Ceramic coating can improve the appeal of your car and also protect it from water, chemicals, scratches, and UV rays, depending on the type and form you choose. Ceramic coatings are available in two types based on application: DIY and professional application. Moreover, ceramic coatings have two forms: spray and liquid. Which form is better? Here’s a comparison.
Comparing Spray And Liquid Ceramic Coatings
The differences between spray and liquid ceramic coating for cars and various vehicles.
What Are They?
Spray Ceramic Coatings
They come in spray bottles that you simply spray on a clean towel and then use that as an applicator on the car’s exterior or spray directly on the paint, depending on the label.
Spray ceramic coatings have diluted concentrations (1% to 13%) of ceramic ingredients, like silicone dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), fluoropolymers (PTFE), and others. These are the active ingredients that bond with the paint and protect it from moisture and UV rays. Sprays are made for vehicle owners for DIY ceramic coating.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
Liquid ceramic coatings come in small dropper bottles, have a higher concentration of active ingredients, and are available for both DIY and professional installation. Liquid ceramic coatings for DIY purposes commonly have 20% to 50% silicone dioxide and other ingredients, while liquid ceramic coating bottles for professionals have a very high concentration of 70% to 90% of the main ingredients.
Durability And Longevity
Spray Ceramic Coatings
They are less durable and wear very quickly, usually within 1 to 6 months. Some sprays can last for 12 months at most.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
Liquid ceramic coatings can last for 2 to 7 years. DIY liquid ceramic coatings have shorter longevity than professional applications.
Protection
You install ceramic coating to keep your vehicle’s paint from fading, etching, scratching, and other problems. So, this is a critical factor.
Spray Ceramic Coatings
They are the lite version of liquid ceramic coatings, so their protection capabilities are also less effective, but they are better than waxes, sealants, and other coatings, like Teflon coating. Spray ceramic coatings are excellent when it comes to creating a hydrophobic layer and protection from moisture. Another thing they do well is gloss and shine to the vehicle.
However, their resistance against UV rays, chemicals, scratches, and chemicals is minimal, which is better than some other exterior protections, but not much when compared to liquid ceramic coatings.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
Due to the higher concentrations of the main ingredients, liquid ceramic coatings offer better protection whether it’s against UV rays, chemicals and etching, contamination, scratches, or moisture.
However, it depends on the concentration and installation. If you DIY, the liquid ceramic bottles for DIYers have lower concentration than liquid ceramic coatings for professionals, though it’s still much more than spray bottles. So, the protection will be better than spray ceramic coating, but less effective than professional ceramic coating.
In addition to that, one feature of ceramic coatings is commonly overstated: resistance against scratches and swirls. Though liquid ceramic coatings can offer low to medium scratch resistance, they are nowhere close to the protection offered against scratches and swirls by PPFs or paint protection films Springfield.
Cost
Spray Ceramic Coatings
Their upfront cost is the lowest, as the bottles are cheap and you can apply them yourself.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
Liquid ceramic coating kits for DIY application have 3x the cost of spray coatings, while professional ceramic coatings can cost about 10 times more than liquid coating kits.
Application And Curing Time
Spray Ceramic Coatings
They take about 15 to 30 minutes to apply and need 12-24 hours for curing.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
The application can take from 4 to 8 hours. You also need to let the coating cure for 24 to 48 hours. Plus, ensure to avoid washing the vehicle for 2 weeks.
Application Process
We explain the process of applying both forms of ceramic coating.
Spray Ceramic Coatings
You have to prep your vehicle first so the coating bonds to the paint. This is optional or not too intensive for spray ceramic coatings. For surface preparation, you can clean the car with a pH-balanced shampoo, spray an iron remover, polish the car for paint correction, and then use a panel prep spray. After this, you can perform these spray ceramic coating application steps:
- Spritz the spray 2- 3 times on a microfiber towel. Make sure to spray away from the car.
- Work in sections. One panel or half panel at a time.
- Wipe the sprayed cloth on the selected section horizontally first, then vertically.
- Wait for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the instructions on the label. You should look for a slight haze on the section.
- When you see it, take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe the surface dry. In the end, flip the cloth and wipe the surface again.
- Repeat this process for all the sections.
- After the application, let the ceramic coating cure for 12 to 24 hours. Park inside or ensure that it doesn’t get wet or dusty.
Liquid Ceramic Coating
Liquid ceramic coating should be applied by a professional, as they are difficult to apply. If you want to apply it yourself, choose those with lower concentrations of active ingredients, perform this in a closed space, and follow these steps:
Properly prepare the vehicle for ceramic coating application:
- First, wash the vehicle with a strip wash shampoo.
- Spray an iron remover to get rid of rust and other elements.
- Use a clay bar with a mild spray to remove the remaining elements.
- Use a machine polisher to remove scratches and swirls.
- Clean the vehicle with a surface prep spray.
Application steps:
- Pour a few drops of the liquid on the applicator pad, usually supplied with the liquid coating.
- Work in 2×2 foot sections. Apply the coating horizontally first and then vertically on the section.
- Wait for 1-5 minutes for flashing (the surface turns hazy or shows a rainbow effect).
- Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently clean the surface.
- Take another dry microfiber cloth to buff the surface.
- Repeat the above steps for each section.
- Leave the car to cure for 24 to 48 hours.
- Avoid washing the vehicle for 1 to 2 weeks.
DIY Friendly
Spray Ceramic Coatings
Spray ceramic coatings are easy to apply and made for car owners who like to take care of their vehicles themselves. So, these coatings are very DIY-friendly. Two major factors that make spray ceramic coatings easy to apply and DIY-friendly are: the spray form and the lower concentration of the main ingredients in the solutions.
Spray coatings are easy to apply as you spritz them on a cloth and then wipe them on the paint. And due to the lower concentration of SiO2 and other ingredients, the application is forgiving and small errors won’t lead to high gloss and visible streaks.
Liquid Ceramic Coatings
Liquid coatings are harder to apply and are best applied by professionals. However, there are liquid ceramic coatings for car owners as well, with a lower concentration of the main ingredients than professional-grade liquid coatings and higher than spray ceramic coatings.
They are for car enthusiasts who have a little bit of car detailing skills to apply these coatings. But if it’s your first time applying any sort of sealant or coating to your car, choose spray ceramic coating.
Conclusion
Spray ceramic coatings are cheaper and easy to apply, but they have a shorter lifespan and minimal protection. On the other hand, liquid ceramic coatings are expensive and difficult to apply, but they have a longer lifespan and offer better protection. Get in touch with a ceramic coating shop Springfield for more details.