Which is the best ceramic coating?

The main differences between brands of ceramic coating tend to be in ease of application, supply, customer service, warranty etc. The difference between actual products is minimal, which is understandable as the product is a microscopic layer of ceramic. Either the product can do this, or it can't.

The more expensive products generally last longer because they are more durable, this also means they are tougher and may be more scratch resistant. Most brands offer a range of products, and they tend to be roughly equivalent to other brands.

We currently sell three brands, our criteria are:

1. Reliability of supply - We want to be able to order and get the product in the next few days. We certainly don't want it to arrive on a slow boat from China. We don't want to be a franchise and don't want a minimum order of £10k. Sometimes, reapplication to repaired panels is necessary, we want to be sure we can still buy the product 5-years from now. Manufacturers that have unrealistic expectations from the UK market don't tend to stay around for long. 

2. Access to expert advice - We don't expect the salesmen to know exactly how the product works, which is why we like to be able to phone the company's chemist. If they don't have a chemist, then they are probably relabelling.

3. Non-nonsense products - We avoid products where the warranty comes with conditions or tries to lock the customer in with annual inspections. We also avoid the, "Our product is the best because it's exclusive and expensive" type of marketing flimflam. We want to give our customers good value for money.

4. Ease of use - These products are for professional application only so the baseline is they require some skill. But truth be told, some products are horrible to work with, with no tangible benefit. Why make life harder than it needs to be?

What "best" really means with ceramic coatings

When people ask which ceramic coating is best, they usually mean "Which one will keep my car looking good for longest with the least effort?". In real life, the best coating is a combination of a proven product, proper preparation, a skilled installer and aftercare that suits how you actually use the car, rather than a magic brand name on the bottle.

How professional coatings are usually grouped

• Entry-level ceramics: Good protection and easy washing for a few years on a daily-driven car. Ideal when you want to move up from wax without going all in on a flagship system.
• Mid-range or "5 year" coatings: A strong balance of durability, gloss and value for money if you keep the car for several years.
• Flagship and graphene infused coatings: Top of the tree for chemical resistance and long term easy maintenance, especially useful for high mileage or outdoor parked cars.
• Maintenance toppers: Sprays or light sealants designed to sit on top of the main coating and refresh slickness and water behaviour during routine care.

What really makes one coating better than another

• Preparation: Paint correction, decontamination and panel wipe are what let any coating bond properly. Poor prep will spoil even the most expensive product.
• Installation: Accredited installers follow curing times, layer thickness and conditions set by the manufacturer, which makes performance predictable.
• System and support: A coating that comes with training, written guidance and an honest warranty will usually outperform a random product from a marketplace.
• Suitability for your use: There is little point fitting an ultra-long life coating to a car you plan to sell in two years, or a budget product to a hard worked keeper.

Choosing the best coating for your situation

• Short-term ownership: If you change cars frequently, a good quality entry or mid-range ceramic is often the best balance of cost and benefit.
• Long-term keeper: If you will keep the car for many years, a flagship or graphene-based system can pay back in reduced maintenance and better long-term appearance.
• High mileage or outdoor parked cars: Tougher, top-tier coatings tend to hold their performance better on cars that live outside and do a lot of motorway work.
• Show and collector cars: Deep correction and a high gloss coating can be paired with additional protection such as PPF on vulnerable areas if stone chips are a concern.

Signs you are being sold hype rather than the best option

• Obsessing over hardness numbers: Claims like "9H" or "10H" are based on pencil tests and do not mean the car is scratch proof.
• Unrealistic lifespan claims: Lifetime or 15 year promises with no sensible conditions attached are usually marketing rather than engineering.
• Unknown brands and re labels: Cheap "ceramic" or "graphene" products sold online are often basic sealants with big promises and little testing.
• No mention of prep or aftercare: If the focus is only on the bottle and not on preparation, washing and inspections, you are not getting the full picture.

What ceramic coatings cannot do, however "good" they are

• Not impact proof: Even the best coating will not stop stone chips, car park dings or deep scratches from contact.
• Not a fix for bad paint: Swirls, sanding marks and poor resprays need to be corrected before coating. A high gloss coating will tend to highlight defects, not hide them.
• Not maintenance free: All coatings still need sensible washing, decontamination and occasional inspection to perform at their best.

How to decide what is best for you

The most reliable way to choose a "best" coating is to talk through your car, mileage, storage and plans with an experienced installer who works with more than one product in a range. They can explain the pros and cons of each system in plain English and recommend a package that fits how you really use the car, rather than chasing the biggest number on a label.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 21/11/2025 16:42