The Truth About Ceramic Coatings for Daily Drivers.
About this episode
Exploring the practicality and benefits of ceramic coatings for daily drivers, especially those without garage protection, this discussion shares personal experiences and tests on a Toyota Land Cruiser. It highlights the differences between wax, spray-on ceramic products, and wipe-on ceramic coatings, emphasizing the superior protection and ease of maintenance that ceramic coatings provide against environmental damage like bird droppings and UV rays. The host also addresses common concerns about cost, application difficulty, and durability, ultimately advocating for ceramic coatings as a foundational layer that enhances long-term paint protection and reduces maintenance efforts.
If your car sits outside every day… is a ceramic coating even worth it?
I recently received a comment that sparked a really interesting discussion:
"I still cannot embrace the small-bottle-type, multi-year ceramic coating product for the daily driver with no garage vehicle."
And honestly… it's a fair question.
In this video, I break down the real truth about ceramic coatings for daily drivers, especially cars that live outside with no garage.
The detailing industry loves to talk about 5-year coatings, 7-year coatings, and even 9-year coatings, but the reality is most car owners don't actually need that kind of longevity. What most people really want is something that keeps their car looking good and makes it easier to clean.
So in this episode, I share my real-world experience testing protection on my own daily driver that sits outside full-time.
We'll talk about:
• Why many people think ceramic coatings don't make sense for daily drivers
• The biggest myths about multi-year ceramic coatings
• Why the detailing industry is obsessed with durability claims
• What actually matters more than longevity
• My personal experiment running an uncoated daily driver for three years
• Why cars that live outside actually benefit MORE from protection
• The three realistic levels of paint protection every car owner should understand
Does it make your life easier and your car easier to maintain?
If you drive your car daily, park outside, and want your paint to stay looking great without spending hours detailing, this discussion will help you decide what type of protection actually makes sense.
PRODUCTS TALKED ABOUT:
The Gloss Boss: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TGB
Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TAS or on Amazon https://amzn.to/4r5UxYr
The Super Soaper: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TSS or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/49KEM2d
Picture Perfect Polish: https://jimbosdetailing.com/PPP or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sQWpWu
Microfiber towels: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/orange-wash-microfiber or https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/everyday-microfiber
Cut & Finish Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/cut-finish-pad or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LsxJ69
Finishing Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/black-finishing-pad or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJNDCPTG
SHOP ALL JIMBO'S DETAILING ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3LX3mVE
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/user/jbalaam?sub_confirmation=1
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ceramic coating
"I still cannot embrace the small bottle type, talking about the wipe-on, multi-year ceramic coating product for the daily driver with no garage."
Ceramic coating is like a special clear shield you put on your car's paint to keep it shiny and protect it from dirt and scratches. It helps your car look nice for a long time and makes washing it easier.
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to a car's exterior that chemically bonds to the paint, creating a protective layer that resists dirt, water, and minor scratches. It enhances the car's gloss and makes cleaning easier, often lasting for years depending on the product and maintenance.
daily driver
"I still cannot embrace the small bottle type, talking about the wipe-on, multi-year ceramic coating product for the daily driver with no garage."
A daily driver is the car you use every day to go to work, school, or run errands. It's the car you rely on most of the time.
A daily driver is a vehicle used regularly for everyday transportation, as opposed to a show car or weekend car. It typically experiences regular wear and tear and may not receive extensive cosmetic care.
Toyota Land Cruiser
"and ran an experiment on my Land Cruiser when I first bought it of like, you know what? I don't want to be high on my own supply."
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a big SUV that can drive on rough roads and lasts a long time. Many people use it every day or for trips where the roads are tough.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a full-size SUV known for its rugged off-road capability, durability, and reliability. It is popular worldwide as a dependable daily driver and adventure vehicle.
UV protection
"The UV protection, the underlying kind of assurance. I look at a ceramic coating, there's like extra insurance against stuff like bird poops."
UV protection means the coating helps stop the sun's rays from hurting your car's paint and making it look old or faded.
UV protection refers to the ability of a coating or product to shield a car's paint from ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can cause fading, oxidation, and degradation of the paint over time.
bird poop damage
"I look at a ceramic coating, there's like extra insurance against stuff like bird poops. I mean, bird poops alone are worth the investment to not have to repaint your car."
Bird poop can hurt your car's paint if it stays there too long. A ceramic coating helps protect the paint and makes it easier to clean off.
Bird poop can be highly acidic and corrosive, which can damage a car's paint if left on the surface for too long. Ceramic coatings provide a protective barrier that helps prevent this damage and makes cleaning bird droppings easier.
clear coat
"and that bird poop etched through their clear coat and they essentially the only way to get it perfect is to get it repainted."
Clear coat is a clear layer on your car's paint that keeps it shiny and safe from things like bird poop or sun damage. If it gets damaged, the paint underneath can get ruined.
Clear coat is the transparent top layer of paint on a car that protects the colored base coat from damage and UV rays. It provides gloss and durability but can be damaged by contaminants like bird droppings.
wax
"And the first layer being wax, which is basically talk about a waste of time. If you have a daily driver that sits outside and you're just waxing it, that is a complete waste of money and time."
Wax is like a shiny coat you put on your car to make it look nice and protect the paint a little bit. But it doesn't last long, especially if your car is outside a lot.
Wax is a traditional paint protection product that adds gloss and a thin protective layer to a car's paint. However, natural waxes tend to degrade quickly when exposed to sunlight and weather, offering limited long-term protection.
liquid sealant
"but I would even group in a liquid sealant into this category of like, I know people are obsessed with colonite or used to be obsessed with colonite. When I ran a torture test on colonite, it's virtually useless."
Liquid sealants are special liquids you put on your car's paint to protect it and keep it shiny longer than wax. But some brands don't work very well if your car is outside a lot.
Liquid sealants are synthetic paint protection products designed to provide longer-lasting protection and gloss compared to traditional wax. However, some sealants, like the mentioned 'colonite,' may not perform well under harsh conditions.
sealants
"Then you have the level two because I grouped in sealants with the waxes."
Sealants are special coatings you put on your car's paint to protect it better and make it shiny for a longer time than wax.
Sealants are synthetic products designed to protect car paint by creating a durable, glossy layer. They generally last longer than wax but are still less durable than ceramic coatings.
spray-on ceramic
"You have this spray-on ceramic, something like Tuffa Shell. They're very, very fast to apply."
Spray-on ceramic is a special spray you put on your car that helps protect the paint and makes water bead off, keeping it cleaner longer.
Spray-on ceramic coatings are liquid products that can be quickly applied to a car's surface to provide a protective layer with hydrophobic properties and enhanced durability compared to wax or sealants. They are often an entry-level option for ceramic protection.
Tuffa Shell
"You have this spray-on ceramic, something like Tuffa Shell. They're very, very fast to apply."
Tuffa Shell is a product you can spray on your car to help protect the paint and make it shiny, and it's easy to use and not too expensive.
Tuffa Shell is a brand of spray-on ceramic coating known for its ease of application, affordability, and providing hydrophobic protection and shine similar to wax but with longer-lasting durability.
hydrophobic
"They offer hydrophobic, Tuffa Shell gives you a glow like a wax, but gives you the protection like a ceramic spray."
Hydrophobic means water doesn't stick to the car's surface but instead forms little droplets and rolls off, helping keep the car cleaner.
Hydrophobic refers to a surface's ability to repel water, causing water to bead up and roll off easily. This helps keep the car cleaner and protects the paint from water-related damage.
UV damage
"There's gonna be more UV damage, more bird poops, more tree sap, more pollution, more water spots, more grass from the neighbor's gardener"
UV damage happens when sunlight hurts your car's paint, making it fade or look dull after a long time outside.
UV damage refers to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun on a vehicle's paint and materials. Over time, UV exposure can cause fading, oxidation, and degradation of the paint surface.
water spots
"There's gonna be more UV damage, more bird poops, more tree sap, more pollution, more water spots, more grass from the neighbor's gardener"
Water spots are little marks left on your car when water dries up and leaves behind minerals. They can make your car look dirty or stained.
Water spots are mineral deposits left on a car's surface when water evaporates, often causing visible marks or etching on the paint. They are common in areas with hard water and can be difficult to remove if left untreated.
spray ceramic
"Whether it's spray ceramic or wipe on, it's incredible. But let me tell you my story and my experience with these."
Spray ceramic is a way to put a protective liquid on your car by spraying it on. It's faster to do but might not last as long as other types.
Spray ceramic coatings are a type of ceramic coating applied by spraying onto the vehicle's surface. They are generally easier and quicker to apply compared to professional-grade coatings but may offer less durability.
private labeling
"and at the time I was selling a lot of ceramic spray, private labeling, I had a ton of experience installing wipe on ceramic coatings."
Private labeling means selling products made by someone else but using your own brand name on them. Detailers do this to sell coatings with their own label.
Private labeling is the practice of selling products manufactured by another company under one's own brand name. In detailing, it allows professionals to market ceramic coatings or other products with their own brand identity.
detailing professional
"Sure, for the detailing professional, they love wipe on ceramic coatings because it opened up a huge market to actually make money in detailing."
A detailing professional is a person who cleans and fixes cars to make them look very nice, using special tools and products.
A detailing professional is someone who specializes in cleaning, restoring, and protecting a vehicle's exterior and interior surfaces to a high standard, often using specialized products and techniques.
high level detailing
"It's high, high level detailing. Now, guys won't even do a ceramic coating for less than $1,000, right? It becomes the norm."
High level detailing means doing a very thorough and special cleaning and protecting of a car, not just washing it. It can make the car look like new and protect it better.
High level detailing refers to advanced car cleaning and protection services that go beyond basic washing, often including paint correction, ceramic coatings, and other premium treatments. These services usually command higher prices due to their complexity and quality.
contamination
"you make all that time back on the back end. Contamination builds up way quicker"
Contamination means all the dirt and grime that sticks to your car's paint, making it look dull and dirty.
In automotive detailing, contamination refers to dirt, pollutants, and other unwanted substances that accumulate on a car's paint surface, which can degrade the finish and make it harder to clean.
clay
"I noticed contamination building up quicker, so I needed to clay more often. And then once I did a few rounds of that,"
Clay bars are special tools used to clean the car's paint by picking up tiny bits of dirt and grime that washing alone can't remove.
Clay bars are detailing tools used to remove surface contaminants like dirt, tar, and industrial fallout from automotive paint, restoring smoothness before polishing or coating.
IPA wipe
"If your car doesn't need to be polished, you could IPA wipe it and coat it in literally two hours or less, maybe even an hour."
An IPA wipe means cleaning your car with a special alcohol to make sure it's very clean before putting on a protective layer. This helps the protection stick better.
IPA wipe refers to cleaning a car's surface with isopropyl alcohol before applying coatings. This removes oils, residues, and contaminants to ensure proper bonding of the coating.
ceramic sprays
"And then use the ceramic sprays as maintenance and boosters or wax over the coating, that's totally fine."
Ceramic sprays are sprays you can use on top of the ceramic coating to keep your car looking shiny and protected. They help keep the coating working well.
Ceramic sprays are maintenance products used to boost or refresh the protection provided by a ceramic coating. They are easy to apply and help maintain the hydrophobic and glossy properties of the coating.
Gloss Boss
"So I really wanted to test that. And ultimately, you know, all these years later, six years later, I've come to the conclusion of like, yeah, I am selling the right thing. Like this is a valuable product to have. And if I can make this as easy as possible to apply, I should do that, which I did with the gloss boss."
Gloss Boss is a company that makes special coatings to protect and shine your car's paint. Their products are made to be easy to use.
Gloss Boss is a brand of ceramic coating products designed for automotive detailing. It aims to provide an easy-to-apply protective coating that enhances gloss and durability.
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