Car Coating | Teflon Vs Ceramic | Explained

Your car is a reflection of you. And we know, you love your car more than anything else. A single scratch, a minor scuff, comes to you like a heartbreak.  So, what can you do about it? How can you protect your car? This is where car coating comes in. Car coatings come in two major types:

1. Teflon coating
2. Ceramic coating. 

Also Read: Everything about automotive paints | Car Paint

What is Teflon coating?

Teflon, also known as poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer. The renowned brand name of PTFE-based formula is Teflon which is owned by Chemours, a spin-off of DuPont. Teflon is the same thing which is used in household articles like nonstick cookware and pans.

Automotive Teflon coating is an affordable option for those looking to protect their beloved four-wheeled investment. A proper coat of Teflon is usually 0.2 microns thick and can last upto 6 to 8 months. Even more, if taken care. Teflon coating protects your car against scuffs and visibly reduces surface swirl marks.

Is Teflon coating good for my car?

Here’s a top tip!
Buying a new car? Insist on a free Teflon coating. Most dealers offer Teflon coating as complimentary.

Teflon coating is good to have paint protection for your car. Teflon coating not only protects your car from scratches and scuffs but also shields it from road chips, tar, rust, corrosion and environmental impacts. Teflon doesn’t bond with paint at the molecular level but instead acts as a protective layer over the paint. Once applied, this coating reduces circular swirl marks and adds a glossy sheen to the paint surface of the car.

The only setback with Teflon is its durability. Teflon can stay onto the surface up to a period of 6 months. Car coating professionals advise not to wash the car with hard soap or PH heavy detergent, which can wear off the coating.

What is Ceramic coating?

Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer clear coat that is applied over the top coat of the car’s paint. Unlike Teflon, Ceramic coating bonds a the molecular level and adds a hydrophobic layer to the paint surface. This hydrophobic surface acts as a hardened protective barrier that repels dirt, dust, grime and more.

Ceramic Pro, 3M Hypershield, CarPro Cquartz, Calgary are some popular Ceramic coating brands.

Have a look at the video to know more about the ceramic coating.

Ceramic coating also provides weather protection and acts as a shield against dirt, scratch, chemical contaminants coupled with protection against corrosion, oxidation and UV rays. Similar to Teflon, Ceramic coating also provides a glossy shine to your car.

Is Ceramic coating good for my car?

To start with, Ceramic coating is way more long-lasting and sturdier than Teflon. Ceramic coating is basically an additional layer to coating over the paint. It uses nanotechnology to form a second layer which isn’t visible through naked eyes. The particles are so small in size that occupies the spaces between the paint molecules. This makes the vehicle hydrophobic and resistant against a myriad of elements like water damage, rust/corrosion, oxidation and UV rays. If applied properly, Ceramic coating can even last the lifetime of the car.

But,  Ceramic coating comes at a premium price. On average, Ceramic coating falls in the range upwards of ₹20,000 or even higher, depending on the brand. PPF or paint protection film is an affordable alternative for Ceramic coating. 

Read more about Paint Protection Film for your car (PPF)

What is 9H Ceramic coating?

You might have heard this term associated with Ceramic coating and this isn’t just a marketing gimmick To understand what exactly is 9H, we need to know a bit about Moh’s scale of hardness.

Hardness is the capacity of a given surface to resist scratching. It can range from 1H which is the softest up to 10H which is the hardest. A fingernail is 2.5H and Diamond is 10H in the Moh’s scale of hardness.

Teflon coating or Ceramic coating: Which is the best for my car?

*Prices are subjective to car make/model/size.

Teflon or Ceramic, both offer decent paint protection for your car. But this is where Ceramic trumps Teflon by offering more value-for-money and long-lasting permanent protection. If the price is not a worry, Ceramic coating is the way to go for the best results. Consider it as a one-time-investment.