How To Apply Ceramic Coating On The Car

Hey, what’s up, guys. Welcome to ceramices.com On today’s show I’m going to talk about how to apply a ceramic coating on a car. So, it’s all the craze lately in the car detailing world. So, I’m gonna tell you what they are, what they do more importantly, how to properly use them and apply them.

I’m going to give you some tips and tricks to make your experience super simple and when we’re done you’ll learn everything you need to know about ceramic coatings. So if you read car detailing content you’ve probably seen guys use products like these, they come in a little bottle typically so these are ceramic wax. 

They also call them nano coatings or glass coatings. Because essentially inside they’re the main active ingredient silica dioxide or sio2 and essentially it adds a layer of glass into car’s paint.

So for this content, I’m going to be detailing my own BMW 435i X drive Gran coup an m sport edition. To do so, I’ll be using the consumer-grade car pro C quarts UK edition ceramic coating.

All right so you’ll see I’ll keep it super simple and you guys will be able to do the same in your own homes. So let’s go ahead and start the coat. Read more, Meguiars ceramic wax review.

What is ceramic coating?

Some people also call them glass coatings or nano-coatings. But they’re all essentially the same because they contain the same active molecule which is silica dioxide or sio2.

So what silica dioxide is, is essentially it brings a layer of glass on top of your car’s paint to protect it. The main advantages of using ceramic coatings are extreme durability. Related post, How To Brake In Ceramic Brake Pads.

How long does ceramic coating last?

Typically, the consumer-level products last anywhere from a year to two years, and then professional-level products last upwards of two years up to six or seven years.

The benefit of ceramic coating

They add extreme gloss to your car’s paint. They also have crazy hydrophobic properties. It means that water is going to bead and a sheet of paint as well.

They have UV protection built-in and also they have what we call self-cleaning properties. So, when it’s raining and you’re rolling on it helps lift dirt off the surface and repel it.

When we think about paint protection, we typically think about V2 classics. Which are carnauba LAX’s which are organic products coming from plants in Brazil. They last anywhere from two to three months. The paint sealants are synthetic paint protection.

Those last anywhere from five to six months. So, chemists came up with a new form of paint protection about a decade ago in Japan and South Korea. They invented this type of ceramic coating which essentially adds a layer or glass coat on top of your clear coat. That is extremely glossy and extremely durable.

Start coating the car step by step

A lot of people might be scared about the word ceramic coating, but honestly, if you follow my tips and tricks, you’ll be able to get the consumer-level products and do the same thing to your car and you’ll love the effect.

By the way guys, I’ll drop some links below to all the products I talk about today. I’ll also give you my recommendation and suggestions about which ceramic coatings you can buy that’ll be easy to apply, easy to use and that’ll give you break results.

Okay so, come with me and I’ll show you every single step that’s needed to apply a ceramic coating on your car’s paint.

Tools and materials needed

Step 1: Wash the car

At first, I’m going to start by ringing the paint thoroughly using a pressure washer. Next up I move to the pre-wash stage using a foam cannon and a snow foam. Before I wash the paint, I usually start by cleaning the wheels, these are the dirtiest parts of the vehicle.

To do so I use a third separate bucket that’s dedicated to wheel cleaning. All right so, I’m now going to wash the paint using the safe wash technique which consists of the two bucket method.

One bucket contains just the rinse water to rinse the mitt off, and the second bucket is the washing solution. Always start with the top portion of the car and work your way to the lower portions as these are the dirtiest parts of the vehicle.

Step 2: Chemical decontamination

Typically, in the chemical decontamination stages, I will use a tar remover and an iron filings remover. These products are usually spray-on clear and they change color when they react. Let it low for four to five minutes and rains it off.

Step 3: Clay bar

The second decontamination stage is the manual demonstration of the paint using a clay bar and clay bar lubricant. To do so, you spray some clay bar lubricant on the surface and you rub the clay bar up and down, then left and right. Do it very gently, no need to apply a lot of pressure. This step will help pick up any remaining contaminants that are embedded in the clear coat.

Step 4: Polishing the paint

Before you apply a ceramic coating to your vehicle you got to make sure that your paint is as perfect as possible because these are semi-permanent coatings. They seal any defects that are left on the surface. So, you’re going to typically compound your paint using a compound and dual action polisher.

If you have deep scratches and swirl marks. If it is like my BMW you only have some light swirl marks well you can use a finishing polish. This way you’ll remove any remaining scratches and swirls and also give the paint a nice gloss.

Step 5: IPA wipe

After the polishing stages, you need to make sure to spray an isopropyl alcohol mix on the surface and wipe it with a microfiber cloth to remove any residual polishing oils. This will ensure proper bonding of the ceramic coating.

Step 6: Ceramic coating application

In a typical ceramic coating box, you get a bunch of different products. You get a silica spray that contains silica dioxide, you get the ceramic coating itself, you get a foam applicator block, and you get some microsuede applicator cloth. Then, you take your phone lock you wrap your microsuede applicator around it. Make sure to take your ceramic coating bottle and shake it very well. Then, you’ll open it and pour enough and then you’ll open it and pour enough content to make a line on your micro suede.

You’re going to apply the ceramic coating in a crosshatch pattern meaning up to down and left to right movements and manufacturers recommend that you work in small sections. Typically, in two by two sections. As I said work the product in small sections and don’t let it dry for too long. Typically after 20 to 30 seconds, the product will flash so it’s ready to be removed using a high-quality microfiber cloth.

I recommend using a low pile of 300 to 360 GSM cloth. It makes removal a lot easier. When you’re going to be done buffing the car make during to throw away the microfiber towel as the silica dioxide will dry up and potentially scratch. Mar the paint, if used again.

Final wipe down with silica spray sealant

Once you’ve removed the ceramic coating you wait 30 minutes to an hour then you’re going to spray on some spray silica.

The spray silica will prevent any water spots from happening in the next week as the product is curing on the paint and also it would add more gloss and hydrophobic to your ceramic coating.

When you’ve completed all the steps, you have to make sure to let the product here on the paint for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours without any contact with water. Ideally, you want to leave a part in a garage.

What is 9H ceramic coating?

The 9H is a ceramic coating that forms a permanent bond to the paintwork and will not wash away or break down. The 9H ceramic coating can only be removed by abrasion making it a highly durable protective ceramic coating to protect your paintwork from damaging contaminants. The 9H ceramic coating has enabled it to be multi-layered.

Benefits of 9H ceramic coating

The ceramic coating provides the best protection blocking damage from UV rays and other harmful conditions. Ceramic 9H coating benefits are below.

• UV protection
• Self-cleaning
• Durability
• Repels dirt
• Surface slickness
• High gloss
• Superior hydrophobic water repellency properties

How to apply 9H ceramic coating

Step 1: Raise the car surface paint and wash

Rain the car surface, paint, and dirt by using a pressure washer. Wash the car properly. You can use a safe wash method with two bucket solutions, one bucket to wash the car and another bucket to rain the car surface. Always wash the top of the vehicle to the bottom as lower panels often have the most dirt.

Step 2: Apply foam to the car

You can apply the foam to the car surface. It will provide perfect cleaning. Take a foam cannon and start from the bottom of the car and slowly move to the top. Then, wash again the car body by using a hose.

Step 3: Chemical decontamination

In this step, you need an iron fillings remover and tar remover. Both of them come in a spray bottle. You need to spray them on the car body and wait for a few minutes.

After some time, they will change their color while decontaminating the paint, so you need to sit back. Let them work properly and rains them afterward.

Step 4: Re-decontamination

After chemical decontaminating, your car surface is left with excess paint, residue, and scratches. That’s why you need a clay bar and clay lubricant for this step. Apply the clay lubricant to the car surface then, gently rub the clay bar. Ensure that, you rub both vertical and horizontally.

Step 4: Final polishing car surface

This is the final step before applying a ceramic coat to the car. Spray isopropyl alcohol on the car surface. It will help to no residue from polishing remains on your car.

Step 5: Applying a ceramic coat

Take a foam block and warp the micro-suede applicator. Shake the ceramic coating bottle as well. Take the micro-suede applicator on your hand, then make a line of the 9H ceramic coating on it. Select an area to work on.

Apply the ceramic coatings left to right and up to down. Do not let it too long. After 20 to 30 seconds the product will flash and it will be ready to remove with a microfiber cloth. I recommend you to use low pile 300 to 360 GSM microfiber cloth. The silica dioxide will dry up and Mar the paint if it is used again. Allow the 9H ceramic coating to be on the paint for 12 to 24 hours without any contact with water. Leave the car parked in a quiet garage.

Final results

Well, so those results were incredible. You saw just how glossy the paint was and also you were able to see the hydrophobic effect. So how much of the water beads repel, and sheets of the car’s paint. All right, summarize all the tips and tricks for you guys to have a super positive experience at home when applying a ceramic coating.