Ceramic coating question

roryb1985 · 27-12-2017, 09:06 AM

Good morning all. Don’t really know much about ceramic coating but if I apply this will this stop the paint work getting swirls. Only asking as got a black car and is a real mission to keep the black nice

steelghost · 27-12-2017, 09:12 AM

Coatings can give a measure of swirl resistance, but they are not invulnerable and can still be marked by the same things that can harm uncoated clearcoat.

stangalang · 27-12-2017, 09:20 AM

In short, no. It will "help" if you integrate it into a better wash routine and perhaps change the products you use

If I was you I would invest money into a water filter and pet dryer. Removing the requirement for drying the car will help massively to minimising swirls

TOGWT · 27-12-2017, 10:30 AM

A wax, sealant or coating can only reflect what is underneath it, so a clean, level well-prepared surface is the most important consideration (85% of a surfaces reflectivity is its preparation) along with applied product clarity. If you apply a product over a surface that is dirty or one that has surface imperfections a sealant or a paint protection coating will not disguise it, only highlight them.

roryb1985 · 27-12-2017, 02:06 PM

Ok thanks for the reply’s. So what is the benefit of this coating and as for the swirls it does pee me off as I’m so careful when washing it. Maybe it’s the way I dry the car but I use QD when doing this. Sorry I am still new to detailing

shelton · 28-12-2017, 01:26 AM

Ceramic coatings are harder than clearcoat, so yes they do prevent some scratches. So that means scratching should be reduced. However, as noted, they are not impervious. It is still important to treat them with care. That said, they are generally good a repelling dirt, so washing becomes easier.

They are very durable (if you get a decent one applied by a professional) but that can also be a drawback for some people, because for one, two, three, or more years you can't fix any scratches or water-spots that do appear without destroying the coating itself. With a conventional wax or sealant you can just polish them out and re-apply.

Ceramics can't really be patched up because they are giant covalent structures, formed and 'set' on application. Patching them up is like gluing a broken window back together. Possible, but not easy... and you wouldn't do it on purpose just for a light correction.

So there you have your conundrum. If swirls make you miserable, ceramic coatings are like a really long sword that scares a lot of bad guys away, but then just becomes a hindrance when someone slips past your guard or you need to patch yourself up. If you don't mind taking a few hits and soldiering on, they can be useful, but if you want to regularly tend to the inevitable injuries, they just get in the way.

27-12-2017, 09:06 AM	#1
roryb1985 Sponge Jockey Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 56 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Ceramic coating question Good morning all. Don’t really know much about ceramic coating but if I apply this will this stop the paint work getting swirls. Only asking as got a black car and is a real mission to keep the black nice

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27-12-2017, 10:30 AM	#4
TOGWT OCD Sufferer (Obsessive Car Detailer) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Split between Hampstead, London and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Posts: 1,774 Thanks: 381 Thanked 799 Times in 490 Posts	A wax, sealant or coating can only reflect what is underneath it, so a clean, level well-prepared surface is the most important consideration (85% of a surfaces reflectivity is its preparation) along with applied product clarity. If you apply a product over a surface that is dirty or one that has surface imperfections a sealant or a paint protection coating will not disguise it, only highlight them.

27-12-2017, 02:06 PM	#5
roryb1985 Sponge Jockey Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 56 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Ok thanks for the reply’s. So what is the benefit of this coating and as for the swirls it does pee me off as I’m so careful when washing it. Maybe it’s the way I dry the car but I use QD when doing this. Sorry I am still new to detailing

28-12-2017, 01:26 AM	#6
shelton Sponge Jockey Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Osaka Posts: 98 Thanks: 28 Thanked 100 Times in 52 Posts	Ceramic coatings are harder than clearcoat, so yes they do prevent some scratches. So that means scratching should be reduced. However, as noted, they are not impervious. It is still important to treat them with care. That said, they are generally good a repelling dirt, so washing becomes easier. They are very durable (if you get a decent one applied by a professional) but that can also be a drawback for some people, because for one, two, three, or more years you can't fix any scratches or water-spots that do appear without destroying the coating itself. With a conventional wax or sealant you can just polish them out and re-apply. Ceramics can't really be patched up because they are giant covalent structures, formed and 'set' on application. Patching them up is like gluing a broken window back together. Possible, but not easy... and you wouldn't do it on purpose just for a light correction. So there you have your conundrum. If swirls make you miserable, ceramic coatings are like a really long sword that scares a lot of bad guys away, but then just becomes a hindrance when someone slips past your guard or you need to patch yourself up. If you don't mind taking a few hits and soldiering on, they can be useful, but if you want to regularly tend to the inevitable injuries, they just get in the way.

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