3 Best Ceramic Coatings for Glass-Like Finish (Updated for 2024)
Which ceramic sealant is truly worth the hype? We tried 38 different brands in our shop and we're here to breakdown which are best and why.
by Michael S. Brooks on January 29, 2024
Michael has been in the Auto Detail industry for over 12 years. His passion for car maintenance started at a young age when we restored his father's 1954 Corvette as a summer job that would become his career. He leads our hands-on product research unit from his shop in Southern Kentucky.
"Adding Nobel Prize winning Graphene to Ceramic formulas creates a verifiably superior shine and overall surface protection for your car. "
-AutoDetailUSA
by Michael S. Brooks on January 29, 2024
Michael has been in the Auto Detail industry for over 12 years. His passion for car maintenance started at a young age when we restored his father's 1954 Corvette as a summer job that would become his career. He leads our hands-on product research unit from his shop in Southern Kentucky.
There are a ton of Ceramic Sealants out there claiming to be the best, but we have tested the top ones to help you find one that will really deliver.
We narrowed it down to the best 3 ceramic sealants based on the quality, price, and customer contentment. However, let us first breakdown what ingredients are truly needed to make our cars look brand new and to fully protect them at the same time.
WHICH Ceramic Sealants HAS THE BEST INGREDIENTS?
There are many factors that you need to consider when it comes to choosing a ceramic sealant. The most important thing to look for is the ingredients used in the product. The best ceramic sealants will have ingredients that are designed to protect your car's paint and finish.
So if you are looking for the best ceramic sealant that uses high-quality ingredients, be sure to look for products that contain these ingredients. And remember, not all sealants will use the same combination of ingredients, so it's important to do your research before making a purchase.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN Ceramic Sealants
- Carnauba Blended Ceramic - Some lower end products use a conventional style carnauba wax as the base product. Carnauba wax is outdated technology and shortens the lifespan of an applied product.
- Acrylic sealants - This type of polymer is commonly used in cheaper ceramic sealants, as it is typically cheaper to manufacture than other types of polymers. However, it tends to wear off easily and can leave a chalky residue on the surface of your car.
- Petroleum distillates - This is a type of hydrocarbon that is commonly used in paint thinners, degreasers, and other chemical products. It can cause damage to your car's surface, making it less effective at protecting your car from scratches and other types of damage.
BE CAUTIOUS OF AMAZON PAID REVIEWS
When shopping for a ceramic sealant, it is vital to be wary of paid reviews on Amazon and other online marketplaces. Many companies will pay people to write glowing reviews about their products, even if they aren’t the best quality or don’t meet customer expectations. One of the main things to watch out for is when reviews are overly positive. If a review seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of reviews that only talk about the positive aspects of a product and don’t mention any negative points.
It is important to do your research and be aware of the ingredients that you should avoid. This will help you choose a product that will not only provide a glossy finish on your car’s surface but also protect it from damage over time.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR
- Graphene: The highest tensile strength material known to man. 200x harder to tear than steel, unique UV protective properties and greater material flexibility than older ceramic materials improving hold.
- Dimethicone: Creates an elastomeric mold that helps water bead and slide off easily.
- Nano SiO2: Diamond-like hardness of SiO2 prevents indentation on a microscopic level, keeping particles and debris from grabbing onto, and digging into the much softer surface of your paint.
- Polymer Silicone: Resistant to water and oxidation and copes well in both high and low temperatures.
OUR RANKING METHODOLOGIES
We take a number of factors into consideration when ranking ceramic sealants. Including the quality and quantity of key ingredients, as well as the effectiveness of the product at protecting your car's paint against scratches and other damage. Other important criteria include overall customer satisfaction with the product, price point, ease of use, and any additional features or benefits.
2024 BEST Ceramic Sealants REVIEW
After our thorough assessment of the data we gathered, we happily present to you our list of the best and most effective ceramic sealants available on the market today.
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
VALUE
RETURN POLICY
PROS
- Creates a strong coating and hides previous scratches
- Reduces paint surface temperatures
- The high water contact angle will not allow water damage to occur
- Quick to dry after application
- Long Lasting
- Contains essential chemicals for a healthy car surface
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Slow to restock supply
THE BOTTOM LINE
As a car enthusiast, I’ve tried and tested numerous products to keep my car looking its best. However, none have come close to the performance and convenience of ShineMD’s Graphene Infused Car Spray and Ceramic Sealant.
Crafted with top-quality raw materials like graphene, silicone polymer content, dimethicone, and Si02, this ceramic sealant is a cut above the rest. It flawlessly blends with your car’s paint, will hide minor scratches that are in your paint with its light-reflecting properties, and cools the surface temperature, giving your ride a radiant shine while protecting it from harmful UV rays and water damage.
What’s even more impressive is how easy it is to use. You can DIY your way to a showroom-worthy finish in just 6-12 hours, and it will last 6 months maintenance free. This is professional-grade quality made accessible to everyone.
If you want to give your car the ultimate protection and restore its pristine condition without breaking the bank, ShineMD’s graphene-infused ceramic coating is the perfect solution. Trust me, it’s my number 1 choice for a reason.
KEY INGREDIENTS YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR:
2. STREET
R1 Coatings
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
VALUE
RETURN POLICY
PROS
- Has a thin coating that creates a shiny surface
- Close to permanent sheet of protection
- Protects the cars surface from high temperatures
CONS
- Hard application process
- Not a recommended DIY product
THE BOTTOM LINE
Street by R1 Coatings equip the surface of your car with a professional grade clear nano-coating that is close to permanent. It upgrades the surface with a glossy finish and a 9H hardness for years on end. We have high praise for Street by R1 Coatings because of its ability to protect your car from UV damage and high temperatures.
Unfortunately, the meticulous and yet precise application process is needed to get the desired results. Since a professional touch might be recommended when using Street, it defeats the purpose of it being a “do it yourself” product.
3. SYSTEM-X
Element 199
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
VALUE
RETURN POLICY
PROS
- Top notch nano coating technology
- Found to perform in more harsh applications like aircrafts
CONS
- Very expensive
- HIghly Sensitive Application Process
- Might leave spots if not applied properly
THE BOTTOM LINE
System-X contains nano-coating technology which serves a wide array of vehicles. It can protect vehicles from automobiles all the way to aircrafts. System-X offers diverse formulas when it comes to durability. Different bottles that last for 2, 3, or even up to 7 years. The choice is yours.
The big disadvantage of this product is that it is not cheap. Similar to reload, the drawback of System-X is the sensitivity of the application process. The formula will leave high spots if it is not applied properly.
