Expert Tips: How to Apply Ceramic Coating on Your Car
Don’t make the decision to apply a ceramic coating on your car lightly. In certain cases, these coating products can cause more paint issues than you’re ready to handle. However, if this paint protection step is suitable for your vehicle, you don’t even need to visit a car shop—you can DIY this thing and save yourself some money and time. If you want to see whether this process is for you and how you can pull it off yourself, here are a few tips on applying a ceramic coating on your car.
Study your paint
Before you go and invest in any DIY ceramic coating products, it’s best to take a good look at your car paint. The most important thing to know about ceramic coating is that it doesn’t fix the existing paint. What it actually does is provide a thin yet strong layer of ‘glass’ that protects the existing paint and the clear coating on top of it. So if your paint job might need some loving, it’s best to do so before you decide to protect it. You can take your car to a professional for a quick paint correction session or a total repaint. Once your paint looks presentable, you can start thinking about the ceramic coating.
Are you ready to prep your car?
When professionally-coating your car, all you have to do is drive to the location, let the experts take over your vehicle and come back to pick up a finished product. However, when you’re choosing to try your hand at DIY, you’ll need to go through a more complicated process. Firstly, you’ll need to give your car a thorough washing with soap and water (using the two-bucket method) making sure all dirt and imperfections are gone so the coating can stick properly. Next, dry the car by hand and let it reach a normal temperature safely tucked away in a closed and shady spot. Your car’s exterior temperature should be between 50-70 degrees F (10-20 degrees C) or the coating won’t apply and cure.
Choose the right coating
There are various coating options you can choose from the market, but let’s first make a choice between professional-grade and DIY ceramic coating. The first type of products actually infuses with the clear coating of your existing paint by the end of the curing process and it can provide several-years-long protection. However, this process requires an industrial-strength solution that can only be applied by certified installation professionals (the formula has a very narrow margin of error). Professional ceramic coating also has a hefty price tag and can cost you anywhere from $500 to $4,000 depending on the product, warranty and other factors.
If you choose to take a more light-hearted route, you can always perform your ceramic coating process at home. Home-use coatings have a lower level of silica dioxide (SiO2) which means they dry slower and allow you to correct your mistakes. There are many protection coating products on the market, but you can always check reviews and pick the best diy ceramic coating for your needs and your pocket. Pick the best product according to reviews and you’ll most likely make the right decision and end up with a quality product in your hands.
Don’t neglect safety
Washing and coating your car can be messy, especially when hitting surfaces you’ve never even cleaned thoroughly before (headlights and grille) so you can’t really do it in your jeans and shirt without completely ruining it. Also, you’re working with chemicals, so it’s always smart to stay protected. Start by putting on a long-sleeve shirt and durable pants. Nitrile gloves will keep your hands protected while a mask or a ventilator will keep you safe from harmful fumes.
Apply the ceramic coat
Now it’s time to apply your ceramic coating. Read your kit’s instructions, dub the applicator cloth with the compound and go area by area until you cover the entire vehicle. Remember that the coating hardens pretty fast, so stock up on a lot of cloth for application. Once a section is complete, it will need 1-5 minutes to set to get that “flashing” effect you’re looking for. Wipe the cured area with a microfiber towel. Once the entire car is done, let it sit for 24 hours without moving and you’re done!
Ceramic coating application is not rocket science. All you need is a good kit, a clean car and some patience, and you’ll pull it off perfectly. Expect to have that long-lasting shine and protection on your car for years!