Ever wondered how the paint quality of certain cars look shiny and new even after several years? You may have thought these cars are washed, polished and waxed on a regular basis. But the truth is that no amount of polishing and waxing can keep away swirl marks, stains and chips from the paint. Even water spots, dirt and grime can make the paint finish of your car look not so glossy, all in a matter of weeks. There are several options to preserve the original shine of your car's paint, from a normal wash and wax to some more long-lasting treatments like ceramic coating and even paint protection film (PPF).
Ceramic coating helps protect a car's paint clear coat from grime, helping prolong paint quality and life
Global car care brand Turtle Wax has only been in India for over a year now, and approached us to try out the brand's ceramic coating treatment. Now, it's been a few months since our car got the ceramic coating treatment, so it's seen the worst summer days and heavy rain of the monsoon as well. Here's a low down on what ceramic coating is all about and if it makes sense to go for one.
Also Read: Global Car Care Brand Turtle Wax Begins Operations In India
Ceramic coating resists all kinds of soils, repels water, prevents water spotting and shields your car from UV rays, tree sap, bird droppings, etc.
Ceramic coating (or nano ceramic coating) is a liquid-based polymer that is applied on a car's surface to provide it with defensive capabilities and prolong vehicle paint life. Ceramic coatings are said to offer for long durations, sometimes over several years, and Turtle Wax claims its product doesn't need re-application for 3 years.
Ceramic coating actually offers an additional water-proof layer of protection over the paint's clear coat
Unlike car wax, which spreads across the car's clear coat in a water repellant layer, ceramic coating actually offers a water-proof layer that chemically bonds with the paint finish. This protective layer resists all kinds of soils, repels water, prevents water spotting and shields your car from UV rays, tree sap, bird droppings, etc. so the finish stays cleaner and looks better for longer.
Taking the help of professionals is the best way to ensure the ceramic coating is done in a proper manner
There are several ways to get ceramic coating done. You can opt for a do-it-yourself method, using a DIY hybrid spray or wax, or use a more elaborate home kit, which will offer specific sponges and applicators. But it's advisable to let the professionals do the job, in a dust-free environment, where the right facilities, products, and tools are available for the job. We opted for the professional service, and Gurugram-based BR Detailers, an authorised Turtle Wax Car Care Studio took care of the procedure.
Also Read: Quick Drive To Kumaon On The Renault Duster 1.3 MT
The car is given a thorough foam wash before compounding for existing swirl marks and imperfections
According to Turtle Wax, the ceramic coating comes with a 10H rating, which is among the highest for ceramic coatings available in the market right now. A series of procedures were done until the final coating was applied and dried, in a dust-free environment. First the vehicle was given a snow foam wash, followed by compounding, rinsing, polishing, sealing pre-clean and ceramic 10H coating was applied followed by a graphene flex spray. For the package that we opted for, Turtle Wax is offering 3-year warranty as well.
A thorough water wash is given and the car dried before the process of compounding is begun
Ceramic coating is said to protect your car's paint from oxidizing, preventing it from fading and becoming dull. This is more helpful if you don't have covered parking and your car is parked outside, exposed to the elements 365 days a year. The coating also helps from chemical stains arising from acidic contaminants like bird droppings, and other pollutants. Ceramic coating will prevent these contaminants from bonding into the paint.
Compounding takes care of minor blemishes and imperfections on the paint
Ceramic coating blends into the car's paint, and is also water repellant. So, water-based dirt and grime will bead on the surface, and eventually is easy to clean with just a simple wipe of a wet micro-fibre cloth. In fact, a quick wet wash and a wipe-down will have your car clean, shiny and spotless in no time! In fact, a car with ceramic coating will easily wipe clean and protect paint from contaminants for months and years.
Once the coating is applied, it's left to dry in a dust-free environment
Ceramic coating still cannot protect your car's paint from scratches, and dings, unlike a paint protection film. But PPF is a much more expensive treatment. Having ceramic coating done on your car doesn't mean it will not require periodic washing and waxing. Ceramic coating isn't self-cleaning, and minor grazes and scratches will still end up damaging your car's paint. Neither is ceramic coating a one-stop solution for all your paint worries. You will still need to regularly wash your car, and no matter how much you take care, it's not protection against the occasional paint chip, scratch and even swirl mark.
Ceramic coating offers a glossy shine, and works very well for dark colours. But periodic maintenance, including washing, waxing and polishing are recommended to retain the shine.
Ceramic coating may be expensive. And costs depend on the kind of car, condition of paint, as well as the package of treatment, including warranty. And these will vary from brand to brand. But we're happy to report that it's been nearly five months since the ceramic coating was done in our car, and the shine is still intact. In fact, the paint gloss is as good as new even now, and it's parked outdoors, and has seen 45 degree summer days, as well as pouring rain during the monsoon, apart from the regular tree sap and bird droppings.
Most of all cleaning the car becomes easier once the paint is treated to ceramic coating, and after 5 months the shine also is intact
Of course, you do need to clean the car regularly, as well as the occasional water wash and wipe down. But a ceramic coating treatment does give a long lasting shine, and if you care for the way your car looks, the advantages certainly make for a very good case.
The ceramic coating has ensured the paint gloss and shine is intact after several months of 45 degree weather and the Indian monsoon.
Most of all, cleaning the car is considerably easier after the ceramic coating, but eventually how long the shine lasts will also depend on periodic washing, waxing and polishing. The jury's still out on if ceramic coating is actually worth the expense, and we'll be keeping a close watch to see how it fares over the next year or so. Up until now, it's a winner!
