The world of automotive detailing has seen significant advancements in recent years, and one of the game-changers has been the introduction of ceramic coatings. Whether it’s a DIY ceramic coating spray product, or the professional, lifetime protection of Ceramic Pro ION packages, choosing the right ceramic coating for cars in Kansas City can be a difficult task.
Picking a coating involves multiple elements, from the type of vehicle you own, to the condition of its paintjob, and the amount of exposure the vehicle gets daily. For example, if you live in Olathe and drive down country roads frequently, you’ll benefit from the durability of a professional nanoceramic coating. However, if you have an older, daily driver in Lenexa, a DIY coating might be right for you.
So, if you’re thinking about getting a ceramic coating for your vehicle, here are five tips that will help you pick the right option.
Tip #1 – Determine Your Needs
Ceramic coatings for cars offer a durable protective layer for your car, safeguarding it against contaminants, UV rays, and even minor scratches. With the market flooded with a variety of options, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one.
The first thing you should do is to define your needs. If you’re looking for protection against road debris from causing paint chips, ceramic coatings are simply not going to cut the mustard. You’ll need paint protection film for that.
If your goal is to provide protection against environmental factors, like bug splatter, bird droppings, and road salt, a professional-grade ceramic coating is right for you.
If you simply want your car to shine a bit more, and don’t mind a little detailing work, the DIY ceramic coating product is a good choice.
Tip #2 – Research the Coatings Features
Generally, when you’re shopping for a ceramic coating, you’ll pick one based on two important features or attributes the coating delivers.
Durability: Ceramic coatings come in a variety of durability levels, ranging from six months to several years. As such, you want to determine how long you want the coating to last. If you’re looking for long-term protection, consider investing in a premium-quality coating installation in Kansas City that promises multi-year durability – and is backed with a documented warranty on your Carfax report.
Appearance: Some coatings can give your car a glossy finish, while others might enhance its natural color with a deep, rich shine. Decide on the kind of appearance you prefer for your vehicle when you’re researching coatings for your car, truck, or SUV.
Professional detailing shops in Kansas City are more than willing to provide this information for you.
Tip #3 – Research Brands and Reviews
The next step in your ceramic coating investigation should be to complete a dive deep into the world of automotive forums, blogs, and YouTube channels. It’s a good idea to start with simple Google searches, for topics like the best ceramic coatings for cars in Kansas City. This will typically provide results from the best manufacturers, like Ceramic Pro for example.
When you complete a list of three to five possible coating manufacturers, check out their YouTube channels and website for facts about their coating products.
Finally, real user reviews can offer genuine insights about the longevity, ease of application, and the final look of the ceramic coating.
The power of user reviews – especially those from professional ceramic coating installers in Johnson County can also provide insights into the quality of the shop.
Tip #4 – Know Which Coatings are Good vs. Gimmicks
We mentioned this at the beginning of this article, but it’s important to clarify. When you’re searching, it’s important to understand the difference between the two types of coating products. The DIY coating is typically a spray on and wipe off product.
These manufactures often battle each other by making claims about the percentage of Silicone Dioxide or SiO2. And it’s assumed that the higher the SiO2, the better the coating. But that’s not the only one important ingredient.
Some coatings come with added ingredients like Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) for enhanced UV protection or other proprietary components to improve hydrophobicity (water-repelling properties.)
It’s also important to recognize the type of coatings that are not legit. Some of these include silicone, Teflon, and the latest buzz word product – a Graphene coating.
Let’s be clear – there is NO way to infuse the world’s strongest substance (Graphene) in a liquid suspension. The ingredient in these overly hyped coatings is graphene oxide – which is essentially pencil lead powder.
However, there are coating types that are backed by science, such as the new ION coating from Ceramic Pro.
ION coatings include ingredients such as SiO2, TiO2, and carrier solvents – like the professional coatings on the market. However, it’s manufactured using ION Exchange Technology – like your modern cell phone’s screen.
These ION coatings have been proven to last twice as long as the normal professional grade nanoceramic coating – so it delivers the best bang for your buck.
Tip #5 – Consider the Price vs Value
Price is often an indicator of quality, but that doesn’t mean the most expensive option is always the best for your needs. It’s Balance your budget with the kind of protection and appearance you want for your car.
It’s vital for you to determine which coating option provides you with the best value vs. the lowest cost. Remember, along with the cost of the product, consider any additional expenses like professional application, prep work such as paint correction, the cost DIY tools and accessories.
Plus, it’s critical to ensure that you’re 100% comfortable installing the coating. If you are not sure, always defer to the experience of a professional coating installer in Kansas City.
Ceramic Pro Elite West Kansas City has years of experience as a professional ceramic coating installer in Johnson County, Kansas. We offer the complete line-up of Ceramic Pro nanoceramic coatings, in packages that start as low as $500. Each of our coating packages is backed by a manufacturer warranty – and documented on your vehicle’s Carfax report.
If you’d like to learn more about Ceramic Pro coatings for cars in Kansas City, click the button below to schedule a free consultation.