Ceramic Coating has a 9H hardness and can protect a car’s paint.

Despite industry claims, a ceramic coating is not a 9H protective barrier and cannot protect a car’s paint from road rash and debris the way paint protection film can.

A ceramic coating is a measurable layer of silicone, siloxane, or other chemistry providing a clear protective layer on a variety of substrates. That clear protective layer, approximately 10 nanometers in thickness, decreases the surface friction of the substrate on which it is applied. It can be applied to a car’s paint, glass, wheels, plastic trim, paint protection film, and vinyl film. What this means to the motorist is that a car’s paint or other surface will be glossier, smoother to the touch, maintain hydrophobic characteristics (water beading), and have chemical resistance to salt, harsh cleaning agents, acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, and bug remains.

The reason consumers believe a ceramic coating has a 9H hardness rating is because of the 9H hardness of the substrate on which the coating is applied. For example, if you are testing the hardness of a ceramic coating that has been applied to a substrate that has a hardness of 9H, the test result will show that the coating has a hardness of 9H. It’s simply not true. It is the substrate that provides this level of 9H hardness. Remember, a ceramic coating is only about 10 nanometers thick, which is 10,000 times thinner than the average human hair.

If protecting a car’s paint is of importance, consider 3M Paint Protection, otherwise known as PPF. 3M Paint Protection Film is an 8-mil thick clear urethane layer that is designed to protect a car’s paint from road rash and debris. It is available in a high gloss finish as well as matte satin finish for matte paint.