Do you really think I should add a ceramic coating to the exterior of my vehicle?
Ceramic on my car? Yes, we think you should, even if it sounds a little crazy at first. A ceramic coating is an especially important part of your auto care for the exterior of your vehicle! We will answer some of your questions like, ‘What is a ceramic coating?’ or ‘How does living in Colorado affect my auto care needs?’. For those of you in the Denver metro area, we offer free estimates and answered questions at Mile High Image Detailing. Let’s get to it!
What is Ceramic Coating?
In a nutshell, ceramic coating is a protective layer that can be added to the exterior of your vehicle. A more technical answer is that ceramic coating is a liquid polymer solution that has a chemical reaction when applied to the vehicle. This chemical reaction creates a bond with the clear coat (The final, clear layer of protection of paint that comes with all factory paint jobs.). Creating this bond allows the ceramic coating to adhere to the exterior of your vehicle, essentially like a candy shell or the ever-popular hardening dipping chocolate.
While the ceramic coating is ineffective at differing scratches from things like rock chips on the road or swirl marks, it increases the amount of protection for your vehicle’s paint from environmental hazards that cause imperfections in your vehicle’s paint. Hydrophobic in nature, the ceramic coating allows water to bead and run off; taking dirt and grime with it. It also offers a level of protection from acidic elements found in the air and water due to pollution. Harmful UV rays from the sun are also blocked by the ceramic coating. This helps prevent the paint from oxidizing (more on that later!). A ceramic coating will also bring a glossy sheen to the exterior of your vehicle, bringing out the true color of your original paint. Why not add a sparkle to your car, that resists breaking down from atmospheric conditions, and protects the exterior!
Why is the chemical bond of the ceramic coating so important?
The chemical bond created when the ceramic coating is applied to the exterior of your vehicle is important for many reasons. Some ceramic coatings are created to be permanent, while others are created to be semi-permanent. The difference is found in the chemical makeup of the liquid polymer of the ceramic coating. Having an extra semi-permanent or permanent, hydrophobic layer of protection that lasts greatly increases the life of the exterior of your vehicle. Traditional waxes need to be applied monthly in order to provide lasting protection in environments like the one we live in here in Denver, Colorado area. A permanent ceramic coating that is properly maintained can last you five years or more, depending on the vehicle’s lifestyle.
Since the ceramic coating does not fade in everyday atmospheric hazards rapidly, the process to remove a ceramic coating is just as detail-oriented as its application. To remove a ceramic coating, a delicate process of polishing and wet sanding is performed. The application or removal of a ceramic coating to the exterior of your vehicle should only ever be done by an expertly trained professional, no matter your level of auto aficionado.
What are the Benefits of Ceramic Coating?
Adding a ceramic coating to the exterior of your vehicle brings many (some may say, more practical) benefits, along with the eye-catching glossy sheen. Aside from aesthetics, a ceramic coating can prevent the process of oxidation, it is hydrophobic in nature, and creates a barrier from pollutants in the air. Let’s explore the top benefits of adding a ceramic coating to the exterior of your vehicle a bit more.
Stand Out Sheen
Applying a ceramic coating to the exterior of your car leaves your vehicle with a beautiful, glossy finish. A professional application of a ceramic coating should always be to a clean car. We recommend having an auto paint correction done prior to adding a ceramic coating. The glossy sheen will amplify any imperfections in the paint on your vehicle, but after an auto paint correction, the true vibrance of the original paint color will shine. This is especially important for any vehicles used as show cars, or as model cars for photography. If your car is your daily driving buddy, the shine of a ceramic coating will make your car stand out from the rest. Besides, who doesn’t love getting into a shiny, beautiful car?
Sunscreen for your Vehicle
A ceramic coating is applied to the entirety of the exterior of your vehicle (that has paint). This means that every inch of your vehicle’s paint will be protected from the harmful UV rays from the sun. These harmful UV rays will dull and can ultimately the color of your paint. Have you ever seen someone who has spent a lot of time outside, and noticed their skin looks more weathered than most? The same UV rays that cause our skin to dry out and lose its natural oils (creating that weathered look) can do a similar number to the paint on your car. Ceramic coatings provide extra protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, prolonging the life of the perfect, original paint color for years to come.
Prevent the Process of Oxidation
What is oxidation, you ask? Oxidation is the process of breakdown of the chemicals within your vehicle’s paint. This will leave the paint on your vehicle looking dull, faded, or even chalky. The most common culprit of oxidation is harmful UV rays. The UV rays heat the paint on your vehicle, changing the chemical compounds within the paint. Other contaminants like acid rain, road salt, and debris can also speed up the process of oxidation to your vehicle’s exterior paint. Applying a ceramic coating to the exterior of your vehicle increases the amount of protection against environmental hazards that cause oxidation.
Hydrophobic Nature of Ceramic Coatings
Any ceramic coating will be hydrophobic in nature. This means that water, or other liquids, will bead and runoff, rather than sit on top of your vehicle’s clear coat. The runoff helps remove any acidic contaminants that may have settled on your vehicle from air pollution. While regular maintenance washes are always encouraged and needed to get the best out of your ceramic coating, even these are eased. Dirt and grime are more likely to be washed off without force from your vehicle with a ceramic coating.
Barrier from Air Pollutants
With air pollution comes microscopic acidic contaminants. Over time, these contaminants can build up and erode the clear coat protection of your vehicle’s paint. A clear coat provides a barrier that can withstand the environmental contaminants in the air, like those in Denver, Colorado.
Why are Ceramic Coatings Important in Denver, Colorado?
So, how does living in the Denver metro area of Colorado affect applying a ceramic coating to your vehicle? As you know, the city of Denver, Colorado is located at an altitude of 5,280 feet – a mile above sea level! Many of the surrounding cities are nestled even higher into Earth’s ozone layer.
The ozone layer is a layer that surrounds Earth 10 miles into the sky, acting as a barrier between us and the harmful UV rays from the sun. Living at higher altitudes means there is less of a barrier, making sunscreen and protective ceramic coatings for automobiles a priority in care. As we discussed above, the ceramic coating helps block these harmful UV rays, acting as a cooling agent for the chemical compounds in your vehicle’s paint.
Denver is a growing city. With growth comes construction, which increases air pollution and overall dirt and dust. Ceramic coatings protect against contaminants in the air, protecting your vehicle’s paint from acidic pollutants. It also adds a hydrophobic layer, discouraging the dust and dirt of construction from adhering to the exterior of your vehicle.
Every environment and microclimate comes with its own challenges and therefore care routines. Vehicles in Colorado are especially exposed to environmental elements due to the thinner ozone layer, as well as day-to-day contaminants in the air, and on the streets.
Ceramic Coatings at Mile High Image Detailing
At Mile High Image Detailing, we offer a range of ceramic coatings, matching your needs no matter your lifestyle. Our protection packages offer protection for 2 to 10 years! The 9h ceramic coating is UV resistant and offers 3 times the amount of protection from scratches. If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and are looking for a professional ceramic coating application, look no further. We use the best products on the market, and even offer Modesta coatings! We are happy to answer all of your questions and will help guide you to the right package for you. Find out why we are Denver’s top choice to apply protection to the exterior of your vehicle. Ceramic coatings are our specialty, and our attention to detail is unmatched.