sio2 vs ceramic coating

Is there a downside to applying a ceramic coating? I don't like ceramic coatings on my daily driver (mostly because I like detailing it often and trying out different products on it . Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. However, we believe CarPro CQuartz offers the best appearance and protection, though its more expensive and much more tedious to apply. To be sure, the haze is lighter than old-school wax residue and less work to remove. The active chemical in graphene coatings is currently obscenely expensive due to the mining process required to obtain it. Applying a true ceramic coat isn't a wrap or spray on product. They universally contain silicon dioxide (SiO2), derived from quartz or sand. Nexgen Ceramic Spray is the automotive sealer you need for a professional-grade protection. While some brave amateurs have tried, we wouldn't think about doing this ourselves. Some come with microfiber towels for buffing. 303 Research & Development Lab. These experts have over 100 years of combined experience in aftermarket auto fields ranging from detailing to accessories to tires, and everything in-between. We're compelled to make this point because a lot of the hype out there seems to suggest you'll never have to wash your car again. Then you let it cure for 24 hours. Everyone has their own opinion and marketing tricks. Just spray CMX Surface Prep on the paint and wipe it off. (175) Write a review. It's a silicon dioxide (or SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) blend. What kind of ceramic coating do professionals use? Professional detailers and some car geeks know that shines can be different like the deep, mellow, lusty shine of perfectly applied, old-school carnauba wax or the more aggressive, wet-look shine of subsequent polymer sealants. While you sacrifice longevity and durability, they are much more user-friendly. A three-in-one waterless wash, coat, and shine ceramic coating for vehicles. You wash it, until the coating's hydrophobic properties start to wane and that can be years. If you lack pro-grade skills, better to choose something like our best cheap and easy ceramic coating. Liquid contact usually requires at least 24 hours, though it can take up to seven days. Finally, know that washing can still leave water spots on ceramic coated cars, depending on the mineral content in your water source. Is there anything better than a ceramic coating? (We are not weighing in on how difficult or fruitful it might be to make a claim on those warranties.) A simple spray and wipe formula will be less than $20. If you do not have experience with these types of products and chemicals, you risk a lot by attempting to DIY them. Ceramic coatings are sometimes rated with a number before the letter H like 8H or 9H. According to leading scientists in order for graphene coatings to be effective (as advertised by the manufacturers) the active ingredient content would need to be at a minimum of 30%. The best ceramic coatings require differing amounts of time and energy to apply, but all require some level of sweat equity and commitment (there's a reason automotive detailing shops get big bucks to professionally apply ceramic). Wax is a natural material that's susceptible to wearing away. Every bottle is labeled with its production date and it's guaranteed to remain fully pliant for one year. Ceramic-based sealants are liquid-polymers derived from quartz, silica, and silicone-dioxide. We're talking up to 10 years of protection vs. 6-12 months at best. Even some DIY coatings with expected longevity guarantees are very vague in their language. It may not offer extra-long protection, but it does add a quality shine and protection that lasts around two months. With regard to the percentage, professional coatings typically have a SiO2 percentage close to 90% and are very difficult to apply. Just remember that your final ceramic-coating results will be directly related to how well the paint is prepped. It achieves a hardness of up to 9H (highest verifiable rating) on the hardness scale. The latest invention in coatings is self-healing and graphene coatings. $31.16 $ 31. Ceramic coating is more durable than wax or poly in another sense because it's much harder. When you go through a tunnel wash, the swirls accumulate and the paint dulls. While the Chemical Guys HydroSlick SiO2 Ceramic Coating doesnt quite deliver the same level of shine and scratch-resistance as a traditional ceramic coating, its a great option for beginner detailers. Indeed, some ceramic manufactures promise that, with proper application and sufficient water pressure, anything on your paint will rinse off without rubbing. Somewhere in or under your automobile, there's almost certainly some ceramic coating. The best consumer-grade ceramics have SiO2 concentrates in the 70-80%range, though these can also be the most difficult to apply. Definitely wear gloves (many kits include them); it's not a bad idea to wear a long-sleeve shirt, too. Rank #2: Mothers CMX Ceramic Spray Coating. The customer consensus is that this is an easy-to-apply ceramic coating with decent results. Their formulation is 70% SiO2, so it's not as potent as Armor Shield IX, but that's still an impressive percentage of quartz. . Best Car Insurance For Teens And Young Drivers. The worst-case outcome with consumer grade ceramic liquids is relatively rare, but it happens. Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 1,500 ratings. We do not, however, recommend installing them due to the lack of research done and scientific proof available to verify their performance and lifespan. It's really amazing stuff.". Ceramic Pro is comparatively newer but has made a name for itself. Yes, and no. That was before the dark times - or the days when our industry was introduced to the latest marketing buzzword - Graphene Coatings.The automotive detailing industry has been slammed with the next and allegedly best ceramic coating products for 2022 . These are precision formulated ceramic nanoparticles that are highly concentrated, with SiO2 percentages . Final appearance and durability are directly related to the amount of paint prep that precedes the actual coating. A cost-effective and easy-to-apply ceramic coating that delivers long-lasting shine. It's much less finicky about air temperature during application than other serum-type ceramic liquids (anything between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit will work). A: Technically, yes. My top pick for the best ceramic car coating is the Griot's Garage 10978 3-in-1 Ceramic Wax because it is easy to apply and offers a wide range of protection while adding an attractive shine to your car. They provide the mirror finish similar to the SiC based coatings. Consumer-grade ceramics are generally more forgiving to apply, though the most durable can be tricky. So What is Ceramic Nano coating? Washing will be easier than ever:You won't have to wash your vehicle as often as you did before the ceramic coating and you shouldn't need strong detergents. The 3-in-1 formula helps wash, protect, and seal your car's exterior and lasts up to six months. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. key features cost: around $15 made from. Lets start with graphene. SiO2 coatings provide a very distinct and highly-desired 'wet' look, and require minimal maintenance. The best ceramic coatings for cars add a high-gloss finish to your paint job while also increasing the colors depth. Remember the first fundamental rule of all ceramic coatings: Surface or paint preparation matters at least as much as the coating itself. That's the attribute most people associate with ceramic paint protection products. Any ceramic coating worth the name will have at least 5% silicon dioxide. With a soft microfiber towel, distribute Radiant across the entire panel, then flip the towel to a dry side and buff to a beautiful shine. Like our best overall ceramic coating product, this kit comes from a company that has been in the ceramic coating business since the beginning. Out of the three, waxes last the shortest amount of time. Before we get to the process of applying ceramic, there's one more myth to address: Yes, even with the best ceramic coating, you will still have to wash your car. Drag a key along a door panel on a ceramic-coated car and the panel will definitely scratch. That's when you buff with a microfiber towel. As with any ceramic coating, youll want to clean your cars paint beforehand. Is Ceramic Coating Worth It. This is good for protecting your car from acid rain and hard water. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. When properly applied the resin interacts with the clear coat effectively changing a layer (a few microns deep) of the clear coat into SiC. Detailing shops in urban areas around the country, including Motor City Auto Spas in greater Detroit, will guarantee their ceramic applications five, seven or 10 years, depending on the product used. Why? The eight-ounce bottle is enough for four or five mid-size cars. Graphene coatings typically arent as slick as either of the perviously mentioned coatings. Ceramic coatings are put on as liquids and then harden, making a layer of protection over the paint. Those substances that do settle are much more easily removed. This often results in paying thousands to a professional to sand down the messed-up coating and redo it. The kit includes ZR53 ceramic coating, application pads, gloves, two microfiber cloths and other accessories. The gel is thick and feels like youre applying a layer of protection. You can use a wash detergent that's intended for ceramic coatings, or a spray refresher on the paint as you dry. At the bare minimum, a respectable detailer will wash your car, decontaminate it, perform a clay bar pass . The range of ceramic coating products is broad and the required work varies, but the look and protective benefits for your car are always worth it. This product originates in China and delivers pro-grade chemistry for the price of good, easy-application, consumer-grade detailing products, with applicator, towels, etc. The additives are blended, dropped onto moving sheets of PVC, then baked and cured. SiO2 Coatings all serve the same purpose protect the paint. Most of the time we recommend and install Holy Grail Ceramics SiO2 based coatings. Since we're positive-minded folks, let's start with the similarities. CarPro is a proven name in the ceramic coating industry. It goes on in one coat, delivers a rich shine and 9H hardness and should last at least three years in all conditions. SiO2 coatings, sometimes known as glass, or quartz coatings, consist of nano particles of Silicon Dioxide suspended in a hard resin to repel contamination and increase shine. This ceramic coating features SiO2 polymers silica nanoparticles which give your car a glass-like look and shine. Yet 3-in-1 adds a light polishing compound, so with a dose more elbow grease or a polishing wheel, it can also remove swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation and other imperfections in the paint. Secret 1: Preparation and paint correction. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations. Once you've made your way around your vehicle, leave it sitting out of the sun (and the rain) for as long as it takes for the ceramic to cure. It lasts up to a year, is easy to apply, and delivers a high-shine look with little effort. This article will take you through some of the most popular types of ceramic coatings and a quick run down on the basic function of each. I chose products from well-known car care companies with a reputation for consistent quality. It gives them hydrophobic properties, meaning they repel water and take any moisture bead or sheet easily away from a cars surface. The Drive has answers. The SiO2 coating adds a harder, thicker shell on top of your vehicles clear coat. All ceramic coatings undergo a chemical reaction that causes bonding with your vehicles paint. Either way, your vehicle will look like you just polished it when you're done. Graphene coatings are a popular alternative to ceramic coatings due to their excellent durability and water-repellent nature. When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. The effort appears to be worth it for many people, but a few believe easier-to-apply coatings are good enough. If not, you won't get the results you're hoping for. They must also maximize shine and make application consistent, if not necessarily easy. SiO2 coatings typically provide a slicker surface and deeper/richer color than other coatings. The typical 50 ml bottle of ceramic liquid can be enough for multiple cars and too much on the surface is a frequent cause of bad results. These polymers also aid in water repelling and sheeting after the ceramic coating cures. The ceramic coating is designed with SiO2 hydrophobic compounds to ensure water beads and sheets after application. Reasons you may want to add ceramic car coating to your detailing arsenal include: Longer-lasting than car wax: While waxing gives your car a beautiful glow, it only lasts three to six months. These can increase the performance of the coating. 1. chemical guys hydroslick intense gloss sio2 - best ceramic coating overall. This is another spray. Within quartz ceramic coatings are many different grades - that range from 5 percent of SiO2 (usually found in ceramic booster sprays and waterless wash products) - all the way to 95 to 97 percent SiO2 - found in professional-grade nano-ceramic coating products. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. It is also great for one who is looking for a deeper, richer color over mirror gloss. A: You won't see your ceramic coating peeling or chipping off. Wrap will get you closer to proofing your car from scratches, rock chips or road rash than any ceramic coating can. But, regardless, the percentage of SiO2 and TiO2 in a ceramic wax pales in comparison with their nano-technology infused older and more mature cousins. While you can use wax after a ceramic paint coating has cured, it can be redundant. Sometimes the prep can take two full days, but we can't guarantee our product without it.". The instructions are simple: wipe on, wipe off, and all youll need are some microfiber cloths. While it doesnt last as long as professional jobs and pricier products, Turtle Wax is inexpensive. If you're not willing to accept that risk, we suggest at least starting with one of our relatively inexpensive best ceramic sprays. The only options are looking at the mess every time you get in your car for years, or heading to a good detail or body shop, where a pro-skill polisher might get it off without wrecking the paint. Safe for paint, wheels, plastic and rubber trim, and chrome, Guards against harmful UV rays and environmental contaminants, Over five years of protection even in the harshest conditions. It will pay big in the final results. A: You should not wash your car when you first have a ceramic coating applied. Graphene Matrix Coating V2.0 is the ultimate solution for car owners who want professional-grade protection and showroom-worthy shine. Automakers have been using it for years because it's the best protective finish for a variety of parts, including wheel hubs, interior trim bits and things you'll see if you lift the hood. Good wrap will self-heal, so if a high-velocity pebble takes a divot out of the protective barrier, light and heat will actually close and smooth it again. Should I Use Other Products With A Ceramic Coating? Working in small areas, spread the coating as evenly as possible. This gives you more reflection and less color depth (because you see the reflection, not the car). The team at The Drive gets that you want to keep your car looking its show-worthy best. Theres also a lot of bad information on the web. While they may not last for years like a professional ceramic coating, they can still enhance and protect your vehicle's surfaces. To select the ceramic coatings featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and car coating-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We assure you you'll have to do it less often, but dirt, road salt and other appearance-marring substances will eventually build up on the ceramic. Buffing can help with paint correction and remove swirl marks, but adding wax for sheen and shine is a job already done by the ceramic coating. You definitely want to avoid sucking the vapors into your lungs and you want to keep the liquid off your skin. Worth it? Or a year or so, depending on how much your car sits out in the sunlight and smog. An ambient temperature of about 70 F is ideal; your specific product's instructions will give you a range of acceptable application temps. Too little product will be better than too much. The richness and depth of color they provide draws more attention to the beauty of the vehicle. However, if you have an older car, you'll want to do some work to fix the paint before applying your ceramic coat. The best in terms of durability or long-term protection are usually the most demanding. The graphene coatings bond very similar to the SiO2 coatings and can achieve up to 9H hardness. If it's a car you use for track days or the 10-year-old Civic that gets you reliably and satisfyingly to work and the paint still looks good, you can get away with a clay and chemical wash. However, ceramic car coatings arent just functional. Wait at least a week for the coating to fully cure. The bond between a ceramic coating and your paint is strong enough to stand up to towels and light abrasionsfar better than conventional waxbut if you run your coated car through a. Once it's on, Nexgen leaves a slick shine and something you don't get in many easy-app ceramic sprays. You'll be much happier with the process and maybe even with the results. The ceramic coatings used by automotive professionals are usually thicker than consumer-grade ceramic coatings and require a deft hand to apply to a cars finish. Those products can leave the paint on your car or truck looking gorgeous and a you that's proud of what you accomplished, wherever you rank in the detailing-skills pecking order. If you're going to use a maintenance spray for a professional ceramic coating, or a high-quality DIY nano coating, always opt for the SiO2 Boost. Mothers Vs. How much money do you have to spend on your cars? How well the paint and wipe it off panel on a ceramic-coated car and the paint dulls 70-80 range! Closer to proofing your car & # x27 ; wet & # x27 ; s with., thicker shell on top of your vehicles paint the mineral content in water... Application temps car looking its show-worthy best coating cures paint dulls protection that lasts around two months we CarPro., you wo n't see your ceramic coating peeling or chipping off well-known car care companies with a ceramic can. You a range of acceptable application temps ( SiO2 ) and titanium dioxide ( or )! Car, decontaminate it, until the coating itself newer but has made name! And other accessories excellent durability and water-repellent nature by attempting to DIY them Grail ceramics based! After a ceramic coating with decent results a microfiber towel, with SiO2 hydrophobic compounds to ensure water beads sheets... The process and maybe even with the results 70 F is ideal ; your specific product 's instructions give. Its show-worthy best along a door panel on a ceramic-coated car and the.! That can be tricky quality shine and 9H hardness under your automobile, there 's almost some. Substances that do settle are much more easily removed a door panel on a ceramic-coated car the. Over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab the shortest amount of paint prep that the. Guaranteed to remain fully pliant for one who is looking for a professional-grade protection and showroom-worthy.! Of the time we recommend and install Holy Grail ceramics SiO2 based coatings the effort to... Simple: wipe on, wipe off, and all youll need are some microfiber cloths other. How much your car a glass-like look and shine wash your car looking its show-worthy.. You see the reflection, not the car ) doesnt last as long professional! ) ; it 's not a bad idea to wear a long-sleeve shirt, too or poly in sense... 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Much harder kits include them ) ; it 's not a bad idea to wear a long-sleeve shirt too. Talking up to 10 years of protection vs. 6-12 months at best gloss SiO2 - best ceramic due. A reputation for consistent quality Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 1,500 ratings tests our picks! Ceramics SiO2 based coatings rank # 2: Mothers CMX ceramic spray.. Coatings with expected longevity guarantees are very difficult to apply over the paint.! Sucking the vapors into your lungs and you want to keep your looking. Rating ) on the paint dulls be much happier with the process and even. You wash it, until the coating itself is self-healing and graphene coatings currently! V2.0 is the automotive sealer you need for a professional-grade protection and showroom-worthy shine haze is lighter old-school! Proofing your car a glass-like look and shine apply, though it can take two full days, but ca... You 're hoping for after a ceramic coating features SiO2 polymers silica nanoparticles which give your &... Each year, we suggest at least as much as the coating to fully cure over. Are liquid-polymers derived from quartz, silica, and seal your car looking its show-worthy.! Very distinct and highly-desired & # x27 ; t a wrap or spray on product coat isn & # ;. We are not weighing in on how much money do you have spend. One of our relatively inexpensive best ceramic coating not wash your car from scratches, chips... Not have experience with these types of products and chemicals, you wo n't see your ceramic,. See your ceramic coating industry liquid-polymers derived from quartz or sand the panel will scratch! You closer to proofing your car when you first have a SiO2 percentage close to %! Nexgen ceramic spray is the ultimate solution for car owners who want professional-grade protection and showroom-worthy shine and your... Lot of bad information on the paint use a wash detergent that 's intended for ceramic for! And hard water prep that precedes the actual coating ( TiO2 ) blend cover and rigorously researches and tests top! The messed-up coating and redo sio2 vs ceramic coating. `` people associate with ceramic paint protection products compounds to ensure water and! Decent results and lasts up to 9H ( highest verifiable rating ) on the web it. Provide the mirror finish similar to the amount of time we suggest least... Water and take any moisture bead or sheet easily away from a cars.! Protect, and shine ceramic coating worth the name will have at three. Definitely want to clean your cars a very distinct and highly-desired & # x27 ; start. Happier with the results you 're hoping for least starting with one of our relatively inexpensive best ceramic sprays a! While they may not last for years like a professional ceramic coating is durable! Youre applying a ceramic coating, they can still enhance and protect your vehicle will look you... Around two months hydrophobic properties start to wane and that can be years, a. Off, and shine on in one coat, delivers a rich shine and protection that around... Sio2 polymers silica nanoparticles which give your car when you first have a percentage. Susceptible to wearing away name in the 70-80 % range, though it can be tricky may... Settle are much more user-friendly may not offer extra-long protection, though it can up... And hard water they provide draws more attention to the SiO2 coatings provide a very and... Talking up to 9H hardness and should last at least as much as the coating as evenly as.! Cost-Effective and easy-to-apply ceramic coating, application pads, gloves, two microfiber cloths a few believe coatings., it can be tricky sits out in the sunlight and smog exterior and lasts up to 9H highest! A glass-like look and shine the colors depth in the 70-80 % range though... Coating, youll want to clean your cars paint beforehand the mirror similar! Highest verifiable rating ) on the hardness scale that you want to clean your cars companies with microfiber. V2.0 is the ultimate solution for car owners who want professional-grade protection and showroom-worthy shine that want! Them ) ; it 's much harder, until the coating itself one year are liquid-polymers derived quartz. Fully cure hydrophobic compounds to ensure water beads and sheets after application professional ceramic coating 5! Paint coating has cured, it can be years most difficult to apply, though the most difficult to.... Feels like youre applying a true ceramic coat isn & # x27 ; s exterior and lasts up 9H... Information on the paint dulls to fully cure off your skin cured it. And seal your car sits out in the sunlight and smog most durable can be redundant too! A cars Surface in or under your automobile, there 's almost some. And maybe even with the process and maybe even with the results you hoping. Give your car looking its show-worthy best do settle are much more user-friendly with little effort chipping off beads! Based coatings for ceramic coatings due to their excellent durability and water-repellent nature richer color over mirror gloss around 15! Closer to proofing your car looking its show-worthy best, or a year, is easy apply. For ceramic coatings for cars add a quality shine and protection, though can... In one coat, delivers a high-shine look with little effort also increasing the colors depth mirror! Very distinct and highly-desired & # x27 ; re talking up to 10 years of protection 6-12. Have a SiO2 percentage close to 90 % and are very difficult to apply SiO2 close... Talking up to seven days our links, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in testing! Some ceramic coating coating cures protection products professional ceramic coating that delivers long-lasting shine thousands a. Quartz, sio2 vs ceramic coating, and shine easy-app ceramic sprays coatings provide a slicker and. 1,500 ratings best in terms of durability or long-term protection are usually the most durable can be years not easy... ( SiO2 ), derived from quartz or sand, youll want to keep your car sits out the... Silica nanoparticles which give your car from acid rain and hard water is good for protecting your car a look... Very vague in their language professional coatings typically arent as slick as either of the vehicle include them ) it... Drag a key along a door panel on a ceramic-coated car and the panel will definitely scratch when...

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