Ceramic Coatings, also referred to as Glass Coatings or Quartz Coatings, are the highest form of protection from UV and Chemical Damage available for vehicles today . The chemical composition that provides the protection is SiO2, or Silicon Dioxide. A solvent carrier is used to apply the SiO2 to the paint and other surfaces, by hand. The solvent evaporates out and leaves the SiO2 behind to cure and bond to the surface.
Conceptually, think of Ceramic Coatings like a wax or sealant, but with 3 key differences.
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The Coating is a high gloss layer that bonds to the surface underneath (vehicle paint) for a matter of years, where we see a few months out of most waxes or sealants.
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The chemical composition of the Ceramic Coating is able to withstand penetration of UV and harmful environmental contaminants to help keep your paint's finish from degrading over time due to exposure.
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The Coating produces a highly repellent surface, where dirt and contaminant is rejected instead of absorbed in to the surface. This keeps the surfaces cleaner longer and makes regular wash maintenance very easy and safe.
The immense wave of popularity that Ceramic Coatings have seen have led to some irresponsible marketing in the Coating world. Champion has been installing Ceramic Coatings for over 5 years, and have tested/applied almost every major coating brand on the market. Our years of experience have taught us, firmly, what Coatings will do and will not do. If you're considering a professionally applied coating, and the detail shop is 'selling' you on a Coating's scratch resistance, hardness, warranty, or outrageous durability, you are being set up for disappointment.
Coatings are not thick enough nor hard enough to withstand scratches from a dirty wash mitt, a key, or a rock chip. They do produce a slightly harder surface than the paint itself, but not enough to withstand this type of damage. The 9H or 10H Hardness measure that is used describes a Coating’s “vertical hardness”, refers to its ability to withstand penetration from UV and chemical damage and to keep it from reaching the paint's finish. That is what we are asking of a Ceramic Coating. We coat cars so that they still look good years down the road, and do not suffer from the slow roll of UV and environmental contamination that degrades the finish. Where a Coating can play in to scratch resistance is by producing and extremely repellent and slick surface, so that the surface releases loose dirt that you would otherwise drag across the paint when washing. This will help to minimize the friction between the dirt, your wash mitt, and the paint.
The durability of any Ceramic Coating is directly related to two things:
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First and foremost, the maintenance program the car enjoys will be the primary determinant. All Ceramic Paint Coatings require regular maintenance. They are not a 'magic pill' that mean you never have to wash the car again. If the car is kept clean such that dirt and contamination is not allowed to build up on the surface over many weeks or months and the Coating is kept healthy, then we will see extended durability. Conversely, if the car is left to sit outside in the elements for long periods of time without attention, washed only every couple of months, and not cared for as prescribed, a coating can sustain damage in a relatively short amount of time compared to its expected useful life.
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The second determinant is how and where the subject lives its life. Is it a San Diego car that sees perfect weather or a Buffalo car that will see extended periods of harsh weather? Is it a weekend toy or is it a daily driver? Where the car lives and how it is used will play heavily into any Coatings durability. The more intense the environment it is exposed to, and the more miles that are clocked on a car, we can expect to see an impact to the durability. The kinder the environment the more durability we can expect. There are no decade long, or lifetime coatings, despite what you may hear.
CERAMIC COATING OPTIONS
NOTE: The prices below are for time, materials, and application of the coating. They do not include paint correction, prep, or detail cost
As mentioned above, we have been ceramic coating cars for over 5 years, on several hundred vehicles. We have tested almost every major coating brand's products. Our broad experience has led us to offer the coatings below, which we believe to be the best available in the market. We choose to work with coating manufacturers that are vertically integrated, meaning they control everything from R&D to manufacturing themselves. In our experience, these companies produce the coatings which perform the best, are the most consistent, have the highest quality standards in the industry. Most coatings out today are private labeled products whose production is outsourced to a mass production facility.
Kamikaze Collection - Miyabi Coat
KAMIKAZE-Collection is a revolutionary range of high-end boutique car care products designed and manufactured in Japan, home of ceramic coatings. Miyabi Coat combines fantastic looks with doing a tremendous job of protecting your paint from airborne elements, making maintaining your vehicle much easier.
Durability - >18 Months
Coupes - $400
Sedans - $400
Small/Mid SUV - $475
Large SUV/Truck - $500
Durability Gloss Beading Self Cleaning
Gyeon Q² Pure
Gyeon Q² Pure brings the appearance of the paintwork to a new level. While offering durable and highly chemical resistant protection against all types of environmental contaminants, fantastic depth and pure candy gloss are the key strengths of the coating.
Durability - >18 Months
Coupes - $400
Sedans - $400
Small/Mid SUV - $475
Large SUV/Truck - $500
Durability Gloss Beading Self Cleaning
Gyeon Q² Syncro
Syncro's sophisticated 2-stage formula delivers great results with minimum effort. Q² Syncro offers incredible slickness and repellency. The Q² Mohs base provides hardness and significant durability. Q² Skin is a thick and flexible topcoat that provides great self-cleaning abilities.
Durability - 2 Years +
Coupes - $575
Sedans - $575
Small/Mid SUV - $650
Large SUV/Truck - $725
Durability Gloss Beading Self Cleaning
IGL Kenzo - Graphene Reinforced
Kenzo is a revolutionary, eco-friendly coating that contains the latest nanotechnology and graphene platelets, providing some of the highest levels of gloss and protection. It is supported by a certified IGL Coatings Master Applicator. Kenzo radiates a rich and natural glow reminiscent of a bespoke wax while providing unmatched protection.
Durability - Up to 4 Years
Coupes - $700
Sedans - $800
Small/Mid SUV - $875
Large SUV/Truck - $1000
Durability Gloss Beading Self Cleaning
Gyeon Q² DuraFlex
Q² DuraFlex is an advanced, multi-ingredient, dual-layer ceramic coating. The first layer, Q² Base coating, is the hardest automotive coating ever developed. Q² Flexi is the slickest of all Gyeon coatings and provides highly durable repellency with supreme self-cleaning abilities. This coating creates a spectacular, candy-like look.
Durability - Up to 5 Years +
Coupes - $750
Sedans - $900
Small/Mid SUV - $1000
Large SUV/Truck - $1150