Are Ceramic Coatings for Everyone?
Nothing’s perfect, so what can you really expect from ceramic coatings?
Despite what other shops may have told you, ceramic coatings are not miracle force fields that will protect your car from all harm. They are one of the most durable and high-tech protective coatings that can be applied to your car, but they are not invincible. We always want to make sure our customers are fully informed and aware of what they are paying for.
In the interest of being up-front, here are a few of the down-sides of ceramic coatings:
Expense
This one is obvious! Spending upwards of $1000 on a vehicle treatment that most people don’t use might sound crazy to some people. Some people don’t see the value in investing in the health of their vehicles the way that we do. Justifying the price all comes down to the return on investment, as well as how much joy we get out of using our cars after they have been treated.
Think of comparing the upfront cost of a ceramic coating with the ongoing cost of having your car detailed and waxed by a professional several times a year. If a coating lasts for years with essentially zero expensive upkeep, you are holding onto all that money that you would’ve spent on detailing.
However, the real value of ceramic coating is how well they preserve your car. When you get a ceramic coating, you are “locking in” the showroom appearance that you initially fell in love with. Protecting the paint results in a value retention that is unmatched by simply washing and waxing your car, because it means that the paint is never really exposed to the elements.
Water Spots
One of the major real-world weaknesses of ceramic coatings are their susceptibility to water spots. With proper maintenance, this problem can be completely eliminated. Techniques like: avoiding washing in direct sunlight, using proper washing techniques, completely drying your vehicle after a wash, and parking under cover are all ways to reduce the likelihood of water spots.
Water spots are generally not permanent and can be removed with appropriate products, but if vehicles are left exposed to hard water for a long period of time, the spots can actually etch into the coating. Consider that this is exactly why you had a coating applied: to protect the clear coat from damage. Ask us about proper maintenance of your ceramic coating, and what to do if water spots have formed.
Coating Failure
This might sound like a nightmare scenario, but it’s probably not what you’re thinking. Professionally applied coatings rarely have problems that stem from poor workmanship or actual defects. Problems with a ceramic coating are more than likely the result of a coating at the end of its life. Coatings almost never flake or chip off, because the resin forms a molecular bond with the clear coat.
Think of coatings as a sacrificial layer between your paint and the world, this means that eventually, they will wear out. Depending on the type of coating, this is expected to happen anywhere between 3 and 7 years after initial application.
Make Sure You Get the Best
If you decide to go for ceramic coatings, be prepared for the biggest upgrade you have ever made for your vehicle. When it comes to ceramic coatings, there is no point doing a mediocre job – it has to be the best. Here at Island Detail, we have been serving the Victoria community for over 20 years. You can trust us to get you the top quality products applied with the most experienced hands in the industry – just give us a shout, or check out our service page.