What is a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is a liquid that bonds to your car's clear coat and hardens into a thin, glassy layer. It makes paint slick and water-repellent, and protects it from UV fading. Nano ceramic just describes the tiny particles in the coating; nearly every ceramic coating is a nano coating.
The three types you'll see
- Ceramic sprays: easy to apply, last weeks to a few months. Good as a top-up.
- DIY coating kits: a bottle, applicator and cloths. Last about a year or two if applied well.
- Professional coatings: applied after paint correction, usually lasting 2 to 5 years.
DIY ceramic coating: what to know
DIY kits can work well, but the result depends on preparation. The paint must be washed, decontaminated and ideally polished first, and the coating applied indoors, out of the sun and dust. High spots that aren't wiped off in time can leave hazy patches that need polishing to remove.
Why a professional coating costs more
Most of the cost is the preparation: a full decontamination and machine polish so the coating locks in a flawless finish. Professional coatings are also thicker and more durable than most retail kits.
How to choose
Choose DIY if your paint is already in great condition and you have a garage and a free weekend. Choose professional if the paint has swirls, you want it to last years, or you'd rather not risk patchy results.
Frequently asked questions
Is nano ceramic coating better?
Not really. Nano describes the particle size, which almost every ceramic coating shares. Durability depends far more on the product and the preparation.
How long does a DIY ceramic coating last?
Usually about one to two years, depending on the kit, the preparation and how the car is washed.
Can you put ceramic coating on glass?
Yes. Glass coatings make rain bead off windscreens and windows, much like a rain repellent but longer lasting.
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