What Does a 9H Ceramic Coating Not Do?

In marketing, and life in general, sometimes things appear better than reality. Such is the case with many of the 9H ceramic coating products that are on the market today. When you hear the term 9H with regards to ceramic coating, it means the hardness of the product once it bonds to your vehicle’s paint and hardens.

But like anything else, there are some proven benefits and some that – let’s just say – stretch the truth.

Last week we posted a blog discussing what does a nano ceramic coating do? In it, we outlined several of the facts of ceramic coatings for cars, and the attributes they can produce. But, before you decide as to whether ceramic coating a car is right for you, it’s important to gain a big picture perspective, to weed out the facts from hype.

So, what does a 9H ceramic coating NOT do? Let’s find out. Take a few minutes to watch this video by Adam Cote – which outlines the differences between clear bra vs ceramic coatings.

Understanding the Facts About 9H Ceramic Coating

9H ceramic coatings offer a plethora of benefits, but like many auto detailing products there are certain limitations that should be considered. By definition, a 9H ceramic coating is one that is highly-concentrated, mainly comprised of Silicon Dioxide or SiO2. It uses nano-technology to fill tiny cracks or imperfections in a porous surface then hardens to form a flat shield of protection.

The 9H hardens is a grade based on the pencil scale, which was created to measure the solidity of pencil leads. The scale ranges from 1 (which is ultra-soft) to 9 (which is basically as strong as quartz). Therefore, you often hear the term quartz coating or glass coating in association with these types of products. You can compare it to a quartz-like clear coat that blocks UV rays, provides superior scratch resistance, with 9H hardness.

When it cures it produces a super hydrophobic effect which is a trademark of all Ceramic Pro products.

What is Ceramic Pro 9H?

Ceramic Pro 9H is an industry innovating product that has drastically changed the landscape of ceramic coating applications to vehicles. It’s the flagship product of our company – Ceramic Pro – and is formulated to bond to multiple surfaces including:

• Paint Clearcoat
• Chrome, Steel and Alloy Wheels
• Glass and Windshields
• Plastic Trim
• Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass
• Vinyl Wraps & Paint Protection Film
• …and much more

Since 2010, Ceramic Pro has provided numerous protective benefits to coated surfaces. With protection against oxidation, premature aging, road salt, brake dust, dirt and added hydrophobic properties, ceramic coatings provide a great deal of benefits.

Our formulation is unique in that it can be layered on top of each other. The more you add – the more protection and longevity it produces. Most consumer-grade nano coatings or DIY ceramic coatings do not have this ability. In fact, it’s pretty much a 1 layer application and does not last awfully long.

However, ceramic coatings are not a panacea for automotive paint protection needs. Below are a few of the limitations that ceramic coatings do not protect against.

Do Ceramic Coatings Protect Against Rock Chips?

Although ceramic coatings can prevent against minor scratches, it does not provide adequate protection from rock chips. Due to the force, speed and unique dimensions of rock chips and road projectiles, they can damage the ceramic coat and create damage in the protective coat.

If rock chip protection is a large factor in deciding the paint protection needs of your vehicle, we strongly recommend investing in a paint protection film package – also known as clear bra. PPF is at the forefront of rock chip protection and even possesses self-healing properties that repairs itself if the film meets rock chips or small road projectiles. It’s still a good idea to have paint correction completed prior to applying a PPF.

Do Ceramic Coatings Stop Severe Scratching from Occurring?

A frequently asked question we receive is “Does Ceramic Pro protect against scratching”? The answer to this question lies somewhere in a gray area. Although ceramic coatings assist in providing defense against minor and small scratches, it does not guarantee or protect against more severe, deeper scratches.

For example, if an individual keyed a ceramic coated protected surface, the surface would be negatively impacted and show the impact and exposure of damage. However, compared to a non-ceramic coated vehicle, the coated paint will still be less damaged than its non-protected counterpart.

Ceramic Pro can protect against minor scratches, but larger and deeper scratches can penetrate the coating. If your vehicle has experienced severe scratching, please contact the auto detailing company that performed the original ceramic coating application.

Do Ceramic Coatings Defend Against Water Spots?

Water spots and the added environmental contaminants that penetrate the rainwater are difficult to remove from any surface. The high amount of calcium builds up leads to unsightly water spots that unfortunately cannot be prevented with the application of ceramic coatings. We see this quite often in the Southwestern US, like in Arizona for example, where there is a lot of calcium or minerals in hard water.

Since water spots generally take time to accumulate on a given surface, we have several alternative methods that can assist an owner of a ceramic coated car in mitigating damage from water spots.

Wash your vehicle on a regular basis – Regular maintenance helps alleviate environmental contaminants and buildup from etching the coat of a vehicle. By washing a vehicle on a regular schedule, you can help resist damage from water spots.

Avoid parking next to sprinklers and running water – Have you ever parked a vehicle outside only to realize that the hard water and calcium from sprinkler heads have caused damage to the surface of a vehicle? Parking next to sprinklers can lead to unsightly and costly water damage. These vehicles that have been exposed to hard water, especially over longer periods of time, tend to end up having paint correction services to remove etching and restore the previous luster.

Add paint protection film – Paint protection film is the only form of paint protection that is guaranteed to protect against water spot and etching. This film is more robust than Ceramic Pro 9H and provides a stronger defense against certain environmental contaminants.

If you’d like to learn the truth about paint protection film, click that link and read the blog. It’s filled with great information.

Do Ceramic Coatings Stop Dings & Dents from Forming?

Ceramic coatings are not a viable option in preventing larger dings or dents. Due to the sheer force of impact, oftentimes dents form even on the strongest level of protection. If a vehicle is ceramic coated and is involved in a fender bender or worse, odds are there will be significant damage done to portions of the vehicle.

However, we have seen ceramic coated vehicles involved in accidents (minor and major) and many of the ceramic coated vehicles have exchanged far less paint compared to their unprotected counterpart. Although the minimal amount of paint swapping is a nice benefit, ceramic coatings do not transform the surface of a vehicle into an indestructible tank.

Do I Still Have to Wash my Vehicle that Has a 9H Ceramic Coating?

Yes – you absolutely need to maintain a ceramic coated vehicle. The amount of time spent maintaining a ceramic coated, vehicle versus a non-ceramic coated vehicle, requires far less time than the unprotected vehicle. The reduction in elbow grease allows vehicles to look great without long hours attending to the coat. However, it is still highly-important to regularly maintain protected surfaces.

Just like any other surface it is critical to perform regular maintenance on a vehicle. If contaminants like tree sap, or bird droppings contacts a protected coat, it is important to remove these contaminants in a timely manner.

Additionally, if washing the vehicle at a place of residence, we strongly encourage the use of Ceramic Pro CARE with a quality soap such as Americana Global Aftercare in a shaded environment or in a garage. It’s important to never wash the vehicle in the direct sun and never use abrasive or hard towels.

If taking a vehicle to a car wash do not take it to an automated wash or wash your vehicle using a shampoo that contains wax. These automated washes often do far more harm than good and create many of the unsightly swirling, marring and scratches that impact countless vehicles.

Instead of taking a vehicle to the local $6.99 wash, we recommend taking the vehicle to a hand wash or a touchless wash. These washes are far better for any vehicle, protected or unprotected, and allow for a less impactful wash while still performing a highly impactful clean.

By staying on top of regular maintenance and required dealer maintenance packages, a ceramic pro coating can provide lasting impressions, and more importantly, lasting protection for long periods of time.

Is a 9H Ceramic Coating Worth It?

A professional-grade nano coating like Ceramic Pro 9H is an exceptional investment to protect your vehicle from exposure to harmful contaminants. Working with our team of certified installers allows you to drop off the vehicle, have it prepped correctly, applied with precision, and at a package level that fits your budget.

We offer a Ceramic Pro Bronze Package, Ceramic Pro Silver Package, and Ceramic Pro Gold Package.

For added protection, you can consider adding a clear bra of Kavaca – a revolutionary paint protection film that instantly heals if scratched. It likewise uses nano-technology and can be coated with Ceramic Pro 9H for the ultimate layer of protection. The added top coat becomes a paint sealant or paint coating on steroids.

We hope this article explaining what does a 9H ceramic coating not do gives you an honest and transparent look into the facts. It delivers superior UV resistance, an awesome hydrophobic effect, protects your windshield, and can protect your car’s paint with a sealant that lasts for years.

If you’d like to discover how affordable a professionally-applied ceramic coating for cars can be, click the button below to request a free estimate.