How do you know how long a ceramic coating lasts?

Quite frankly, we don't know how long a ceramic coating lasts exactly. We find ourselves in a position where we are selling brand-new products which claim to last as long as ten years. So, admittedly, we have no real world experience of them actually lasting that long.

Firstly, we should say that we have test cars, and customer cars which we keep an eye on, so we are attempting to keep tabs on these products 'in the wild'.

Secondly, we have 30 years of experience with acrylic and polymer coatings, and although they were claimed to last for 3-5 years, in our experience they lasted 2-3 times longer on a car which was properly cared for. Ceramic, diamond and graphene coating are far more durable, so we have every reason to believe they will last long beyond their warranty.

Thirdly, ceramic coatings are not quite as new as you may think. An early product was demonstrated to us over15 years ago, which at the time we rejected because we believed it was far too expensive for the market to bear. So ceramic coating have been around for long enough for the industry to have a good idea of what they can do.

Besides that, ceramic coatings for cars are designed off the back of proven technologies used in aviation and industry, that have been around for decades

Furthermore, coatings are permanent. There isn't an expiration date, and they don't suddenly wear off. They wear over time and depending on the punishment a car gets during its life, they wear down until they no longer do what it was designed to do, but even then, they will still be providing some level of protection.

An industry insider told us that they really are just picking a number out of the air which they feel reflects the durability of the coating. There are actually far too many variables for them to say with any accuracy how long a ceramic coating will actually last.

We are confident in them and offer our own warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty. 

What the "years" on a ceramic coating really mean

When a ceramic coating is described as a 3-year or 5-year product, that number is not a built-in expiry date. It is a guideline based on laboratory testing, field experience and typical maintenance, used to compare one product with another in the same range. In the real world, the same coating can last very different lengths of time on different cars, depending on how they are washed, driven and stored.

How manufacturers work out durability

Coating manufacturers combine several sources of information.

• Laboratory testing - accelerated weathering, UV exposure, chemical resistance and wash cycle tests to see how the coating behaves under controlled abuse.
• Field trials - test cars are coated and then monitored over months and years in different climates and usage patterns.
• Installer feedback - accredited detailers report how coatings are performing on real customers' cars, not just on test panels.
• Comparisons within a range - a brand's entry coating might be positioned as roughly half the durability of its flagship product, based on this data.

The quoted lifespan is usually a conservative summary of this evidence, assuming reasonable care rather than perfect conditions. Keep in mind that manufacturers do not want a flood of complaints from people demanding their car be re-coated, so their estimates are very conservative. If a coating is guaranteed to last 5-years, it will last 5-years even after neglect and harsh conditions. If you look after your car, the coating should last well beyond the warranty. 

Why quoted lifespans are only a guide

Even with good testing, no manufacturer can predict exactly how a coating will fare on every car.

• Climate varies - strong sun, harsh winters and coastal air all stress coatings differently.
• Usage varies - a high mileage daily driver sees far more contamination and washing than a garaged weekend car.
• Washing varies - careful two-bucket washing with mild shampoo is very different to regular cheap hand washes with strong chemicals.
• Preparation varies - two installers can use the same product but achieve different results if one rushes the prep.

This is why the most honest way to think about it is that a "5-year" coating should last noticeably longer than a "2-year" one under the same conditions, not that it will magically switch off on its fifth birthday.

Real-world factors that change how long a coating lasts

In day to day use, a handful of habits make more difference than the number on the brochure.

• Wash technique - gentle pre-wash, proper shampoo and soft mitts preserve both the coating and the paint underneath.
• Chemical strength - constant use of heavy traffic film removers will wear any coating faster than mild shampoos.
• Contamination build-up - if fallout, tar and water spots are never removed, they clog and blunt the coating over time.
• Storage - a car that lives outside in all weathers will naturally see more wear than one kept in a garage.
• Annual inspections - periodic checks and decontamination help keep the coating working closer to its potential lifespan.

Two identical coatings can behave very differently after three years, simply because one car has been cared for, and the other has not.

What warranties actually tell you

Many premium coatings come with warranty paperwork, which can help you understand how the manufacturer expects the product to be treated.

• Warranties usually assume regular washing and periodic inspections, not neglect.
• They often specify which cleaning products are allowed so the coating is not stripped by harsh chemicals.
• They tend to cover loss of performance (for example beading and gloss) rather than promising the car will never mark.
• They may require the car to be seen by an approved installer at set intervals to keep the warranty valid.

The small print is effectively a checklist of what the manufacturer believes is needed for the coating to reach its quoted lifespan.

How you can tell when a coating is fading

You do not need lab equipment to spot the signs that a coating is nearing the end of its useful life.

• Weaker beading and sheeting - water no longer flies off as eagerly, even after a proper wash and rinse.
• Heavier contamination - tar, iron fallout and road film start to cling more stubbornly between washes.
• Less slickness - the paint no longer feels as smooth under a clean, dry microfibre cloth.
• Patchy behaviour - some panels still bead nicely while others look flat, often where contamination is worst.

Sometimes a thorough decontamination and the right maintenance products will wake a tired coating up again. If not, it may be time to consider refreshing or replacing it.

Best-practice checklist

• Treat quoted lifespans as relative - a way to compare products - rather than exact expiry dates.
• Ask your detailer what realistic lifespan they see on cars that are used and washed like yours.
• Follow the wash and maintenance routine recommended for your specific coating system.
• Book periodic inspections and decontamination so contamination does not quietly kill the coating early.
• Pay more attention to how the coating behaves in real life - beading, slickness, ease of cleaning - than to the number printed on the box.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 11/12/2025 17:41