You’re probably hearing a lot about ceramic coatings if you just bought a new car. They’re extremely popular now, and a lot of people want to get their car coated ASAP. Naturally, this raises the question of ceramic coating on a new car and whether it should be done right away.
Should you, though? Your car is brand-new. Should you really have to invest more to get it coated right away, or should the factory paint job hold up until you do it later?
There are multiple factors to look at, and we’re going to go over all of them.
What is a Ceramic Coating?
It will probably help if you’re fully aware of what a ceramic coating is instead of just listing off different pros and cons. So, what is a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is a substance that’s a lot like wax, but it has nanoceramic particles added to it, and it’s not going anywhere for quite a while.
This is a lot more complicated to apply, and it’s a lot harder. The ceramic coating application process requires precision and skill, and once applied, it lasts for years while protecting your car’s paint.
What Does a Ceramic Coating Do?
A ceramic coating does a lot of things.
It can help prevent light scratches like the kind that occur when you brush up against the car and your belt buckle drags on the paint, but it’s not an armor shell that can stop a rock flying on the highway.
The really impactful benefits come from its ability to shield against the elements.
Ceramic coating is hydrophobic. So, it lets water run right off instead of beading up and leaving mineral stains after it rains.
It also protects against the UV rays that quickly deteriorate even the best paint jobs, making it one of the best ways to protect your car from heat and constant sun exposure in Carlsbad.
Other than that, it shields against dirt, chemicals, sand, salt, and other things that the average Carlsbad driver has to contend with daily.
The Cons of Immediately Getting a Ceramic Coating
There isn’t much that you can call a drawback when it comes to immediately coating your new car.
The protection helps preserve the factory paint job, keeping your car looking its best while it’s still fresh off the lot. At that point, it hasn’t yet been exposed to dirt, chemicals, or water.
There are only two things that we can really consider potential drawbacks.
First, it will add a glossy sheen to the car. If you specifically bought a matte car because you wanted the matte look, you’ll be a little upset when it comes out of the shop shining. That’s not a problem for most drivers, but we know some folks out there really like the matte look.
The other drawback is that it usually costs around a grand. That sounds like a lot, but this might actually be the best time to spend that. After all, you just spent tens of thousands of dollars on the car. What’s another grand if it’s going to protect that investment? In the bigger picture, the price is minor compared to the value, making ceramic coating a good investment for any new car.
The Pros of Immediately Getting a Ceramic Coating
In comparison to the cons, there are a ton of benefits to ceramic coating on a new car, especially when it’s still in perfect condition.
Like we said, your car looks its best right off the lot. By getting the car ceramic coated immediately, you lock that perfect look in. Outside of something dramatic like a fender bender or someone keying your car, there isn’t much that’s going to reach your car’s paint and ruin that factory look.
Then, there’s the benefit of stopping the elements from corroding things right off the bat.
The second you start parking your car in the sun, enjoying those long cruises, and generally driving it around in the sunlight, your car’s paint will start deteriorating. It doesn’t magically fade away before your eyes, but it does happen quickly in Carlsbad.
By getting your car ceramic coated immediately, you shield it from those rays, and you don’t have to worry about that.
The same goes for the salt content in our air, sand, and other things that are just a part of life here. If you get it coated immediately, those things aren’t problems.
What if You Wait to Get Your Car Ceramic Coated?
You can get your car ceramic coated at any time. You can wait until five years from now, and we can coat it the same as if you came in right now.
The issue with waiting is that your car goes unprotected the entire time you wait.
UV rays are beating on the paint and breaking it down at a molecular level, water is staining it and corroding metal parts, it’s chipping, etc.
Like we said earlier, the coating locks it in. If it’s brand-new, you’re locking in that brand-new look, and it takes a dramatic event to ruin that. If you wait five years and the paint’s faded and torn up, that’s what it’s going to be when you coat it. Except, it’ll get a bit glossy.
If you really wait, you might have enough damage to the car that you need to focus on repairing that before you bother with coating it. After all, coating a rust bucket doesn’t make much sense.
In general, it is best to get your car a ceramic coating as soon as possible. Since you’re already in the mood to spend a lot of money and the car looks its best, that usually means the second you get it.
Maintaining Your Ceramic Coating
We’ve mentioned that the coating locks in the look of your car a few times, and that might give you the wrong idea. If you choose ceramic coating on a new car, regular maintenance ensures that protection lasts for years.
That typically means coming in every six months to a year to have it inspected and boosted, and you’ll need a replacement coating about every 2 to 5 years. However, it will protect your car and keep it looking factory fresh.
Get Your New Car Ceramic Coated with Finetacting Detailing
At Finetactic Detailing, we help you keep your new car in the best shape possible with ceramic coating that protects the paint and locks in that fresh, factory look.
We also offer mobile detailing and paint correction in Carlsbad, CA, giving you more ways to extend that fresh-off-the-lot shine even longer.
Get in touch today to keep that new-car feeling for years to come.