Welcome back to the Proje’ blog!
Now, if you’re into the world of auto detailing, you’ll certainly have come across Si02 – that’s silicon dioxide, or ceramic coating. It’s the number one way to give your paintwork a stunning shine; that candy apple shine that you see in the movies. But how does it work? And what is silicon dioxide anyway?
Silicon Dioxide
Often called “liquid glass”, silicon dioxide is a natural compound of oxidized silicon, otherwise known as silica. The glass nickname is actually pretty appropriate, as it’s one of the main ingredients of the glass you find in your windows, and silica is a large part of sand in many parts of the world. In fact, silicon dioxide is so common, that it’s everywhere, including in your food and your beer! The good news is that it’s non-toxic, so you aren’t going to die from consuming it (it’s FDA approved) and you aren’t going to harm the environment by using it on your car either! The silicon dioxide we use in the auto detailing industry is this same compound, but in liquid form.
Of course, this means that when the liquid Si02 cures and sets on your paintwork, it takes on a lot of the properties of industrial glass. Firstly, the shine, hence that “candy apple” phrase. But it also hardens to form a protective film on the surface to which it has adhered. The film is continuous, even when viewed under a microscope, making it the perfect barrier between external contaminants such as dust and dirt, and your paintwork. This also means it’s incredibly smooth, while still being breathable.
The other aspect of silicon dioxide is that it’s hydrophobic. Let’s break that down. Hydro – water. Phobic – afraid. This means that water just slides right off it. You get that wet look that you see in the movies. But the phobias don’t stop there; it also repels oil, dirt and pretty much any liquid you can think of – even strong acids! So, you’re getting shine and protection all in one.
Now Check Out Our Ceramic Spray
Of course, we want to provide our customers with the best range of products, and boy have we worked hard on this one! Ceramic Spray Coating is a premium, real deal product at a consumer level that gives the surface of your vehicle an incredible candy apple shine in just 1-2 minutes. Its ultra-hydrophobic properties not only produce incredible water beading, but also makes your car super easy to clean, saving you time and money in the long run. Stronger and slicker than any other sealant on the auto detailing market today, Ceramic Spray Coating will protect your surfaces from oxidation, pollen, water spots and more. It’s a game changer in the consumer market, and it’s unbelievably easy to use.
The best news is that it’s really easy to use – we like to make sure that all our products are at Proje’. Take a look at the steps below, and remember to fully wash and dry the paintwork before use, to get the best results:
1) Prep the surface with a surface prep spray. We recommend our very own Prep Spray as the ideal partner.
2) Spray Ceramic Spray Coating directly on to a clean microfiber towel or one of our blue applicator pads. Apply evenly and ensure complete coverage of the area you are treating.
3) While you can remove the Ceramic Spray Coating after as little as 25 seconds, we recommend that you leave it for 1 to 2 minutes. You can also repeat the process for added layers.
4) Keep the surface dry and away from the elements where possible, for up to 2-3 hours after application. Don’t worry – you’re not in any danger; you’re just giving the coating every chance to do the best possible job. (For best results. You can do your water test in as little as 20 minutes)
Oh, and while our ceramic spray coating will last you a year or more, for best results, reapply a coat once a month as a top-up. It’s that simple!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this week’s blog – stay tuned for more tips and tricks next week.
If you have any questions about any of the techniques or products that I’ve mentioned in this post, just add a comment below and we’ll post a reply! Remember that we stock only the best auto detailing supplies, so why not click some of the links in this blog post, or visit our products page to find out more? From all of us at Proje’, Enjoy the Process!