Are ceramic coatings better than non-stick coatings?

Ceramic coatings are a non-stick coating.

In fact, in cookware, the area where PTFE, PFOA and Teflon non-stick coatings are most famous, you will see there is a trend towards ceramic, enamel (which is essentially ceramic) and ceramic-like coatings such as granite and copper-stone.

Semi-permanent acrylic/polymer/PTFE coating were popular in the early 2000s, they have largely been supplanted in the marketplace by ceramic-based coatings.

Genuine ceramic coatings are far superior to so-called “non-stick” coatings, although the two are often confused. Many products marketed as non-stick, hydrophobic, or “ceramic-style” coatings are really just spray sealants. They make water bead nicely for a few weeks, but they don’t chemically bond to the paint or offer the same level of protection.

A true ceramic coating cures into a hard, glass-like layer that’s permanently bonded to the clear coat. It resists UV fading, chemical damage, and staining from bird droppings or bug splatter. It’s far more durable — we’re talking years rather than weeks — and it’s this hardness and density that make it genuinely protective, not just slippery.

Non-stick coatings might make the surface feel smooth, but that effect fades quickly because the product simply sits on top of the paint. They’re fine as maintenance toppers but not a substitute for a proper ceramic coating.

From our experience, the difference is obvious when you wash the car. Non-stick products wear off after a handful of washes, while a ceramic coating continues to repel water and dirt for years. If you’re looking for lasting protection, ceramics win hands down.

What “non-stick” usually means on car products

On a bottle, the word non-stick can cover a lot of different chemistries. In practice, it usually means a polymer, PTFE or silicone rich sealant that makes paint feel very slick and bead water nicely for a short time. These products sit on top of the clear coat and slowly wash away, which is why the effect fades after a few weeks or months.

By contrast, a genuine ceramic coating is designed to cross-link and bond into the clear coat itself. It is still a very thin layer, but once cured it behaves more like a hard, glass like shell than a wipe on polish. That difference in how it attaches to the paint is why ceramics behave more like long term protection and non-stick sprays behave more like cosmetic toppers.

Short term non-stick versus long term ceramic protection

It helps to think about time frames. Most non-stick products are really about short-term slickness, gloss and water beading. They are ideal if you want the car to look freshly detailed for a few weeks, or you like the satisfaction of topping up after each wash.

• Non-stick sealants typically last a handful of washes before you notice the behaviour dropping off.
• They are quick to apply, forgiving and easy to strip off if you want to change products later.
• They do not add much in the way of serious chemical or UV resistance because the layer is soft and relatively thin.

A ceramic coating is the opposite end of the scale. It takes more preparation, more curing time and is not something you casually change, but in return, you get years of protection, consistent hydrophobic behaviour and a much tougher sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat.

Where non-stick products are still useful

None of this means non-stick coatings are pointless. They just sit in a different place in the care routine.

• As a maintenance topper on top of a ceramic coating, to refresh slickness and make drying easier between proper inspections.
• On short term or lower value cars where you want them to look nice for a while but are not investing in full paint correction and coating.
• Before selling or returning a car at the end of a lease, to boost gloss and water behaviour without committing to long-term protection.
• On wheels, glass or trims when you are experimenting with different products to see what you like, knowing they will wash away fairly quickly.

Used this way, non-stick products complement ceramics rather than compete with them. They are the quick top up, not the foundation.

Decoding labels and marketing claims

The confusing bit is that many non-stick products borrow the language of ceramics. You will see words like ceramic style, SiO2, nano or graphene on bottles that behave very much like traditional polymer sealants.

• If a product is sold as a quick spray and wipe, safe to use every wash, it is almost certainly a short term sealant, even if ceramic is mentioned on the label.
• Professional ceramic coatings are normally installed by accredited detailers on fully prepared paintwork, not dashed on in the driveway in ten minutes.
• Any claim of permanent or scratch proof protection should be treated with caution. Real world coatings are durable but still sacrificial and can only be removed cleanly with abrasion such as machine polishing.

In other words, do not be afraid of the term non-stick, but do assume it describes behaviour rather than a specific, long lasting technology.

Choosing the right approach for your car

The best choice depends on how you use the car and how long you plan to keep it.

• If you keep cars for years, hate swirl marks and want the easiest possible washing, a properly installed ceramic coating is usually the smarter investment.
• If the car is on a short lease, lives in a garage, or you are relaxed about the odd mark, a simpler regime of good washing and occasional non-stick top-ups may be enough.
• If you already have a ceramic coating, treat non-stick sprays as a light jacket over a winter coat, not a replacement. Use products your installer is happy with so you do not interfere with the coating underneath.
• If you are not sure what has been applied in the past, it is often worth having the car assessed professionally so you start from a clean, known baseline.

Framed this way, ceramics are not just better than non-stick coatings in a general sense. They are better suited to anyone who wants predictable, long-term protection, while non-stick products remain handy tools for topping up and short-term gloss.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 27/11/2025 17:52