejich nátěry vydrží, byste spotřebovali 7 lahví za neuvěřitelných 140 dolarů.
Pokud to chcete rozebrat ještě dále, bavíme se o 5 dolarech za průměrnou aplikaci. Nyní nejsme matematici, ale je docela snadné vidět, že je to výrazně méně než 2 500 $.
Abychom to uzavřeli, aplikace keramického spreje je MNOHEM levnější a téměř stejně účinná jako vzít auto k profesionálovi. K dalším rozdílům se dostaneme později, ale rozdělení nákladů jsme chtěli odstranit.
Nyní, než ztratíte pozornost a začnete googlovat produkty na ochranu keramického laku, ZPOMALUJTE! Provedeme vás vašimi možnostmi a poskytneme vám přehled nejlepších keramických sprejů. Vraťme se a pojďme do vědy za keramickým povlakem.
Pokud chcete vědět, co je složkou číslo jedna, kterou byste měli hledat v dobrém keramickém povlaku, je to oxid křemičitý nebo SiO2. Čím vyšší je obsah SiO2, tím silnější je složení.
Ale co je SiO2? Silicon dioxide is a combo of two natural materials, silicon and oxygen. People mainly know silicon dioxide as Quartz, which to some people can be a little confusing. Just think of SiO2 as the essential ingredient of ceramic coatings.
If you are looking to add a ceramic coating to your car yourself then you must purchase a ceramic spray with a high SiO2 content. Our favorite and top rated ceramic spray, Nexgen, is made of 13% silicon dioxide, which is more than any other product on the market.
Other common ingredients found in ceramic coatings are deposited aluminum dioxide, deposited chromium oxide, titanium dioxide, silica, and several others. Don’t let all these fancy terms fool you though. Remember, you want to look for what is the SiO2 content. This is the key ingredient, even if some ceramic coating brands may try to fool you. Remember to check out our rankings to see which ceramic sprays contain the highest levels of SiO2.
You’ll notice how when you start researching about ceramic coatings, the words “nano coating” and “nanotechnology” come up quite often. This is because ceramic coating uses nanotechnology to pack all these chemical components into a big punch, giving your car that sheer level of protection.
Then, what does nano coating mean? Nano coating, sometimes referred to as nano sealing, is just a fancy way of saying the same. If you are applying ceramic coating to your car, you are nano coating it, so don’t let fancy jargon confuse you!
Since ceramic coating is a semi-permanent bond, it’s made of some pretty powerful ingredients. Now, let’s go all Bill Nye the Science Guy and really dig into how ceramic coatings work chemically.
You might be thinking, “ok, ok I get it, it’s a clear coat.” However, rather than thinking about it as just a clear coat, it’s better to understand that ceramic coatings are literally a semi-permanent, clear BOND that protects your vehicle.
The bonded molecules inside ceramic coatings compound themselves to form polymers. The polymers then bond to form a structure. The result is nanocoating – (the clear layer coat) which binds to your vehicle’s paint to create that additional layer of protection, TA DA!
Think of it this way…Remember when you were growing up and you had K’NEX to play with? All those K’NEX linked together to create something spectacular! That’s what nano coating/ ceramic coating does. All those connected polymers result in a beautiful, clear, hydrophobic liquid that’s then applied to your vehicle for a solid, sheer layer of protection.
If you add a screen protector to your iPhone or Android, don’t you think you should do the same for your car? Just let that sink in for a second. Isn’t it more satisfying to understand how ceramic coatings work rather than just hoping for the best?
You are now packed with insights and information. Why not start narrowing it all down, and dive into the specifics? Let’s look at how durable ceramic coating is, how it works, and what the “shell” really does!
Before we talk about what the normal expectation for a ceramic coating’s durability is, you have to understand the hardness, toughness and muscle behind ceramic coatings.
How are ceramic coatings tested and how can you trust a product? This is another common question and something you’ll come across a lot. Do know many companies out there falsify their hardness levels, so be mindful when purchasing.
Many professional ceramic coating brands will make a statement of having the hardest or toughest layer of protection. Of course, this sounds like something you would want, right?
Several different manufacturers claim that their ceramic coatings for cars are a level “9” or commonly referred to as a “9H” coating. What is a “9H” rating you ask?
Let’s take it back to our school days when we all had to sharpen pencils…if you were around for that. Yep, you guessed it, the hardness scale used for ceramic coating is the same scale used for pencils.
Remember making ceramics in art class, and your teacher had to keep it overnight for it to cure? Well, that applies here. Once a ceramic coating is cured to your car’s surface, you can determine its level of toughness and durability. This will be its hardness level (determined by the pencil test.)
In other words:The highest possible hardness level of a ceramic coating is 9 or 9H. Proč? Because that’s the highest level of hardness on the pencil scale.
When looking for a ceramic coating, you are going to come across many products claiming to be the “strongest” formula. But what does it mean? A 9H ceramic coating is applied only by professionals. With a little help from us, we’ll show you some of the strongest do-it-yourself ceramic sprays out there.
We’ve talked about the hardness level of ceramic coatings as well as SiO2 formulas. So now that you are aware of these two VERY important factors, how do you know which product to buy?
This can get confusing, so we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ll show you one from each category based on our industry knowledge and hundreds of reviews out there!
When it comes to what is the longest a ceramic coating can last, know this is really circumstantial and based on many factors. Your car comes across many different elements on any given day. Rain, salt, mud, UV rays, pollen, and airborne particles you can’t see, are just a few of these.
For example, a ceramic paint sealant will last a long time in Southern California, where there’s virtually no humidity, no bugs, no salt in the air, and it very rarely rains. Compare that with South Florida (the complete opposite) and you’ll see how, in those conditions, the same ceramic coating may last only a fraction of the time.
If you are taking your car to a professional to have a ceramic coating applied, you can expect it to last anywhere from 1 to 5 years, sometimes even 7. This will depend on the package you choose, and how much you are willing to spend. Best-case scenario, it will last 7 years, but your car will still need maintenance once a year.
There are “professional” DIY kits stating they can last up to 2-3 years. However, that’s also assuming you follow the directions well, focus on doing a great job during the application process, and prep your car before applying.
Don’t be fooled when you see or hear people say that it’s a “semi-permanent bond.” Again, it all depends on what you put your vehicle through and how you care for it on a daily basis. You can’t just apply ceramic coating once and then neglect any aftercare or maintenance.
One issue we see with professionals is that if/when you start to notice that some areas of your ceramic coat are fading, you can’t really just touch it up. In the end, you are basically tied to them, costing you more time and money.
This is where we see a huge benefit in ceramic sprays and DIY products. Although they may not last as long, it’s easy to see the cost-benefit. As having the ability to make necessary touch-ups is a huge plus, ceramic sprays become a no-brainer. We’ll go over this a little more when discussing the types of product applications.
Below is a short list of three ceramic coating sprays and their longevity just to give you an idea:
You can see that ceramic coating products vary in longevity. Obviously, it will last the longest if applied by a professional, but be aware that it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
You’ll see a lot of websites out there telling you it’s difficult to apply a ceramic coating yourself. But what is the truth?
Well, we are here to tell you that as long as you follow the correct steps and take your time, you CAN apply ceramic coating to your car simply and safely!
Obviously, professional detailers are going to steer you towards having it done professionally since it’s a more costly process, and makes you dependent on them. But if you do your own research and choose a high-quality do-it-yourself ceramic spray, you can apply a perfect ceramic coating in no time. The trick is to know what you need.
The main thing to take into account if you want to do the job yourself, is you must be willing to do the prep work. If you don’t take the time for this, you won’t get the best possible results.
One of the best ways to prep your vehicle is to perform a clay bar detail on your exterior surfaces to remove any excess contaminants. This will give your ceramic spray the perfect surface to bond with.
Here’s a good video on how to do a clay bar detail, even if you’ve never done it before:
We recommend sticking to one line of products since generally these are made to be used together, hence why DIY kits are so popular. If the brand you select doesn’t offer full kits, car wash products, clay bars, etcetera, then choose high-quality products.
Since we’ve shown you that ceramic sprays and DIY kits are a totally viable option, we’ll now walk you through the steps to apply a ceramic kit yourself, as well as how to use some of our favorite sprays.
Now we are getting into the fun stuff! Who doesn’t like that feeling of putting in some work, using that elbow grease, and then stepping back to see the final result?
You may think this sounds like it’s going to be way too difficult, too many steps, and that you might be afraid of royally screwing it up. But what is the process of applying ceramic coating all about actually?
Let’s go through two different types of products to show you how some DIY kits work as well as one of our favorite ceramic sprays.
Adam’s Polishes is a company we have both used and reviewed for you! Their Ceramic Coating Kits are said to last 6-8 months. Since you’d have the kit, you can touch up with their Boost Spray if necessary. For $119 they have a UV Ceramic Spray Coating Kit which includes:
We also recommend purchasing a microfiber applicator!
Since you may have already looked into ceramic coating applications before reading this, you may be thinking one of two things:
1.) This seems like way too long of a process.
2.) This seems too easy for it to really work.
We are going to debunk both of those myths for you!
As a general rule of thumb, regardless of what paint sealants you are using, you’ll want to start off with the same steps to get the best results.
Prep your vehicle first by washing it. For best results, we recommend using the same line of products. To put it simply, lines of products are generally designed to be used together and will in turn yield the best result. You want to start with the cleanest surface possible. Try to get rid of as much dirt, tree sap, pollen, grime, dust, etc. Remember to use the two-step solution when washing your car.
What is it and why should I use it? Many people and experts out there recommend using a clay bar treatment after washing and drying your car. For the ceramic coating to really bond to your car’s surface, you need to clean up any mineral deposits, imperfections and contaminants in your existing clear coat.
This will help make your ceramic coating last longer and look flawless! This step can also help remove any additional contaminants, and it’s recommended to use before any type of polish or carnauba wax treatment.
Remember, ceramic coating isn’t going to fix your paint, but will help protect it. So, it’s a good idea to do whatever possible to get your car looking its best before applying a ceramic coating.
Since we chose to use Adam’s DIY Kit as an example to walk you through this product, for step three you’d then use the 12oz Surface Prep Spray.
Very important! This step stays the same regardless of what products you use.
The surface prep spray is an Isopropyl Alcohol solution that will remove any trace of polish residue, cleaning residue, etc, think of it as a primer. You prime before you paint to get the best result, right? Same concept here!
It’s very important to have your car well protected during this process. If you washed your car outside, make sure it has had time to cool down. Ceramic coating must be applied in a cool, dry and shaded area.
Using the microfiber applicator or folded microfiber towel, you can choose to spray the ceramic coating directly onto your vehicle or add it to the applicator first if you’d rather work in smaller, more controlled sections.
Different types of ceramic coatings will give different directions on how exactly to apply. Some will say to use small circular motions, some would indicate more of a criss-cross or cross-hatch fashion. All in all, what matters most is to follow the instructions!
Always keep multiple microfiber cloths nearby as you should continue to use a clean cloth to avoid over-saturating the area.
Wondering what is the importance of working in small sections when applying ceramic coating? Working in small sections is important for a few reasons, and you’ll want to work panel by panel. This is because after applying the ceramic coating and working it into the area, you’ll have to wait a minute or two (as per instructions), and then buff the area to see if any more work is needed.
As you apply the ceramic coating, it will begin to cure and create a hazy rainbow effect. This is when you must start step 5 in conjunction with step 4.
The last step of the application process is buffing. The reason for buffing is you should remove any additional oils that might be resting or that have settled on the surface of your car.
The more meticulous you are in this step, the better your results will be. Now, since ceramic coating sets rather quickly, you’ll want to take the time to buff while applying as discussed in step 4.
You’ll sometimes see a rainbow effect as described by Adam’s Polish. They recommend that you buff to a high shine within a minute or two of application. This is why it’s so important to work in small sections and not get trigger happy.
A lot of people will say to go panel by panel, but by splitting each panel in half, you can enable yourself to avoid rushing and focusing on great results. If you choose to spray the ceramic coating onto the towel first, you’ll have to work a little faster as this means the ceramic coating will begin to cure in the air.
Wondering what curing is and what role does it play in ceramic coating? By definition, curing is “a chemical process employed in polymer chemistry and process engineering that produces the toughening or hardening of a polymer material by cross-linking of polymer chains”.
In simple terms, this is the step where the ceramic coating hardens and binds to your vehicle. While you’ll notice that this starts to happen immediately, it’s generally recommended to let your car sit for one to two days after application. This guarantees the coating has completely cured to the surface.
Depending on the kit or products that you purchase, you’ll have the option to perform touch-ups as needed over time.
This is where products like the “Ceramic Boost” from Adam’s step in. Your car doesn’t get dirty evenly. Parts of it will dull and fade faster than others and you’ll want to touch up as needed.
Again, it’s best to use the same line of products as they are meant to be used together. Using a product like this can add around 3 to 6 months of added protection against paint damage to your ceramic coating. This is a simple spray-and-wipe process and can be used as needed.
Ceramic coating won’t eliminate the need to wash your car, but will reduce the time between washes. If you really want to make your ceramic coating last as long as possible, we recommend washing your car every two to three weeks.
**Adam’s UV Ceramic Spray Coating Kit says it will last 2-3 years**
Not all ceramic coatings are applied the same way although they generally follow the same steps. What differentiates ceramic coating applications is the products that you choose to use and your vehicle’s specific needs.
If you are using a UV protection ceramic coating, you may have an extra step. Remember, not all ceramic sprays/coatings are the same! So think about what you really need, and the elements you want to protect your car against. You should also check the product’s application process before deciding for one.
As you probably know by now, the Nexgen Ceramic Spray is our top-rated product and, as it’s very user-friendly, we are going to walk you through how to use a ceramic spray like this.
The Nexgen Ceramic Spray provides the fastest application available on the market today. Like other sprays, it’s best to apply Nexgen in a cool, covered area. Since Nexgen is a professional grade seal and has one of the highest SiO2 formulas, a little goes a long way! This spray uses a quick, three-step process that’s shown and outlined on their website.
With Nexgen, there’s no need to purchase an additional boost, saving you both time and money as opposed to other products. Nexgen’s ease of use and glowing reviews prove they are a top choice for professionals and DIYers alike! Their price is hard to beat and their customer service is top of the line.
Check out these great videos from a professional detailer showing the application process, and the results one month after using Nexgen Ceramic Spray:
Check out these two videos to see how easy the application is, and understand the longevity and strength of this product after a single application!
This is another area where there’s a HUGE difference between doing it yourself or taking it to a professional. You’re probably sitting there thinking to yourself “ok so, how long is this going to take me?” This will depend on the size of your vehicle, your products, and your level of perfectionism.
Let us walk you through what is the time difference between having a ceramic coating applied by a professional vs. applying a professional-grade ceramic coating by yourself.
If you are taking your car to a professional to have a ceramic coating applied, on average, it would take 2 to 3 days. This may vary depending on what type of package you choose, as professional detailers generally have different ones. These packages generally add different layers of ceramic coating onto your car, claiming to make the coating last longer.
When applying a do-it-yourself ceramic spray, you can coat your entire vehicle in 10 minutes or less, depending on size. When you add in the prep work of washing and then clay bar detailing, it can take a couple of hours. This is still much less than the several days it will take a professional detailer.
However, do yourself a favor and don’t rush this process! Take the time to do it right, and you won’t be disappointed with the results. Worst-case scenario, if you take one day every couple of months, the payoff is still well worth it.
Ceramic coatings and ceramic sprays can be applied to all the exterior surfaces of your vehicle. They are safe for all painted surfaces, headlights, trim, fiberglass, vinyl wraps, wheels, glass, chrome and even the liner of truck beds.
Let’s break down each of these surfaces so you can see better what is the benefit of using a ceramic spray or coating on every surface of your vehicle.
Since ceramic coatings are hydrophobic, they are optimal for use on your windshield as they’ll make water literally bounce right off. Raindrops will bead and roll off of both your car’s surface and your windshield. Adding a ceramic coating here will also help protect it from bird droppings, bug guts, tree droppings. It can even help build an extra layer of protection against rock chips.
Since this is a clear layer, it won’t affect visibility. You’ll still be able to clean up your windshield as usual and can also use boost sprays as needed. In conclusion, cleaning your windshield will be easier than ever. Plus, you won’t have to clean it as often!
Ceramic coatings will help protect your headlights. There’s nothing worse than driving on the highway and ending up with a million dead bugs stuck to your headlights. No one likes scraping dead bugs off of any surface, let alone having to crouch down and scrape them off of your freshly washed car.
It’s also extremely frustrating to see water spots on your headlights after rain or a quick wash. Ceramic coatings will work on headlights just like they will on the windshield, and even on your plastic trim. They’ll also help prevent oxidation and corrosion.
Plastic trim, like headlights, are magnets for water spots and dead bugs. This is very true for dark cars as water spots and any other elements become extremely noticeable.
Wondering what is the role of ceramic coating in protecting trims? Just like how ceramic coatings protect other surfaces of your car, they’ll do the same for the trim. Plus, they can be applied the same way.
When you are applying ceramic coating to the trim of your vehicle, notice how it will give off a little sheen, almost making it look brand new. This is just another added bonus!
Ceramic coating will mostly help protect your wheels from dirt/mud and debris. Brake dust is the number one enemy to keeping your wheels clean, and it’s not easy to remove. Wheels are also tough to clean due to all the small grooves and tight areas.
Since ceramic coating will help stop brake dust from bonding to the surface of your wheels, they’ll naturally become a breeze to clean.
“Can I apply a ceramic coating to chrome?” is a question that comes up a lot in regards to motorcycles and exhausts, intakes, manifolds, etc.
Odpověď je ano. We’ll also add that ceramic coatings and sprays can be applied to aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron and carbon steel as well. The reason to use ceramic coatings on these surfaces is to protect them from high heat corrosion and deterioration.
Ceramic coatings are NOT scratch-proof! This is a very common myth and one that we want to reiterate to you. Although ceramic coatings can help protect against small scratches, they won’t make your truck bed invincible. Your liner will be protected and have the same result as your trim.
There are products out there claiming to protect the bed of your truck. However the inevitable might still happen and it will get scratched up. However, adding a ceramic coating will definitely help protect your liner just like it will all other areas of your truck.
You CAN apply ceramic coating to vinyl wrapped cars and over PPF, although it’s not really recommended to put it over PPF. Vinyl wrap is a film that’s applied over the panels of your vehicle. Some people choose to add a vinyl wrap for an extra layer of protection to help prevent rock chips.
Applying a ceramic coating over a vinyl wrap is possible. However, it won’t be as good as if it’s applied solely to your car’s surface. Remember, since ceramic coating is a clear coat, it won’t alter the color or overall look of your vinyl wrap.
Simply put, ceramic coating isn’t going to hurt any part of your car, truck or motorcycle. It can really only help. As long as you take the time to select the right product for your vehicle’s needs, you’ll be perfectly fine! This brings us to our next point, how do you choose which ceramic coating to use?
Lucky for you, we have reviews for many different ceramic sprays to help you take the guesswork out of the selection process. Since ceramic sprays are the easiest to use, we think it’s important to highlight some of the best products on the market.
We’ll take these four topics into consideration when choosing a ceramic spray:longevity, strength, value, and customer service.
When it comes to what is the best value ceramic coating for cars, Nexgen Ceramic Spray has really caught our attention. This is a product we believe everyone should have on hand.
To learn even more about different companies selling ceramic sprays, be sure to check out our full ceramic coating rankings. In these, we compare the most important factors across all major brands.
Below are a few notes and highlights from some of our favorite products. You’ll also find the three brands that rank highest in terms of longevity, strength, customer service, and value.
It’s never too soon to start using a ceramic coating of any type on your car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, Razor, 4-wheeler, or any other vehicle you can think of!
To be quite honest, the earlier you start using a ceramic coating, the better. Some people apply a ceramic coating the day they purchase a new car. This is actually the best way to do it!
By caring for your vehicle from the beginning, you’ll prolong its exterior longevity right away. What’s more, you’ll save yourself some time since ceramic coatings help extend the time between car washes.
If you drive your car a lot, live in an area with lots of smog, sun, rain, or any harsh conditions, then we recommend applying a ceramic coating ASAP.
Think of it like this:what is the point of walking around outside when it’s raining holding a closed umbrella? Do you wait 5 minutes under pouring rain and then open your umbrella, or do you open it right when you step outside? If you protect yourself from the rain immediately, why wouldn’t you do the same for your car?
People often ask, “what time of year should I use ceramic coating?” Well, you don’t want to apply ceramic coating in direct sunlight or when it is too hot. You want to get this done when weather conditions are mild.
Since ceramic coating creates an extra layer of protection, take that knowledge and use it LITERALLY! You protect your skin from the sun in the summer, right? You protect yourself from rain in the spring and snow in the winter, right? So, do the same for your car! Do yourself and your car a favor by being proactive instead of reactive.
In terms of when to actually apply a ceramic coating or spray, experts recommend starting the process in the morning. This allows your car to cool down from any driving or use from the day before. Then when you are finished, let it sit overnight and apply any touch-ups the next morning.
It’s also a best practice to let your car sit for a few days if possible before jumping back on the road. If you don’t have a few days, then it’s not the biggest deal. Only know waiting a bit will extend the life of your new ceramic coating.
At best, a high-quality wax will last you, at a maximum, 2 months. The length of time right there is enough to show you that ceramic coating is better than wax.
Wax basically just sits on the surface of your car. It doesn’t bond to the paint as ceramic coatings do and also needs to be applied much more frequently than ceramic coating.
For best results, you’d have to reapply wax every 4-6 weeks. This means you’d be waxing your car up to 12 times a year instead of about max 4 times our favorite ceramic spray, Nexgen.
Wax is most often used if you are wanting to show off your car short term, like a photoshoot, car show, etc. On the other hand, a ceramic coating is in it for the long haul and is meant to help protect your vehicle from everyday wear and tear.
The process of applying wax can end up taking you longer than applying a ceramic coat to your car. Not only do you need to wash your vehicle, dry it and prep it. After applying the wax you are going to need to buff if. And I mean BUFF IT. You are going to put way more muscle into this than applying a ceramic coating.
The strength, longevity and value of a DIY ceramic coating really knock wax out of the ballpark.
You can, but what is the reason to do it? If you are going to do this anyway, it’s best to apply the ceramic coating, give it a day or two to cure, and then add the wax on top of it.
The issue here is that the hydrophobic layer will be affected. And then, the wax will also have a hard time sticking to the clear layer you just applied to your vehicle.
There’s really no need to apply wax on top of your ceramic coat. If you put wax under a ceramic coating, then you are basically wasting your time. If you take the time to use the clay bar before application, then you are already doing yourself a HUGE favor.
Wax and ceramic coating are two different products, used for two different reasons, so it’s best to just keep them apart!
Let’s get one thing straight regarding what ceramic coating is supposed to do for your car. Ceramic coating is not going to make your car invincible. Before you add ceramic coating, dirt, pollen and other pollutants will gather into all of the tiny pores of your vehicle’s surface. Výsledky? You need to wash your car ASAP.
Ceramic coating will prevent that from happening. Aka:less washing! It will protect your car from UV-Rays, small scratches, chemical pollutants, and will add a layer of gloss to the surface. However, ceramic coating isn’t going to protect against rock chips, swirl marks left behind by automatic car washes, or serious scratches.
Since a ceramic coating provides that extra layer of protection, it may help prevent more serious scratches from happening, but won’t stop them from happening altogether.
Rocks don’t hit your car slow and soft. Generally, when a rock is coming at your car, it’s flying off the tire of a vehicle in front of you. This means it’s traveling with speed and force. If rock chips are your main concern, then there are some additional products you can look into as well.
The answer here is yes and no. Your vehicle stands a better chance of defending itself against scratches with ceramic coating than it does without it. Ceramic coating can help protect against minor scratches, but won’t save you from someone keying your car.
This is a common misconception with ceramic coatings. Ceramic coatings help water to roll off of the surface of your vehicle by creating a water beading. However, there are areas of your car that are harder for water drops to roll off of. Thank gravity for that!
You might be thinking, so then what’s the point? Ceramic coating will help protect your vehicle from the chemicals and dirt that are sitting in those areas. If you notice any on your car, it’s important to remove the water spots from your car as soon as you can.
Like scratches, the answer is yes and no. Light swirl marks can be prevented with ceramic coating, but harsh ones don’t. Do yourself a favor and avoid automatic car washes for this exact reason!
Wondering what is the main thing to do when applying ceramic coating and helping it last?
Ceramic coating maintenance is a very important factor when trying to make your ceramic coating last for as long as possible. Having a ceramic coating on your vehicle will definitely cut down the time required to maintain your vehicle. It will also reduce the number of washes needed.
If you notice any droppings on your car, whether it be from rain, a tree, a bird, or who knows what else, it’s best to take care of it sooner rather than later. It will be much easier to clean that up right away rather than just before applying ceramic spray. The good news is it will take you far less time to clean your car after a ceramic coating is applied.
You’ll be truly amazed at how your car’s paint will be protected by this additional clear coat!
To maintain your vehicle’s ceramic coating, it’s best to wash your car out of the sun and heat. Also, avoid using any abrasive materials, just like when you originally applied it. Be sure to use quality wash products to extend the life of your ceramic coating. If you are using a spray, you can touch it up as needed. Microfiber cloths will also help collect any dust that may settle on the surface.
If you are out of town and need a wash, we recommend going to a full-service, hand car wash, as opposed to an automatic one. Automatic washes can cause damage such as swirls marks and scratches, and trust us, that’s the last thing you want to worry about.
Whether you have your ceramic coating done by a professional, or choose to do it yourself, it’s best to not wash your car for at least 7 days. Ideally, wait two weeks after applying your ceramic coating. After that, to help avoid any contaminants piling up on your car, it’s best to wash your car every two weeks.
As we have said a few times, do everything you can to avoid washing your car in the sunlight and out of any extreme temperatures.
The two-bucket-method for washing your vehicle is also important. If you are not familiar with this, the two-bucket-method is this – Use one bucket for soaking your microfiber cloth, wash mitt or whatever your preferred washing tool is. Then, use the second bucket to clean your washing tool after using it on a particular section or panel of your car.
There are plenty of videos out there to help you with this if you have any questions! We recommend using a high-quality wash product for your vehicle. You really don’t need to use any products with additional components. Just a good quality car wash soap will do the trick.
Since your wheels are arguably the dirtiest part of your car, wash them separate from it, otherwise you are just wasting your precious time.
Although it will definitely take a while for you to notice any changes in your ceramic coating, continuous exposure to harsh elements such as UV rays, tree sap, etc. will begin to take a toll on your vehicle. One of the first things you’ll notice is that the glossy, wet-looking shine will eventually start to fade. The more you neglect your car and put off washing it, the faster this will happen.
Another common result of improper maintenance will be the loss of the hydrophobic capabilities. Aka water, dirt and other elements will no longer fall off your vehicle on their own.
Remember how we talked about how the surface of your car is similar to pores on your face? Ceramic coating closes those pores. But, as your vehicle gets sabotaged by harmful UV rays as well as dirt, tree sap, water and more, that protective layer begins to thin. In the end, those pores will start to clog again, directly affecting the hydrophobic properties of your coating. In short, do yourself a favor and maintain your car to protect your investment!
All good things must come to an end, right? Well, as with most things, if you do your research ahead of time it will be a lot easier, more effective, and you’ll avoid doing any damage to your vehicle! That is, if you take the time to remove your ceramic coating the right way.
The question remains, why do you want to remove your ceramic coating? Generally, people remove their ceramic coating so that they can apply a new one. This is likely going to be about 3 years after the initial application if you followed our maintenance steps.
Any time you are removing something, it wouldn’t hurt to take a look at the product you applied and see if there are specific removal instructions. This applies to any type of coating that you put on your vehicle. If there aren’t instructions given by the manufacturer, have no fear, we are going to break it down for you.
Remember the clay bar that you used before applying your ceramic coating? Guess what, you can also use a clay bar to remove it. Since your ceramic coating has had lots of time to wear off, it has had time to thin. So you won’t have to put a whole lot of muscle into it.
Have you noticed that almost every step has started with washing your car? Well guess what? Same goes for removing your ceramic coating. If you start the removal process by washing your car with a wax-stripping wash, then the coating will come off even easier.
After washing, it’s the time to use the clay bar treatment that we just discussed. You’ll be doing exactly what you did to apply the ceramic coating. So, it’s basically muscle memory at this point, right?
Once done with the clay bar, simply rinse your vehicle thoroughly. And then, use your microfiber towels to completely dry your vehicle. Your car is now basically prepped to add a new ceramic coating!
This is an easy one! Nowadays, most people turn to the internet for purchases and the same goes for ceramic coating products. On the list of ceramic sprays we’ve reviewed for you, you’ll find links to the products’ websites that will assist you in purchasing a ceramic spray.
The same goes for DIY kits! You can also buy many ceramic coatings and sprays on Amazon, just be wary of who you are ordering from. Some ceramic sprays are exclusively sold on Amazon which helps provide easy, fast shipping.
You can also find ceramic sprays and coating at your local hardware and automotive stores. Hell! You can even find them at Walmart. Just remember, if you are getting a price that seems too good to be true, be wary of that product. Luckily, you have our reviews to help you out!
What is this question? You bet it is! Ceramic coating will help provide the best line of defense against daily wear and tear on your vehicle’s surface. It is definitely worth the price and will help you protect your investment.
Again, why spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and then not take care of it? Ceramic coating is going to protect your car better than waxes and other sealants.
For the low cost of $19.99 for Nexgen Ceramic Spray, it’s pretty hard to make an argument against when using a ceramic spray. You can’t do any harm by adding a ceramic coating and it’s really not hard to do! Especially with so many step-by-step guides and YouTube videos out there.
Ceramic coating is 100% worth it and will help keep your car looking its best!
Why spend money every few weeks to have your car washed? Why waste your own time washing your car?
Whether you chose from our favorite ceramic sprays or decide to go for a full-on DIY kit, you are only helping your investment, and prolonging the life of your vehicle’s exterior.
If you enjoyed our post on what is ceramic coating for cars and are determined to try it out, remember to check out our reviews of many different ceramic sprays before purchasing one!
