A ceramic coating is a semi-permanent paint protection similar to car wax or sealant, but lasts much longer! A ceramic coating is a chemical composition which goes on as a liquid and hardens on your vehicles surface, leaving behind a smooth finish. Ceramic coatings help enhance your vehicles shine, protects the paint from UV rays, and provides exceptional water repellency. Ceramic coatings create a slick layer on your paint which makes service of your paint extremely easy! A ceramic coated vehicle will also have hydrophobic properties, meaning the water will bead right up and slide off rather than stay standing in place. Ceramic coatings can even be applied to your glass, creating a much better view during inclement weather!

Although it is a layered coating, it is not invincible. Ceramic coatings typically last anywhere from one year up to 10 years, and is based on both the manufacturer recommended service life as well as the driving conditions & care of the vehicle. Ceramic coatings are typically rated by their suggested service life. For example, a certain manufacturer may rate their coating as a 5 year coating. This is based on the chemistry and in optimal conditions. The coating will last 5 years before the chemical composition begins to break down at the end of its service life. 

Detailed currently offers 3, 5, and 8 year coatings. The “life” of the coating is not the only difference. 

The 3 year coating utilizes graphene. Graphene helps resist water spots (resist, not prevent) and still gives an excellent shine.

The 5 year coating is formulated for unmatched gloss!

The 8 year coating contains polysiloxane, SiN, SiC, and silicon dioxide (Si02), making it optimal for longevity.

The fine print:

As stated, ceramic coatings are not magic, nor are they “set it and forget it”. The year ratings are based on how well the coating/paint is properly maintained. It is no different than paint. You can have classic cars with original paint in pristine condition, and you can have cars less than 10 years old showing significant wear and damage. Ceramic coatings are no different. If you you have it installed, and fail to maintain your car, you should expect it have sub par performance. However, with proper washing and a little bit of love, you should expect to see the life of the coating extend closer to the manufacturers life expectancy.

Things which decrease the longevity of the coating: Bird droppings left on the vehicle, failure to wash the vehicle, rock chips, bug splatter left on the coating, scratches/dings etc.

Keeping up by giving your car a wash every 4-6 weeks is sufficient. The coating will help make cleaning it much easier! You don’t need special products, specials soaps, or anything fancy. Just a hose and some car wash soap, or call and schedule a wash!

The key components of the lifetime coatings are Polysilazane, Silicon Carbide, Silicon Dioxide, Silicon Nitride and Refined Detonated Nano Diamonds. The last 2 are key to its ability to last as long as its properly maintained.

Maintenance is of course key, and that maintenance is simply keeping it clean, and decontamination when required. No toppers or re-application needed.

Coatings loose performance over time for 2 main reasons, first is abrasion. Abrasion can be avoided using good wash techniques. There are cars that are 50 years or older driving around with original paint, just as there are 5 years old cars with failing paint. Again maintaining anything properly will extend its lifetime. Buy a new car with a 5 year warranty, don’t change the oil, and chances are it will fail before the 5 years, follow the recommended maintenance and the engine will greatly outlast the warranty period.

The second reason is fracturing. A good coating forms a strong bond with the underlying surface, but the surface itself is susceptible to fracturing. Fracturing is caused primarily by hot/ cold cycles. Let’s say a coating “fails” after 3 years, the coating is still on the surface, but the surface of the coating is fractured, reducing gloss and hydrophobics to the point that it appears that the coating is no longer present.

The chemistry, as outlined above is designed to prevent fracturing. 2 key elements in the fight against fracturing are SiN and Refined Detonated Nano Diamonds. The Silicon Nitride is a more flexible ceramic with an ability to bond well to the other elements in the formula. Refined Detonated Nano Diamonds further enhance this by their structure and strength. The refining process is akin to milling them, making them uniform in size, and with a rough surface. This allows the other components to bond well with the Refined Detonated Nano Diamonds as well as to the paint.

Lifetime Coatings

Only 37 miles on this 24’ Jeep in Tuscadero Pink! New Lifetime coating applied! The pictures don’t do it justice!