Ceramic Coating: Does Brand Matter?

Ceramic coating offers your vehicle eye-catching shine and lasting protection from the elements — but is one ceramic coating brand really superior to another?

If you’re comparing professional detailers or considering a DIY ceramic application, your array of options can feel a bit overwhelming. Commercial brands of ceramic coating are formulated differently than those used by professional installers and offer different levels of protection and longevity.

Here is what automotive enthusiasts need to know when choosing the right ceramic coating brand to protect their car’s paint. 

Commercial (DIY) Ceramic Coating Brands

Ceramic brands that target DIYers tend to capitalize on their lower price point and ease of application. If you’re up to the task of installing your own paint protection, here are a few key considerations. 

Formulation

Ceramic coating is applied as a liquid that chemically bonds with your paint as it cures. Generally speaking, ceramic is made of a few basic components:  

• Silicone dioxide 
• Titanium dioxide 
• Alumina
• Zirconium oxide 

While all of these chemicals contribute to the shine, hardness, and UV protection of ceramic coating, commercial brands tend to have simpler formulas and much lower concentrations of these active ingredients. 

These less potent formulas cost less to produce but don’t have the staying power of professional-grade ceramic. 

How Long Does DIY Ceramic Last?

Because of their chemical differences, the ceramic coatings sold on shelves can only be expected to last 1-2 years compared to the 5-8 year life span of professionally-installed ceramic. 

Application Process for Commercial Ceramic Brands

While popular commercial brands like Turtle Wax, Adam’s Polishes, and H2O may also be used in certain detailing shops, they are designed for easier application by DIYers. 

They tend to require less surface preparation and have shorter curing times, making them more convenient for drivers eager to get back out on the road. 

Benefits

Commercial ceramic coating brands offer a base level of protection against UV radiation, acid rain, bug splatter, and other common hazards. However, they can’t be expected to deliver the glossy shine of professional ceramic. 

Drivers who opt for less expensive brands should be aware that they will have to reapply the product much more frequently, diminishing the upfront cost savings over time. 

Professional Ceramic Coating Brands

Professionally applied ceramic coating is an investment compared to DIYing, but many automotive enthusiasts find that the results are well worth it. Here are a few key differences that set professional brands apart. 

Formulation

Reputable detailers understand that quality brands produce quality results, and are likely to be loyal to the products they know work best. For this reason, drivers who choose professionally applied ceramic are often choosing a brand as well as an installer. 

For example, ATD relies on XPEL Fusion Plus ceramic coating due to its potent concentration of premium ingredients, superior shine, and long-lasting protection. Premium coatings are formulated to cure harder, resist corrosion better, and withstand higher temperatures. 

Application Process

The surface preparation process should be much more thorough in a reputable detailing shop than in a home garage. A qualified installer will meticulously address any unevenness in your car’s surface before applying the coating, recognizing that the high gloss of ceramic can turn small imperfections into eyesores in the wrong light. 

A professional detailer may also recommend paint correction prior to a ceramic coating installation to offer the strongest possible bond and the most attractive mirror-like shine. 

Benefits of Professional Ceramic Brands

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, professional-grade ceramic can be expected to outlast commercial brands by several years. This means better protection from the elements, easier washing, and a higher resale value for drivers on the search for their next ride. 

Though a professional ceramic coating brand may come at an increased upfront cost, many drivers find that they get their investment back in the form of lasting protection and eye-catching shine.