Ceramic Coatings: Long-Term Paint Protection & Shine for Your Vehicle

precise application, perfected finish.

Everyone loves the look of a freshly waxed car – that deep gloss and water beading are so satisfying. But what if you could have that all the time without waxing every month? That’s essentially what a ceramic coating offers. Ceramic coatings are one of the most advanced paint protection options available today. They create a semi-permanent bond with your vehicle’s paint, resulting in a shell of protection and shine that can last for years. At Ascension Automotive, we’ve applied ceramic coatings to daily drivers and supercars alike, right here in Oakland County. In this blog, we’ll explain what ceramic coating is, debunk some myths, and explore how it helps Michigan car owners keep their paint looking like new with minimal effort.

What is a Ceramic Coating?

A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer (often silica-based, like SiO₂) that is applied to a vehicle’s exterior surfaces. When it cures, it forms a hard, glass-like layer over the paint. Unlike a wax or sealant that just sits on top of the paint and wears off in weeks, a ceramic coating chemically bonds with the clear coat, becoming a protective part of the finish. The result is a hydrophobic (water-repellent), extremely glossy surface that is much more resistant to dirt, grime, and minor scratches than bare paint would be.

Think of it as adding an extra clear coat to your car, but one with properties specifically designed to keep your car cleaner and shinier. High-quality ceramic coatings are often rated around “9H” hardness (on a pencil hardness scale), which means they can resist light swirls and marring – the kind of wash-induced scratches that softer paints would normally get. They also have advanced “nano” technology that fills in microscopic pores in the paint, creating an ultra-smooth surface. This is why water just sheets and beads off a coated car and why dirt has a harder time sticking.

In short, a ceramic coating enhances and protects your vehicle’s finish. It’s not a miracle force field – but it does a fantastic job at preserving that showroom gloss and greatly easing maintenance.

The Benefits of Ceramic Coating for Your Car

1. Years of Durable Protection: A ceramic coating is an investment in long-term protection. Whereas a normal wax might last a month or two at best, and a paint sealant maybe 6 months, ceramic coatings typically protect for 2 to 5 years (or even longer) depending on the product and package Here at Ascension Automotive, we offer coating packages ranging from around 3 years all the way up to 8+ year professional-grade coatings. This means you don’t have to keep reapplying products every season. Your car’s paint is continually shielded against the elements, from UV rays to acid rain. The coating won’t wash off like a wax in a few washes – it becomes a semi-permanent part of your paint.

2. Incredible Gloss & Shine: One thing our clients love is the visual pop a coating gives their vehicle. Ceramic coatings amplify the gloss of the paint, making it look like it’s wet and deep. The way light reflects off a coated car is next-level – blacks look like a pool of ink, reds appear candy-like, and metallic flake in paint really “pops” in the sun. This mirror-like finish is a big reason show car owners go for coatings. Even if you’re not entering any car shows, it’s simply nice to have a car that looks a notch above the rest in the parking lot. Many people report that strangers comment, “How do you keep your car so shiny?” after a coating, because it truly does look permanently waxed.

3. Easier Cleaning (Hydrophobic Effect): Ceramic coatings are often touted for their hydrophobic (water-fearing) nature, and it’s true – water beads up into tight pearls and rolls right off a coated surface. When you drive in the rain, much of the water will just blow off once you get speed. More importantly, when it’s time to wash the car, dirt and grime come off with far less effort. Since the surface is so slick, contaminants have a hard time adhering strongly. You typically won’t need aggressive scrubbing; a gentle wash will do the trick, and things like bug splatter or bird droppings will release more easily. Many of our customers find they wash their cars less often after getting a coating, because the car stays cleaner longer – and when they do wash, it’s quicker and yields a better result. It’s almost like a “self-cleaning” property (in fact, some coating manufacturers call it that).

4. UV and Chemical Protection: The sun’s ultraviolet rays can fade paint over time, and environmental chemicals can wreak havoc (think bird droppings, tree sap, brake dust, road salt, etc.). A ceramic coating provides a protective layer that blocks UV from reaching your paint, which helps prevent oxidation and fading (like how clear coats themselves protect color, the coating adds one more layer of defense). It also resists chemical etching – for example, if a bird dropping is on your coated hood, it’s less likely to etch into the paint if you remove it reasonably soon, whereas on uncoated paint it could quickly leave a permanent mark. In Michigan, we battle both acidic winter salt and plenty of bug splats in summer. Ceramic coating your car means those corrosive or acidic substances won’t directly touch your paint – they’re sitting on the coating, which is more resistant and sacrificial. You’ll still want to rinse off salt and clean bird mess promptly, but you can do so with confidence that your underlying paint is safe.

5. All-Weather Resilience: Michigan’s climate swings from hot, humid summers to sub-freezing winters, and those changes can test lesser paint protections. A big advantage of ceramic coatings is that they are stable in all temperatures and weather. Unlike a wax that might soften in heat or become brittle in cold, a ceramic coating remains intact and protective whether it’s January or July It won’t wash away in the rain or slush. In winter, a coated car often sheds snow and ice more easily (since water can’t bond as strongly to the hydrophobic surface), making de-icing in the morning a bit easier. Plus, remember how wax can degrade from road salt and might need reapplication after winter? With a ceramic coating, you don’t need to worry – it’s built to handle our winters. This year-round durability is a key reason coatings make sense in the Midwest.

6. Preserve Value & Appearance: Because a ceramic coating keeps your paint in top condition, your car will retain a higher resale value. A few years down the line, your paint will still look glossy and flawless, which is a big selling point. We often apply coatings to brand-new cars straight from Michigan dealerships; it’s a lot easier to maintain that new-car look than to try to restore it later. If you lease a car, a coating can ensure you return it with less wear-and-tear (avoiding possible lease-end paint charges for etching or heavy swirl marks). If you own it, you get to enjoy a stunning-looking vehicle every day, and when it’s time to sell or trade, you’ll have an easier time and likely fetch more for a car that “shows” well.

The Ascension Approach: Expert Prep and Application

Now, it’s important to note that not all ceramic coatings and installers are equal. The outcome depends on two main things: the quality of the product and the quality of the application (including paint prep). At Ascension Automotive, we take both very seriously.

Before we ever apply a coating, we perform a thorough paint correction and preparation process. Any existing swirls, light scratches, or paint imperfections need to be polished out, and the surface must be completely clean and decontaminated. Why? Because once a ceramic coating is applied, it will “lock in” whatever is beneath it – you want that to be a flawless paint surface. Our technicians use clay bars, iron fallout removers, and machine polishers as needed to ensure your paint is as perfect as possible (this step may vary in extent depending on whether your car is brand new or has some years on it). We have a dust-free, climate-controlled bay specifically for coating applications, ensuring no debris ruins the finish.

The actual coating is applied by hand in a multi-step process. We typically do it panel by panel, carefully leveling the coating to avoid any high spots or streaks. This is where professional installation truly shines – an experienced installer will get that glassy, even finish. After application, the coating needs to cure. We often let the vehicle sit overnight in our facility. Some high-grade coatings may be baked under infrared lamps to help curing. Once done, we do a quality inspection to make sure every inch is coated and looking great.

We use elite professional ceramic coatings – the kind that aren’t usually available to the general public – ensuring you get top-tier performance. These coatings can include different formulations for paint, wheels, glass, and even interior materials. For example, we can apply a special coating to your wheels that makes brake dust easier to wash off, or coat your windshield to act like a super-powered rain repellant. In our higher-end packages, we include these extras so your whole vehicle is protected inside and out.

Finally, we educate you on how to care for your coated car (which thankfully isn’t hard!). There’s no point in doing this amazing service if a client ruins it with improper washes. We’ll tell you about using pH-neutral soap, soft wash mitts, and avoiding abrasive cleaners. But again, you won’t need to wax your car for the life of the coating – in fact, waxing a coated car can interfere with the coating’s properties, so you simply don’t need it.

Is a Ceramic Coating Right for You?

We often get asked whether a ceramic coating is “worth it.” Our answer: if you cherish your vehicle’s appearance and plan to keep it for a few years, absolutely yes – especially in our Michigan environment. A coating is ideal if:

• You want to save time on upkeep (less frequent washes, no waxing).

• You want your car to look glossy all the time with minimal effort.

• You worry about things like bird droppings or road salt damaging your paint.

• You tend to keep cars for a while and want to maintain that like-new look.

• You just bought a new vehicle and want to start protection from day one (or you just got a paint job corrected and want to lock in the perfection).

However, if your vehicle’s paint is in very poor condition (heavy oxidation or peeling clear coat), those issues should be addressed first (since a coating can’t fix failing paint). But for the vast majority of cars – new or old – a ceramic coating will make a significant difference.

Get Your Car Coated – Request a Quote

Imagine not having to wax your car for years and always enjoying that freshly detailed appearance. That’s what a ceramic coating can do for you. If you’re in Milford or anywhere in Oakland County and are curious about ceramic coatings, Ascension Automotive is here to help. We can assess your vehicle’s paint, explain the coating options we offer (in terms of longevity and features), and provide a competitive quote.

Ready to give your car the ultimate gloss and protection? Contact Ascension Automotive today to inquire about our ceramic coating services. We’ll answer all your questions and tailor a package that fits your needs – whether it’s just the exterior paint or a complete inside-and-out coating. Let us help you keep your car looking its absolute best, no matter what Michigan roads throw at it.

Ceramic Coating FAQ

Q: How long does a ceramic coating actually last?
A: It depends on the coating type and how you maintain it. Generally, professionally applied coatings last anywhere from 2 to 5 years on daily-driven vehicles. Some high-end coatings can go even longer (7+ years) if maintained, and we offer multi-year packages (for example, our “Ascend” package is rated around 8 years). Keep in mind, longevity also depends on factors like whether the car is garaged and how it’s washed. We’ll give you care instructions to maximize lifespan. The good news is even an “entry” 2-3 year coating still vastly outlives traditional waxes or sealants. And if you want to refresh the coating down the line, you can always have a new layer applied after a few years.

Q: Do I still need to wash or wax my car after coating?
A: You definitely still need to wash it, just not as often and not as carefully as before. Dirt will accumulate eventually (the car doesn’t stay magically clean forever), but washing a coated car is much easier – often just a pressure rinse will remove a lot of dirt, and a light hand wash will get the rest. You won’t need to clay bar contaminants as frequently either, since the coating resists bonding of things like tar or rail dust. Waxing is not required – in fact, we recommend you don’t wax on top of a ceramic coating, as it can reduce the coating’s hydrophobic effect. The coating is your new “wax.” If you really want to amp up the shine or hydrophobics after some time, there are specific spray sealants or toppers designed to refresh ceramic coatings that you can apply occasionally, but these are optional. Routine washes with proper methods will keep your car looking fantastic.

Q: Does it protect from scratches and rock chips?
A: This is a common question. A ceramic coating provides a layer of protection that is harder than your clear coat, so it can prevent some light scratches or swirl marks – for instance, those caused by improper washing or brushing against the paint It’s great for guarding against things like micro-scratches from wiping the car with a dusty towel. However, it is not thick or soft enough to absorb rock chip impacts or to stop a key scratch or a door ding. Those kinds of physical damages will still occur if there’s enough force. Think of coating like a very hard thin shell; it excels at repelling fine scratches and chemical damage, but it’s not an armor against significant physical impact. If rock chips are a big concern, that’s where Paint Protection Film (PPF) is the better solution (and many owners do PPF on the front and coating on the rest). In summary: ceramic coating greatly reduces the chance of wash-induced swirls and minor blemishes, but you should still use good practices (like touchless washing or the two-bucket method) for best results. And you’ll still want to avoid things like automatic brushes or dragging objects along your paint.

Q: What does the application process involve?
A: When you bring your car in for a ceramic coating, expect us to have the car for at least a full day, sometimes two. The steps include: a thorough wash, mechanical and chemical decontamination using clay bars and iron removers to eliminate embedded contaminants; paint correction follows, addressing any swirl marks, scratches, or oxidation that would be visible under a coating. Once the paint is perfected, we carefully apply the coating in sections. It’s applied with a suede applicator, allowed to flash for a specific time, then buffed off with microfiber towels. Some coatings require multiple layers, in which case we repeat the process. We also coat additional surfaces per your package – for example, we might do the rims, plastic trim, and glass with formulas suited to those materials. After application, the vehicle cures. We usually keep it indoors for curing; some coatings might be okay to return to service immediately, others we ask you to keep dry for 24 hours. When you pick up your car, it’ll look amazing – and we’ll walk you through how to wash it and care for it. The whole process is meticulous, but that’s why you come to us! We handle all the details so you get the best outcome.

Q: Can I apply a ceramic coating myself?
A: There are DIY ceramic coating kits on the market, and some people do attempt it. However, the professional-grade coatings we use are generally not sold retail because they require more skill to apply. DIY coatings often don’t last as long (maybe 1-2 years) and can be less forgiving if you make a mistake. The hardest part is actually the prep – you need to polish the car to near perfection and thoroughly degrease it. If you miss a spot or leave oils, the coating might not bond well there. Also, applying the coating evenly without high spots (those are little shiny or oily-looking patches where coating built up) takes some practice. We’ve fixed DIY jobs where the owner ended up with smeared-looking paint due to improper leveling of the coating. So while you can do it yourself, for most it’s worth having pros handle it. We have the experience, the right lighting to spot any application issues, and we work efficiently. Plus, our coatings come with warranties and support. Think of it this way: you’re protecting a major asset (your car) for years – it makes sense to ensure it’s done right.