Ceramic and Graphene Coatings
The hazards of the road aren’t just to the driver; they can do some significant damage to your car. There are tons of things that you run into every day while out and about that can leave marks like scratches, swirls, and even fingerprints. All of those insults can take away from the aesthetic appeal of one of your greatest treasures.
The good news is there are paint correction and coating options that not only help to eliminate any swirls, scuffs or scratches you currently have, the coatings work for the long-term to help prevent your car from further damage with the correct maintenance. These “protective layers” are coatings that help keep your car from being damaged by the environment around it.
The purpose of car coating is to protect your vehicle from outside elements that can scratch or etch into the clear coat or the paint of your car. There are different coating’s to choose from, each coming with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic Coating
The most popular type of paint coating is a ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is made from chemical polymers that are layered on the exterior of your car manually. The ceramic chemical bonds to your paint, and it causes a reaction that becomes water and chemical resistant. The resulting layer helps to protect the car from those things in the environment that seek to break down the paint of your car.
Graphene coating
Graphene coating differs from ceramic and is the newest technology. It provides a preventative coating to the extent that the process has won a Nobel Peace Prize for its discovery. The Graphene compound is similar to ceramic but has a carbon base. The real difference between the two, long-term, is still being debated.
How Long do They Last?
Ceramic coating is a highly durable choice and can last well over 5 years if it is maintained correctly. If you don’t maintain it correctly, however, the coating can lose its properties faster than expected. The durability of the application is also reliant on the quality of the product and preparation. If you have your car professionally coated, you can expect the results to last anywhere between two and ten years, depending on coating choice, which is a remarkably long time. Spray options or self-application usually lasts only about six to eight months.
Unfortunately, coatings can’t prevent dings and heavy scratching. There are different types of coatings to choose from. We'll give you several great options to choose from to fit your budget for your vehicle.
Graphene Costing Benefits
Although the real results on Graphene coating are still out for jury, it does offer some benefits that you might not get with ceramic coating. It is a coating that provides tremendous chemical and water-resistance with an extremely high gloss and amazing hydrophobicity. Graphene appears to have fewer problems than ceramic, and maybe slightly more durable overall.
It also helps with things like heat absorption and a few other factors:
- Abrasion resistance
- Glossy appearance
- Enhanced slickness
- Water Spotting
Ceramic Coating Benefits
Ceramic might not be able to do all that Graphene can, but it still offers many benefits to your car’s exterior finish. Where ceramic coating shines most is that it does a good job protecting your car’s paint against the sun’s rays and fading. It is also resistant to chemical stains. Stains are the result of acidic contaminants building up on your car, a ceramic coat will disallow that from happening. Most importantly, it will give your car a restorative shine and help to maintain it.
Prepping for Coating
Both coatings require the same preparation prior to treatment. First, the car is deep washed using a wax-free detergent that will work to strip the paint’s layers of sealants and wax. The car goes through a full mechanical and chemical decontamination to ensure a clean slate of paint to allow the coating to properly bond to the paint. After the residues are removed, the coating can bond correctly to the paint. The vehicle is then inspected and paint thickness is measured to ensure safe clear coat levels.
This helps us determine if we have enough clearcoat and what levels of correction can be obtained. The coating can only be fully effective if issues are fixed before it is applied; otherwise, the coating will not be able to adhere. We will always perform these steps prior to any coating. After, the car is wiped down with a surface with a Isopropyl alcohol mix and microfiber towel, and then the car is good to go for either coating application.