You can do many different things to help protect your car from damage. One of the choices is ceramic coating. You probably know ceramic coating helps prevent sun damage, makes your car easier to clean, and protects against dings and scratches. But how does ceramic coating work? Let’s take a look!
THE CHEMISTRY OF CERAMIC COATING
Don’t worry. We aren’t talking about the chemistry you may have hated from high school. Well, we are, but in a much more understandable way.
Ceramic coating is made from polymers known as resins. In simple terms, it is a long molecule with repeating parts.
One of the great things about these resins is that they bond well together, creating solid attachments.
However, they aren’t great at bonding with other things, such as paint. When you want to coat your car with this can be a problem.
Thus, additives are placed into the polymer. These additives bond with the polymers and your vehicle’s paint is a middleman linking the two.
As this ceramic coating cures your vehicle, it organizes itself as a thin, strong chain of molecules across your car. The parts pointing away from your vehicle are hydrophobic, repelling water.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CERAMIC COATING
The molecular structure of ceramic coating provides many essential uses for maintaining your vehicle. Below are some of the functions and how the chemistry behind ceramic coating influences them.
EASY TO CLEAN
The hydrophobic property of ceramic coating derives from a methyl group (CH3) facing outward.
It repels water, causing it to bead up on your paint. It makes it much easier to wash and dry your vehicle.
Additionally, the strength of the bonds between molecules means that dirt and other pollutants can’t easily penetrate them.
Instead, they stay on top of the clear coat, making it easier to wipe them away (whereas they would often stick to paint).
PREVENTS FADING
You probably know that the sun sends many kinds of light rays, including ultraviolet.
These UV rays can cause your car’s paint to fade in color. It happens because it accelerates a natural process known as oxidation.
Fortunately, the ceramic coating does not allow UV rays to penetrate to hit your car’s paint, preventing this fading from taking place.
REDUCES SCRATCHING
Another outstanding characteristic of ceramic coating comes from its hardness and durability.
It is due to the strong bonds created between the molecules. These bonds are created by a process known as cross-linking.
It means that it is difficult to penetrate the ceramic coating. It does not make it scratch-proof; however, it is very scratch-resistant.
IS CERAMIC COATING RIGHT FOR YOUR VEHICLE?
If you want to protect your car, there are several options, including ceramic coating.
The helpful staff at Steam Team Auto Spa is happy to answer your questions about ceramic coating and other options to maintain your car’s quality and value.
Also, click here to get the directions to visit our store!