Ceramic coating has become incredibly popular among detailers and car enthusiasts. Even if you don’t know exactly what it is, you’ve probably heard of it already. The technology has been changing rapidly since ceramic coatings were first brought into the car world, making them more accessible and more user-friendly than ever.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coatings protect surfaces against chemical and environmental degradation. In that regard, it serves the same purpose as wax or polymer sealant. However, its properties make it tougher and longer lasting, and unlike a wax or sealant, it can resist physical abrasion.
While most waxes and paint sealants simply sit on the surface of the vehicle’s clear coat, ceramic coatings chemically bond to it, and can’t be removed by simply spraying a liquid and wiping. The main ingredient in ceramic coatings is silicon dioxide (SiO2), which forms a hard shell over the paint. Removal of a ceramic coating requires physical abrasion like compounding or wet sanding.
Ceramic coatings have rapidly become a more popular choice among enthusiasts due to the superior gloss, scratch resistance, hydrophobicity, and durability.
Benefits of Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coatings are specifically formulated to protect your vehicle and prolong the lifespan of any surface they are applied to.
Waxes and sealants can rapidly degrade and will wash away over time. Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, form a semi-permanent barrier that can last several years with proper maintenance.
Thanks to its hydrophobic properties, washing a ceramic-coated vehicle is a breeze. Water and dirt are wicked away with ease, so maintenance washes require much less time and effort. Polishing and deep cleaning aren’t necessary nearly as often, if at all.
Ceramic coatings also enhance gloss and protect surfaces against UV rays that would lead to fading and discoloration. The shine it creates on the paint is unbeatable.
Types of Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic technology can be found in many forms.
Most ceramic coatings come in the form of a runny fluid that is deposited onto an applicator and spread over the surface of the vehicle. Jade Emerald is our standard ceramic coating, offering 4 years or longer of gloss and protection.
For a lower cost and easier application, ceramic coatings are also available as sprays, including our Jade Ruby and Jade Jet. However, these thinner, sprayable coatings don’t last as long as traditional coatings.
Graphene coatings are the latest development in ceramics, offering all the benefits of traditional SiO2-based coatings combined with the added toughness of graphene oxide. Jade Graphene is a 5-year coating, while Jade Obsidian is a 7-year option.
The applications of ceramic technology don’t stop at the paint. All of our paint coatings can also be applied to metal, glass, and plastic. Jade Amethyst is a glass coating designed for use on the windshield. Inside the vehicle, Jade Pearl will protect the leather and vinyl, and Jade A65 Fabric Guard will defend the carpets and upholstery.
How to Apply a Ceramic Coating
Before applying a ceramic coating, the most important step is to make sure that the paint is free of defects (or as close as realistically possible). Even new vehicles need paint correction.
Once the paint correction is complete, prep the surface with our Wipe Clean (previously Refresh) spray.
When you’re ready to begin, apply a line or 2 of ceramic coating down the middle of your applicator. Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount on the first application. Outline a small box on the vehicle’s surface and apply the coating in a crosshatch pattern to ensure that no spot is missed. Allow the product to flash before leveling it out with a microfiber towel.
Continue applying the coating to one section at a time.
For more information, watch our how-to video.
How to Apply Ceramic Coating to Wheels
As with any ceramic coating installation, you’ll want to first clean and perfect the surface as much as possible.
Citrus Cleaner will break down brake dust and other grime on the surface of the wheels. Polish up the wheels and remove light scratches with Caliber Plus.
Just like when applying ceramic coating to the body of the vehicle, it’s important to start with Wipe Clean surface prep spray, and then apply the coating in sections.
How to Protect Plastic Trim with Ceramic Coating
Jade Ceramic’s Black Dress Pro revives and protects exterior plastic and vinyl. Harsh sunlight can cause black plastic to fade, but the combination of ceramic technology and dye infusion will restore and protect the color.
Installation is as simple as cleaning the surface, using an applicator to apply the ceramic evenly and ensure consistent coverage, and simply letting the coating dry. Wipe away any excess product with a microfiber towel prior to the coating drying.
Watch our DK TV video here.
Ceramic Coating Training
Using a ceramic coating for the first time can feel stressful, and there’s a lot of pressure to get everything right. Fortunately, hands-on training is available to allow you to learn and practice without the high stakes.
At Detail King, we offer a Ceramic Coating Certification Course for detailers of all experience levels. Students in our course will have the opportunity to get comfortable with every step of the process, including paint correction and prep work.
In addition to invaluable firsthand experience, graduates of our course will become certified installers of Jade Ceramic Coating, putting them ahead of their competition.
Being able to confidently offer a full range of ceramic coating services and show your customers that you’re certified will help to sell them on an installation.
Ceramics are no passing fad. They’re here to stay, and having an understanding of how they work and how to properly install them will keep detailers at the top of their game.
With all of the benefits, offering ceramic coatings is a no-brainer.
FAQs:
How much should detailers charge for ceramic coating?
You may hear the cost of a ceramic coating be quoted at anywhere from $300 to well over $1000. When pricing a job, consider the time and products that will go into it. Prep work is the most important part, and thorough paint correction can take several hours.
Simply installing a ceramic coating without performing the proper paint correction will certainly reduce the cost of offering these services, however the results won’t be worth it. The job will not turn out well and you will have a rolling billboard of your poor work out on the street. The hours of attentive work at perfecting the surface are essential, and detailers need to account for this when pricing ceramic coating installations.
Is a ceramic coating right for me?
Ceramic coatings come with a plethora of benefits, but they require special care. For vehicle owners accustomed to visiting automatic car washes, this may not be the best option. Hand washing with specialty soap like our Detox will help keep a ceramic coating in the very best shape possible.
Owners who are accustomed to regularly hand washing their vehicle or taking it to a detailer will be able to reap the most benefits from their ceramic coating.
Can you use ceramic coating over a matte finish?
Ceramic coatings are a great choice for matte painted or wrapped vehicles. Matte finishes cannot be corrected in the same way as standard glossy paints, so scratches and defects are irreversible. Ceramic coatings can keep the surface protected for years without a lapse in protection.
To see how ceramic coatings look on different matte wraps, check out our video.
Can I put a ceramic coating on my boat or RV?
All vehicles, including boats and RVs, can benefit from a ceramic coating. Jade Aquamarine is specially formulated to stand up to marine environments, making it a perfect choice to protect both RVs and boats against harsh weather, corrosion, and more.