What Is A Ceramic Coating?
To gain a better understanding of ceramic coatings, it's helpful to first examine the most common paint-protection products available in the market. Wax is an organic substance that comes in different forms, ranging from traditional paste to quick-and-easy sprays. For decades, "waxing" a car has been synonymous with keeping it looking shiny and new
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Unfortunately, wax is not very durable and hence must be applied several times a year. Sealants, on the other hand, are synthetic and designed to last for several months. They are easy to apply, but generally do not offer the same deep shine that a quality wax provides.
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However, both wax and sealants are outperformed by a ceramic coating. This silica-based liquid polymer is applied by hand and hardens to create a protective layer that can be effective for several years if properly maintained.
Your Go-To Ceramic Coating Experts in Cottonwood
Getting your car ceramic coated is one of the best ways to bring out the shine and protect the paint for many years. However, if not done properly, you won’t get the results you were expecting. And worse, you end up with more problems you have to solve.
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There’s a lot of spray on ceramic coating products you can buy at a store that make big claims, but are not true ceramic coatings. They’ll add shine and protection to your paint, but it’s not something you should pay hundreds of dollars for.
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On top of that, you also have to properly prepare the paint to achieve maximum results.
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At Lavista, before we apply a coating, your car goes through a detailed process by washing, claying, and polishing the paint to make sure the coating does it’s job.
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Depending on the condition of your vehicle and the results you’d like to achieve, this time and effort will greatly vary. If your paint is already in great condition, it may only require a light polish and be done within a day. If your paint is heavily swirled and requires more extensive work, then it can take two to three days to complete.
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Is polishing your paint necessary for a ceramic coating? Technically, no, you don’t. You can apply a coating to swirled paint, but at that point, you’re simply not getting all the benefits of the coating. It’d be ideal to get a sealant applied to your car.
Applying a Coating is a Tedious Process
A coating isn’t like a wax or sealant where you just apply it, wait a few minutes, and then buff off. Applying a coating is a more tedious process because you have to know when the coating “sets” on the paint to remove it.
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Each coating, depending on the brand and weather, has a “set” point on when to remove it. It’s not an exact time, like 30 seconds and then wipe off. You have to know by looking at the coating when it’s the right time to remove it.
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So you have to work in section with multiple lights to see where you’re working. If you buff off too early, you’re potentially not allowing the coating to fully set and the longevity moving forward may be compromised.
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And if you wait too long, removing the coating becomes very difficult. Additionally, a problem that we see all the time with ceramic coated vehicles are what we call “high”-spots”.
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This is an area of a panel that you’ve coated but didn’t fully buff off the paint and can see where the coating dried. It looks like a smear was left on the paint.
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If it’s caught soon enough, you can simply buff it off. But if days go by and the coating cures, the only way to remove it is by polishing the paint again.
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This is difference between a coating and a wax or sealant. It’s a semi-permanent layer of protection. You need to properly apply the coating to get the benefits of it. And if done wrong, and you have high spots all over the vehicle, you’d need to polish the entire car again.
Is a Ceramic Coating Right For You?
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A ceramic coating is a fantastic option for gloss and protection, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. ​
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For instance, if you have a work truck that goes to the job site and is always getting brushed up by branches, boxes, and people, a coating might not be the best option since the truck is heavily used.
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But you can also have a work truck that you travel across the country in and you want to better protect it from the dirt, rain, and so on.. so a coating would be ideal for you.
The Benefits of a Ceramic Coating
There are a lot of coating companies that make some pretty big claims of what it can do. Although there’s some truth to the claims, I don’t like to oversell the capabilities of it.
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So here are some benefits you actually get with a coating:
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Produces a durable layer of protection that lasts 5 to 7 years
You only need to apply it once (and not every 3 months like other forms of protection)
Adds a ton of gloss compared to other forms of protection like wax or sealant
Provides unmatched hydrophobic properties that keeps your car cleaner and makes it easier to wash
It can be installed on paint, glass, wheels, vinyl film, and paint protection film
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Before the coating is installed, your vehicle must first be properly prepped and corrected with one of our paint correction services. If you apply the coating without the proper prep work, you’re not able to get all the benefits from the coating.
Common Myths About Ceramic Coatings
Coatings are long-lasting and durable, but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with your vehicle and think the coating will protect it.
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It has its limitations and it’s important to understand them. Too many times we see customers overthink the protection aspect of the coating and are then disappointed when they see swirls or etchings in the paintwork. Here’s some common myths about coatings:
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Myth: The coating will make your paint scratch-proof.
A lot of coatings claim they are scratch-resistant, which they are, but not to the degree you think. When we say the coating will resist light scratches, we genuinely mean very light scratches from using a quality towel that you’re wiping off a spray wax. It’s not meant to mean it can prevent rock chips or other kind of impacts.
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For instance, if you drag an old dirty wash mitt across the paint, you will scratch the paint. If you drag your pants or shorts across the paint, you will scratch it. So yes, technically, it can resist swirls, but to the smallest degree.
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Myth: You don’t have to wash your car anymore after it gets coated
A ceramic coating makes it much easier to maintain your vehicle, but you still need to wash it on a monthly basis. Like most things, in order for the coating to last, it needs proper maintenance.
If you just run it through a tunnel wash, the harsh bristles will swirl up your paint and the chemicals they use will deteriorate the coating. Instead, when you wash the vehicle, you’d want to use quality wash mitts, drying towels, and cleaners that will cleanse and enhance your coating. This is the difference between your coating lasting two years of five years.
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Ceramic Coating Pricing
Price is based on the size of vehicle. General prices are shown below. Please contact us for a more accurate quote.
5-year Ceramic Coating
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Small: $500
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Medium: $600
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Large: $750
7-Year Ceramic Coating
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Small: $700
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Medium: $800
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Large: $950
FAQs of Ceramic Coating
Can I install Ceramic Coating Myself?
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Applying a ceramic coating to your vehicle is a relatively simple process, but the real challenge lies in performing the paint correction process. It is essential to have the right skills and knowledge to polish your car properly.
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Using the wrong pads or compounds can cause significant damage to the paintwork, resulting in holograms or buffer trails that will prevent you from achieving a smooth finish. Therefore, it is crucial to be careful and use the right tools to ensure that your vehicle looks flawless.
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Professional installation of a ceramic coating is crucial to enjoy its benefits. High spots, caused by not wiping off the coating after it dries, can ruin the finish. A professional installer can ensure a flawless finish.
Is Ceramic Coating Worth it?
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Ceramic coating is an investment worth every penny. It provides excellent protection against environmental damage and corrosion, ensuring the integrity of your vehicle's paint for a long time. Investing in ceramic coating services is a good practice to ensure that your vehicle maintains its glossy appearance, similar to when it was brand new.
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Moreover, it makes maintaining your vehicle ten times easier than a non-coating vehicle, and it can significantly increase its resale value. In short, ceramic coating is a great way to protect your vehicle and keep it looking like new for years to come.
Should I Ceramic Coat A New Car?
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Yes, it is recommended to have your car coated right after purchase. This can save you both time and money in the long run as you will require less paint correction or prep work.
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Additionally, the ceramic coating provides extra protection to your car's exterior and helps maintain its brand new appearance with minimal maintenance.
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This is achieved by making your vehicle easier to clean and more resilient to environmental damage.
Can I get only the Ceramic Coating With No Paint Correction?
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It is crucial to perform a paint correction before applying a ceramic coating on a vehicle. This process involves one or multiple polishing steps to eliminate any swirls or webbing. The paint will be leveled to the depth of the scratch or swirl before the ceramic coating is applied.
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Neglecting this step will magnify any defects in the paintwork tenfold by the ceramic coating. To ensure the best results, the vehicle's paintwork must be thoroughly prepped before coating. Without proper preparation, the coating may bond to an unclean surface, leading to a shorter lifespan and a suboptimal outcome.
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