Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.
Preserve That Pristine Finish: The Best Ceramic Coatings for 2023
What are ceramic coatings? How do they help keep your car looking its best? Is it possible to apply them yourself? We answer all these questions and more in our evaluation of four ceramic coating products.
If you've searched for any car-cleaning product over the past few years, odds are you've come across the terms "ceramic technology" or "ceramic coating." But what exactly is a ceramic coating, and how can it help keep your car looking its best?
We're here to explain what ceramic coatings are and to test a few products on the market to see how they perform over a long period of time. To test not just the efficacy but the long-term durability of these ceramic coatings, we'll be updating this article regularly.
Our Top Picks
We'll start by evaluating our experience applying these products. We're also going to take a deep dive, in hopes of clearing up some confusion over what ceramic coatings are, what they aren't, and if you need one. It's worth reiterating that alongside each product below is simply a summary of our initial experience with it—not a complete review of its abilities. (Yet.) Stay tuned for updates.
Ready to dive in? Here's what you need to know before jumping into the daunting world of DIY ceramic coatings. (Spoiler alert: It's not that scary, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into.)
What Is a Ceramic Coating?
So, you've heard the term "ceramic," but what exactly is it, in the context of automotive applications? A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to a car's exterior. Once applied, it creates a bond with the vehicle's factory paint, forming a layer of protection on top of your car's clear-coat to add an additional level of defense against the elements.
Ceramic coatings are primarily formulated of silicon dioxide (SiO2) but can also include other additives, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), to increase their protective qualities and longevity. After you apply and properly cure the ceramic coating, the result is a tough protective layer that should keep everything from bird crap to brake dust at bay.
While this seems straightforward enough, car-cleaning chemical manufacturers have (both literally and metaphorically) diluted the effect of the term "ceramic." No two ceramic coating products are identical, and the key differentiator among all of them is the amount of SiO2 used.
Professional-grade ceramic coatings—the kind dealers apply before they deliver a car, or detail shops will apply for hundreds of dollars—are typically very concentrated (usually >80 percent SiO2) and come in very small bottles. There are other products on the market that have roughly the same chemicals but are far more diluted. These are also called ceramic coatings by their manufacturers. A diluted ceramic coating isn't necessarily inferior to more concentrated solutions, but it does, at least in theory, mean the coating won't last as long over time—an important detail that is at the heart of this very test.
See all the best deals on ceramic coatings for cars at amazon
Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.
Mike Sutton is an editor, writer, test driver, and general car nerd who has contributed to Car and Driver's reverent and irreverent passion for the automobile since 2008. A native Michigander from suburban Detroit, he enjoys the outdoors and complaining about the weather, has an affection for off-road vehicles, and believes in federal protection for naturally aspirated engines.
Best Catalytic-Converter Anti-Theft Devices
The Best Labor Day Generator Sales
Best Early Labor Day TV Deals, Deemed By Experts
Labor Day Tools Sales 2023: Lowe’s, Home Depot