The 10 Best Ceramic Coatings For Cars

The best ceramic coating for cars will protect your paint job and keep it looking fresh and new for a very long time. 

Time and the environment often see to it that your slick-looking paint job loses its luster, making your car look duller than you’d probably like. If your car wax or paint sealant just isn’t getting the job done, what you need is a ceramic coating.

Ceramic coating is simply the best detailing product for protecting car paint and enhancing its appearance. Unlike the alternatives, it forms a strong chemical bond with surfaces to create a hard, nearly impenetrable layer of protection that can last an incredibly long time.

Not only do we review the best ceramic car coating products on the market, but we also provide a detailed buying guide to help you find the right one for your ride. Here is a quick rundown of our top picks.

Best Ceramic Coating Reviews

As you go through each product review, bear in mind that silicon dioxide (SiO2) and, in some formulas, titanium dioxide (TiO2) are the two primary ingredients responsible for the hardness level and protective properties typically associated with ceramic coatings. 

All but one of our top picks are DIY ceramic coatings that blend SiO2 and sometimes TiO2 with polymers and other liquid ingredients. The more SiO2 and/or TiO2 a product contains, the stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting it usually is.

1. Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit

As our number one pick, the Color N Drive Car Ceramic uses 9H nanotechnology to preserve the glossy shiny finish of your car’s paintwork and ensure it is protected from water, chemicals, bird droppings, minor scratches, UV rays, and other environmental hazards for up to five years.

9H refers to the Moh scale of mineral hardness and represents the highest level of hardness for a ceramic coating. The harder the coating, the better protection it provides and the longer it lasts.

Color N Drive’s DIY ceramic coating is highly hydrophobic, meaning it has water-repelling properties. While not entirely self-cleaning, it will cause rain, mud, dust, and other substances that tend to stick to a vehicle’s surface to slide off your car.

The kit gives you everything you need to get the job done, particularly two bottles of the solution (enough to oat four cars), a pair of coated sponges, two microfiber towels, and gloves. It’s easy to apply, and a single coat can last for five years if properly maintained.

A downside is that it provides a low level of protection against stop chips. 

Bottom Line

Color N Drive’s Car Ceramic Coating Kit provides exceptional protection and shine for a car’s paintwork and comes with everything you need for easy and proper application. CHECK LATEST PRICE

2. CarPro Cquartz 50 ml Kit

The CarPro Cquartz 50 ml Kit is a bit pricey, but it’s easily a contender for the best ceramic coating for cars and one of the closest to genuine nano ceramic coating on our list. 

This ceramic coating uses a potent blend of SiO2 (AKA quartz) and Tio2 to provide your paint with extreme protection and gloss. The super hard hydrophobic layer it creates protects against acid rain, tar, bird droppings, corrosive road film, and harmful UV rays for two years or longer.

It is also resistant to chemicals, oxidation, stains, wash-induced marring, and high or low temperatures.

The formula is fast-acting and can be applied fairly easily without any complicated tools, though the prep time the car needs can be a bit long. It’s not the most beginner-friendly product on our list.

The package gets you a 50 ml. bottle of CQuartz, an applicator pad, and five suede microfiber cloths.

Bottom Line

CarPro’s Cquartz Kit offers so much quality that it’s hard to ignore. The glossy, armor-like protection it will provide your car is worth its relatively high price. CHECK LATEST PRICE

3. Mothers CMX Ceramic Spray Coating

Here’s yet another ceramic coating that won’t fail to provide your car’s body with durable, super-hydrophobic protection.

Mothers’ CMX Ceramic Spray Coating uses a powerful blend of SiO2 and TiO2 to deliver a glossier shine and fairly long-lasting protection from the environment. But while it works well as a standalone product, you may find that it works best as a booster for an existing ceramic coating or sealant.

It’s a spray-based ceramic car coating product, meaning application requires less time and effort than typically required by non-spray ceramic coatings. In fact, it is applied in much the same way as spray-on car wax — just spray and wipe off.

The CMX is a very affordable option for those on a tight budget. However, it’s not particularly long-lasting and needs to be reapplied every several months if used as a standalone product.

Also, it may leave behind white beads that, if not dealt with quickly, can be difficult to remove.

Bottom Line

Despite its low price, the Mothers’ CMX Ceramic Spray Coatings offers many of the great qualities of the best ceramic car coatings and is very easy-to-apply. CHECK LATEST PRICE

4. Ethos Ceramic Wax PRO

Ethos’s best ceramic coating for cars is a quick, instant buff formula that provides significantly better protection and glossy shine than any car wax or paint sealant product.

The Ceramic Wax PRO uses polymers infused with patented Teflon resins that were used by NASA to protect the Space Shuttle from weather damage. It works not only on paint but also on windows, fiberglass, stainless steel, and chrome surfaces.

Once applied, the coating cures to shield your car’s paint from the elements thanks in part to its non-stick hydrophobic properties, as well as leave it looking glossier and shinier than before.

Application is straightforward and doesn’t require any experience, and a single coat can last ten times longer than traditional carnauba waxes or polymer sealants. 

As a drawback, the Ethos Ceramic Wax PROS lasts up to a year before needing to be reapplied, which is fairly short for ceramic coating. It can also turn rubber or plastic surfaces white, so be careful not to make contact with them.

Bottom Line

With the Ceramic Wax PRO, you never have to use car wax or sealants again. It offers significantly better protection and shine than either car detailing product in one easy-to-use, instant-buff formula. CHECK LATEST PRICE

5. Nano Bond Ceramic Coating PRO

Nano Bond promises a lot for a ceramic coating kit that’s priced in the budget range: A 9H hardness level, two to three years’ worth of protection, and heat resistance of up to 760 degrees Fahrenheit (404 celsius).

None of this is farfetched when you consider the very high concentration of pure SiO2 (80 percent, to be exact) contained in the formula, the ingredient responsible for most of the miraculous properties of ceramic coatings.

It cures into an incredibly hard coating that protects paint from dirt, acid rain, fading, and corrosion, as well as minor scratches and chips. It’s also superhydrophobic and beads water and other liquidy substances to keep your car cleaner.

Finally, you can expect a high gloss finish that will put any car wax to shame.

The Nano Bond Ceramic Coating PRO comes with a 30 ml bottle of product, a microsuede applicator, a sponge, a microfiber towel, and a pair of gloves. But while it provides everything you need for proper application, a lot of prep work is required and application can be difficult.

Bottom Line

Nano Bond promises a lot with its ceramic coating, and we think it delivers on those promises for the most part. CHECK LATEST PRICE

6. Migliore Strata PRO Ceramic Coating

The Migliore Strata PRO Ceramic Coating is another great option for giving your vehicle an extremely strong, glossy, and low maintenance layer of protection. 

It’s a ceramic coating and car sealant combined in one, providing a tight seal for your paint and shielding it from dirt and debris, chemicals, road salt, bird droppings, UV rays, and other environmental contaminants. 

Most of those potentially damaging substances will not stick to the smooth, hydrophobic surface it creates, and washed-induced marring will be less of an issue. Needless to say, washing your car will be noticeably easier.

Migliore’s best ceramic coating for cars falls near to the premium price range, so those looking for a no-frills option will need to look elsewhere. You can get around 12 months of protection from a single coat if you do your part to routinely maintain it.

Bottom Line

If money isn’t an issue, consider investing in the Migliore Strata PRO Ceramic Coating to give your car the strong and durable, glossy, and low maintenance layer of protection it deserves. CHECK LATEST PRICE

7. Sonax Ceramic Coating

The Sonax Ceramic Coating is a top-shelf product that has been formulated to give your car a high gloss finish and long-lasting protection in everyday driving. It also removes minor scratches and sanded paint defects such as dust inclusions.

The formula integrates diminishing abrasive technology to enable scratch-removal of P2000 grit or finer, sparing you the trouble of having to remove such imperfections in a separate step.

Application is easy even for first-time users of ceramic coating. Everything you need is provided if you buy the kit, and all you have to do is follow the simple, straightforward instructions to get great results.

The Sonax Ceramic Coating has a near-perfect rating on Amazon, so you can bet on its quality and ability to deliver great results. Its 10 to 12-month service life could be a bit longer, though.

Bottom Line

Whether it’s acid rain, road salt, tar, pollution, or the sun’s UV ray, you can rest assured that the Sonax Ceramic Coating will keep your car protected while making it shine and glisten like a new car. CHECK LATEST PRICE

8. Nasiol ZR53 Nano Ceramic Coating

This nano car ceramic coating chemically bonds to all types of car paint on a molecular level to provide incredible, long-lasting protection and a crystal gloss finish.

Safe to apply on car paint, plastic trims, headlights, rims, and other surfaces, the Nasiol ZR53 has all the qualities people normally associate with a quality ceramic coating. It provides a super hard and hydrophobic layer that shields a car’s body from elemental damage, causing water, dust, mud, grime, and other contaminants to slide off.

The deep gloss and shine it delivers is far superior to anything you’ll get from conventional car wax or sealant and renders such car detailing products unnecessary.

All you need is one layer of coat to achieve this incredible protection, durability, and shine, and this coat will last up to three years if properly maintained.

Nasiol claims to have one of the best ceramic coating products on the market, and we can’t help but agree. However, it’s very expensive, and the open-top design of its bottle can cause more product to be dispensed than needed.

Bottom Line

Though on the expensive side, the Nasiol ZR53 Nano Ceramic Coating gives you everything you would expect from a high-quality ceramic car coating. CHECK LATEST PRICE

9. HydroSilex Recharge Ceramic Coating for Cars

This ceramic coating is formulated to work on virtually any type of surface, including paint, rubber, plastic, chrome, and vinyl, providing a deep gloss finish, as well as protection against mother nature and the hazards of everyday driving.

The HydroSilex Recharge Spray uses advanced ceramic technology to bond strongly to those surfaces and creates a tightly-sealed, ultra slick-barrier that causes water and other contaminants to slide off.

It’s an easy-to-use, spray and wipe product that can be applied with little effort. Just spray evenly onto a section of your car after it’s been washed, immediately buff using a microfiber towel, and lightly buff a second time with another microfiber towel.

The Recharge is expected to last 6 to 8 months after being applied and much longer if routinely maintained. 

Some users have had an issue with its spray pattern, which has a narrow coverage that makes it difficult to achieve an even layer and can cause bounceback.

Bottom Line

The HydroSilex Recharge is a universal product that can be used to protect nearly every surface material on your car, including the wheels. CHECK LATEST PRICE

10. Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax

Meguiar’s is one of the most reputable brands in the auto detailing world, and its Hybrid Ceramic Wax delivers good results at a very affordable price. 

This DIY ceramic coating product uses the latest advanced Hybrid Si02 technology to provide your car’s paint and clear coat with an additional layer of protection against common environmental hazards such as dirt, debris, rain, UV rays, road salt, and bird droppings.

It doesn’t cause non-painted trim and rubber gaskets to whiten as some products do, and its extreme water beading action keeps your car cleaner so that washing it is easier and less time-consuming. 

Applying the Hybrid Ceramic Wax is as easy as applying traditional liquid wax. Simply spray it on your car after it’s been thoroughly washed, rinse with water, and dry a clean microfiber towel.

Unfortunately, while a good upgrade over conventional car wax, many users have complained that it doesn’t last very long. 

Bottom Line

The Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax is a fairly effective product from a highly reputable brand. CHECK LATEST PRICE

Ceramic Coating Buying Guide

This comprehensive buying guide contains all the information you need to find the best ceramic coating for cars. Read it in its entirety for the best results. 

What Is Ceramic Coating?

Typically applied by hand to the exterior of a vehicle, a ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that forms a chemical bond with a vehicle’s paint to create a hydrophobic (self-cleaning) layer of protection against the elements and other hazards.

In other words, it helps shield your car’s paint job from damage, keeping it looking fresh and new for a much longer period of time. It doesn’t break down in normal environmental conditions as easily as other paint protection products and can be a permanent or semi-permanent solution. 

Ceramic coating is an alternative to car wax as both are intended to prevent dirt, debris, grime, stain marks, UV rays, and other potentially harmful substances from reaching the paintwork and damaging the clear coat, as well as enhance the gloss and shine of the paint.

Ceramic Coating Vs Car Wax – Which Is Better?

As mentioned previously, both nano ceramic coating and car wax provide an extra layer of protection for a car’s paintwork and enhance its shine, so having one or the other is better than having nothing at all. However, they go about this task differently. 

Ceramic coatings form a strong molecular bond with the paint surface to create a hard and durable shield, while car waxes simply sit on top of the paint’s surface.

This bonding provides ceramic coatings with a much higher level of durability than wax. Not only are they better able to resist extreme temperatures, UV rays, contaminants, and harsh detergents, but they also last significantly longer.

Since car wax acts as a short-lived sacrificial layer, there is no need to apply wax to a ceramic-coated car.

Benefits Of Ceramic Coating For Cars

Here are five big reasons why your car needs a ceramic coating.

1. Superior Protection

Unlike car wax, which is usually soft and provides fleeting protection for car paint, ceramic coating bonds to the paint on the molecular level to achieve a stronger, semi-permanent layer that can better withstand the deleterious effects of the elements, bad terrain, and other harsh conditions.

2. Repel Dirt, Rain, Mud, Grime

A good ceramic coating will do a better job of protecting your car’s exterior than factory paint and even the best car waxes. That’s largely because of their hydrophobic properties, which cause rain and water to bead instead of pool on the surface. 

The smooth, anti-stick surface it creates likewise causes mud, bird droppings, and other potentially damaging substances to slide off without sticking or leaving a stain. 

3. Prevent Sun Damage, Rust, And Oxidation

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s destructive ultraviolet rays usually causes a car’s paint to fade and possibly even crack, making the car look old and worn out before its time. 

Not only are many ceramic coating products formulated to prevent such damage, but they are also designed to inhibit rust, oxidation, and other forms of erosion. 

4. Shiny, Glossy Look

Whereas the average car wax has a warm appearance that dulls when exposed to the sun for prolonged periods, ceramic coatings deliver a high-gloss finish that is less prone to fading.

In effect, not only do you get superior protection for your car’s paint, but you also benefit from the impressive shine and gloss typically associated with car wax. 

5. Long-Lasting, Cost-Effective

The protective properties of car wax last a couple of months at best, requiring you to wax your vehicle more often than you’d probably like. Ceramic coating is a more durable solution that will protect your paintwork for several years after a single application, saving you time, money, and effort.

Types Of Ceramic Coating

There are three main types of ceramic car coatings: Epoxy and Teflon coatings, SiO2 Boost Sprays, and nano ceramic coatings.

Epoxy And Teflon Coatings 

These are the entry-level and most affordable products. Usually spray-based and infused with ceramic-like substances such as epoxy and Teflon (PTFE), they are best considered “faux” ceramic coatings.

PTFE coatings, in particular, are often marketed as authentic ceramic coatings since they deliver the non-stick hydrophobic surface, better heat-resistance, and improved gloss finish typically associated with ceramic coatings. They can also be applied to a variety of surface materials other than dry paint (exterior plastics, windows, chrome, stainless steel, etc.).

The downside of using epoxy and PTFE coatings is that they generally lack the silicon dioxide (SiO2) or titanium dioxide (TiO2) ingredients that make genuine ceramic coatings hard and strong and, therefore, don’t offer the same level of protection and have a much shorter service life.

SiO2 Boost Coatings

SiO2 Boost Sprays are an upgrade over the garden-variety polymer coatings as they are infused with ceramic particles. Think of them as a diluted variant of traditional nano ceramic coatings.

Like PTFE-based coatings, they are primarily designed to enhance the hydrophobic qualities of a car’s paint job. However, their formulation is infused with silicon dioxide and sometimes titanium dioxide, giving them better protective properties and durability.

Most of the ceramic coating products you’ll find on store shelves are actually of the SiO2 boost variety. They generally last around 6 to 12 months after being applied and need to be reapplied periodically to achieve optimal results.

Nano Ceramic Coatings

Sometimes called quartz or glass coating, nano ceramic coatings have all the properties people normally associate with ceramic coatings. They are professional-grade products with nanostructures that are mostly, if not entirely, made out of ceramic material (SiO2, TiO2, etc.).

These coatings, therefore, have the highest hardness rating and offer unprecedented protection against swirl marks and the environment. They are also the longest-lasting ceramic coatings, with some products lasting five years or longer.

The tradeoff for this incredible performance is the price. Nano ceramic coatings are the most expensive type of ceramic coating.

Top Ceramic Coating Brands

There isn’t a single best ceramic coating brand; however, CarPro, Ethos, Nasiol, and Migliore are among the most popular. Their products are widely used by car enthusiasts and detailers in the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere around the world.

CarPro

Founded in 2009, CarPro was the original creator of nanotechnology car detailing products and remains a global leader in the space. Their extensive research and development brought coatings like CQuartz to the market when such products were not well known.

The CarPro Cquartz 50 ml Kit is one of our top recommendations.

Ethos

Ethos Car Care is an American company that prides itself on the high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients used to make its products. Decades of experience has resulted in some of the best ceramic car coating products in the world, including the Ethos Ceramic Wax PRO.

Nasiol

Turkey’s Nasiol was established in 2008 as an R&D company working on nano-spinning techniques and machines. The past decade saw them shift their focus to protective nanocoatings for cars in order to provide more value for customers.

The Nasiol ZR53 Nano Ceramic Coating is one of their most well-known products.

Migliore

Migliore has been providing world-class, American-made car care products since 2008. Originally specializing in carnauba wax, the company now offers 22 unique products and distributes them in 14 countries around the world.

As one of their best products, the Migliore Strata Coating delivers incredible protection and shine.

Features Of The Best Ceramic Coating For Cars

When looking for a quality DIY ceramic coating product for cars, there are four essential criteria you should consider, namely durability, ease of installation, hardness level, and value.

Durability

This is possibly the most important quality of any ceramic coating. Durability refers to how long a coating is expected to protect the car’s body and keep it looking fresh and new.

Many affordable, good-quality products provide cars with two to five years of protection and improved gloss, while some exceptional examples, particularly industrial-grade ceramic coatings, can last over five years if properly applied and maintained.

Ease Of Application

Whether or not you’re a DIY expert, no one wants a product that’s a pain to use. The ceramic coating product should be so easy to apply that you should be able to do it on your own without the aid of a professional, with or without any experience.

Well-formulated and packaged ceramic coatings typically don’t require the use of extra tools or equipment.

Hardness Level

Think of paint hardness as the ability of a ceramic coating to provide protection against the environment, debris, chemicals, scratches, etc., so the harder it is, the better protection it provides the car’s exterior.

When a ceramic coating has a ‘9H’ rating, it essentially has a diamond-level hardness.

Hardness is mostly determined by the concentration of SiO2, so if protection and longevity are top priorities for you, get a coating that has a very high SiO2 percentage.

Price, Value

Price is always a factor when buying anything, and ceramic coatings are no exception. However, it’s usually not wise to choose a product based on price alone.

Quality ceramic car coatings strike a great balance between quality, quantity, and, of course, price. It’s all about getting the best value.

Top Ceramic Coating Myths

Ceramic coatings are one of the best car detailing products for protecting a vehicle’s body and paintwork, but they’re by no means perfect. Some claims about their efficacy stretch the truth a little too much.

We’re going to debunk the most popular ceramic coating myths to correct any misconceptions you might have.

Ceramic Coatings Make A Car Damage-Proof

This is possibly the biggest myth out there. No, applying ceramic coating does not make your car resistant to scratches, rock chips, or fire.

Even though nano ceramic coatings are incredibly hard and strong, they are not soft or pliable enough to absorb impacts that can cause scratches and chips. 

Moreover, while some products provide exceptional protection against heat and the sun’s UV rays, they won’t make your car fire-proof.

Ceramic Coating Fixes Car Paint

Another popular myth about ceramic coating is that it improves or fixes paint imperfections. This is far from the truth.

While the best ceramic car coating products will certainly do a great job of protecting your car’s paintwork and improving its appearance, they won’t correct any pre-existing discoloration, fading, swirl marks, or scratches. 

On the contrary, a ceramic coating will only magnify and accentuate those imperfections, which is why you should always fix any damage to the paint or clear coat before using it. 

You Don’t Need To Wash Ceramic Coated Cars

Not true. Although ceramic coatings will make dirt, debris, and other substances fall off the surface easier and reduce the incidence of water spots due to their exceptional hydrophobic properties, it doesn’t mean you never have to wash your car again.

Giving your car a thorough cleaning every two weeks using a high-quality car wash soap will help remove stubborn substances and make it look even better, not to mention protect the ceramic coating and make it last longer.

Ceramic Coating Lasts Forever

As the old adage goes, nothing lasts forever. While ceramic coatings can keep your car’s paintwork protected for a very long time (over five years, in some instances), they don’t last forever.

In fact, there is no guarantee for how long a particular product will last since the longevity of a car’s paint is affected by multiple variables that ceramic coating manufacturers have little to no control over, variables such as prep-work and installation.

How To Apply Ceramic Coating

After selecting the right DIY coating for your car, you’ll need to look into applying it. If you’re dreading this part, you might be pleasantly surprised by how easy and straightforward the application process is.

Preparation

You’ll need to prepare the body of your car before applying the ceramic coating. This means properly cleaning the car, ensuring its exterior is free from grime, dirt, debris, and contaminants, and polishing.

Step 1. Wash the car using water, a quality car wash soap, and either the two-bucket method or a good pressure washer. The goal is to create a clean canvas on which to work, so be thorough with the washing.

Step 2. Use a clay bar and clay bar lubricant to remove any stubborn debris or contaminants that remain on the surface.

Step 3. In addition to thoroughly cleaning the car, you’ll need to fix any imperfections (discolorations, unevenness, etc.) to the paint or clear coat, as any imperfections will be amplified and magnified by the ceramic coating.

Step 4. Finally, spray and wipe the entire surface of the car with an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) solution and a clean microfiber cloth or towel. This will remove any residual lubricants, oils, waxes, chemicals, or microscopic particles and help ensure the ceramic coating bonds perfectly with the car’s paintwork.

Application

Once the car has been properly cleaned, you can begin the process of applying the ceramic coating.

Tools You’ll Need

• Your choice of the best ceramic coating for cars. A 30ml bottle is usually enough to cover the entire surface of a small car, so you may need two bottles for a mid-size or full-size vehicle.
• Applicator sponge for evenly applying the ceramic counting onto the car’s surface.
• Microfiber applicator cloths to wrap around the sponge. You will be applying the coating directly onto the cloths, not the sponge itself.
• Nitrile gloves to protect your hands from getting dirty.
• Microfiber buffing towel for buffing the ‘flashed’ coating once dried and removing any excess solution.

Applying The Coating

The following is a simple step-by-step guide for applying the ceramic coating after you have gathered all the necessary supplies.

Step 1. Most ceramic coating products work optimally when applied to a perfectly clean and smooth surface that’s between 50-degrees and 70-degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure your car is parked in a shaded area such as a garage and not in direct sunlight.

Step 2. Wrap a microfiber cloth around the application sponge and apply 10-12 drops of the ceramic coating onto it. Add more drops as needed to ensure the applicator remains damp and smooth. 

Step 3. Using the sponge, apply the coating to a small 24×24 inch (60x60cm) section of the car, making sure to distribute it evenly. Wiping in a horizontal pattern and then vertically will help you achieve a smooth and even application.

Step 4. Once the coating is applied to the section, let it sit for 1 to 5 minutes.

Step 5. Remove any residual off the surface. Using a microfiber towel, buff the coated section lightly until the cloudy appearance has been removed.

Repeat the process for each section of the car’s surface, working on one section at a time rather than all at once. After the entire vehicle is coated, wait 1-2 hours and, if you like, apply another layer of coating for even better performance.

Note: Always inspect your work as you go to ensure the coating is applied evenly and that there is no residue. Also, ceramic coatings shouldn’t be exposed to rain until they have cured for 13 to 24 hours, so it’s best to keep your car in a garage overnight.

Tips For Using Ceramic Coating

While ceramic coatings create an exceptionally flat surface that causes water, dirt, dust, tree sap, and many other contaminants to slide off much easier than car wax and other paint protection products, they are not “self-cleaning” like many car owners believe.

Residuals of contaminants can build up over time, blunting their protective and appearance-enhancing properties and rendering them less effective. As such, they should be routinely maintained to deliver optimal performance over their long service life.

Here are several practical tips to follow to ensure you get the best results from your ceramic coating.

• Just because ceramic coatings are hydrophobic and do a good job of repelling dirt, debris, and chemicals doesn’t mean you no longer have to wash your car. Routine washing twice a month is crucial to ensuring the finish retains its protective properties and performs optimally.
• Don’t take your car to an automated car wash. The brushes, wipes, and soaps they use tend to be rough and abrasive and can damage your car’s ceramic coating. Use a gentler cleaning method.
• Always use a pH neutral car wash soap or shampoo. Since the hydrophobic surface created by ceramic coatings results in fewer contaminants sticking to your car, you generally don’t need harsh soaps or clay bars for cleaning.
• After a wash, dry the car using a microfiber towel instead of leaving it in the sun. Even though ceramic coatings reduce the incidence of water spots forming, they are not completely resistant to water spots.
• Make sure the applicator pad, microfiber cloth and towels, wash mitt, buckets, and any other supplies you use throughout the application process are completely clean to avoid cross-contamination with other cleaning or detailing products. 

Ceramic Coating FAQS

We have gathered and answered some of the most popular questions about ceramic car coating so that you leave this guide with a deep understanding of what they truly have to offer. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have.

Why Is Ceramic Coating Good For Cars?

The best ceramic car coating products will protect the exterior of your vehicle from premature deterioration far better and longer than car wax, paint sealant, or any other paint protection product while delivering an impressive color depth and gloss.

They are incredibly durable and create a smooth, hydrophobic surface that provides a high level of resistance against water, dust, dirt, road tar, chemicals, and other contaminants that regularly stick to car paint, not to mention harmful UV rays. This makes cleaning your vehicle easier.

Do I Need To Wash My Ceramic-Coated Car?

Yes. Even though ceramic coatings are hydrophobic and have what many consider ‘self-cleaning’ properties, your car still requires proper and routine washing using a PH-neutral car shampoo to ensure stubborn residual contaminants don’t build up and dull their protective and appearance-enhancing properties.

Properly washing your ceramic coated car twice a month will allow it to shine and glisten like new for years to come.

Do I Need To Wax My Ceramic-Coated Car?

No. Ceramic coating provides all of the benefits of car wax, including a glossy finish, in a much more durable and longer-lasting solution, so it’s pointless to apply wax to a ceramic-coated car.

How Long Does Ceramic Coating Last?

How long your ceramic coating lasts will depend on the type of coating it is, the environment in which you operate and store your vehicle, and how well the coating is applied and maintained. That said, most products typically last two to five years, with some lasting even longer.

The higher the SiO2 content a product has, the longer it lasts.

How Much Does Ceramic Coating Cost?

It depends on whether you’re using a do-it-yourself ceramic coating or an industrial-grade option that is applied by a professional detailer. 

In the United States, DIY ceramic coatings are fairly affordable and range from $40 to over $100, while nano professional coatings can cost between $1,000 to $3,000 because of their higher quality and the lengthier, more meticulous process required to apply them.

Final Thoughts

Ceramic coatings are simply the best car paint protection products currently available. Compared to car waxes and paint sealants, they deliver significantly stronger, longer-lasting, and easier to maintain results, with superior gloss to boot.

However, not all ceramic coatings are made equal, and some are certainly better than others. 

When looking for the best ceramic car coating, you want one that is durable, has a high hardness level, and offers great value. Ease of application and the environment in which you operate and store your vehicle are other important considerations. 

The Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit meets all those criteria in a better, more well-rounded package than the other products we evaluated, and that is why it is our pick for the best ceramic coating for cars.