PPG recently published this helpful article in its Refinisher magazine and has kindly allowed us to reproduce it here.
In recent times, there seems to have been an explosion in the number of companies offering ceramic coatings (sometimes referred to as nano-ceramic coatings) and businesses who apply them. With this has come a lot of misinformation, according to John Hristias, PPG Business Support Manager Asia / Pacific.
I have been getting more and more questions on ceramic coatings from collision repairers, and even from insurance companies, asking advice on how to handle them. Before we take a closer look at these aftermarket coatings, the main point to understand is that, yes, they can be removed and they are no barrier to refinishing the vehicle.
What is a ceramic coating?
Ceramic coatings are typically described as a type of liquid polymer which is carefully applied to a vehicle’s paintwork by hand. There it creates a chemical bond with the existing paint surface to leave a thin layer of protection.
Many vehicle owners who purchase these treatments see it as a quick fix.
By getting the ceramic coating applied once, they will only need to spend minimal time washing, polishing and generally looking after their vehicle’s paintwork. Even though ceramic coatings are great at repelling dirt and water, they are not necessarily the magic cure-all that many believe.
Ceramic coatings and the refinish process
There is no obvious way of knowing if a particular vehicle in your workshop has had a ceramic coating applied – you can only be guided by the vehicle’s owner. However, the key point is that, from a refinish point of view, it does not matter if the vehicle does or does not have a ceramic coating.
By following the recommended PPG refinish process, if a ceramic coating is there, it will be removed.
• Go over the repair panel and blend panels using a machine with a red
scouring disc, along with a 50:50 mix of water and methylated spirits (PPG’s SWX250
Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner comes conveniently mixed in a 5 litre container).
• The abrasive action of the red scourer, followed by wiping over the panels with Prepsol, will remove any ceramic coating and allow you to repair the underlaying paintwork.
Note: If required, a ceramic coating can actually be removed by polishing with a coarse compound.
Advantages and limitations
Read some of the online material about ceramic coatings and you will find some pretty bold claims. It’s worthwhile taking the time to consider how these coatings work best and where the limitations are.
Scratch resistant, not scratch proof
This is logical when you think about it. The ceramic coating layer is very thin and it certainly does help to resist scratches from reaching the paintwork underneath but, at the end of the day, it can only do so much. If you consistently do things like, use commercial carwash brushes or drag dirt across the surface while washing, fine scratches and swirl marks will eventually show up.
Stone chips and stains
Given how thin the layer of ceramic coating is, it’s unreasonable to expect it to provide the flexibility to absorb the impact of stones out on the road. Having said this, it does provide extra protection from chemical staining, such as bird droppings or tree sap, but the contamination cannotbe left to sit on the surface – it still needs to be removed in a reasonable time.
Do not need to wash or polish your car
You might think that ceramic coatings are particularly suited to people who do not want to wash their car but it’s not the case. If washed regularly, the coating will make it easier to remove bug spatter, dirt and grime but, if those contaminants are left on the surface for extended periods, they can still stick fast and be difficult to remove. Ceramic coating manufacturers typically provide a warranty but it’s important to follow their care instructions to the letter. This can include ensuring the vehicle is washed regularly and even the type of soap to use. Some brands insist on using a PH neutral soap. This is fine but these soaps are so mild it becomes even more important to wash the vehicle regularly because they may not be strong enough to remove a build-up of road grime.
For warranty purposes, some manufacturers want proof that the vehicle has been washing frequently and as recommended.
The ceramic coating will last forever
Once applied, some people believe the coating will be there forever – it’s not. Eventually, the ceramic coating will break down and, like the original factory paint finish, how the vehicle is treated has a big effect on its longevity. For example, if the vehicle is garaged and washed regularly the ceramic coating will last longer than if the vehicle is left out in the elements.
For any queries about dealing with ceramic coatings in the refinish process, contact your PPG representative or your local PPG training manager.