How long does Ceramic Coating last?

If you’re a new car owner, you’re probably very proud of your vehicle. You want to take good care of it and make sure it stays in great condition and looks shiny and new for as long as possible. You might have heard that ceramic coating can preserve your car’s paint job better than other methods can and that it keeps your car looking amazing and shiny. It’s gotten more and more popular in recent years. However, ceramic coating comes with a cost, and before you take the plunge, you’d want to know the pros and cons. What’s the truth about ceramic coating, anyway? You may be wondering, “How long does ceramic coating last?”. In our article, we will tell you the truth about ceramic coating, and how long it takes for it to wear off.

What is a Ceramic Coating?

To start, ceramic coating, or Nano-ceramic coating, is a solution composed of a chemical polymer that protects your car’s exterior from any sort of minor damage like scratches, marks, and tiny chips. It even protects from damage caused by dirt and other kinds of grime or stains. It is applied over the existing paint job, not changing the color of your current paint job, and bonds directly to the paint. Ceramic coating must be applied by hand to your vehicle, meaning it can come with a cost.

People love ceramic coating because it lasts for much longer than waxing, and it keeps your car looking shiny and glossy. Ceramic coating is hydrophobic, which means dirt and water doesn’t stick around, and it’s easy to clean. However, some people don’t like ceramic coating because it is expensive and because paint protection film can last longer. We’ll learn more about the pros and cons of ceramic coating later in this article.

Many people may have heard that it is a variety of paint protection films, but this is not true. In fact, it is actually an alternative to waxing. However, it has many advantages over waxing, while being much more expensive. In basic terms, it works the same way that waxing does, but lasts far longer and requires much less maintenance. How long does a ceramic coating last, you ask? It lasts so long that it is semi-permanent or permanent, lasting anywhere between three and five years! This is because the chemicals that make up ceramic coating prevent it from deteriorating in harsh weather conditions like waxing or other protective films.

Why should you consider Ceramic Coating protection for your vehicle?

Ceramic coating can do a lot of great things for your car. First, ceramic coating can protect your car from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. That’s right, the sun can make your car’s paint fade or appear duller over time, just like it can fade your furniture or your house paint. Ceramic coating protects your car from the sun and UV rays by sealing the paint in and stopping your car from oxidizing. This is especially important if you park your car outside some or all of the time.

Another thing ceramic coating protects your car from is air pollution. You might not have realized the air itself is damaging your car, little by little! This is especially true in major cities, and especially true in recent years as levels of air pollution have been rising steadily.

An additional great benefit of ceramic coating is how much easier it is to clean a car with ceramic coating than one without. This is because the ceramic coating itself is hydrophobic, meaning water does not stick to it easily. Anything stuck to your car that’s mostly water, like mud, will slide right off! This is especially advantageous when you consider how much more difficult it is to wash a car with a wax coating.

Are there disadvantages to Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating is not perfect—nothing is. If there was one thing that kept your car totally protected from everything and in mint condition, everyone would have it! There are a few things that ceramic coating cannot do. First, even though ceramic coating is hydrophobic, water still contains particles of minerals and other substances that will need to still be wiped off your car. You’ll still need to wash your car regularly to keep it in good condition and keep it looking shiny and new!

Even though ceramic coating can last a long time, it cannot withstand all damage. Your car can still be scratched or damaged like any other car, and it can still sustain damage from being chipped by rocks. In fact, paint protection film does a slightly better job of protecting your car from scratches and chips than ceramic coating. But ceramic coating has other advantages. It is much shinier and keeps your car looking glossy. Another big advantage is how it creates a hydrophobic surface, which both makes your car easier to clean and causes contaminants to slide right off your car immediately. 

If you change your mind about ceramic coating and want to switch to other methods of protecting your car, such as paint protection film or waxing, there are drawbacks. Because ceramic coating on a vehicle lasts for a long time, it requires quite the process to remove. This process includes both polishing and wet sanding.

How expensive is Ceramic Coating?

The cost of ceramic coating depends on a number of factors, such as the make and model of your car. This is for two reasons. First, it costs more to apply a ceramic coating to a large car than a small car. Second, how recent your last paint job is affecting the cost of your ceramic coating. If it’s been a long time, and your car isn’t in great condition, it’ll cost more. Another factor that affects how much a ceramic coating cost is how long you want it to last. It’ll cost more money for a high-quality ceramic coating that will last you five years, compared to a cheaper ceramic coating. This might be better for your wallet, but it won’t last as long as something high-quality.  

How carefully you treat your vehicle and what condition your vehicle is in also affects the cost of the ceramic coating. If you don’t already wash your car regularly, your ceramic coating is going to be more expensive because the paint of your car will likely be more deteriorated. Another factor that you might be surprised to find that affects the cost of a ceramic coating is how often you take your car to the car wash.

In order for a ceramic coating to be applied to a vehicle the right way, and be as long-lasting as possible, the paint job has to be perfect. The best time to get a ceramic coating for your car is when your car is new. The steps involving applying a ceramic coating include washing, polishing, and correcting the paint job by hand, so if your car is dirty and dinged up, that means more work and more expense. It can take up to 30 hours to apply ceramic coating to a vehicle!

You can expect to spend around $1500 to $3500 on ceramic coating. If you’ve been quoted much cheaper, or much more expensive, make sure the place you are planning on going is reputable. You want to make sure you’re going to a reputable shop to get your money’s worth, and to ensure your ceramic coating lasts.

How do you apply Ceramic Coating?

Many people want ceramic coating, but don’t want to pay the high price. Some people can be tempted to try and do it themselves in order to save some money. But this is not a good idea unless you are a professional or very experienced. It is very important that ceramic coating is applied by someone who knows what they’re doing. Putting on ceramic coating is something a trained professional should do. If not, you can risk causing damage to your car that is even more expensive than the coating.

If you’re tempted to do it anyway, let’s look at some of the things that can go wrong. If you don’t wipe off the ceramic coating properly, you can leave permanent marks and stains on your car where the coating was applied unevenly. This can cost up to $5,000 to repair—much more than the cost to have the ceramic coating done in a shop.

Another thing that can go wrong with ceramic coating is applying an ineffective product that does nothing for your car. This can happen if you order cheap products off the internet. This isn’t a good idea and can be expensive and time-consuming. Plus, you could make big, expensive mistakes. Unfortunately, wasting money on low-quality ceramic coating can even happen if you get it done at a shop. That’s why it’s important to always do your research and find a reputable place with good reviews before you pay for any investments for your vehicle.

How long does Ceramic Coating last?

So, you might be wondering how long it takes for ceramic coating to wear off. When given proper care, ceramic coating can last anywhere between two years and five years. Compare this to car wax, which only lasts eight weeks to twelve weeks. Paint protection film, however, can last five years to seven years.

However, in order for ceramic coating to last the maximum length of three years to five years, it has to be taken care of properly. Otherwise, your ceramic coating might not reach its full potential. Ceramic coating can be pretty expensive, so before you take the plunge, it’s a good idea to know how to take care of it properly. This way, you’ll get your money’s worth.

One of the most important steps in making ceramic coating last is giving it time to cure. This process takes two or three weeks. Curing ceramic coating allows the material to be set, and you need to be extra careful and protective during this time. Using covered parking is important when your brand-new ceramic coating is curing. This is because if anything gets on your car, like mud or bird poop, it can set into the ceramic coating and never really come out.

Another important step you must take to make ceramic coating last is to regularly clean your car. Ceramic coating might have some advantages over wax or paint protection film, but it still needs to be cleaned. If you don’t clean your car regularly, it will lose its shine over time as the surface is slowly contaminated. You should clean your car every seven days. Another great way to make your ceramic coating last is to handwash your car! Using microfiber cloths when handwashing a car with ceramic coating is even better.

The final thing to keep in mind to make the ceramic coating last on your vehicle is to remember to have your car detailed, which you should do roughly every six months. When you schedule an appointment to detail your car, make sure the shop knows your car has ceramic coating and can care for it properly. You might think you can do it yourself for cheaper with things you can get at the store, but it’s not a good idea. It’s worth it, in the long run, to invest in the proper care of your vehicle.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read our article, you’ve learned how long ceramic coating lasts. You now know the truth about ceramic coating and you’re ready to make a decision. So, should you get ceramic coating? It might be a good idea to get ceramic coating if you can afford it and if you have a place to park the car so it can cure properly. It’s also a good idea to get ceramic coating if your car is new or in great condition, and you want to keep it shiny and glossy. However, ceramic coating might not be the best investment if your vehicle is old and the paint is in poor condition, or if the price tag isn’t in your budget.