Why Not To Get A Ceramic Coating
This past week our new sectional was delivered to the furniture store’s warehouse. I went out there with a borrowed truck to pick up the pieces (thanks Rick!).
The owner rolls up in his Model S - self-driving and everything. Pretty dang cool. While we were loading up, I asked him if he ever got it ceramic coated. He said “Nope, it’s a waste of time and money. If one of these panels gets hit then it’ll have to be replaced anyways.”
Good thing I didn’t tell him what I did for a living. And I wasn’t there to argue with the furniture store owner, I just wanted to get my couch and go. But as I was driving home I thought about what he said. Waste of time, waste of money? It’s a good point, and I think a lot of people have this mentality, so I’d love to address it.
He’s right, if he ran into something, the metal (or plastic) panel would be damaged beyond just a simple scuff. It would be missing paint, have exposed metal, bends and dents that would require serious work - most likely leading to simply replacing the whole panel. There’s nothing that can protect your vehicle from that kind of damage. Not even Liquid or Traditional PPF. (What you can do in that case is include the reapplication of the ceramic coating in your insurance claim)
So, what is the point of getting a ceramic coating if it isn’t the “ultimate” scratch resistant solution? Scratch resistance is an awesome bonus to getting a ceramic coating, but not its main purpose. What is the main purpose? It’s chemical resilience and UV protection.
Your vehicle’s factory paint includes 3 parts - primer, base coat (the color), and the clear coat. Clear coat has a UV protection system built into it with a half-life of 5 years which means that after 5 years your paint only has 50% of its UV protection properties against sun damage. Also, clear coat is a poly-urethane which is an organic material. That means any pollutant or contaminants like bugs, bird droppings, tar, salt (of which we experience plenty in the Midwest), or any other organic threats “eat away” at the clear coat. It has no protection against these things.
That’s where the coatings come into play. Ceramic and Organic are two different categories. Ceramic is resilient to organic threats. It creates a barrier between the world and your paint. Silicon Carbide (SiC) coatings such as Opti-Coat Pro, Pro +, and Pro 3 create a permanent, covalent bond between the coating at the paint. My friend Tug uses the illustration of stain on wood. Some of it penetrates the surface while some of it sits on top.
The UV system in the ceramic coating links up to work in tandem with the clear coat, extending the UV protection. The coating provides the ultimate protection against your average daily contaminants.
Okay, that’s all the nerdy stuff. What about the shine and longevity? Since your paint is protected so well and it creates a permanent bond, the ceramic coating acts like a wax on steroids. It keeps your vehicle cleaner longer and whenever you wash it it will look brand new! It’ll look glossier and richer than it did brand new.
That’s the purpose of a ceramic coating. To help some with your daily, average scuffs and scratches, protection against organic threats, locking in your shine, creating a barrier against oxidation and sun damage. Not every ceramic coating is created equal, so make sure you’re making an educated decision which where you’re spending your money so you can thank yourself every time you wash your car - for years to come! Reach out to get your ride protected the Hemenway.
Written By Jacob Hemenway
Jacob Hemenway is an Opti-Coat Authorized Installer, Co-Host of The Opti-Coat Podcast, Leader of the Jacob Hemenway Trio Musical Group, Part Time Corn Farmer, and Owner of Hemenway Detailing in Bettendorf, IA.