What is a Ceramic Coating?
In the past, car owners relied on paste wax to add shine and provide some level of protection against the elements. While wax offered a temporary barrier against rain, dirt, and bird droppings, it required frequent reapplication and lacked durability. Today, thanks to advancements in technology, ceramic coatings have become the superior choice for long-lasting protection and enhanced appearance.
Unlike traditional wax, a ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that chemically bonds with your vehicle’s surface, creating a durable, hydrophobic layer. This means water, dirt, and contaminants have a much harder time sticking to your paint, making maintenance easier and keeping your vehicle looking cleaner for longer.
Ceramic coatings also provide resistance against oxidation, chemical stains, and UV damage, preventing paint from fading over time. Additionally, the slick, glossy finish enhances the depth and clarity of your vehicle’s paint, giving it a showroom-quality shine.
At Luxe Detailing, we specialize in professional ceramic coating applications that provide lasting protection and superior aesthetics. Whether you’re looking for an extra layer of defense or want to maintain your vehicle’s flawless appearance, our coatings offer unmatched durability and performance.
Your Go-To Ceramic Coating Experts in Fort Wayne
Getting your vehicle ceramic coated is one of the best ways to enhance its shine and protect the paint for years to come. However, proper preparation and application are crucial—otherwise, you won’t get the results you were expecting, and worse, you could end up with new issues to fix.
There are plenty of spray-on ceramic products available in stores that claim to offer long-lasting protection, but they don’t provide the durability or performance of a true ceramic coating. While they may add some shine and temporary protection, they don’t offer the same level of resilience or longevity—certainly not something worth paying hundreds of dollars for.
Proper paint preparation is key to ensuring the coating bonds effectively. At Luxe Detailing, we take the necessary steps to wash, clay, and polish your vehicle’s paint before applying a ceramic coating. This process ensures the coating adheres properly and delivers maximum durability, gloss, and protection.
The time and effort required depend on the condition of your vehicle and the results you want to achieve. If your paint is in great shape, a light polish may be all that’s needed, allowing us to complete the job within a day. However, if your paint is covered in swirls and imperfections, a more intensive paint correction process may be required, which could take two to three days.
Is polishing your paint before applying a ceramic coating necessary? Technically, no—you could apply a coating over swirled paint. But without proper correction, you won’t fully experience the benefits of a ceramic coating. In cases where paint correction isn’t an option, a high-quality paint sealant might be a better alternative.
At Luxe Detailing, we ensure that every vehicle we coat receives the highest level of care, so you get the best protection and shine possible.
Ceramic Coating Application is a Precise and Tedious Process
A ceramic coating isn’t like a wax or sealant that you simply apply, let sit for a few minutes, and then buff off. The application process requires precision, patience, and expertise to ensure the best results. One of the most critical aspects of applying a coating is knowing when it has “set” on the paint—this varies based on the brand, weather conditions, and even the temperature of the surface being coated.
There’s no universal timer that says, “wipe off after 30 seconds.” Instead, the coating must be visually inspected under proper lighting to determine the exact moment it’s ready to be leveled. Wiping it off too early may prevent the coating from bonding properly, compromising its durability. Waiting too long makes the removal process difficult and can lead to uneven coverage.
One common issue we see with improperly applied coatings is the formation of “high spots.” These appear as smeared or hazy patches on the paint where excess coating has dried without being fully buffed off. If caught early, high spots can be corrected with a simple buffing. However, if the coating has fully cured, the only way to fix it is by polishing the affected areas—sometimes requiring a full reapplication of the coating.
This is what sets ceramic coatings apart from traditional waxes and sealants. They form a semi-permanent layer of protection that must be applied correctly to achieve the full benefits. At Luxe Detailing, we take the time and care necessary to ensure every coating is flawlessly applied, so you get the highest level of protection, durability, and shine for your vehicle.
Ceramic Coating Benefits
Many coating companies make bold claims about their products, and while there is some truth to these assertions, we prefer to provide a realistic overview of what a ceramic coating can truly offer.
Here are the actual benefits you can expect from a ceramic coating:
✅ Long-lasting Protection: Enjoy a durable layer of protection that can last between 1 to 7 years, keeping your vehicle safe from various environmental factors.
✅ Single Application: Unlike other protection methods that require frequent reapplication every few months, a ceramic coating is a one-time application that offers lasting results.
✅ Enhanced Gloss: Experience a significant increase in gloss compared to traditional protection options like wax or sealant, giving your vehicle a stunning, showroom-quality finish.
✅ Hydrophobic Properties: Benefit from unmatched hydrophobic capabilities that help keep your car cleaner for longer and make washing it a breeze.
✅ Versatile Application: Our ceramic coating can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including paint, glass, wheels, vinyl film, and paint protection film, ensuring comprehensive protection for your entire vehicle.
Before we apply the coating, it’s essential to properly prep and correct your vehicle with one of our paint correction services. Skipping this step can prevent you from enjoying all the benefits that a ceramic coating has to offer.
Ceramic Coating Common Myths
Ceramic coatings offer long-lasting and durable protection, but it’s crucial to understand their limitations. Many customers overestimate the protective qualities of coatings, leading to disappointment when they notice swirls or etchings in their paintwork. Here are some common myths about ceramic coatings:
Myth: The coating will make your paint scratch-proof.
While many coatings claim to be scratch-resistant, it’s essential to clarify what that means. When we say a coating can resist light scratches, we’re referring to very light scratches that might occur from using a high-quality towel to wipe off a spray wax. However, it’s not designed to prevent rock chips or other significant impacts. For example, dragging an old, dirty wash mitt or even your clothing across the paint can cause scratches. So yes, it can help resist swirls, but only to a minimal extent.
Myth: Coatings will protect your paint from rock chips.
The only effective way to prevent paint damage from rock chips or other debris is through paint protection film (PPF). No matter how many layers of ceramic coating you apply, it cannot stop the impact of a rock hitting your vehicle. While a ceramic coating is excellent for preventing water, dirt, and road grime from sticking to your paint, it won’t safeguard against scuff marks, rock chips, or scratches. If you seek the ultimate protection for your paint, PPF is the best option.
Myth: You don’t have to wash your car anymore after it gets coated.
While a ceramic coating significantly simplifies vehicle maintenance, you still need to wash your car regularly—ideally on a monthly basis. Just like anything else, proper maintenance is essential for the longevity of the coating. Relying solely on a tunnel wash can lead to swirl marks due to harsh bristles and chemicals that can deteriorate the coating. When washing your vehicle, use high-quality wash mitts, drying towels, and cleaners designed to cleanse and enhance your coating. This attention to maintenance can be the difference between a coating lasting two years versus four years.
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