Durability

Durability is how long a product lasts and is resistant to the elements.

Many coatings are marketed as being 1 year, or 3 year etc. This is what we might consider a traditional way to market coatings based on an estimate of how long they will last on an average car, in average conditions, receiving average use. While it gave the customer a rough idea of the durability of a product, it is not an accurate description and certainly not a guarantee. It was also far more useful for waxes which are a finite product which will burn off in the sun, and far less useful for 'semi-permanent' coatings.

What it means

Durability is the practical service life of a sacrificial barrier on your paint. For liquids (waxes, sealants, ceramics) it’s the period during which the film still bonds, behaves and looks as intended. For films (PPF) it includes resistance to chips, yellowing and loss of self-heal. Hydrophobics can fade before the film is gone, and toppers can temporarily “mask” tired behaviour, so we look at multiple signals: water behaviour, chemical resistance, gloss/DOI retention and uniformity under raking light.

Why it matters

• Expectation-setting: turns “years on the box” into realistic intervals for your driving and washing habits.
• Planning: helps schedule toppers, decon, inspections and re-coats before performance falls off a cliff.
• Value: the right routine can double perceived life compared with poor wash chemistry and technique.
• Diagnosis: separates muted beading from actual failure, and reveals when masking products are hiding issues.

Where you’ll see it

Product pages, warranties and maintenance plans; service menus that specify inspection and top-up intervals; test reports comparing wash-cycle or chemical resistance.

Context

Car Paint Protection; Ceramic coatings; PPF; Maintenance; Performance metrics

How we evaluate durability (at a glance)

• Prep held constant: proper decon, polish (if needed) and residue-free panel wipe so bonding is fair.
• Controlled washes: consistent shampoo, dilution and mitt technique; periodic exposure to harsher detergents to test recovery.
• Behaviour checks: contact angle/sliding angle, beading/sheeting video, and whether behaviour recovers after a mild alkaline reset.
• Chemical resistance: spot tests for acids/alkalis and common contaminants; note staining or softening.
• Optics: gloss and DOI tracking, haze after strong washes, daylight and raking-light inspections for patchiness/high spots.
• PPF specifics: chip panels, self-heal recovery with gentle heat, UV/yellowing over time.

What affects durability

• Environment: mileage, weather, road salts, hard water, outdoor parking.
• Maintenance: gentle pre-wash, pH-neutral shampoo, sensible use of TFRs, prompt drying, periodic toppers.
• Application: panel temperature, humidity, flash/open time discipline, and film uniformity.
• Substrate: fresh resprays need waiting periods; plastics vs metal panels can behave differently.

Common mistakes

• Equating strong beading with full health – toppers can fake it; judge multiple signals.
• Using strong TFRs every wash and blaming the coating when hydrophobics mute.
• Skipping prep – poor bonding halves real-world life even with a good product.
• Chasing thickness by over-application – creates high spots and patchy cure, not longer life.
• Assuming “years” without considering climate, storage and wash routine.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 11/11/2025 14:27