Chennai summer: sun, sap and bird droppings
From April to June, the sun does more harm to paint than the rain. What to do about it, and how fast.
Does a ceramic coating stop scratches?
What a coating protects against, what it does not, and the claims we hear from customers who were sold one elsewhere.
The most common misunderstanding about ceramic coatings is that they make a car scratch-proof. Some sellers say so. It is not true, and we would rather you knew before you pay.
A ceramic coating is a very thin, hard layer, about one to two microns thick, bonded to the clear coat. It is harder and more slippery than wax, so it resists fine marks from washing, makes dirt slide off and stops water and bird droppings from etching into the paint as quickly. A coated car is noticeably easier to wash.
What it will not do is stop deep scratches. A key, a branch, a stone thrown up on the highway or a scooter handlebar in a narrow T Nagar lane will go through a coating and into the paint. For stone chips on the bonnet and bumpers, paint protection film is the only real defence, because it is about 200 microns thick and can absorb impacts.
Other myths: a coating does not mean you never need to wash the car; it still needs a wash every two to four weeks. It does not fill deep swirls; correction does that. And it does not last forever. Our three-year coating lasts about that long with the right washing and a yearly inspection, and less if the car goes through automatic washes with brushes. If someone promises more than that, ask what they will do if it fails.
