One of the most common ways to safeguard an automobile from ordinary wear and tear is to apply a ceramic coating to it. The particular material ensures that your investment in your metallic buddy, as well as any cosmetic upgrades you have made to it, is protected.
Even though it is a regular operation, the ceramic coating is generally unknown to the average car owner. Because the job is usually carried out by specialists, it might be difficult to understand all of the precise aspects of what it entails and how it is carried out. For example, how many layers of ceramic coating does a car need?
The most common question in this context concerns the number of ceramic coating layers, which is mostly determined by specified packages and their accompanying costs.
One layer of ceramic coating is frequently included in the beginning kit. It also comes with a second layer of topcoat. Some of the most costly kits, on the other hand, include roughly 5 ceramic coating layers. This is frequently used to retain a topcoat.
One layer of Ceramic Coating is usually between 1 and 2 microns thick.
However, other companies go over and above, offering 6, 7, or even 10 ceramic coating layers with a topcoat thrown in for good measure. This might easily leave you perplexed as to the real amount of layers necessary for the best protection.
Here is a fast explanation of the process of ceramic coating and the number of layers your car should have to help you cut through the haze and find a solution to this issue.
There is such a thing as too much ceramic coating on a car, yes!
Most experts advise applying many layers of protective coating to your vehicle. They do, however, approach the availability of these jackets in terms of the above-mentioned specified bundles.
The reason for this strategy is straightforward. Additional ceramic coating layers simply result in a higher bill. This means that the majority of suppliers merely put layer after layer of ceramic coat in order to extract a significant sum of money from your wallet.
This is especially true for those companies that go above and above the minimum requirements, such as CarPro CQuartz, and give 8-10 applications of ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is made up of nanoparticles that have a ceramic foundation. The substance comes in the form of a liquid, but when applied, it hardens into a hard, transparent, and glass-like barrier. Adding coat after coat doesn't offer much to the shield's defense. In reality, it merely increases the size of your future auto body repair payment.
This is why you should work with an experienced supplier and take a simple strategy. Choosing a seasoned auto body contractor means that your automobile receives simply the number of coatings it needs, not the number of layers the supplier desires.
Multiple layers are effective, but they should be used sparingly
When correctly applied to a car's auto body or on top of its vinyl wrap or a PPF, a ceramic coat layer can offer complete coverage in just two coats.
In most cases, two ceramic coating layers and a topcoat layer are all that is required. It provides the scratch and abrasion resistance you need, as well as UV (ultraviolet) radiation protection and paint chip resistance.
Between layers, you should wait an hour. So, whether you're applying two coats of CarPro CQuartz or not, it's up to you. Perhaps you're laying on a CarPro CQuartz base layer. CarPro CQuartz Reload is a top layer of it, and this is a highly common combination.
a video explaining the application of multiple layers of ceramic coating
This number of layers is also sufficient to highlight the ceramic coating's hydrophobic qualities. You can simply keep dirt stains, dust particles, and other impurities at bay with this easy procedure.
This method of applying ceramic layers also helps you to obtain the treatment's trademark gloss and provides your automobile with a fresh-from-the-showroom appearance that is unique to ceramic coating.
To put it another way, you don't need to apply more coats to achieve a high gloss finish. All you have to do now is wait for the coating to settle thoroughly. You may see the outcomes for yourself this way.
However, for an even application and a smooth finish, another layer or two of the ceramic coating may be required. But that's all there is to it. If your selected specialist can't obtain a four-layer seamless coating, it's a sign that the issue isn't with the coating itself but with how it's applied.
Ceramic Coating for Your Car Doesn't Require Any Additional Treatments
You normally don't need any more treatments other than the top layer coat itself, regardless of the type of ceramic coating. This topcoat brings the treatment's characteristic shine to the foreground, in addition to the ceramic substance. Any additional treatments applied on top will simply detract from the overall benefits of your ceramic coat.
This is especially true when it comes to waxing your car. While you may be tempted to use wax to add gloss to your ceramic coating, doing so will simply destroy the hydrophobic properties of the coating.
Your ceramic layer will become unable to repel water and other liquids if you apply a thick coating of wax on top that is practically rubbed into the ceramic substance itself. As a consequence, your gleaming automobile may become a breeding ground for toxins. As a result, the coating's basic properties are rendered useless.
With this in mind, make sure that you only use a small amount of your ceramic coating. Avoid any external therapies that are more harmful than beneficial at all costs.
Ceramic coatings can last for a few years before needing to be reapplied
Two coats of ceramic coating and a single layer of topcoat are usually sufficient to last 3-5 years on a daily driver. This factor is also influenced by your driving circumstances, maintenance of the ceramic coating, and frequency of use. However, it is also depending on how well you maintain your metallic friend in general.
The longer you take care of your car's basic maintenance, the longer the ceramic coating will last. Once the coating has worn off, you may have it reapplied by a professional vehicle detailer.
However, it's worth noting that some of the more expensive packages, which include a lot of coats, also come with a lifetime warranty. This guarantee is conditional, and coverage may be limited to select providers, but it has been shown to be worthwhile in some situations.
This is why it's critical to speak with your car body or car paint specialist about the specifics of such warranties. This gives you time to think about your selections before proceeding with your ceramic coating procedure. Cheers!