Welcome back to the Proje blog!
This week, we’re answering another September question: Which car detailing products provide the best results? And for us at Proje’, there’s a simple answer: Ceramic spray coatings.
The benefits of ceramic coating are manifold: the protection, the cleaning, the ease of use despite them being professional products – these are all reasons to get involved with ceramic coating. But for us, the stand-out reason is this: it looks incredible. If you want your vehicle to look like it’s come straight out of a Hollywood film, no matter what it is, where you are, or who you are, then ceramic products are the number one way to get there.
What are the benefits of ceramic coating?
The secret lies in the science – specifically Silicon Dioxide, or SiO2. Often called “liquid glass”, this 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.
But when that SiO2 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. 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, protection, and water bearing all in one!
What different ceramic products are there?
At Proje’, we have three main ceramic products: Prep Spray, Ceramic Spray Coating and Quick Coat.
Prep stands for “Preparation” – this helps you put on a pristine, uniform protective coat by removing all old polish, wax and sealant from the surface of your car. Often, these spent leftovers can clog up the pores of your surface, which reduces the effectiveness of a new ceramic coat. There’s also old old polish or sealant that can hide imperfections in your paintwork, such as small scratches or swirls which need addressing in order to get the maximum amount of protection. Proje’ Prep Spray ensures that everything is removed, so you can start again from zero. That’s all the preparation you need.
Once you’re ready to get going, reach for Ceramic Spray Coating. This is a serious, premium product at consumer level, giving 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. In less than the time it takes you to make a cup of coffee, our ceramic spray coating will have fully cured on your car and you’ll be able to wipe away, knowing you’re protected from oxidation, pollen, water spots and more.
Lastly, our Quick Coat. Think of this as SiO2-lite, for when you don’t have time to go through the whole ceramics process. Our SiO2 quick coat is still a long-lasting, tough product designed to give you three benefits in one – clean, shine and protect, though, and we’ve spent hours in the Proje’ lab designing it. In fact, it’s one of the most scientific products yet; a blend of cleaning agents, natural soap and protective SiO2 coating that leaves your surfaces immaculately clean, gleaming and shielded from harmful contaminants. The main advantage of a 3-in-1 product like SiO2 quick spray, is that it does all three of these processes simultaneously. As it cleans, it also shines and protects. There is no time in between for any dust or dirt to come into contact with your surfaces. That’s what you call efficiency – and that’s what makes SiO2 quick spray the best ceramic waterless wash on the market today.
How do I apply a ceramic coating to my car at home?
The best way to apply a ceramic coating is to use an applicator pad so you get a nice, even coating. Work in sections, each time ensuring complete coverage of the area you’re working on. When you’ve applied the coating, leave it for a minute or two to get a really decent cure, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Don’t forget this stage, as it ensures that the ceramic coating is an even layer of thickness across your car. If you don’t do it, you’ll inevitably get imperfections and inconsistencies that will lead to you repeating the whole process from scratch!
How much do ceramic products cost?
You might be thinking that professional-grade products mean professional-grade prices… but you’d be wrong! In fact, our Prep Spray retails for just $11.95 a bottle, our Ceramic Spray Coating is $24.95 and our SiO2 Quick Coat is an incredible $14.95. But you can also buy our Premium Kit, which includes one bottle of each product, along with 6 microfiber towels and 2 applicators – all for just $59.95. You can’t get a better deal than that!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this week’s blog – stay tuned for more tips and tricks next week. We’re going to feature more of our kits each month too, so keep an eye out for more great all-in-one deals and some incredible discounts!
If you have any questions about any of the techniques or products that we’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!