The Benefits of a Quality Ceramic Coating

A professional ceramic coating can cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and it is important to understand the lifespan and maintenance required. Unfortunately, frequently vehicle owners and detailers are quick to claim a ceramic coating “failed” when its hydrophobic properties stop displaying positive behavior. This is where Alta Mere in Plano, Texas can really help protect your cars finish.

This self-cleaning property helps water and grime easily roll off the paint, reducing the frequency of washing sessions and eliminating the need for time-consuming scrubbing and tedious waxing. However, periodic inspections and a specialized maintenance spray are still necessary.

Preparation

The foundation for a quality ceramic coating is the meticulous surface preparation process. This is to ensure that the ceramic coating adheres properly without interference from residual dirt, oils, or impurities on the vehicle’s paint.

This step involves an exceptionally detailed wash using high-quality pH-neutral soaps. By consistently rinsing the wash mitt or sponge, we remove any contaminants and oils from the car’s paint, preserving the hydrophobic ceramic coating effect for longer.

During this phase, we also utilize special silane additives that promote adhesion to the substrate. This helps to improve the durability of the ceramic coating, making it resistant to mechanical abrasion and chemical etching. The silane also binds with the ceramic coating, improving the chemistry between the two materials and enhancing its overall performance. The result is a self-cleaning, hydrophobic coating that protects your car from damaging environmental contaminants. It even acts as a barrier against bird droppings, tree sap, and bug splatter, preventing them from etching into your car’s paintwork.

Washing

A quality hydrophobic ceramic coating is an invisible shield that protects your vehicle from a variety of contaminants. It is able to repel water, dirt, and other grime, significantly reducing the amount of time and effort required to maintain your car’s appearance.

A ceramic coating’s hydrophobic properties are a direct result of its low surface energy content. When applied properly, ceramic coatings exhibit superior water behavior by beading and sheeting off of the paint surface. This self-cleaning effect greatly reduces the frequency of washing, eliminating the need for frequent waxing sessions and preserving the resale value of your vehicle.

When washing a ceramic coated car, proper cleaning techniques should be used to prevent unsightly swirl marks and damage to the surface. We recommend using a pH-neutral automotive shampoo and a high-quality microfiber drying towel to ensure the best results. Avoid using contaminated cleaning supplies, including buckets, mitts, and towels, to avoid cross-contamination and jeopardizing the integrity of the ceramic coating.

Sealing

A quality hydrophobic ceramic coating makes your car’s surface highly repellent to dirt, mud, and other contaminants. This means your vehicle stays cleaner for longer and you spend less time scrubbing away stubborn dirt and grime.

However, the interaction of a ceramic coating and surface energy is a complicated matter. Many people, including some detailing professionals, incorrectly proclaim a ceramic coating has failed when it no longer beads or sheets water. Most often, this lack of water behavior is caused by topical contamination that has adhered to and masks the ceramic coating’s surface energy.

Periodic inspection of a coated vehicle’s surface is essential to detect any reduction in hydrophobicity. Regularly applying a maintenance spray that is recommended by the coating manufacturer will aid in revitalizing your automotive ceramic coating’s water behavior characteristics and safeguarding its longevity. Keeping up with your vehicle’s washing schedule will also help to reduce the risk of contamination build up and accelerated paint degradation.

Maintenance

A quality hydrophobic ceramic coating streamlines your maintenance process, keeping your vehicle looking clean and sharp for a longer period of time. As a result, washing and waxing become less frequent, saving you time and effort. Additionally, incidental contaminants like bird droppings, road grime, dirt and overspray are less likely to adhere to the paint surface because they are more easily rinsed off.

Maintaining hydrophobic properties through proper washing intervals preserves the longevity of your ceramic coating, potentially enhancing its resale value. This process is best carried out by a professional detailer who has in-depth knowledge of the principals behind surface energy and its effect on ceramic coating performance.

For optimal results, use the two bucket method with grit guards and a pH-neutral soap designed to work with ceramic coatings. In addition, a foam cannon helps loosen contaminant residue on surfaces that may otherwise cause scratches with a hard scrubbing pad. This process also keeps abrasive contaminant particles away from the pristine surface of your car wheels, eliminating cross-contamination that would undermine your ceramic coating.