What is a ceramic coating?

A ceramic coating is a blend of polymer and silica dioxide (ceramic) which forms a thin, but extremely tough protective coating over your car's paintwork. The coating is very shiny and hydrophobic, making it easier to clean your car as dirt can't stick and water is repelled.

The silica dioxide in ceramic coatings arranges its self into sheets joined by covalent bonds, making the coating extremely durable, meaning that unlike a car wax, it lasts years rather than months. 

What a ceramic coating actually does

The easiest way to picture a ceramic coating is as a very thin, very hard, clear shell bonded to the top of your paint. It is not a thick layer of glass, and it is not permanent in the literal sense, but it is far tougher and more stable than ordinary wax.

Once cured, the coating behaves as a sacrificial layer. Day to day, it takes the brunt of UV, traffic film, bird mess and light wash marring, so your clear coat underneath stays in better condition for longer.

How ceramic coatings behave in everyday use

Most of the benefits you notice from the driver’s side of the hosepipe are to do with how the coated surface behaves rather than how thick it is.

• Hydrophobic behaviour - water tends to bead and sheet away rather than sitting flat, so the car dries faster and picks up less grime.
• Ease of cleaning - traffic film and road dirt do not bond as stubbornly, which means less scrubbing and milder chemicals can be used.
• Stable gloss - once the paint has been machine polished, the coating helps lock in that freshly corrected look for years instead of months.
• Chemical and UV resistance - a good coating gives more margin if bird mess or bug splatter are not removed instantly, and slows down dulling from sun exposure.

All of this assumes the paint was properly prepared before coating. The better the starting point, the more obvious the improvement.

How ceramic coatings differ from waxes and quick “ceramic” sprays

On the bottle, a lot of products now use the word ceramic. It helps to separate three different things.

• Traditional waxes and polymer sealants - sit on the surface as softer films that wash away relatively quickly and need regular reapplication.
• Ceramic style detail sprays and top-ups - add short-term beading and slickness, but are still designed to be used frequently as maintenance products.
• Professional ceramic coatings - high solids products that cross-link into a harder network on the paint, applied in controlled layers to clean, corrected panels.

Retail sprays can be very useful as toppers, but they do not turn into the same long term, high solids layer as a proper professionally applied coating.

Limits and myths to be aware of

Coatings are impressive when used honestly, but the marketing can get ahead of reality. A few boundaries are worth keeping in mind.

• They do not make paintwork scratch proof. Poor washing will still create light marks, it will just take longer to do visible damage.
• They cannot stop stone chips or car park dings. If you need real impact resistance, you are in paint protection film territory.
• They will not fix bad paint. Swirls, sanding marks and texture issues need to be corrected first, or they will simply be preserved under the coating.
• They are not literally permanent. In the real world, coatings slowly wear and can be removed with abrasion, such as machine polishing.

Treat a ceramic as the long term sacrificial layer it is, not a magic force field, and you are much less likely to be disappointed.

When a ceramic coating makes the most sense

Because coatings require more preparation and curing time, they make the most sense when the car and owner can take advantage of the long-term benefits.

• You plan to keep the car for years and would rather protect good paint than keep fixing tired paint.
• The car lives outside or does serious mileage, so UV, road film and weather are a constant factor.
• You are investing in machine polishing and want to preserve that corrected finish for as long as possible.
• You are willing to follow a sensible wash routine, so the coating is given a fair chance to reach its full lifespan.

In these situations, the cost of a one-time correction and coating package is usually cheaper than repeated correction and re-waxing over the same period.

Choosing a coating package and installer

The chemistry on the label is only part of the story. How the coating is chosen and installed often matters more than whether it says ceramic, titanium, graphene or SiC.

• Look for an accredited installer who inspects the car first and explains what level of correction and preparation is sensible for your paint.
• Ask which specific coating system they use, who makes it, and how it compares with the other options they offer.
• Get a clear outline of how long they will need the car, how many stages of polishing are included, and what is covered by the warranty.
• Make sure aftercare is explained in plain English, including shampoos to use, products to avoid and how often they expect to see the car again.

A slightly less exotic coating installed and supported properly will usually outperform a fancy label rushed on in poor conditions.

Living with a ceramic coated car

Day to day, owning a coated car should feel easier, not more complicated, but a few habits make a big difference.

• Stick to safe wash methods - pre wash, good mitts and gentle shampoos rather than harsh traffic film removers every weekend.
• Deal with bird mess and bug splatter promptly, even though you have more margin than on bare paint.
• Use compatible toppers or quick detailers to maintain slickness if you like, but do not bury the coating under heavy waxes and polishes.
• Plan occasional decontamination and inspection so bonded contamination and water spotting do not slowly dull the surface.

Handled this way, a ceramic coating becomes a long-term helper that keeps your car looking fresher, rather than a one-off miracle that quietly fades in the background.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 02/12/2025 16:03