How Does a Ceramic Coating Make a Difference?

Caramics Makes Ceramic Coatings Easy and Accessible for Everyone

When it comes to protecting your car's surface, nothing beats the security of a ceramic coating—it's simply the best option. However, there's more to ceramic coatings than just superior protection. In fact, they deliver incredible benefits like enhanced gloss, hydrophobic water behavior, and, with our Caramics range, unmatched ease of application and long-lasting durability. We often get asked how our coatings work, how easy they are to apply, and what results to expect. So, here’s everything you need to know about achieving 12 months of protection for your car, and why you should do it today.

What Exactly Is a Ceramic Coating?

A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that forms a chemical bond with surfaces at the molecular level. Named "ceramic" coatings due to their inclusion of silicon dioxide (SiO₂)—a key component in materials like glass, quartz, and ceramics—these coatings create a durable layer. Much like the clear ceramic glaze found on plates and cups, once cured, SiO₂ forms an exceptionally hard, glossy, and water-repellent surface.

How Do Ceramic Coatings Work?

When applied to painted surfaces, ceramic coatings provide a deep gloss finish while sealing in any paint correction or refinement you’ve completed. More crucially, they create an ultra-smooth surface.

On a microscopic level, paintwork isn’t perfectly flat—it contains tiny imperfections where dirt and water can cling. These molecules latch on, making the car progressively dirtier and more challenging to clean without risking additional swirl marks.

The densely packed molecules in a ceramic coating form an impermeable layer that smooths out surface imperfections. This not only enhances the optical finish, giving the paintwork a deeper and glossier appearance (similar to the effect of a wax), but also prevents grime from adhering to the surface. Contaminants either slide off or remain loosely on top, making coated surfaces significantly easier to clean during routine maintenance. Additionally, because ceramic coatings are resistant to water and gases, they slow down the oxidation process, helping to protect paintwork from UV-induced fading.

On glass surfaces, ceramic coatings focus more on improving visibility while providing the same protective benefits. The durable SiO₂ layer actively repels water, making it "hydrophobic," which is why water beads up and runs off instead of settling. While this effect looks stunning on paintwork, it provides exceptional visibility on glass, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Our Caramics Protection Kits deliver this reliable SiO₂ protection with the added benefit of long-lasting durability.

What Makes Caramics Coatings So Durable?

The durability of ceramic coatings lies in their unique "chemical bonding" process. Unlike waxes, which form a physical bond by clinging to the surface as a separate layer, ceramic coatings chemically integrate with the surface.

While waxes provide a reasonably strong barrier, they can be easily removed by chemicals or wear over time. Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, fuse with the surface at a molecular level, forming a new, highly resilient top layer. This bonded silica layer offers superior resistance to abrasions and chemicals. In fact, true SiO₂ coatings can only be completely removed by physically polishing and cutting through the silica layer.

What Sets Caramics Kits Apart?

Caramics provides a comprehensive range of advanced Si02 coatings, but what truly sets it apart is the ease of application.

Traditional ceramic coatings are notoriously tricky to apply properly, often requiring extensive training and making them impractical—or even risky—for enthusiasts and less experienced professionals. Caramics changes the game entirely. Each kit is specifically designed to be simple, fast, and hassle-free to apply, with all the necessary tools included. In essence, we’ve made ceramic coatings accessible and user-friendly for everyone, regardless of experience level.

When Is the Best Time to Apply Them?

As with any last-step product (LSP), Caramics coatings should be applied to a fully clean and decontaminated surface. A coating will essentially lock in any imperfections, so we always suggest refining and correcting the paintwork beforehand. Depending on the level of correction needed, you can use either One Step Single Stage Compound or our Revitalise Paint Correction Compounds. The key point here is that these products are free from waxes or fillers, ensuring nothing interferes with the chemical bonding of the coating.

How Easy Are They To Apply?

As we mentioned, we've made the process simpler than ever. Each of our Caramics exterior coatings has its own application method, but the best way to demonstrate just how easy they are is by using a test car!

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply Caramics, the amazing results you can expect, and how effortless your car will be to maintain the next time you wash it.

Prep

To achieve the best results, it's essential to thoroughly prepare your car. This process typically involves two main steps: a full decontamination wash and a bit of paint correction or enhancement.

The purpose of the wash is straightforward—it's about removing not only surface grime but also any embedded or hidden contaminants. Additionally, it's important to clean out panel gaps and door jambs to prevent dirt or dust from being blown out later and affecting your coating.

For these reasons (and after properly cleaning your wheels with Imperial Wheel Cleaner, of course), we highly recommend starting with an effective pre-wash using Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover, followed by Avalanche Snow Foam to ensure it gets into all the crevices and gaps.

Once you've completed the pre-wash, it's time for the contact wash phase. Simply add a few capfuls of Lather Car Shampoo to your bucket, and proceed with a standard two-bucket wash to effectively clean the surface.

Finally, we always recommend a full 3-stage decontamination before machine polishing. This ensures that the paint is clear of metal contaminants (often from brake dust), environmental fallout, sticky tar and glue residues, and any embedded organic or inorganic particles. For this process, we use Iron Out Fallout Remover to tackle metal particles, ObliTARate Tar & Glue Remover for sticky residues, and clay barring with our Detailers Clay Bar, using Glide Clay Lubricant to ensure a smooth application.

For a detailed guide on safe paint decontamination, check out our full rundown.

Next, we move on to paint correction and refinement, which will vary depending on the condition of each vehicle.

For our test car, we used a DPX Machine Polisher along with Revitalise No:2 Polishing Compound on a medium Revitalise No:2 polishing pad. We worked across the entire vehicle to ensure the paint was properly refined, free of swirl marks, and ready for the coating application.

Applying Caramics

With the test vehicle fully prepped, we were ready to apply the coating. To demonstrate the difference Caramics makes, we masked off a line down the center of the car—showcasing a clear side-by-side comparison. Of course, this step is just for demonstration purposes; at home, always coat the entire vehicle in one session to ensure complete protection.

Step 1 - Protecting Your Paintwork

We’ve simplified the application of our Paintwork Protection Kit by designing the coating as specialized Ceramic Wipes. These wipes make it quick and easy to transfer the ceramic polymer onto your vehicle. They’re versatile too, suitable not just for paintwork but also for vinyl wraps.

The kit includes a specially formulated Prep Spray, designed to remove any polishing oils, residues, or fingerprints left on the bodywork from earlier stages. Simply mist it lightly onto the surface and wipe clean with a fresh microfibre cloth.

Unfold the wipe completely, then fold it into quarters—this method helps it fit snugly in your fingers, making it easier to keep flat against the paintwork.

Apply the coating using an overlapping crosshatch pattern, working first vertically and then horizontally. Ensure you cover all areas right up to the edges, and refold the wipe after each pass to maintain even coverage.

Our Si02 coating cures rapidly, allowing you to begin buffing off the residue within just 2-5 minutes. It’s crucial to thoroughly remove all residue and buff to a high shine using a clean microfibre cloth. A light source can be helpful to ensure nothing is missed—double-check to be certain.

Once satisfied that the residue is completely gone, move to the next panel and repeat the process until all painted surfaces are coated. You can also apply the coating to lacquered carbon fiber parts and modern plastic headlights for comprehensive protection.

Step 2 - Protecting Your Glass

Our Glass Protection Kit is also designed for wipe-based application, but the preparation steps differ slightly.

Glass requires a deep clean to ensure no oxidation or contaminants remain, as these could become sealed under the coating. This step is especially critical for glass because of its clarity, so take your time to thoroughly prepare each window using the included Glass Polish.

Apply the polish with a microfibre pad, allow it to haze, and then buff it off with a clean cloth. This process not only removes microscopic debris but also preps the surface to form a stronger chemical bond with the coating.

Next, apply the Glass Wipes just as you did with the Ceramic Wipes on your paintwork. Use one wipe per window, working in a side-to-side motion followed by an up-and-down pass. Ensure complete and even coverage across the entire surface.

Finally, remove the residue using the included Residue Remover spray. Simply spray it directly onto the glass, wipe with a clean microfibre cloth, then fold the cloth and buff until the glass is crystal-clear and streak-free.

Step 3 - Protecting Your Wheels

The final step for complete exterior protection is applying the Caramics Wheel Protection Kit. Designed for simplicity, this time the coating is a spray-on product.

Start by prepping the wheels with the included Prep Spray to ensure the surface is clean and ready for the coating. You can either spray the Prep Spray directly onto the wheel and wipe it dry with a microfibre cloth or apply it to the cloth first for intricate areas. The key is to thoroughly cover the entire wheel face, as well as all the small recesses.

After drying your wheel thoroughly, apply a generous mist of our Wheel Coating Spray. Use the included Micro Wipe Applicator to evenly spread the product across the wheel, ensuring it reaches all the nooks and crevices.

To finish, buff away any residue with a clean microfibre cloth. Using a light source can help spot and eliminate any leftover smears, so be sure to inspect carefully and remove them all.

The Final Results

As we've observed, a coating not only enhances gloss and preserves your prep work, but that's only part of the picture. What truly stands out is its impact on water behavior, the level of protection it provides, and how much easier it makes the cleaning process next time around.

For this, we'd need to get our test car dirty again…

A Few Days Later...

After a few days of winter driving, we were ready to carry out the first quick maintenance wash and assess the results.

First, we tackled the wheels – a quick rinse showed how effortlessly the grime and brake dust slid off the surface of the coated wheels.

Next, a thorough pre-rinse on the body, and we can already see how quickly the grime is lifted on the coated side, where it’s been prevented from sticking.

Now, onto the washing steps: we begin with a pre-wash using Citrus Power, followed by Avalanche Snow Foam, and finish with a two-bucket contact wash using Lather Car Shampoo.

The final rinse highlights the durable water-repelling effect of the coating. The Caramics-treated side quickly beads up water, while the unprotected side allows it to settle on both the paint and glass.

Top Up & Enhancement

It's clear that Caramics protection helps keep your car looking great for longer. But remember, the lifespan of your Si02 coatings can also be extended—and their hydrophobic properties refreshed—during every maintenance wash. In fact, with our Caramics support products, you can even boost the gloss.

Caramics Ceramic Car Shampoo is specifically designed to reinforce coatings and enhance shine. The only reason we didn’t use this product on our test car during the initial wash is that it adds its own Si02 protection, which would have interfered with the results.

Caramics Ceramic Infused Quick Detailer is another excellent product in the range. Easy to use with a simple mist-and-wipe application, it boosts gloss, leaving a smooth, shiny finish while adding an additional layer of protection.

Lastly, we have Caramics Ceramic Glass Cleaner, which has quickly become one of our most popular products due to its ease of use. Not only does it extend the life of your coatings, but it also adds an extra layer of ceramic protection. This product provides a fast, smear-free finish on all exterior glass, making it a must-have for effortless results.