The best way to look at a ceramic coating detail is the coating application being the last step (like any protection) to a detailing process. A majority of your good looks come from the level of paint correction performed, which is enhanced by a high quality coating.
No form of protection is a license to neglect you car.
Before I began discussing the potential value of Ceramic Coatings, I believe it is necessary to first address what they are not. Ceramic Coatings are not a magic pill. It may not be for everyone. It will not protect your car against rock chips. Ceramic coatings do not last forever on its own. If you see the fine print on the claims of some lifetime offerings, you will read about a version of a coating needing to be reapplied 6 months or annually. Ceramic Coatings do last longer and provide a significantly stronger defense against environmental contamination than waxes and sealants. A coating does not make your car scratch proof. There is some self-cleaning abilities with ceramic coatings, making vehicles easier to wash and maintain safely due to extreme hydrophobic behavior and contamination not sticking as easily. But you will still need to wash your car with CARE. Due to the hydrophobic properties of a ceramic coated car, it is necessary for you to have some understanding on how to remove and prevent mineral deposits (water spots).
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer. When it is applied to your vehicle, the coating hardens into a glass membrane forming a semi-permanent barrier. It is going to provide longer durability. On painted surfaces the coating will amplify the appearance of your paint. The coating will magnify gloss and shine of polished paint (aka paint correction). The coatings also create a deepening and enriching of colors. You will have long term good looks (glossy paint). A coated surface is also noticeably easier to clean. Imagine some of the benefits of a wax or a sealant amplified.
The quality of the auto detailing is more important than the final product, assuming the detailer is using a legitimate coating. In short true ceramic coatings are for:
Unfortunately it has become very common for businesses to claim that they are offering ceramic coating protection due to with the term ceramic or SI02 being on a label. Most reputable businesses would refer to these products as spray sealants or spray waxes. Also most companies that operate with integrity are very conservative with the durability claims of their ceramic coating offerings. Think about the goals of many of the companies that produce ceramic coatings and businesses that provide this service, where there is a grey area with respect to longevity.
Below are two videos that go into further detail about coatings.
Whether it is a wax, sealant, or ceramic coating Mirror Reflections Auto Spa is conservative with durability claims. With respect to ceramic coatings the estimated durability of a ceramic coating will be based on its effective life. Although there may be a percentage of ceramic protection remaining on the car, our durability rating is based on the coating performing at a high level with respect to the enhanced good looks and extremely hydrophobic behavior. This is a major reason why we do not use or support coatings with 7+ year durability claims.
The coatings brands used at Mirror Reflections Auto Spa have developed a good reputation in the industry for outperforming their stated claims and providing a superior experience for my clients consistently.
There really is no effective regulation that can effectively control or prevent a detailing business or a product supplier from either making grandiose claims about the durability of coating, describing what is a coating, or proclaiming what a coating can do. When you make a decision to have a a ceramic coating detailing service performed, the relationship with the detailing business owner and the detailer is what is most important.
Assuming you choose the best detailer/business, the two most important variables that affect coating longevity are the environment the car is in and the wash (maintenance) regime. On average a coating is going to last significantly longer on a garage kept (weekend driven only) car versus a daily driven car that is consistently subjected to harsh weather environments. You are going to have a significantly better experience if you keep with your maintenance using the appropriate products. A reputable detailer is going to care about informing you about how to better take care of your car, in order for you to get the most out of the experience.
When connecting with potential clients, part of the consultation process involves educating and potentially addressing the misinformation about the detailing process. If you are a future client of Mirror Reflections Auto Spa or looking to book with any reputable business, your detailer should be happy to discuss these topics with you.
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