Ceramic Coating Explained
Things You Should Know and Consider Before Selecting a Ceramic Coating Package For Your Vehicle …
Published on July 10 , 2022 by Mobile Auto Detail Doctor
When your vehicle is assembled in the factory, one of the processes undergoing is for it to be painted. The paint process of your vehicle is not the simple paint and dry process but a bit of the science. The surface to be cleaned is first primed with the undercoat or primer. After the primer has dried the vehicle is sanded so that the surface left behind is clear, but still with the degree of porosity needed for the main paint coat to bond together. The primer coat may need to be as thick as 3 or more coats to prevent the rust formation underneath it as well as avoid exposing the bare metal in case of a small scratch or a minor damage.
Once the primer is sanded to buff it and remove the powdery coat, the top coat is applied to the primed surface. This gives your vehicle the color you see. As a final step, the lacquer (also referred to as a clear coat) is applied. This gives your vehicle the gloss and shine you fall in love with when you see that new car for the first time.
While the primer is considered to be a hard and thick coat of paint, the lacquer or clear coat is not as thick, and because of the shine effect it creates, any damage to it, is visible. Also, because of being the top coat, it is the most exposed coat of paint on your vehicle. Furthermore, UV rays from the sun will partially penetrate the top coat, and over time start the chemical decomposition of the top or the main coat of your paint, causing it to fade or dull over time.
When it comes to ceramic coating, there are two scenarios when and why you want to apply it to your vehicle
1) Applying the ceramic coating to a new vehicle …
Protecting the top coat from the UV exposure as well as clear coat from damage, UV exposure etc. will prolong the shine and vividity of your vehicle’s color and finish. Mechanical particles such as dust, sand, rock particles, accidental surface contact with other objects, chemical damage (bird droppings, sap, tar, oils, gasoline spill) etc.
Applying the ceramic coating to a new vehicle as soon as you have purchased it, will protect your investment in the long run. Ceramic coating is like an armor for your vehicle’s finish.
By creating the tough, chemical damage, UV damage, abrasion and face coat as a fourth coat to your vehicle’s finish before any damage has appeared, you are in essence prolonging that new-car shine and finish much longer than you would get out of it otherwise.
Considering the investment you are placing into the new vehicle, it is highly recommended to spend just a little bit more to get that level of extra protection that will extend the new car look and finish much further than an untreated surface.
2) Applying the ceramic coating to pre-owned vehicle…
If you missed getting the ceramic coating when your vehicle was new or you have acquired a used vehicle that never had a ceramic coating on it, you can still remedy lots of cosmetic damage and degradation with a good surface polish followed with a quality ceramic coating application.
The polishing process includes partially removing the layer of a clear coat from your vehicle and polishing the surface to a new buff. Using this process can restore the color to your vehicle by removing the top oxidized layer of paint as well as polishing any minor mechanical damage such as swirls, surface scuffs, etc.
While the partial layer of your clear coat has been removed, there is still lots left of the clear coat for the process to be safe.
Applying the extra layer of ceramic coating will further protect and preserve the new gloss and freshness of the paint by sealing it and protecting it from further UV damage ad well as chemical and mechanical agents (bird droppings, bugs, tar, sun, snow, rain, minor surface contact scuffs and abrasions etc.).
.
