Beep beep, zoom!

That’s the sound of you driving off in your new car stress-free because buying a vehicle doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. For many, buying a car can feel overwhelming — especially when it’s so easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and sold something you didn’t plan to buy. That’s why we have you covered with this beginner’s guide to car buying.

Whether you’re in the market for your first car, it’s time to change up your ride to fit your growing family, or you want to feel more prepared for your next purchase, with some of these helpful tips, you can smooth out the process.

Fresh off the Assembly Line or Pre-Owned

Unless you’ve put enough money aside for a top-of-the-line vehicle where cost isn’t a factor, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of a new vs. a used car. Although you can count on the newer models to have the most up-to-date technology and fewer upfront repair requirements, a used car will be kinder to your wallet at the initial purchase and allow for a shorter loan.

If you’re comfortable with a larger down payment, you aren’t expecting any life changes that will affect your finances, or prefer less potential unplanned car maintenance, venture for the new car. However, if you don’t mind driving a vehicle with two-plus-year-old parts and want to pay off the car sooner, it’s always a good idea to save yourself some money and vie for a pre-owned car.

Regardless if you choose a new or pre-owned vehicle, be sure you budget for a situation where you can adjust for the unexpected; you don’t want to be stuck owing more than your car’s worth if you have to sell or have your car repossessed due to missed payments.

Calculating Your Budget

To assist with finding a rough estimate for your upcoming vehicle purchase, you should use a budget calculator that includes the cost of gas, auto insurance, loan payments, and maintenance. If you are buying a car outright, you won’t need to consider financing, but for most, it’s helpful to play around with a loan calculator so you have a better idea of how much you’ll be able to spend. The more you know, the more you can prepare for with your budget estimates.

While considering your monthly costs, you should also factor in a down payment of around 20%. A sizable down payment will be a larger initial investment but it will lower the monthly payments for your car. This will help significantly in the long run, especially if you run into an unplanned money crisis at some point while you’re paying off your car.

Car maintenance should also be included in your potential budget and will vary depending on your pre-owned versus new vehicle purchase decision. While you won’t know the exact price of maintenance, the vehicle’s mileage will help give you a general idea. Cars will typically require new wiper blades once a year, new brake pads about every 40,000 miles, an oil change every 5,000 miles, and annual inspection. You can easily add up the cost estimates for your area to include in your overall budget.

Buying vs. Leasing

Buying a car means buying an asset. But did you consider how much you intend on using that asset?

If you drive fewer than 15,000 miles a year, frequent public transportation options, and don’t often go on long car trips, consider leasing. Not only will you have the benefit of being able to ride around in a new car, but you’ll also have smaller monthly payments and you won’t be entirely liable for fixing everything in the car.

In contrast, when you buy, you’ll own the car at the end of your payments and can either pass it on to a family member, sell it, or enjoy not having to make monthly payments for years to come.

Vehicle Type

With the budget, leasing, and financing options holding a heavier weight in your purchasing decision, choosing a car type may begin to seem arbitrary, but it’s far from that. If you live in a city, where parking availability is sparse and spots are tighter, it’ll quickly become a top tier concern. In addition to ease of parking, car size is an important safety feature.

While all car manufacturers work to ensure their vehicles are as safe as possible, the laws of physics outweigh their best efforts and more often than not, bigger cars are generally safer than small cars. It’s a fact also born out by statistics: minicars have higher death rates than SUVs, station wagons, and minivans.

Smaller cars also have less passenger and cargo room so you may end up needing to sacrifice the luxury of stowaway space for trips or volunteering for carpool. It’s always a good idea to consider your needs and lifestyle when researching the best model to purchase.

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 sceptical 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. Though if you are interested in ceramic coating, you can find the supplies to do this and more at Detail Central, the home of car detailing supplies. Let’s find out more about ceramic coatings 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. A lot of car owners read every car detailing guide they can to make sure that their car looks the best it can possibly look. 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.