Research shows that Americans are keeping their cars for longer than they have in the past, with the average age of a vehicle being 10.5 years.
If you're planning to keep your car longer than two or three years, regular maintenance is key to it running properly.
But, you also want to keep it looking good, right? One of the easiest ways to tell if a car is getting older is to look at the condition of the paint.
Consider ceramic coatings, which can help protect your car's exterior and keep it looking just as good as the day you bought it. Read on for an in-depth guide to ceramic coatings and why they may be a good option for your car.
A ceramic coating is a multi-layer, liquid polymer that acts as a shield to protect your car's paint from regular damage that happens naturally over time.
Unlike wax and sealants, which sit on top of your paint, a ceramic coating forms a chemical bond with your car's paint giving it an added coat of protection. While wax typically breaks down over time, the chemical reaction of a ceramic coating is long-lasting and does not wash away.
Once the ceramic coating is applied, it fills in the minor imperfections in your paint and dries to form a solid layer of protection against dirt, ultraviolet rays, and more
The result is a smooth, clear coat finish that helps keep your car looking new.
If you're new to the idea of ceramic coatings, you might be surprised to learn about all the different ways it can help keep your car looking great. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect from adding a ceramic coating to your vehicle.
Ultraviolet rays are extremely damaging to your car's paint, leading to fading, discoloration, and deterioration. This is known as oxidation when heat and oxygen lead to a breakdown of your paint, leaving your car looking dull and chalky.
Sometimes the dull appearance can be removed by washing or waxing your car, but eventually, the only solution is to have it repainted, which can be expensive.
However, a ceramic coating provides protection from those ultraviolet rays, ensuring that your car is less prone to the effects of oxidation.
Unlike wax, which has to be reapplied every few months for maximum effectiveness, ceramic coatings can last several years. And, it can even leave your car looking shinier than the day it rolled off the lot.
Once you apply a ceramic coating, you'll be left with a car that looks like it was freshly painted, at a fraction of the cost.
Throughout normal use, your car can come into contact with all kinds of different chemicals, many of which can cause damage to your paint.
For example, gasoline, brake fluid, and even bird droppings can break down your paint if your car isn't protected. Fortunately, a ceramic coating is the first line of defense against these chemicals, ensuring that your paint isn't damaged.
With a ceramic coating, it's never been easier to keep your car clean! That's because the coating repels water and its smooth surface makes mud, dirt, and dust glide right off.
However, this doesn't mean you won't ever have to wash your car. You should still wash it as frequently as you normally do. But, since a ceramic coating makes it harder for dirt to adhere to your car, you won't have to use as much effort when you do clean it.
While it's true that ceramic coating is a more expensive option than wax and sealants, it's much more durable, so you won't have to have it done nearly as often.
Plus, because it does such a great job at protecting your paint from deteriorating, it will prevent you from having to do more expensive maintenance, like a full paint job, later down the road.
And, if you do decide to sell your car eventually, it can give you a higher resale market value, meaning it could essentially end up paying for itself.
When you decide to put a ceramic coating on your car, you can either attempt to do it yourself or hire a professional to take care of it for you.
If you decide to try it yourself, there are a few things you'll need to do to prepare your car beforehand. Taking these extra steps will help ensure that the ceramic coating properly adheres to your paint.
First up, you'll need to thoroughly wash your car. You should go section by section so you don't miss any spot.
Next, you'll need to wipe down the paint with a clay bar, again working section by section. This helps remove any final contamination that was missed when washing the car.
Then, you'll polish your car. Polishing will smooth out any contaminations like small scratches that would otherwise be trapped under the ceramic coating if not buffed out.
Finally, wipe down your car to remove any of the excess oils or products that might still be remaining on the surface.
Once you've done those four steps, you're ready to apply the ceramic coating.
If all of that sounds like more work than you'd like to do yourself, why not let the professionals at Solartex Window Tinting take care of it for you?
We've got plenty of experience in applying ceramic coatings and would love to help you keep your car protected for years to come.
Contact us today for a free estimate and to learn more about Solartex Window Tinting's car ceramic coating, auto window tinting, and auto paint protection services. Your car will thank you for it!
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