In this article, we have covered few FAQs about ceramic coating that most of the customers want to be answered. These questions are most frequently asked at KS valeting and Detailing center by customers hence answers are specifically related to Indian environment and user cases. We hope this article will help to decide whether to get your car coated or not. Let's have a look.
Topics covered-
1) Is protection really required?
2) What is ceramic coating?
3) Understanding 9H, 10H.
4) Curing time & why it takes time to apply coating.
5) Coating provides limited benefits- facts.
6) Washing, using car duster, water less wash, how to maintain.
7) Daily washing plans and coating.
8) Scratches.
9) Waterspots.
10) Coating is costly. Is it worth?
Q: Whether wax , paint sealant or coating, Is that protection really required compared to old system of regularly washing? What's difference?
A: In the world of car care, you will always get recommendation to use some sort of protection on your car. And it is for good reason. An unprotected paint is often attacked by numerous contaminants. You might have seen white, faint coloured cars whose paint appears chalky, dark coloured cars whose paint appears dull so on... while it is 'Okey' thing for many, some users who always love their car and want to see it in top shining condition, it becomes a painful sight for them to see their beloved car losing its beauty. If protective measures are taken time to time, the beauty does not fade away. These protections come in many forms such as wax, paint sealant, ceramic coating etc. Their purpose is to lock the shine and condition of paint under it and provide additional gloss. Modern developments in car care industry has given much better products from shampoos to coating and films. Hence using protection is far better than old system where people used to just wash the cars. It definitely helps.
Q: What is ceramic coating? On which parts is it applied?
A: Ceramic coating is a chemical polymer solution which bonds to the paint chemically unlike wax which just sits on the surface. Most of the coatings can be applied to paint, plastic trims, glasses, metal surfaces such as alloy wheels, silencer etc. However, this differs from brand to brand.
Q: What is 9H, 10H?
A: The terms 9H hardness, 10H (H stands for hardness) are laboratory test specifications for scratch resistance for given coating. It indicates that a 9H hardness coating can prevent scratch which may occur from the graphite tip of 9H grade pencil under test condition. Although this specification says about scratch resistance, it must be noted here that test conditions are ideal and in real world situations, conditions are not in control. Hence scratch can happen anyway. The bottom line is, coatings are not made for scratch resistance. Its purpose is to preserve gloss of the car and to provide protection from most of the commonly occurring contaminants such as dust, road grime, bugs splatters, tree sap, brake dust, bird poop etc. and some of the cleaners. Coating is also UV resistant- it does not turn yellow when exposed to prolonged sunlight unlike some of the paint protection films.
Q: Why does it take time for applying coating? What is curing time and what happens in that curing time?
A: Before applying coating, it is necessary that surfaces on which coating is being applied are clean. Painted surfaces are polished to shine. When coating is applied, for few initial hours car cannot be driven(depends on coating brand). This is called as initial cure time. If car is driven in this time, chances are high that coating may not bond to the surface correctly. Once initial cure time is correctly followed, the car has to be allowed to cure for final cure time(differs from brand to brand). During this curing time, coating bonds to the paint slowly and fully after which its durability is achieved. A user need to follow manufacturer instructions during curing time to get best results.
Q: It just helps to maintain shine and gives ease of cleaning. That is very limited benefit compared to price of coating. Isn't it?
A: If a car coated with quality ceramic coating is compared with unprotected car, the shine of
coated car will always be on higher side. Why?
Because a coating adds a gloss to the paint besides protecting it. Due to ease of cleaning which coating provides, the coated car will easily get cleaned during each washing session, let's take an example-a tree fallout or bird poop on an unprotected car takes time or may require washing the panel 2-3 times to take the fallout away. That is not the case with coated car. Since coating is developed by keeping in mind these types of contaminants, cleaning is easy. If the car is equipped with alloy wheels and the same are coated, the wheels will remain
shining as brake dust and grime are easily cleaned. Whereas on the non-coated car, wheels will not get cleaned easily, the brake dust and grime are difficult to clean. Over the period of time, the paint of uncoated car starts to look dull because there is nothing to facilitate ease of cleaning and to prevent dullness. The alloy wheels, painted wheel caps look dirty as road grime and brake dust accumulate over them. Over the long period of time, this limited benefit proves itself to be highly beneficial because besides periodic servicing, cleaning is the only thing that owner does periodically with his car to keep it in good condition.
Q: Does coating need special care? How to wash coated car? What if I use a duster to wipe off the dust? Can it cause scratches, marring?
A: You need to simply wash the car with a good car shampoo, preferably pressure wash or running water through pipe. If planning to use rinse less wash technique, adopt it appropriately and use separate towels for each panel and wheel.
For washing with water bucket and shampoo, remove mud from bottom side first as this area takes time to clean. Clean wash mitt time to time while washing. Use separate mitts for top side and bottom side to avoid cross contamination. If using microfiber towels, use fresh side of towel each time and use multiple towels. Then wash from top down. ensure all surfaces are sufficiently wet and cleaned before beginning to dry. Use more water if required. Do not let the car to air dry. Do not rub or buff like wax. Using drying aid like spray wax, quick detailer etc products is optional.
Considering amount of dust dirt and traffic, cars get dirty easily. When wiped with dusters, the dusters get dirty very easily and are hardly cleaned. If you are worried about towel marring (tiny hairline scratches) and probability of paint getting scratched, do not use duster. Clean dusters can still cause marring. Hence use cautiously with light to no pressure.
(These guidelines are applicable for coated as well as non coated car.)
Q: I don't like to see my car dirty. So I am planning to subscribe for a daily/alternate day washing plan. As coating is for ease of cleaning, my car will remain shining forever, isn't it?
A: If the service person is using good techniques then coating will definitely serve its purpose. Ensure to use clean buckets, clean water, clean wash mitts, clean microfiber towels and a good car shampoo. Use appropriate washing technique. Educate the service person for the same. Do not use only water and cloths. However, the issue here is, whether washing is done with enough care cannot be monitored every day , every time. Hence we generally do not recommend coating to customers seeking daily wash plans. Washing a car on need basis, by yourself or at a good washing center is always a better option.
Q: What if scratch occurs of a coated car? Does coating start to fail?
A: If a scratch occurs on coated car, the coating on remaining panel remains intact. It does not peels off from scratch. Because coating bonds chemically with paint. If User wants the scratch to be repaired, it can be done and panel can be coated again.
Q:is it true that coating prevents water spots?
A: The coating causes water droplet formation. On a non coated panel, water simply sticks to surface and runs off. In case of coating, water droplets are formed and they fall off the surface as they grow. If water is allowed to air-dry on a coated and non-coated portions of a same test panel, it can be observed that on non- coated panels, water spot formation is high and on coated panel water spot formation is negligible. Although this is true, it must be noted that coating does not prevent water spots. Never let your car to air dry. Water on a surface must be wiped off and surface should be dried properly.
Conclusion. Does ceramic coating worth the money it cost?
A: Just like cloths, your car and its condition are part of your lifestyle. People will buy cloths but not everyone pays attention to aesthetics of clothing such as washing care, ironing, wearing etiquette etc. Some will do this by themselves, others hire a service for their love for appearance. Similarly a person who loves his car and has affection for car cleaning maintenance should opt for coating. A good car condition is maintained when the owner himself is fond of upkeeping the car or when a good cleaning service is available. You might have seen photos of slick and shining high end cars or show cars, those are mostly coated with ceramic coating or wax or similar paint care treatment. That condition is maintained through a good car valeting and detailing practice/service. In our country the most common practice is to dry wipe the car with any cloth. The washing center nearby is the next level. Coating is not recommended when car exterior is handled with pretty rough cleaning measures. Hence, to be honest, ceramic coating is not for everyone. If you wish to get your car ceramic coated, opt for coating service provider where good cleaning services are also available. In the long run, the car's condition is best preserved and you will find that the amount spent is justified.
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