---
title: 'Considering a Ceramic Coating? Watch this First!'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=NWwR984Fnpo'
video_id: 'NWwR984Fnpo'
date: 2026-06-28
duration_sec: 0
---

# Considering a Ceramic Coating? Watch this First!

> Source: [Considering a Ceramic Coating? Watch this First!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=NWwR984Fnpo)

## Summary

Nick from Detail Peoria explains what ceramic coatings are—a thin glass layer applied to car paint—and clarifies common misconceptions about scratch and rock chip resistance. He outlines the correct preparation and application process to ensure the coating lasts years instead of months.

### Key Points

- **Definition of Ceramic Coating** [0:48] — Ceramic coating is a thin glass layer (silica) applied to paint, wheels, glass, or plastic.
- **Common Misconception** [0:52] — Ceramic coatings resist scratches and rock chips? No, it's not that; it's a protective glass layer.
- **Composition** [1:13] — Two main components: silica (glass) and solvents like alcohol.
- **Preparation Steps** [1:42] — Three main components: wash, decontaminate (chemical + clay), and polish.
- **Application Method** [2:29] — Apply measured amount with pipette and applicator, wipe across panel, then remove excess when solvents flash off.
- **Benefits of Ceramic Coating** [3:22] — High surface tension means self-cleaning, resists tar/salt/dirt better than wax.
- **Longevity Comparison** [3:43] — Ceramic coating lasts years vs wax requiring reapplication every few months.
- **How to Spot Genuine Product** [4:05] — True ceramic coatings come in glass bottles because solvent is unsafe for plastic. Products in plastic bottles ('ceramic wax/spray') are inferior and last months, not years.

## Transcript

Hey everyone it is Nick from Detail
Peoria and today I'm here to talk to you
about ceramic coatings.
I bet this term has come up in
conversation if you're into cars at all
if you're trying to figure out how to
make your car really shiny really easy
to take care of but here's the thing not
all ceramic coatings are created equally
and how they're applied really
translates into how they perform so
today we're gonna talk about the few
things that you need to know before you
consider a ceramic coating
so what is a ceramic coating and why in
the world would you even want one well I
think the easiest way to break this down
is a ceramic coating is a glass layer
that goes across your paint it is very
thin now many people blow this out of
proportion that it resists scratches and
it's going to protect everything Rock
chips it is certainly not that so let's
talk about what a ceramic coating is and
exactly what it does so ceramic coating
is a product that's applied to all kinds
of different services whether it's paint
wheels glass or plastic it typically
comes in a very small bottle that
comprises of two main components one is
silica or glass and the second are
solvents like alcohol when applied to
paint for instance the product is
applied in small sections and buffed
away leaving only a small layer of glass
so today we're going to briefly walk
through with you how to properly apply a
ceramic coating so that it actually
lasts for years not months there are
three main components to get ready for a
ceramic coating number one is a wash you
want to thoroughly wash the vehicle to
remove any particles that are loosely
bonded to the paint step two is to
decontaminate the paint typically this
is a combination of both chemical and
mechanical processes meaning that there
is a chemical sprayed on the paint to
loosen anything like brake dust that is
bonded to the paint the second part is
clay clay is used to remove anything
like tar or additional products that are
once again bonded to the paint after
this process is done it's time to move
on to polishing there still can be a few
particles left bonded to the paint over
time those particles could eventually
loosen therefore causing the ceramic
coating to fail so now we're to the
point of applying a ceramic coating as
you notice we have both the bottle of
coating a small pipette and an
applicator we apply a specific measured
amount to the applicator and wipe it
across the panel
once the solvents begin to dry and flash
away
we know we're ready to begin to remove
the excess material after being
inspected under a good light source
we're ready to cure the ceramic coating
once the ceramic coating is cured here
are the things that you're going to
enjoy from having it on your vehicle
number one is it is going to look
terrific we put a thin layer of glass
across it which means it is going to be
very reflective and shiny and it's going
to stay that way a long time number two
is that these ceramic coatings have what
are called self-cleaning properties that
means that it has a very high surface
tension all the particles are very close
together meaning that it is going to
stay cleaner longer and it's going to
resist things like tar salt or even dirt
better than before and here's the best
part
unlike wax it needs to be reapplied
every few months a ceramic coating can
last years but before we wrap up I want
to explain one thing to you all ceramic
coatings are not created equally so you
need to find number one a reputable
installer number two a reputable brand
and you're going to see the word ceramic
on all kinds of different products if
they come in a plastic bottle they are
not a ceramic coating because the
solvents that need to be in a ceramic
coating are not safe to put in a plastic
bottle so if you're looking online or
you go to one of your local auto parts
stores and you see something to the
ceramic wax or ceramic spray just
understand that that's a last step
detail product that is not the same
thing as an installing a ceramic coating
so it is going to have the life much
closer to wax as opposed to ceramic
coating it's going to last a few months
instead of a few years if you have
questions about how to find a ceramic
coating installer or more about the
process drop some comments down below
we'd be happy to help you out as you
look to have your vehicle ceramic
coatings
you