Facts About Ceramic Coatings: How Do They Work?

When it comes to car care, you’ve probably heard a lot about ceramic coatings. It’s a well-known buzzword in the detailing world, promising to protect your car’s paint and make it shine like new for years. Some people even promise it’ll protect your car’s surface from scratches and dings, But does it really live up to the hype? We think it’s time to cut through the noise and get to the facts. Here’s everything you need to know about how ceramic coatings work, why they’ve become so popular, and what you should really consider before getting one.

Let’s start with a little myth-busting. The term “ceramic” has become a buzzword that many brands throw around. While it sounds fancy, it’s misleading. Sure, “ceramic” gives a connotation of hardness and shine, but the reality is, there’s nothing truly ceramic about these coatings. Take our word for it - we’re making them!

Our PhDs actually like to joke that if these coatings were really ceramic, they’d be more suited for a toilet than your car! Sure, ‘ceramic’ sounds impressive, but your car isn’t getting the same treatment as your bathroom fixtures.

The science behind protective coatings is all about polymers, cross-linking, and hydrophobic properties. None of that involves baking clay or achieving pottery-level hardness. So, while “ceramic” might sound cool, it’s not the core of how these coatings work. What matters is how well the coating forms a durable, invisible layer that protects your car from the elements - and that’s what we focus on at Undrdog. Our formulas are built for real protection, not just marketing. We call them protective coatings, because that’s what they are.

Protective coatings work by creating a lasting, protective layer that bonds with your car’s paint. This hydrophobic layer repels water and helps prevent dirt and grime from sticking to your car’s surface. While it won’t make your car bulletproof, it can reduce the frequency of washes and keep your car looking shiny longer.

Ceramic coatings promise a lot - long-lasting shine, protection from UV rays, and resistance to contaminants like bird droppings or acid rain. However, it’s important to remember that they won’t replace proper car care. You’ll still need to wash your car, and it won’t protect against serious damage like rock chips or deep scratches. Think of it more as an extra layer of defense, not a bulletproof shield.

Ceramic coatings are great at defending against minor contacts - things like someone brushing against your car with their jeans or light abrasions from everyday use. But if you’re expecting it to stop your car from getting scratched by a rogue shopping cart or gravel kicked up on the highway, you’ll be disappointed. The coating helps with small stuff like preventing swirl marks or light surface scratches, but it’s not designed to absorb major impacts.

You’ve probably seen the term 9H hardness thrown around, promising some kind of magical scratch-proof protection. But let’s be real - this is more marketing fluff than substance. The 9H rating comes from a pencil hardness test, which measures resistance to scratches from things as soft as pencils, not exactly the harshest test.

In the real world, this rating isn’t going to stop serious scratches from a shopping cart or a door ding. What it can do, though, is protect your car from super fine scratches - the kind that show up as swirls or holograms when light hits your paint just right. These micro-scratches often come from everyday activities like wiping your car with a dirty cloth or the minor friction of someone’s bag or jacket rubbing against the car. Ceramic coatings excel at preventing these fine surface imperfections, keeping your car looking smoother and shinier for longer, but they’re not a cure-all for everything your car may encounter.

Let’s break down the different options when it comes to protecting your car’s paint, from old-school methods to the latest in coating technology.

Wax has been around for ages, but let’s be real - while it gives a nice shine, it doesn’t last. Before ceramic coatings became the go-to, waxes and paint sealants were often used for protecting cars. Waxes provide a nice shine but don’t last long, especially in tough weather conditions, especially under harsh conditions like rain or intense sun, meaning you’ll be reapplying frequently just to keep up appearances. You might get a few weeks out of it at best, but it’s far from durable. For serious protection, wax isn’t cutting it anymore.

Sealants and spray coatings are a step up from wax, offering better protection and hydrophobicity. The downside? They still need frequent reapplication. Depending on the quality, you’re looking at anywhere from a week to a few weeks before you need to touch it up again. It’s fine if you don’t mind the regular upkeep, but if you want long-lasting results, it won’t get you there.

Traditional ceramic coatings offer strong protection and a lasting shine. They’re great for durability and preventing damage, but here’s the catch - they’re tough to install. The process requires multiple layers, precise application, and can be time-consuming. For most DIY-ers, this isn’t an option unless you’re willing to invest a lot of time and risk messing it up. It’s why these coatings are usually applied by professionals in a controlled setting.

Enter hybrid coatings - the sweet spot between DIY convenience and professional-grade performance. These coatings offer a single-layer, easy-to-install experience that lasts for years. They’re perfect for pros looking to optimize their operations by reducing the time each car spends in the garage. For DIY-ers, these coatings are user-friendly but still pack the durability of traditional coatings.

A great example is our Undrdog Pro, which has become a staple in the industry for precisely this reason. It’s designed to be simple to apply yet tough enough to offer long-lasting protection. Pros love it because it helps them optimize business operations - faster application, more cars per day, and satisfied clients with less hassle.

Then we have new versions of pro coatings like our Pro Plus, which combine the best of both worlds. Pro Plus brings the deep shine and advanced protection of traditional ceramic coatings but with the ease of installation and efficiency of a hybrid formula. It’s ideal for professionals who want to deliver premium results without the complexity and time commitment of old-school ceramic coatings. It’s the next level in coating technology, offering both high-end results and operational efficiency for detailers.

Even without going all-in on a traditional coating, there are still ways to extend your car’s protection and shine:

• Regular washing: Keep contaminants off your car’s surface.
• Use a proper drying technique: Avoid water spots by using microfiber towels.
• Apply a high-quality wax: It’s a good idea to add a layer of protection every few months

At Undrdog, we’ve developed coatings that give you lasting protection without relying on the overhyped “ceramic” label. Our formulas, like Undrdog Pro and Pro Plus, are affordable, easy to apply, and built to keep your car looking its best for years - not just weeks.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional detailer, we have the right solution for you. Check out our network of trusted detailers across the country for the best results, or apply it yourself and enjoy the benefits of next-gen coatings.

While ceramic and hybrid coatings are fantastic at protecting your car and keeping it looking pristine, it’s important to understand that maintenance is key. Even the best coatings require proper care to stay effective over time.

Ceramic coatings aren’t a “set it and forget it” solution. To keep that showroom shine, you’ll need to maintain your car correctly:

• Regular washing is crucial, but not just any wash will do. You should use a pH-neutral soap and avoid harsh chemicals that can break down the coating. In humid environments like Hawaii, the frequent moisture can cause contaminants to stick to your car’s surface, making regular washing even more important to prevent buildup. In dry areas like Arizona, dust can settle on your car, and while it won’t immediately harm the coating, you’ll want to wash it regularly to maintain the finish.
• Over time, coatings may also need to be “declogged.” Environmental factors, like tree sap, bird droppings, or even just pollution, can cause the hydrophobic properties to fade. When this happens, you can refresh the coating with a spray topper or maintenance product designed to bring back the slick, water-repellent properties. This is especially true in areas with heavy rain or high humidity, where contaminants can accumulate faster.
• Depending on the conditions your vehicle faces—whether it’s the dry heat of Arizona or the wet humidity of Hawaii—your coating may need a touch-up every so often. For some cars, this might be every 6 months; for others, it could be less frequent.

At Undrdog, our coatings are designed to be both affordable and long-lasting, but it’s important to recognize that the coating is just one part of the equation. When you get a professional coating applied, it’s often bundled with essential services like:

• Paint Correction: This step is crucial for removing any imperfections in the paint before the coating is applied. Without this, the coating can seal in scratches and swirls, reducing the overall look of the finish.
• Detailed prep work:Professionals will clean, decontaminate, and prep the surface to ensure the coating bonds perfectly to the paint.
• Post-application services: Many detailers offer maintenance packages that include inspections, reapplications of toppers, and general upkeep to make sure the coating performs its best over time.

When choosing a ceramic or hybrid coating, you’re not just paying for the product itself - you’re paying for the full care process. That’s why many detailers bundle these coatings with paint correction, detailing services, and maintenance plans to ensure your car looks its best for years to come.

We believe in offering great value without the inflated costs. Our coatings aren’t just competitively priced, but they’re also designed to be durable and easy to maintain. Whether you’re going for a DIY install or working with a professional detailer, understanding the full picture of coating maintenance will help you get the most out of your investment.

At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right solution for your car. Ceramic coatings can offer great protection, but they’re not the end-all-be-all. We believe in giving you honest protection that works, without the buzzwords or inflated promises. Reach out to us for more info, and let’s keep your car looking amazing!