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You are here: Home / Archives for Auto News

Eight Ways to Take Care of Your Vehicle

November 18, 2020 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

A car is valuable because it can get you from one place to another with minimal effort. For this reason, it’s important to take care of your car the best way possible. You’ll get the most out of it and be able to get to the most places if you do a great job taking care of it. Many people don’t know the proper ways to take care of their vehicles to make sure they last longer. Read on to find eight ways to take care of your car and make it last longer.

Get a good deal

Buying your car from a good deal is crucial to make sure it lasts longer. You can get a great car at a discounted price. For example, say you’re visiting car dealerships in Madison and you find a car you like. Working with the dealer is the best way to buy a car that will run well and last you longer than other vehicles. You’ll be able to talk to the dealer and see what kind of offers are available. Getting a great deal on a better vehicle will be an investment in your future.

Clean your car

If you don’t clean your car, you leave it open to the possibility of rust and other harmful buildups to occur on your vehicle. If this happens, you’re more likely to get rid of your car sooner rather than later. Cleaning your car frequently can prevent things like this from happening long before they start to happen. Rust and corrosion can happen on any vehicle so there’s no reason to think your vehicle might be exempt.

Invest in a good insurance

Investing in high-quality insurance will help you out for preserving your car over time because if anything happens to it, it’ll be covered. The best way to invest in the right insurance is to research what things to consider adding to your car insurance to make it perfect for your situation. After you do this research, you’ll be better informed to equip your car with the insurance it needs to last longer.

Take your car to get serviced

Taking your car in to get serviced will make it last longer because it’ll be sure to have a qualified mechanic look at it while they service it. This way, you can fix any problems that might happen long before they do happen. Also, you can have a good knowledge of your vehicle’s overall health at all times. This will help you in the long run when you have questions about your vehicle.

Drive your car often

Letting your car sit without taking it out for a drive can be bad for it. Your car was made to be driven, so keeping it stationary and parked outside will only make it break when you do decide to drive it. Driving it keeps the engine flowing and the battery charged. Longer drives on the highway are good for the overall life of a vehicle and preserving it in the long run.

Check the oil

Checking the oil of your car is something that you can do yourself. It’ll help to preserve your car for longer periods of time and make sure everything is oiled and working correctly. Your car does have sensors that will alert you when the oil is low, but before these sensors come on you can check it yourself every few months to make sure it’s at the right levels.

Check your tire pressure

Checking the air pressure in your tires is another task you can do yourself that will save your car in the long run. Bad tires could lead to a crash. Checking the tire pressure and the grip on the tires are great ways to ensure your vehicle’s wheels are looking good. Some gas stations offer free air pumps that will check your tire pressure for you and fill it with the right amount of air.

Avoid car accidents

According to the New York Times, one obvious way to keep the health of your car in good standings is to avoid getting in any car accidents. Your vehicle might be able to handle the accident, but sometimes cars never bounce back to how they were before an accident.

Filed Under: Auto News

Beginner’s Guide to Car Buying

June 12, 2020 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

We have you covered with this beginner’s guide to car buying.

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.

Filed Under: Auto News

Electric Cars – The Future of Irish Motoring?

March 24, 2020 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

Types of Electric Cars

This Blog has been written and provided by An Post Insurance – #ad.

Electric cars have dominated the headlines of late, but are they really the future of Irish motoring? 

Whether it’s down to saving money, reducing maintenance or saving the environment, there has been a surge in the purchase of electric cars recently. Some swear they’ll never go back to petrol or diesel while others tell a horror story of missing the All-Ireland final because of a dead-as-a-dodo battery. That’s at the heart of most people’s questions about electric cars: will my car’s battery let me down when I need it most? Do we have enough charging points to meet the growing demand? Are they distributed evenly across the country? What if charging outside the home isn’t an option?

An Post Insurance look at the different types of electric cars available, where to find the nearest public charging points and the benefits of electric cars to both the population and the environment.

Types of Electric Cars

Hybrid Electric Cars (HEVs)

The hybrid electric car (HEV) combines the conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor which uses energy stored in batteries.  The car’s braking system is what’s used to recharge the battery, a process known as regenerative braking. An internal computer ensures that the HEV starts off by using the electric supply from the battery and moves over to the petrol/diesel engine as speed rises.  

Examples of HEV cars on the market today are the Toyota Prius and the Hyundai Ioniq (also available as a battery electric vehicle, more on which below).

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars (PHEVs)

The main difference between the HEV and a plug-in electric car (a PHEV) is that the PHEV can also be plugged into an external electrical charging outlet to charge the battery and not just through regenerative braking.

Examples of PHEVs include the BMW i3 and the Volkswagen Golf GTE.

Battery Electric Cars (BEVs)

Battery electric cars (BEVs) are fully electric cars that have no fuel tank or exhaust pipe and run only by charging at external electrical charging outlets. BEVs also recharge their batteries through regenerative braking.

Examples of BEVs include the Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Kona Electric (Hyundai’s bestselling electric car in 2019).

Benefits of Electric Cars

Powering Electric Cars

There are several power options available to e-car owners in Ireland: drivers can charge at home, work or at public charging outlets.   

Charging at Home

Drivers can choose to install home charge points on an external wall of their house, which uses the domestic electricity supply. Some electric providers offer a reduced rate at night, which helps to keep charging costs low. To fully charge an electric car, drivers should expect it to take between 6 and 8 hours and will cost as little as €3 if using the discounted night rate according to the ESB (9th March 2020).

Charging in Public

Public charge points are connected to a local three-phase electricity supply and can take anything from one to six hours to fully charge a vehicle, depending on the car and battery type.  

ESB have confirmed that there are currently over 1100 public charging points installed by ESB around the island of Ireland. A fast-charge station at a motorway takes approximately 30 minutes to power a car to 80% capacity.  (these figures are correct as at 9th March 2020).

The owner must register for their charge point card, which can be done through the Apple app store or Google Play store or through the ESB Website. The App also includes a useful Charge Point map which shows all the places the owner can charge their car.

The ESB provide a handy video to show exactly how to go about charging your electric car.

Governments Climate Action Plan and Grants for Home Charging Units

It’s a little complicated, but the powers-that-be are trying to incentivise us to move away from diesel and petrol cars and have introduced grants and more charging points for those ready to take the leap into electric. Last year the government published its Climate Action Plan, aiming  to have one million electric cars on the road by 2030. According to an article in  thejournal in June 2019, the Taoiseach said that there may be a scrappage scheme in the future to encourage drivers to switch to electric cars or hybrids.

To date electric car drivers have not been charged at public charging points, however the government announced they will be increasing the number of charging points across the country, but a fee will be attached in order to incentivise a business to install them. 

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a grant of €600 towards the purchase and installation of home charging units. Drivers can click here to check eligibility criteria. 

There are a few terms and conditions attached to the grant, mostly concerning the car type and its use. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to sit down and go through them (perhaps with a strong cup of tea or coffee) before you sign on the dotted line for your new e-car.

The current full list of eligible cars can be found here.  

Charge at Work, Home or in Public

Benefits of Changing to an Electric Car

Cheaper running costs 

Charging an electric car costs approximately a third of the cost of petrol per km.  Overnight charging could cost as little as €3. Electric cars are also the cheapest for car tax in Ireland, costing as little as €120 per annum according to the ESB as at 29th January 2020. Tolls in Ireland are also reduced by as much as 75% during off peak travelling times.

Cheaper to maintain 

Electric cars don’t need to visit the mechanics as often as petrol or diesel versions, partly because they don’t require oil, change of filters, fuel injection systems or radiators. Drivers will have to maintain the brakes, tyres and suspension, of course, but maintenance costs are certainly lower for electric cars. The only downside is that the battery doesn’t last forever: it’ll usually need to be replaced every eight years or so. 

Less Pollution 

As there are no exhaust emissions from electric cars this means they produce less harmful air pollution.

Greenhouse gas emissions can further be reduced if a driver charges their electric car using renewable energy, such as from a solar PV system. 

Some electric cars are even manufactured from renewable materials: for example, the Nissan Leaf’s interior and bodywork are partly made from recycled materials such as water bottles, plastic bags and old car parts.

Electric Car Emissions

Health Benefits

As mentioned, there are zero exhaust emissions from fully electric cars, making them better for the overall health of the nation.  It should also be noted that electric cars are quieter than other vehicles, meaning a reduction in noise pollution too. The horns still make quite a bit of noise when needed, though!

Insuring your Electric Car

Insuring electric cars can take a little more research: some insurance companies offer specific discounts for electric cars and others have these discounts built into their rating. It’s important to shop around to ensure the best possible cover for your car. Cheapest is not always best – that super-low price could mean paying a higher excess or getting a reduced level of cover. It’s natural to search by price when comparing insurance quotes, but it’s very important to compare ‘like for like’ quotes, to make sure the policy is value for money, your new car is well-protected and your insurance company will be there for you when you need them most. 
If you want to insure your electric car, or find car insurance that goes the extra mile, get a car insurance quote from An Post Insurance now.

One Direct (Ireland) Limited, trading as An Post Insurance is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. One Direct (Ireland) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post. All the information on this blog is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. While An Post Insurance makes every effort to ensure that the information appearing on this blog is accurate and complete, it does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability or accuracy of this information, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. Any action you take upon the information you find on this blog is strictly at your own risk. An Post Insurance will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses and/or damages in connection with the use of, or action taken in reliance on information contained in our blog.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of An Post Insurance. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites and if you click on links to these websites you will be subject to the terms and conditions of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Filed Under: Auto News, GreenTech, Technology Tagged With: electric cars

A Car Lover’s Guide

November 21, 2019 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

For many people, cars are much more than just a mode of transportation. Some people love their car so much they barely drive it. Some treat their car to special gifts, from a needlepoint keyfob for the keys to sweet air fresheners and everything in between, it’s their pride and joy and they want it to look its best. Some people collect cars to show others on special days. Others even buy run down or broken cars just so they can look for used engines for sale and other parts they need to fix the car and get it working again. There are a few ways you can show love to your car that go beyond just driving it to and from everyday places.

Regular Maintenance

Every car needs regular maintenance to thrive. People that love their cars are always on top of the maintenance because they know the most important thing about that car is how it runs. To keep the engine and all of the parts working together, it needs regular oil changes, wheel alignment, engine tests, and even little things like changing air filters. A car is a machine. We may love it like our own child, but it needs upkeep like a machine. This means you always stay on top of regular maintenance so it’s always in the best shape possible.

Keep It Pretty

Keeping your car shiny is important to its feel. When people want to show off their car, the first things they do are cleaning and waxing. The interior is quite easy to keep clean, especially if you use a mobile car wash service. The exterior needs to always look as if the paint is brand new. Over time, this gets harder. Some car lovers are going the next step by applying ceramic coatings for cars. It becomes the second layer of the car’s “skin.” Using nanotechnology, the microscopic particles seal off cracks and pores. This means the car is resistant to those everyday hazards like scratches, heat, UV rays from the sun, and chemicals. Check out more about ceramic coatings for cars here. In addition to a ceramic coating, ensure your windows and mirrors are clean, and your lights are working. Additionally, you can add accessories to the exterior to personalize and beautify your car. For instance, you could create your own Custom Image & Text Spare Tire Cover online, or a new pair of wheels to spruce up your vehicle.

Take Your Car To Car Shows

One of the best ways people show off those cars is by taking them to car shows. You can either take them to small city events where you get to show them off, or you can put them in larger state-wide shows. Basically, everyone is there for the same reason-to show off all of the love and work they’ve put into their “baby.” Others get to walk around and stare in awe at that love and work. People will probably stop by taking photos in front of your car. They may even stop to talk to you for a while about all of the things about the car. It’s a good time to get together with other car lovers and talk shop.

Upgrade Your Wheels

Factory wheels are usually pretty standard for most cars. Car lovers enjoy showing off their upgraded wheels. There are so many different options out there. You can even pump up your ride by going with bigger wheels that give your car a lifted look. Some car owners give theirs a boost with hydraulics so the car bounces above the wheels. Tires lose their tread over time so it’s important to keep them updated. It’s up to you if you upgrade every time you update them.

Take It For A Spin

Car lovers are often so in love with a certain car, they forget to use it. A car can become so special that it’s more of a show car that sits in a garage. People come over to look at it, and sometimes it gets to go to a car show, but overall it’s just there as a collection item. Take advantage of the beauty of this baby and take it for a spin every now and then. It deserves to be shown off on the road. Enjoy the looks people give you as you wheel around in this beaming vehicle. You’ve put all of the time and money into it so it’s important you get to bask in its glory.

Let It Be Seen

One way a car lover can really show off their car is by driving it in local parades. If you’ve worked hard by giving your car special wax sessions, ceramic coating, new wheels, new accessories, and even an upgraded interior, then you want to showcase that thing. Drive it in local or nearby parades for special occasions. Use it as a photo op in these parades. The point is to share the love of your car with others.

Filed Under: Auto News Tagged With: car detail, car wash, maintenance

What Is Ceramic Coating? Benefits & Myths

June 24, 2019 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Auto News

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About Me

Andy Mrozinski I’ve read, talked and given advice about cars for as long as I can remember. I’ve driven old Beetles and broken Audi’s. When I was a teen, my dad had an Alfa Romeo GTV6. He let me drive it. Once. The sports car bug was already creeping over me but the Alfa cemented it. I’m a car enthusiast, plain and simple.
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