Is Paint Coating Necessary for Car Paint?
3 Answers
Paint coating is necessary for car paint. The method of coating is: 1. Use a clay bar to remove contaminants from the paint surface; 2. Apply the coating material evenly on the paint surface with a sponge; 3. After drying, wipe off excess material with a special towel. The methods for car paint maintenance are: 1. Perform polishing to remove the aged paint film and restore the shine of the new paint film; 2. Perform glaze sealing to enhance the gloss and hardness of the paint surface and effectively reduce scratches; 3. Perform waxing to prevent the paint surface from contacting air and slow down oxidation; 4. Perform coating to reduce damage from external environmental factors, maintain the paint's gloss, and extend its lifespan.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I highly recommend regular long-distance drivers to opt for ceramic coating. During highway driving, the front bumper is most prone to accumulating bug splatters and tree sap. A coated surface exhibits lotus leaf-like hydrophobic properties, allowing dirt to rinse off effortlessly, eliminating the hassle of spending half an hour cleaning the car after every highway trip. Moreover, prolonged exposure to summer sunlight can cause paint fading, but the ceramic coating reflects UV rays effectively. My black car still maintains its deep, glossy finish after three years of coating. However, it's crucial to choose professional shops for ceramic coating application, as machine polishing and chemical selection significantly impact the results. Those so-called "coating" services offered by roadside shops for 200-300 RMB are mostly scams.
Whether ceramic coating is worth it largely depends on your driving environment. As someone who lives in the north where roads are salted during snowy winters, I can confirm that coating effectively protects the car body from salt corrosion—just a few blasts from a high-pressure washer at the car wash and it's clean. However, if you mainly commute in the city and park in underground garages, regular waxing should suffice. Ceramic coating prices range from thousands to tens of thousands; I recommend opting for mid-tier options that last about a year. Cheap coatings won’t survive the rainy season, while premium ones aren’t cost-effective. Remember, never use automatic car wash rotary brushes after coating—they can scratch the coating layer.
