An extra layer of the cover is provided on the top of the paint of the car. This extra layer is termed as coating of cars and is a necessary requirement for the new as well as used cars. This secondary layer of coating protects the paint and the surface of your car against corrosion, harm caused due to abrasive weather, scratches, fingerprints that come from touching your car, dirt due to pollution, etc. The coating is also responsible to maintain the shininess of your paint and protecting it. The coating is a crucial step if you want the paint of your car to last for a longer run. You should ensure that you coat your car from time to time as this layer is prone to degradation. 

Now there are many types of coating available in the market:

• Glass Coating

• Paint Protection Film or PPF

• Teflon Coating

• Ceramic Coating

• And many more…..

In this blog, we will discuss Teflon coating, ceramic coating, and paint protection film, and how they are good or bad for your vehicle.

Teflon Coating

Teflon coating, also known ad anti-rust coating or paint protection coating, is a kind famous among Indian vehicle owners and is also one of the most recommended kinds of coating by the dealers. In India, where the population density is high, especially when it comes to cities, accidents causing dents, scratches, and removal of paint are very common. Teflon is known to provide an additional layer of protection to the paint, which ensures the longevity of the paint job and corrosion and also provides a glossy, shiny, and smooth look to the car. Teflon, also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene, is a synthesized fluoropolymer. It become famous due to its properties like high flexure strength, high dielectric and electric resistance, resistance to water, and low coefficient of friction. 

Procedure to apply Teflon coating.

1. Wash the car. Washing the car removes the dirt particle and pollutants from the surface of the car. After washing the car let it dry properly. 
2. Apply the Teflon coating on the entire body of the car in a lubricated form.
3. Let the Teflon layer rest and dry for about 15 to 20 minutes. 
4. Polish the car using a car buffing machine to provide a perfect glossy finish.

Pros:

1. Scratch Protection: The coating of Teflon protects your car from minor scratches and swill marks that can occur through minor accidents.
2. Enchantment in Appearance: The primary advantage of applying Teflon coating is that your car looks more shiner and glossier as soon as the coating is applied. The coating fills up the minor cracks that are present on the surface and gives a smoother look to your vehicle.
3. Rust Protection of the Surface: Protects the car surface from external harm in the humid climate. The humid climate is the main reason for rusting of car surfaces. So, a Teflon coating acts as an anti-rust layer for your vehicle.
4. Increased paint Life: Applying a Teflon coating enhances the paint of your car, provided that the Teflon layer is renewed timely.

Cons: 

1. Short Durability Period: Though the Teflon coating provides a protective layer to the car paint, it has a very low resistance and wears out easily. Teflon coating needs to be redone after approximately every 6 months.
2. High-Cost Coating: the cost of Teflon coating in the market s high as compared to other paint protection treatments and other coating options. And since as discussed above that its durability is low and it needs to be redone more frequently, it makes it even costlier.

Ceramic Coating

Ceramic Coating is a synthetic product made of silicon or a quartz silane-based compound. The chemical polymer is applied on the exterior surface of the car to protect the paint from external harm. It has the property of blending with the car paint and creating an additional hydrophobic layer of protection for your paint. Because of this property, ceramic coating is considered a permanent coating that can keep your car’s paint untouched from outside damage. Sometimes called nano-ceramic coating, ceramic coating act as a long-term exterior paint protectant. Applied in liquid form, it forms a hard glass-like layer on top of the paint. The ceramic coating is generally composed of silicon dioxide (some also use titanium dioxide) which is sourced from naturally occurring materials like quartz and sand. Due to its chemical properties, it does not easily break down in extreme atmospheric conditions like summer or rain.

Procedure to Apply Ceramic Coating:

1. Wash your car properly. Wash out any contamination, dirt particle, mud, or pollutant. The surface of your car should be as clean as possible.
2. Let your car dry properly. Use a microfiber cloth to dry out your car.
3. You should get rid of all the scratches present on the surface of your car before applying the coating. A special detailed clay will help you to do so. It will also remove any dirt particles still left on the surface.
4. Apply the coating on the car as recommended by the brand of the product you brought.
5. Leave the car to dry in a dark place for 48 hours, don’t leave your vehicle under the sun.

Pros:

1. Easy washing of the car: The formation of a hydrophobic layer by aluminum oxide makes the washing of the vehicle a lot easier. The removal of dirt from the surface is effortless.
2. Protection from harm caused by UV rays: The UV rays are considered very harmful to the paint of your car. Ceramic Coating has the property to protect the paint of your car from harmful UV rays. 
3. Protection from Chemical stains: The chemical stains can be caused due to contaminants present in the air when they react with the paint of your car. Also, it can be caused by petrol or oil stains. The ceramic coating is insensitive to such stains and prevents them from reacting with the paint of the car.
4. Glossier Look: The ceramic coating is known to provide a more shiny and beautiful look to your car than most sealants and waxes. This gives your car an aesthetic look, which is loved by most car owners.

Cons:

1. No protection for water spotting: Water spotting is caused when the soluble particles in the water still remain on the surface event after the water is fully evaporated. Ceramic coating cannot get rid of the water spots, removal of these water spots requires more work and time. 
2. Not a complete scratch-resistant solution: Ceramics coating is known to be incapable to protect your car from scratch, swirl marks, and rock chips. Hence, the ceramic coating cannot protect your car’s surface from all kinds of scratches. 
3. Complex process: Applying a ceramic coating to your car is a more complex process than most waxes and also more time-consuming. Applying Ceramic coating requires more skill and experience hands.

Paint Protection Film (PPF)

Paint protection film (PPF or clear film or clear film paint) is chemically a  thermoplastic urethane. It possesses self-healing property. That is, it can heal itself from scratches on its own. The PPF is made of elastomeric polymer which helps it to restore its shape once stretched. PPF is applied to a new car or a used one to protect it from bug splatters, rock chips, and minor scratches. 

Pros:

1. Instant healing of Minor scratches: As discussed earlier that the PPF has the property to instantly heal minor scratches on its own. This makes the greatest advantage of it.  This can be easily done by using a blowing heat gun or by the application of direct heat.
2. High heat resistance: PPF has the ability of high heat resistance and can also protect your vehicle against UV radiation.
3. Protection against corrosion and chemical protection: The multi-layer protection of the PPF helps to keep the reach of harmful chemicals causing corrosion out of the paint.

Cons:

1. Yellowing of film over time: The major flaw of many films is that with constant exposure to UV radiation, they turn yellow with time. Although, in newer films, this defect has been overcome and they are said to maintain their transparency for a longer time.
2. Upfront Cost: The cost of applying PPF to your vehicle is quite high. But in a longer period, it could provide huge gains to the car owner. 
3. Not Permanent: The PPF is durable enough keep in mind how thin the layer of PPF is, but still it is not permanent and needs to be replaced after a certain period.

Tabular Comparison: Teflon Coating V/S Ceramic Coating V/S Paint Protection Film

FAQs

1. What is the price of Teflon coating for cars in India?

2. What is the price of a ceramic coating in India?

The price of the ceramic coating depends on the size of the car and the warranty of the coating. But on average, the price starts at Rs. 18,000 and can rise up to Rs. 35,000.