Are there any bad ceramic coatings?

What the question really means

When people ask if there are bad ceramic coatings, they usually want to know whether some products simply do not work, or if they might damage the car. In practice, problems rarely come from genuine professional coatings made by reputable brands. Most issues come from weak "ceramic" sealants, poor application, cheap kits and counterfeit products sold online.

Where things usually go wrong

• Lightweight dealer products: Some coatings are designed to be very easy to apply at dealerships with mixed skill levels. They are not dangerous, but they may not perform like a top tier professional system.
• "Ceramic" sealants sold as coatings: Many retail products are really waxes or polymer sealants with some ceramic content. They can be decent short-term protectants, but they are not true, long-lasting ceramic coatings.
• Counterfeit and rebadged products: Because genuine coatings are valuable, they are an obvious target for counterfeits and white-label resellers on marketplaces.
• Poor prep and application: Rushed decontamination, lack of polishing and incorrect curing conditions can make even a good coating perform badly.

How to spot a trustworthy ceramic system

• Recognised manufacturer: Look for brands that specialise in professional coatings and publish clear technical information, not just big claims.
• Accredited installers: Serious manufacturers control who can offer their coatings, providing training, vetting and certification rather than selling to anyone with a bank card.
• Proper paperwork: A legitimate coating normally comes with a written warranty, aftercare guidance and details of any inspection requirements.
• Realistic promises: Honest systems talk about years of easier maintenance with sensible conditions, not "lifetime" perfection or totally scratch proof paintwork.

Red flags that suggest a coating may be a poor choice

• Very cheap "9H ceramic" kits with huge durability claims and no mention of the actual manufacturer.
• Products that are widely sold on marketplaces but never mentioned by reputable detailers or installers.
• Sales talk that focuses only on buzzwords like "nano", "graphene" or "military grade" without explaining how the system is installed and maintained.
• Dealers who cannot name the product they are applying, or provide any evidence that their staff are trained and supported by the coating manufacturer.

What a genuinely bad product might look like

• Inconsistent or patchy results where some panels show no improvement in water behaviour or gloss.
• Heavy streaking, yellowing or clouding that does not respond to proper washing and decontamination.
• Peeling or obvious failure within weeks or months when the car has been used and washed normally.
• No way to contact the maker for support, and no network of installers who are willing to stand behind it.

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

• They cannot fix bad paintwork: Swirls, sanding marks and poor resprays need correcting before coating. A good coating will preserve the finish, not hide defects.
• They cannot stop all damage: Stone chips, car park knocks and deep scratches can still go through the coating and mark the paint.
• They cannot survive total neglect: Automatic brushes, harsh chemicals and never washing the car will shorten the life of any coating.

Best practice when choosing a coating and installer

• Ask which brand and specific coating will be used, and look it up to see how it is meant to be supplied and installed.
• Check whether the installer is accredited or approved by that brand, and whether they can show training or certification.
• Be wary of very cheap "ceramic upgrades" that cannot be explained in plain language or backed up with paperwork.
• Choose a package that includes proper preparation, clear aftercare instructions and a point of contact if you ever have concerns about performance.