By applying a ceramic coating to your car, you can avoid annoying small scratches and paint damage.
How to wash a Polaris Slingshot
You cannot take your Polaris Slingshot to a traditional car wash. So what do you do now? Time to moisturize your elbows a little.
- Ceramic coatings use nanoparticles to create a barrier between your car’s paint and harmful dirt and grime.
- Although coatings work wonders, they do not completely prevent extreme paint damage and have other limitations.
Everything from insects to birds to tree branches can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s body, changing its appearance and reducing its resale value. Fortunately for motorists, there are several ways to protect your car’s paint from dirt, grime, and small scratches and swirls.
One of the most common ways to protect your car’s paint is to give your car a ceramic coating. Learn how this coating can make your car look new and keep its resale value as high as possible.
How ceramic coatings work on car paint
According to a video from popular automotive YouTube channel Engineering Explained, ceramic coatings help “maintain paint cleanliness.” It also has a deep luster and is hydrophobic and water repellent, protecting it from liquids such as acid rain.
Ceramic coatings use nanoparticles to “form an inseparable bond with the painted work” and “cannot be washed away as easily as waxes or sealants.” This coating lasts between 2 and 7 years depending on the type and brand. To protect your driver, some ceramic coated products come with a warranty.
How much does ceramic coating on a car cost?
According to AutoZone, ceramic coating products range in price from $50 to $250. Professional installation costs range from $600 to $3,000 depending on the size of your car. To save money, motorists can apply ceramic coatings to their vehicles themselves, but professional installation can help avoid improper application, which can have disastrous effects on the vehicle’s appearance.
| AutoZone Ceramic Coating Product Quote | AutoZone Professional Installation Estimate | |
| small car | $50-$150 | $600-$1,500 |
| Midsize sedan, crossover | $75-$200 | $800～$2,000 |
| SUV and truck | $100-$250 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
What ceramic coatings cannot do
Ceramic coatings are a great way to protect your car’s paint, but they do have their limitations.
Ceramic coatings cannot:
- Removes swirls, scratches, and damage from the original paint.
- Fix the car body that needs paint correction
- Completely shielded from rocks and gravel
- Prevents rust from forming over time
- Endure automatic car was a brush
Ceramic coating does not protect your car from chipping or damaging the paint. Additionally, if your car’s paint is already damaged, it’s best to consider getting a paint touch-up to address any existing scratches or chips. Adding a ceramic coating to an already damaged paint coat simply fills in any imperfections under the new coat. If you are investing in a coating for your car, avoid automatic car washes as large brushes can quickly damage the ceramic coating.
Does your car need a ceramic coating?
If you drive a heavily used and weathered car, a ceramic coating may not be suitable for you. If you recently purchased a new car and are willing to invest in protecting its paint and resale value, ceramic coating may be worth considering.
The initial cost is small compared to the resale value lost to the vehicle due to large paint scratches and swirls. While appearance isn’t everything when it comes to selling or trading in a used car, it’s certainly a factor buyers consider, as painting and retouching can cost thousands of dollars.
If you have a lightly used car with no paint damage, having a professional ceramic coating installed can protect your car’s value in the long run.
