Are you looking to protect your car’s paintwork? If so, the best options in the market are graphene and ceramic coatings. Ceramic products contain silicon dioxide, known as silica, which originates from quartz crystals. In combination with other chemicals, silica produces a liquid that turns into a hard layer when applied to a vehicle’s surface.
Graphene consists of carbon atoms arranged in a thin honeycomb structure. It’s lighter than paper but harder than diamond. There are various car care products, such as Ethos graphene coating, offering a simple DIY application.
Have a look at the differences between these coatings.
Durability
The first aspect of comparison between graphene and ceramic coatings is durability. Both of them are long-lasting and provide a minimum of two years of longevity.
As a result, a large number of car owners prefer them to sealants and waxes, providing months instead of years of protection. Nevertheless, the former is believed to have a longer lifespan.
Moreover, ceramic coatings are claimed to last at least two to a maximum of five years. In contrast, graphene ones offer protection of approximately seven years with a single application.
Car waxes and sealants have a much shorter lifespan. Waxes usually last between six and eight weeks, whereas paint sealants typically last 4-6 months, depending on the conditions.
Hydrophobicity
Another essential factor of comparison is hydrophobicity. Both types of coatings have excellent hydrophobic properties, repelling water off the surface rapidly. Nevertheless, the graphene variant is claimed to have better properties due to the higher water contact angle. The honeycomb structure and chemical composition of this material allow water to slide off the surface more easily.
When a lower amount of water is retained on the surface, there’s less evaporation, resulting in fewer water spots on the bonnet of your vehicle. However, the degree of water-repellency is also dependent on the quality of the material. Therefore, car owners should steer clear of low-quality coatings. Find out more about the meaning of hydrophobicity.
Application
As far as the application is concerned, there isn’t much of a difference between both products. In order to obtain the best results, plenty of prep work has to be done before applying any of them. The surface of the vehicle has to be bare prior to the application, which requires a couple of preparation steps.
Car owners are recommended to wash the surface properly by using the two bucket method. Afterward, they should perform a clay bar paint decontamination, followed by chemical decontamination.
Also, paint should be corrected, while the panel is supposed to be cleaned with paint prep. These coatings are best applied by professionals, as they must be applied in temperature-controlled space.
Water spotting
When it comes to water spotting, graphene coating seems to be the winner. Ceramic coatings are more susceptible to the appearance of water spots on the surface as they retain heat. For example, after a rainfall, water evaporates more quickly, leaving the panels covered in spots, thus increasing the risk of corroding the layer.
Graphene, on the other hand, is much more resistant to heat. Hence, evaporation doesn’t take place too quickly. Consequently, there’s a higher chance for water beads to roll off before drying and turning into spots. Follow this URL, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-your-car-5077585, to learn how to clean water spots from your car.
Additionally, graphene isn’t only capable of repelling water but dust as well. Its anti-static properties prevent dust and microscopic particles from settling down on the car surface.
Cost
Last but not least, the cost of these products is another crucial factor of comparison. Since graphene coatings have appeared on the market not long ago, there aren’t as many brands formulated as in the case of ceramic layers. The price range of the latter is more extensive, depending on the longevity of the product.
For instance, ceramic layers that last between one and two years cost approximately $50-100, while those that last two-five years cost around $100-150. In contrast, the price range of the former is between $100 and $150. Graphene products are obviously costlier because of their longer lifespan.
Final word
Graphene coating seems to be the winner owing to its superior properties!