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22nd Aug 2023
The car body is the most expensive part. Its main protection is traditionally the paintwork. However, during operation, the paintwork of the machine in an aggressive environment tends to be damaged and destroyed, the original appearance is lost, etc.
Given the demand, various manufacturers offer an additional protective coating for the body. At the same time, today there are many solutions, among which the ceramic coating of the car body, the so-called liquid glass, etc., is in growing demand.
Let's start with the fact that for a long time, various wax-based compositions (liquid wax, hard wax, hot wax, cold wax, etc.) remained the traditional and in fact the only available body coating.
If you do not consider hard wax, which you need to rub the car, other types of compounds for a relatively small cost can be quickly applied at any car wash. Such a coating for a car has long been known and is quite acceptable.
The car shines, the color of the paintwork becomes deep, the surface stays clean longer, and repels moisture, dust, and dirt. The disadvantages include the fragility of such a coating, which is washed off after 1-2 washes. In addition, wax practically does not protect the paintwork from mechanical damage.
After the active introduction of automotive vinyl films, many motorists began to consider this solution as the optimal protection. On the one hand, this is true. It is the paint protection film that reliably protects the body from mechanical impact (for example, impacts of small stones), chemical reagents, bird droppings, etc.
However, the disadvantage of such a coating is the extremely high cost of the material (especially when it comes to high-quality armored films), as well as the complexity of its application, and the high prices for the work of specialists. Films also tend to peel off, become cloudy, turn yellow, can visually make the body dimmer, and the natural shine of the paintwork under the film disappears.
Recently, rubber paint or plastidip has been gaining popularity. This coating reliably protects the body, but the main disadvantage is a noticeable change in the appearance of the car. Naturally, not every car owner is ready for such radical changes.
In turn, if the main focus is not on protection, but on appearance, then the best alternative to wax is to cover the car with liquid glass or ceramics. Although these coatings do not differ in their ability to protect against mechanical damage, they are quite capable of protecting against chemicals from the roads and ultraviolet radiation, preventing moisture from entering the microcracks of the paintwork, and also giving the car a spectacular mirror shine.
At the same time, liquid glass or ceramics are not washed off the body for 12 months or more (subject to compliance with the operating rules). Naturally, such a coating of the car attracts an increasing number of motorists. Let's look at these coverages in more detail.
Immediately, we note that liquid glass is a cheaper option. As a rule, the composition is able to withstand up to 30 not-very-aggressive washes, after which the effect gradually disappears after its application, that is, the coating itself needs to be updated. On the one hand, if such a solution is applied, an average-priced option is obtained, however, a short service life eliminates the existing advantages.
In turn, ceramics are more reliable and durable. If you use high-quality and expensive material, the coating can remain on the surface for up to 3 years (subject to compliance with the rules for application and operation). It is quite obvious that even taking into account the higher cost, such a solution is the most attractive compared to wax or liquid glass.
First, car ceramics obtained such properties due to the particle size of about 100 nm. That this indicator characterizes the structure of ceramics, and not the thickness of the layer, as many mistakenly believe. If we compare ceramics and, for example, wax in terms of layer thickness, then it is the ceramic coating that is up to 100 times thicker.
Today body ceramics are made by different manufacturers. It is possible to distinguish both popular solutions (for example, the budget composition of Ceramic Pro), as well as cheap and expensive, well-known and less advertised products.
In practice, the quality of the composition depends on the total amount of silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon carbide (SiC), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the composition.
Manufacturers also use various formulas, implementing additional properties. All this affects the final cost of the product. For example, not all products contain a binder polymer, since its presence impairs wear resistance. In addition, the use of SiO2 in full provides high hydrophobic performance, SiC is a material with high hardness and forms protection, and TiO2 strengthens the coating and protects the paintwork from ultraviolet radiation.
This coating allows you to get body protection from chemicals and reagents, moisture, ultraviolet rays, and even from mechanical damage, scratches, and chips. Naturally, ceramics are not able to protect against strong stone impacts, but you can not be afraid of scratches from branches and grass.
The appearance of the car after application changes for the better, since the coating of auto ceramics involves polishing. Simply put, ceramic polishing includes work to eliminate minor defects in the paintwork, after which a protective compound is applied to consolidate the result. In addition, after application, the coating itself significantly enhances the depth of color, and a mirror shine appears. The car can look even better and more spectacular than a new one from a car dealership.
When liquid ceramics are applied, the price is high. Cost forms both the price of material and labor. In fact, the procedure is complex, reminiscent of professional body polishing, which includes several stages. The specialist should be experienced, it is important to eliminate defects in advance and with high quality, properly prepare the body before applying the coating, etc.
Not all compounds have a long service life. As practice shows, often even if it is stated that the product stays on the body for up to 36 months, the lasting effect lasts up to a maximum of 12 months. It turns out that nanoceramics, on average, last up to a year. The service life can be extended only by strict observance of the operating rules (avoid aggressive washing, store the car in a warm garage, do not wash the bodywork too often, etc.).
To wash a car with a ceramic coating, a touchless car wash is best, as well as the minimum use of brushes, rags, etc. It is also forbidden to rub a dirty body with napkins, or apply aggressive cleaners and reagents.
It is also important to understand that the very procedure of applying nanoceramics to the body requires the professionalism and experience of the master. You should not try to apply the composition yourself without experience in performing such work. The procedure will require:
After 12-15 months the ceramics become cloudy. To restore the shine, the body needs to be processed again. The good news is that re-applying ceramics is cheaper than the initial treatment since the coating is only refreshed. This can be done faster, the cost of updating is 30-40% lower (provided there is no damage to the paintwork) than the initial processing.