Are ceramic coatings the best option? What do you understand by the phrase, ‘ceramic car coatings’? There are a dozen ways you can improve the appearance of your car to make it look as though it is brand new. From self-cleaning efforts to paint correction all the way to enhance the power of ceramic car coating, consumers have never missed out on these viable options. And lately, ceramic car coatings seem to be at the focal point for most consumers on the market today and we are going to find out why.

The internet is awash with countless pictures and videos across nearly all social platforms, showing mud and dirty water being splashed all over the hood only to sheet off instantly, leaving no dirty marks.

Much to the amazement of many viewers, such incidents open their eyes in the world of ‘Ceramic Coating‘ or rather, ‘Nano Coating’ for the first time. But such epic videos cannot pass the keen eyes of skeptics who end up questioning their authenticity before accepting this new concept. Questions such as, “what if the videos have been staged?” or “What is the guarantee that the ceramic coating won’t ruin my car?” are a common thing with those who are skeptical about this latest trend in cars. Others will go the extra mile of questioning why they are so expensive yet they come in tiny bottles. All these doubts should not derail you from achieving your goals when it comes to coating your car using ceramics.

In this article, we are going to examine closely the realities and hype about ceramic coatings, whether they are effective or not so you may make your decision about using them on your car. Even though ceramic car coatings are second to none, they also have their downsides just like other products. Let’s find out more about them in the following paragraphs:

1. Background

Often times, car owners strive to maintain the appearance of their vehicles but the unforgiving nature cannot let them achieve their dream. You too are not an exception despite your endless effort to maintain your car day in day out without much success. As a matter of fact, the chips, scratches, and stains spreading across the exterior of your car can be a frustrating affair given the amount of time and money you constantly spend to keep it looking new and appealing. As if that is not enough, the environmental factors don’t spare it either and that’s when its paint starts to become dull or fade (from the sun) compelling you to find the ultimate solution to your car’s predicament.

That is when you come to find out that anything or everything is out there to change the entire outlook of your car. If it is not mud, it is dust and if it is not dirty rain, it is water spots grime, or even unsightly brake dust, giving your car that unpleasant look that is likely to embarrass you in public. Whether you admit it or not, washing your car is one of the most boring, time wasting and monotonous tasks you don’t want to imagine.

Inasmuch as you would prefer taking your car to the automatic car washing, the outcome may not impress you. Such facilities are known to cause scratches and leave marks on your car let alone the negative effects of the chemicals used in the cleaning process. Don’t forget to mention the daily scratches from innocent kids, bikes, shopping carts and scooters. All these are some of the common problems you need to solve every now and then to keep your car in good condition.

While you may argue that wax gives a good shine and gloss including some amount of protection, the truth is, it won’t last long. Maybe it will keep your car looking good for a couple of months at best. In other-other words, the wax is unreliable and not long lasting as such.

This is when the auto ceramic car coatings come in to save the situation. Initially, this product was designed primarily for space and oil industry, but now the technology has found its way into the automotive world. This is partly true thanks to the 9H ceramic technology that has come in handy to give your car its new look no matter what.

2. What is a Ceramic Car Coating?

What does 9H ceramic stand for? When it comes to the real meaning of ceramic coatings, you need to think out of the box. This means you need to have a picture in your mind that should portray ceramic coating as the second layer of your skin. Or you may assume that it’s a sacrificial layer designed to protect your car’s clear coat.

The 9H ceramic coating uses nanotechnology. Essentially, these are tiny particles forming a microscopic thin layer that is completely invisible to your eye. Due to their microscopic nature, these particles play a very crucial role when applied to the surface of your car. This is because they seal off all the cracks and pores making the surface of your car hydrophobic as well as resistant to ultraviolet rays, scratches, extreme heat, chemicals, and graffiti. Interestingly, the 9H ceramic coating is transparent, meaning you can apply on different surfaces regardless of the color.

Perhaps, this could be the main reason bottles contain a small amount of liquid (about 30ml). In addition, the particles are so tiny that they are required in small quantities to coat your car.

This is how it works. The nano ceramic car coating when applied to the surface, it creates a non-permanent bond, resulting in what experts refer to as a sacrificial layer. The layer holds onto the surface in such a way that it cannot wash away in rain, when washing your car or in case of a breakdown. This coat is designed to last many years, keeping your car looking as if it’s new.

The ceramic coating on your car repels water and dirt, making it easier for you to clean the surface. Apart from that, their hardness nature prevents swirling marks when you are washing the surface of your car.

3. Any Options?

It seems that ceramic car coatings are now making headlines in the ‘mainstream’, but the truth of the matter is that they have been in existence longer than you can imagine. Why is the case?

Ceramic coatings have not been used widely because they are costly thus unaffordable for many car owners. This explains why they have constantly been associated with high-end cars for the affluent and celebrities alike.

However, there are two major options that you can choose when you want to have your car coated. These are:

• Professional applications
• DIY consumer kits

Professional Applications

The ceramic coating costs between $500 and $2,000.

Due to their nature, this type of coatings should be applied by a professional to deliver the much-desired super hydrophobic properties. These materials are costly because they require special equipment, skills, and extensive labor. That’s why their cost is in the range of $500 and $2,000, depending on the car detailing package.

Normally, the nano ceramic coating takes between one and five days, depending on the underlying factors such as the condition of the paint, the package of your choice and the size of your car or vehicle. For instance, a premium package like Ceramic Pro Gold will cost you $2,000 or even more from an accredited dealer.

What happens to an average car owner who doesn’t drive high-end cars such as Ferrari, or does not have the means to pay as much as $1,000 for the auto ceramic coating?

DIY Consumer Kits

The cost ranges from $20 to $150

Unlike in the past where low-income earners couldn’t meet the cost of nano ceramic coatings, now things are different. There is a wide range of exciting consumer level ceramic coatings on the market today. This new development has paved away for the casual drivers to lay their hands on nano ceramic car coatings without spending much.

This category of ceramic coatings is specially formulated to be less sensitive compared to professional grade coatings. In addition, you do not need to be a professional or experienced to be able to apply it. No wonder they are readily affordable. But one thing remains certain and this is the quality of this product which varies immensely but readily available for an average driver.

4. What are the Benefits of a Nano-Ceramic Car Coating?

The ceramic car coatings have become so popular that every car owner is striving to have them applied to their vehicles. In fact, most of their benefits are unheard of in the history of the automotive industry. Here are the benefits every car owner should be looking forward to:

4a. Hydrophobic

Hydrophobic is a very important feature associated with the nano ceramic coating. This simply means that when your car is coated with the ceramic, the hydrophobic effect created causes water to form beads and eventually roll off the surface after gathering most dirt, mud or grime much to your delight. This phenomenon makes it easier to clean your car unlike before applying nano ceramic coating.

4b. Mud and Dirt Repellent

One of the best characteristics of ceramic coatings is the ability to repel mud and dirt thus offering unmatched protection to the surface of your car. Whether it is rainwater or snow and ice, you can rest assured that everything will slide off your car surface even before you notice anything.

4c. Protection against Rust, UV or Oxidation

When your car is exposed to the sun, its paint will start fading gradually, making it becomes dull. This is due to the sun’s UV rays that initiate oxidation on your car’s paint. You can change all that by simply applying a layer of nano ceramic car coating to the paint to ensure that your car is fully protected against rust or oxidation damage.

4d. Improved Durability

Besides protecting the surface of your car against the destructive environmental factors, nano ceramic coatings can also improve the durability of your car to a larger extent. This happens when coatings bond seamlessly with the car paint’s molecular structure, lasting for months or even years. To be precise, a good DIY ceramic car coating should last between two and three years.

5. What Does the 9H Ceramic Car Coatings Not Do?

There are countless misconceptions out there regarding the use of nano ceramic car coatings. While others are logical, a good number of them are not true. But let’s start off by looking at what ceramic coating cannot do. One misconception is that ceramic coating can make the car bulletproof. Unfortunately, this is not the case considering that the ceramic coatings are not designed to be bulletproof. Also, they do not prevent rock chips, dings, dents, let alone lasting longer. It doesn’t mean that once your car is coated with ceramic you longer have to wash, dust or remove dirt. The only advantage, however, is that your cleaning tasks will be made easier than it was before applying the ceramic coating.

6. What are the Myths Surrounding Ceramic Car Coatings?

It is good to look into myths surrounding the use of ceramic coatings on your vehicles so you may know the whole truth.

Myth 1: Ceramic Coatings are Scratch Proof

There are a lot of exaggerations regarding the ability of nano ceramic coating to resist scratches when applied on your car. While it is true minor scratches can be resisted by nano ceramic car coating, larger ones cannot. This fact is attributed to the 9H ratings given to the ceramics which makes them not thick enough to absorb impacts from rocks hitting the paint on your car or formation of larger scratches.

Myth 2: No maintenance is required

Even though nano ceramic car coatings make it easier to clean your vehicle, it does not mean that you shouldn’t maintain your car. Routine maintenance is a must if you want to keep it in good working condition especially after driving along dirt roads or surfaces. The bottom line remains that you will have to keep your car clean by washing it frequently but the only difference is that the whole process will be effortless.

Myth 3: Ceramic Coatings are Permanent

To some extent, this statement is correct. In actual sense, nano ceramic coating is semi-permanent because it bonds perfectly well with the surface of your car, giving it a hard shiny sacrificial layer. It does not mean that it will stay that way forever. At least you may reapply it every two or three years to maintain the status of your car.

Myth 4: They are Easy to Apply

This is somehow true given that the DIY kits are increasingly becoming available to most of the consumers, making the application process easier than before. On the other hand, it may not be as simple as many people would want you to think. As a matter of fact, there are a number of processes that you need to go through before you get started with the coating itself. If you are not aware of the right procedure, you are likely to mess up everything. In this case, you will be required to do the washing, claying, buffing as well as keeping your car pristine when applying the ceramic coating.

Myth 5: Nano Ceramic Coatings give your Car More gloss than Waxes and Sealants

It is not necessarily the case given that nano ceramic coatings don’t provide your car with the gloss just like that unless some underneath preparation work is done right. For instance, if your car has faded paint and you proceed to apply the ceramic coating, the results will come out showing the faded areas but with some shiny elements on top. Therefore, you need to ensure that the preparation prior to applying the coating is done perfectly.

Conclusion

At this point, you can correctly answer the question, “what is a nano ceramic car coating?” Also, you can explain whether it is worth investing it in your car or not. For most car owners, it is worth it especially from the DIY point of view. The upfront cost can be recovered in a couple of months but your car will stay in good condition for a very long time. And you stand to save as much as $0.05 per day in the duration your vehicle is protected by the nano ceramic coatings.

Driving during downfalls can be dangerous, even for skilled drivers. When visibility is affected and the roads get wet and slippery, your vehicle can become difficult to control.

FBD Insurance have provided some top driving tips for tackling torrential rain safely this season.

Slow down

Reducing speed will also decrease your stopping distance. It will allow your car pass through puddles smoothly, without spraying pedestrians or other road users. Driving at a safe speed will help you avoid “aquaplaning” or water build-up under your tyres, so you maintain maximum traction and steering ability on the road.

Allow sufficient distance

Your stopping distance on a wet road can be more than on dry roads, so give yourself plenty of time to stop. At a minimum, you should follow the 4-second rule to allow safe distance from vehicles in front. Take particular care when driving behind trucks and lorries, as the spray from larger vehicles can be blinding to other drivers.

Maintain visibility

Good visibility is crucial for driving in poor weather. Use dipped headlights during the day so you are easily seen on the road. Fully functioning heating and air conditioning is also important during heavy rain, as you will need to demist your windows to prevent them from fogging-over.

Check your tyres

Make sure your tyres are in great condition and that they are perfectly inflated for good traction with the road. To maximise safety, a tread depth of at least 3mm on every wheel is best. When threads are worn there is nowhere for water to go and your car will effectively be “floating” on the rain.

Windscreen wipers

If your windscreen wiper blades don’t clear the glass in a single swipe, replace them. If they squeak or skip across the window as they wipe, it’s time to start considering a new pair.

Avoid cruise control

Cruise features work well in dry conditions, but when used in rain, the chances of losing control can rise. To prevent loss of traction, you may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator rather than breaking. This cannot be accomplished when your cruise control is on.

Beware of skidding

Your goal should be to prevent a skid from ever happening, so that you never find yourself trying to recover from one. However, if you do feel your car beginning to skid, it’s important not to panic:

• Stay calm and grip the wheel with both hands.
• Continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go.
• Avoid further sudden braking or acceleration, which might worsen the skid.
• If breaking is what caused the skid, ease gently off the breaks and back onto the accelerator to correct it. If acceleration caused the skid, ease gently back off the accelerator.

Driving through water

Avoid driving through deep water by following the highest section of the road. After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brakes over a short distance to dry them off. If you can’t see where you’re going to emerge from the water, or the road is flooded, find another route.

Plan ahead

Watch weather reports and road conditions prior to a long-distance drive or before driving to isolated areas. Take your time and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination safely.

If the conditions are too bad, don’t take the risk. Delay your trip or consider an alternative method of transport.

If you have no other option than to drive please ensure that your Car Insurance is in date. If you need a quote on Car Insurance why not consider FBD Insurance.

#AD. In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance.

A car is a piece of equipment that we use every day. It requires good maintenance to prolong its useful life. It is the same as when the car is in production including the car parts. The manufacturers take great care when using things like industrial heating to ensure perfect conditions for the making of the car. When it comes to maintenance, to be committed is an understatement because proper maintenance does not only make your car’s life extended, but it will also assure you that your car is in the right condition to be driven.

To make sure that your car will always run smooth, you need to maintain your vehicle in the best possible way. There are parts that need more attention than others, like how replacing the wiper blades is a more common phenomenon. Some can be downright hard to find so it’s a good idea to have a place where you get the motor supplies to need when you’re ready to replace them. Car owners are also expected to take good care of their tires and make it a habit to check the tire rotations, the air pressure, and alignment adjustments. With this being said, there may be times where you have purchased a defective auto part and have no realised. Sometimes situations like these can end badly. If you have experienced something like this, it may be worth getting in touch with a car defect lawyer to see what else can be done about this and help you take the necessary steps in getting your life back on track.

One of the most annoying parts in cleaning and maintaining your car is the maintenance of the alloy wheel. Even if you pride yourself as a careful driver, there would always be the time you’ll have to scrub grimes away from your alloy wheels. This step is a must, especially if you want to make your car look like it left the store just a few days ago. Unfortunately, there will always be a time when cleaning the alloy wheel will not do the trick anymore and you have to replace it.

There’s a lot of things to consider when buying a car part in the market. Would you buy the part that you need online? Would you consult a dealership service first? Or would you go into the more adventurous route and bet on alloy wheels found in the junkyard? All choices have pros and cons and your decision will likely be based in the situation you have.

BUYING ALLOY WHEELS FROM A DEALERSHIP

When it comes to buying new car parts, there is nothing that can beat buying in a dealership. There are pros and cons in this route, and it will all be listed down below.

The Pros

1. All new, quality assured parts.

When shopping for the best and high-quality car parts, you can count on dealers to have your desired alloy wheel. Because of their reputation to hold, they will only give you the best parts. They will even give their best to find your part if it is kind of rare.

2. Dealerships will take care about the fitting and other things.

When you go to dealerships for help, they will likely get all the folds ironed out for you. They will take care of fitting the alloy wheel and gets the paperwork done.

The Cons

1. You’ll have to pay gold for their products and services.

Quality products and services will cost you a lot. Be sure that you have a lot of savings when you ought for a dealership’s help.

2. The waiting game.

Based on the kind of alloy wheel needed for your car, you might need to wait for your product to arrive because there’s a big chance that what you’re looking for is not in the inventory.

BUYING ALLOY WHEELS FROM JUNKYARDS

If you have patience and luck by your side, you’ll likely have a good chance of finding a good deal on junkyards. There’s a lot of junk yards in Utah, Texas, and other states. You can successfully find one in each state if you look hard. Here are the pros and cons of buying used parts from salvage yards.

The Pros

1. Cheaper price

Just like with any other parts, buying in salvage yards will give you huge savings compared to buying parts in dealership shops. This option will truly turn the table when you need repairs on other parts of your car.

2. Availability

You don’t have to wait for parts to get to you before having your car fixed. The part is right in the junkyard. You only have to take patience and the right tools with you.

3. Chance for getting cheap spare tires and other good stuff

This one will be a good deal if you have a lot of cars. When you’re finished getting the alloy wheel you want, maybe you can also get that nice alternator, or maybe that mirror that still works fine.

4. Recycling is good for the environment

Just like in computers, recycling car parts will help the environment.

The Cons

1. It requires a lot of effort

Buying a used part from a junkyard is a win-win situation. You will save a lot, the junkyard will have income, etc. The only catch for this is that you will need to put a lot of effort and time to find your perfect part. Depending on your time frame and the rarity of the part you’re looking for, you might spend a lot of time for a repair.