3 things you should know before you pay for car paint protection

You see a black car in the sunlight, and as the sun shines on that car, you see fine, circular marks all over it -  like a spider has laid its web all over that car.
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This is an all-too-common car paint affliction, associated mostly with vibrant or darker colours called ‘Spider Webbing’ or otherwise known as ‘Micro-Marring’.
There are of course, numerous other car paint defects that could have piqued your interest in paint protection.

Read on to learn the 3 main things everyone should know about choosing the correct car paint protection, Brisbane option to suit your preferences, budget and desired level of protection.

#1. Turn back the clock first – Start with a Car Paint Correction
​    (AKA Cut and Polish)

A paint correction can remove imperfections in the paint. There are different levels of paint correction, as it all depends on the extent of the defects present, the hardness of the paint, colour, and also your expectations.

Every car, with time, will have some level of spider webbing, they’re just harder to see on lighter coloured vehicles and more obvious on darker coloured vehicles – Give your car the ‘brand new’ look once more before sealing in the renewed beauty with a paint protection option.

But how do you choose? There are so many products out there claiming to be the best on the market - So many of them bragging with images that are digitally enhanced before and after shots too. So, how do you know what brand to trust?

Without further ado, below, you will find some information on the car paint protection options available, so that you can make an informed choice.

Paint Sealant
Paint sealant can mean several things, depending on who you ask – but at the most basic level, it is a synthetic product designed to protect a car’s surface while providing a mirror-like shine.
As a sealant is chemically engineered to bond to the surface, it will last much longer than a traditional wax, all while providing more durable protection against paint-killers like sap, acid rain, bird droppings and UV rays.

Ceramic coating
Ceramic coating, on the other hand, is a coating that utilises nanotechnology to provide an utterly invisible layer of protection. Nanoparticles, when applied to the surface, seal all the pores making the surface hydrophobic and UV resistant. All while protecting the surface from pollutants!

The nano-coating forms a semi-permanent bond with the surface of the vehicle, resulting in a “sacrificial” layer.

The ceramic coating contains synthetic protection agents in it. It provides protection from the contaminants as well as a shiny and glossy finish to your vehicle by bonding to the paint. 
These products are called permanent because they can be removed only through polishing, or eventually, long-term lack of the correct maintenance.

#2. The difference between paint sealant and ceramic coating

A paint sealant is usually a spray on or wipe on product.This product can have ceramic properties, like an SIO2 ingredient, but the level will be low, just enough to give it some additional oomph.

A paint sealant can also be used to bolster a ceramic coating, or put over the top to give the ceramic coating some extra edge or additional water repellent capabilities. An average paint sealant can last from 1 month up to 6 months depending on quality.

A ceramic coating is a purpose designed product that is applied to the car's paint surface, always after a paint correction and making sure the car is in its best condition.
A Ceramic coating always has a glass/ceramic ingredient that makes up the bulk of the product, rather than synthetic ingredients found in sealants.

The higher the glass/ceramic concentration in the product, the better and more durable the product is. Ceramic coatings can last anywhere from 1 year up to 10 years. This is obviously also reflected in the cost of the product.

Durability
As a car owner, this is probably your primary concern while comparing and selecting from ceramic coatings and paint sealants. 

A paint sealant can be a polymer which is ‘wipe on wipe off’, or a synthetic spray-on,  which can be done wet as you are cleaning or dry after the car is cleaned. Depending on the environment where the car is parked, paint sealant may last for four to six months. 

Ceramic coating has better durability when compared to paint sealant. It can last 3-4 years, depending on how you maintain the vehicle. It is to be noted that Ceramic coatings vary greatly in durability and it depends on the active glass/ceramic ingredient - ask us for further information.

Added Properties
Ceramic coatings offer additional benefits, more than just helping protect your paint. They also provide long lasting hydrophobic and repelling properties - Meaning the surface of the vehicle is protected by a 2-3 micron barrier that repels dirt, bugs, bird droppings, water and leaves the vehicle surface slick and glossy.

If your ceramic coating isn't doing this, then it isn't working and you should seek professional advice on the next steps.

Ceramic coatings also do not need to be waxed. Spraying the vehicle with a silica-based SI02 spray is enough to maintain the vehicle’s deep gloss finish and hydrophobic qualities.

If you wax a ceramic coated vehicle the wax then takes over the role of protection. The wax will sit on top of the ceramic coating and prevent the coating from working.

Enhances Gloss
Make your paint job POP with a shine and gloss you can see your reflection in. Although this can be achieved with high end waxes that can and will give fantastic shine and gloss, they just don't have the longevity.

Easier To Wash
The invisible hydrophobic layer created by a Ceramic Coating or Sealant also means that contaminants come off more easily after application.

Resists Stains & Etching
The chemically resistant surface helps mitigate stains and etching caused by environmental contaminants like bird-droppings or bug-splatter, hard rain and acid rain, salt spray.

Protects From UV Damage
A Ceramic Coating is UV resistant, meaning that your paint will be protected from fading in the sunlight. Ceramic coatings are excellent protection from sun damage and also extreme cold.

Cleaner For Longer
Your car stays cleaner for longer with the hydrophobic surface they both create. Thus having sealant or a ceramic coating makes it more difficult for mud and dirt to bond with the paint. 

The difference being Sealant will last between 1 and 6 months depending on the product, whereas, Ceramic coatings, you’re looking at anything from 1-10 years

#3. What is the Fireball difference?

A Fully Slick Mobile Detail is designed to get your vehicle to where you want it to be in terms of paint protection - We will give your car the best fighting chance against the elements.

Fireball Ceramic Coatings are the products we use and trust.  All the ceramic coatings undergo a chemical reaction, permanently binding with the surface and providing durable protection.

The properties of ceramic coatings such as visible smoothness, a glossy effect, and hydrophobic features should be periodically inspected and maintained.

You can be 100% confident in your results knowing that the team at Fully Slick Mobile Detailing are certified in the application of Fireball Ceramic Coatings.

These permanently bond to your car paint, ensuring the protection of your assets for years to come and delivering unmatched gloss, water repellent properties and protection - All the features that have come to be expected by any car protected with Fireball.

We offer a range of various coatings with targeted abilities depending on which elements your car needs protection from the most and how long you would like these effects to last.

We will select the right coating for the job alongside your desired outcomes, whether you are protecting your daily drive, your Bentley, motor-home, jet-ski or even your boat.

For information on our individual Sealant and Ceramic Coating products and prices, you please follow these links:
Paint Correction
Spray Wax and Paint Sealants
Ceramic Coatings

If you’ve still got questions regarding which product would be the best fit for you and your ride, feel free to contact us – We will help you make the best decision for your car and your budget.