Paint Ceramic Products Longevity Guide
- Dave
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
There is a huge selection of ceramic infused products on the market designed to provide both a high gloss finish and to protect your paint from chemical and/or UV damage. These products have gained immense popularity among car enthusiasts and everyday vehicle owners alike due to their advanced technology and long-lasting benefits.
In addition to providing a stunning, high gloss finish that makes the paint look vibrant and new, these ceramic infused products are specifically formulated to withstand harsh conditions. They effectively repel water, dirt, and grime, making it easier to clean the vehicle and maintain its aesthetic appeal over time.
Factors that Determine Longevity of Ceramic Infused Products
The main determining factor in the lifespan of a ceramic product is how much Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂) the product contains. (a ceramic coating has a lot more SiO₂ than a ceramic soap does). However there are also many other factors that determine how long your ceramic based product will last...
Washing Technique Regardless of whether or not you have a ceramic product on your paint friction is the enemy. Always use proper wash techniques and avoid brushed automated car washes that create a lot of friction on the surface.
Environmental Factors Daily drivers exposed to corrosive elements like road salt or industrial fallout should expect a decrease in their products life (specially ceramic waxes) Conversely, vehicles kept in garages and driven sparingly face fewer environmental challenges and maintain their ceramic product longer
Preparation The cleaner your paint is before applying your ceramic product the better it will bond to the paint. Best practices is to both clay bar and use a panel prep spray (critical steps for a coating) before applying your ceramic wax/coating.
Layering If you apply a ceramic coating or wax and then use a ceramic infused detail spray and/or wash soap you are adding a sacrificial layer of SiO₂ on top of your base product which prolong the base coat's life.
Coating Maintenance: If you do a regular 6 months maintenance which entails clay bar the coating surface and then applying a ceramic wax you will will go a long way in prolonging the life of your coating.
The following is a general guide to the durability of various types of ceramic products.
Ceramic Coatings
3D Ceramic 2 years
Gliss 2.0 Up to 1 year as a top coat, 6-9 months as a standalone coating
Lite 2.0 2 years
UK 2 to 3 years
SiC 2 years
DQuartz Go 3 to 5 years
Skin (PPF & Wrap) 18 months to 2 years
DLight (PPF) 3 years
EXO 3 to 5 years as a top coat to CSL, 18 to 24 months as a standalone product
CSL 3 to 5 years
C1 3 to 5 years
Halo (Wrap & PPF) 2 years
Bike: 2 years
Gyeon Booster 12 months as a topcoat
Gyeon One EVO 2 years
Gyeon Pure EVO 3 years
Gyeon Mohs EVO 4 years
Gyeon Syncro EVO 5 years
Gyeon PPF 2 years
Gyeon Matte 2 years
P2 3 years
P1 5 years
Spray On Ceramic Coatings
Spray on ceramics fall in between a full blown coating and a spray on wax. They come in a spray bottle and are applied similar to a ceramic wax, but tend to have more SiO₂ than a ceramic wax, providing more durability.
Gyeon Cancoat EVO 1 year
McLaren Dura Coating 1 year
Meguiar's Ultimate Ceramic Coating 1 year
Ceramic Paste and Liquid Waxes
Ceramic paste & liquid waxes have more SiO₂ than a spray-on wax giving them more durability than a ceramic spray wax. They are applied using a standard wax application pad as opposed to spraying on the surface
Griot's Garage Ceramic Liquid Wax 18 months
McLaren Ceramic Paste Wax 12 months
Ceramic Spray Waxes
Ceramic Spray Waxes will have a longevity of 6 to 9 months. There is a huge selection from name brand companies available in this category. Some of the most popular are...
CarPro Reload 2.0
Collinite Beadcoat
Griot's Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax
Gtechniq C2
Gyeon Cure Redefined
McLaren Hydro Seal
Meguiar's Ceramic Wax
Mothers Ceramic Spray Wax
Sonax Ceramic Spray Coating
Car Wash Ceramics
Car wash ceramics are products that are sprayed onto the surface after washing your car while it is still wet. You mist the product on the wet car then re-rinse & dry. These types of ceramic products typically have a lifespan of 3 months. 2 of the more popular products in this category are...
Gtechniq Easy Coat
Gyeon Wetcoat
Gyeon Wetcoat Essence (concentrated version of Wetcoat)
Note: Many of the ceramic waxes listed above can also be used in this fashion but their durability will be approx. 1/2 of what is obtained vs being applied to a dry surface.
Ceramic Detail Sprays
Detail Sprays are a simple spray-on, wipe off product that will enhance the vehicle's shine either between car washes or after a car wash to give their vehicle a "gloss boost". Many enthusiasts will also use a detail spray as a drying aid (spray on the car before drying to help dissipate water). Although they can be used on non-coated cars, ceramic detailers are most commonly used by consumers who already have a ceramic product on their vehicle to maintain that "freshly coated" look. Ceramic Detail sprays typically have a longevity of 3 to 5 weeks
Some of the more popular products on the market are...
CarPro Elixir
CarPro Release (this product is designed as a short term protection if you have just coated your vehicle but are forced to drive it in inclement weather before the coating is cured)
Collinite Slickr
Griot's Garage Ceramic Speed Shine
Gyeon Ceramic Detailer
Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Detailer
Sonax Ultra Slick Ceramic Detailer
Ceramic Car Wash Soaps
Similar to ceramic detailer's, ceramic infused car wash soaps can be used whether or not you already have a ceramic product on your vehicle, however they are most commonly used by users who already have some type of ceramic coating or wax. Ceramic wash soaps add a small layer of SiO₂ every time you wash your car, both enhancing the gloss and adding extra protection on top of your coating. Ceramic wash soaps have a durability of approx. 2 weeks
Some of the best ceramic washes on the market are...
CarPro Hydr02 Wash and Coat
Griot's Garage Ceramic Wash & Coat
Gtechniq Ceramic G Wash
Gyeon Bathe +
Koch Chemie Ces
McLaren Ceramic Wash
Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax
Mothers Ceramic Wash & Wax
There you have it... Your complete paint ceramics longevity guide. Remember its a great idea to layer your ceramic products! Every time you use a ceramic infused product on top of another you are adding a sacrificial layer of SiO₂ on top of your base coat that will prolong the life of your coating or wax!
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