Ceramic coatings are a really popular form of protection for cars. Whilst they differ from brand to brand, one thing they all have in common is the presence of SiO2 in them. Depending on the brand and product, the level of SiO2 will vary, as will the application process and the cure time as well.
With that in mind, I’ve collated a list of my favourite ceramic coatings for your consideration.
It should be noted that before applying any of these products, the car must be fully decontaminated to ensure that the panel is as pristine as possible before carrying out the application.
Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray
I had previously covered Rapid Ceramic Spray in my comprehensive review and I loved the product. It is by and far the easiest ceramic coating to use on this list in that it can be applied to the car when it’s wet or dry and it requires minimal effort to apply. What I really like about it is that it can also be applied on the drive way and there is a very short cure time.
The longevity of it is really good as well. Autoglym quote 3 months of protection, and that’s exactly what I got from it. There are some brands that will say up to 12 months, but then they fall well short of it. This is not the case with Autoglym. It also smells great, which is a nice bonus!
For those wanting a quick and easy to apply ceramic protection to the car that adds a lot of gloss and no effort, this is the product of choice.
- Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray is a quick and easy to use ceramic coating car cleaning spray that adds protection to your paintwork
Last update on 2023-03-29 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Autoglym Ultra High Definition Ceramic Coating
First of all, this cannot be used to protect matt paintwork, so please bear that in mind before making a purchase of it.
Ultra High Definition Ceramic Coating is a semi permanent ceramic coating that is a two stage process in terms of application. The first stage is to use the preparation liquid. This will remove any previous waxes and polishes on the car. It’s a really quick and simple process.
The next stage is the ceramic coating itself. In the kit, there is the bottle of coating, an applicator pad and also a microfibre buffing cloth and it’s very easy to apply it.
In terms of the cure time, it only needs a few minutes to bond to the paintwork. I would recommend that you use a less is more approach when it comes to this coating. Also, since it is a semi permanent coating, it doesn’t need an excessively long cure time. 4-5 hours in a dry environment is more than enough, and by not washing it within the first 24 hours it will give the longest duration of protection.
A year is definitely achievable with UHD Ceramic Coating and it’s so easy and quick to apply that it’s definitely worth it. Not only that, but the car will be incredibly hydrophobic and also have amazing levels of gloss.
For both this and Rapid Ceramic Spray, I would recommend that the car is maintained by washing it with UHD Shampoo. Both coatings were designed with this shampoo in mind.
Last update on 2023-03-29 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- High foaming shampoo, with an irresistible fragrance
Last update on 2023-03-29 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
AvalonKing Armor Shield IX
A ceramic coating that you may have heard a lot about is AvalonKing. They have been showcased on a lot of car YouTube channels. From my testing, their Armor Shield IX coating is one of the easiest I have applied, and it’s long lasting to boot.
During my testing, I applied it to one panel of the car, and after 9 months, the water repellencey is still great. I also applied it to a friends wheels on their car. They’re doing in excess of 300 miles per week and it’s doing a great job on protecting the alloys.
What I would recommend that regardless of where it is being applied, that it is done in one section at a time. I have a tendency when applying a wax to apply the wax all in one go and then remove it panel by panel. This should not be done with Armor Shield IX. Apply it to a door, let it flash off and then buff off the residue with the cloth that is in the kit. Rinse and repeat this step for the rest of the car.
What I thought was great about it is that as well as it leaving a rich, glossy finish on the paint work, it also has a UV protectant in it as well. Since it can also be applied to trim, it can help to stop this from prematurely fading. It’s a tad more expensive than the other offerings included on the page. However, if you want a coating that’s guaranteed to last at least 24 months and you have the time to apply it, I would highly recommend it.
It is available in North America by clicking here, and in the UK by clicking here.
Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light and Exo V4
Crystal Serum Light is an interesting product. Unlike the two mentioned above, it has the longest cure time of all, with it needing at least 12 hours in doors. However, it is exceptionally easy to apply to the paint work.
Unlike Autoglym UHD Ceramic Coating, Crystal Serum Light doesn’t come with a panel wipe in the kit. Instead, this has to be bought separately. This can increase the cost. The flip side of this though is that it will last up to 5 years. Additionally, it doesn’t have any microfibre cloths including in the kit either, just applicator pads.
The instructions in the kit are extremely helpful and a little does go a long way. It does help with respect to swirl resistance, and also adds a high amount of UV protection to the paint work as well.
For those that want even more durability, hydrophobic properties and gloss, Evo v4 can be applied on top of the Crystal Serum Light 2 hours after it has bonded to paintwork. Adding the Exo does increase the cost significantly, but it could be argued that the length of protection does outweigh this.
One thing to consider though with the Gtechniq products is that if a mistake is made, then it will require remove by machine polisher. However, as long as the application is done slowly and to the instructions, there shouldn’t be an issue. Also, the car must be kept undercover for the cure time. If this is not possible, then it should not be used.
I would recommend sticking with the Gtechniq G Wash shampoo if you opt for Crystal Serum Light. The two products have been developed side by side and will give you the best possible protection.
- INCREDIBLE GLOSS, CRYSTAL CLEAR PROTECTION FOR CARS, VANS, SUV'S - simply wipe on and buff for a hard, swirl resistant, high-shine finish. Effective against dirt, tree sap, swirl marks and hazing. Superb hydrophobic protection makes water bead off
Last update on 2023-03-29 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- HIGH GLOSS AND EXTREME DIRT REPELLENCY - simply wipe on and buff for a slick, durable, extremely hydrophobic finish, that is more durable and resistant to road salt than other types of coatings
Last update on 2023-03-29 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.