99 Rodinea Rd Unit 14, Vaughan, ON, Canada
Recap: The Basics of Ceramic Coatings @ Toronto Buffing Inc.
What is a Ceramic Coating
In summary, ceramic coating is a layer of liquid glass + chemical solvent that is applied to a vehicles surface. It is sold in small bottles, usually in 50ml.
Who Should Get a Ceramic Coating
Those who are looking to preserve their vehicles finish should consider a ceramic coating. Unique and special vehicles often enter our doors, but more so, daily drivers. There is no qualification for which vehicle should get protection.
If you care about your assets, protection is key.
Why is Ceramic Coating Important?
Ceramic coatings add a thin barrier on a vehicles surface. This barrier can protect against minor swirl marks, UV damage, bird droppings, chemicals, and much more. Ceramic coatings increase surface hardness of vehicles. Ceramic coated vehicles also repel water, and make maintenance a breeze. A ceramic coated vehicle stays cleaner, and looks freshly polished after each wash.
When Should I Get A Ceramic Coating Installed
The saying "Anytime is the right time" applies here! Though we have a large amount of clients opting for ceramic coating on their New (Or Used) vehicle purchase, we also have clients bring in their daily driver. Ideally, paint should be protected when it is in the best condition. Sometimes, vehicles are in this condition naturally (new vehicles) and sometimes, we have to recondition it to this condition via our paint correction services.
What Season is Best for Ceramic Coating
We often get asked this question. Ceramic coating has benefits in both seasons (winter vs summer). In the winter, coatings can help repel harmful salt, and ice, and act as a shield against the elements. In the summer, ceramic coatings can keep your paint cleaner longer, maximizing your time with your vehicle during the short window of good weather we have in Toronto. It can be noted that some cost savings can. behad in the Winter due to lower demand. Winter or Summer, protection is a must.
How Is a Ceramic Coating Installed
Ceramic coating is installed on a vehicle with no defects, with a foam applicator pad. The installer uses extreme focus to "lay" the liquid solution onto the paint surface, ensuring no sections are missed. Installing the material too thick can cause problems, and installing too thin can cause premature failure. This process can take hours in itself. Installing a professional grade ceramic coating is no easy task. Premium microfiber towels, PPE, and patience are necessary for a safe and high quality installation.
Do I Need Ceramic Coating
Where Should I Get Ceramic Coating Done
How Much Does Ceramic Coating Cost
Ceramic coating is a great solution for most clientele. Ceramic coating boast many benefits when compared to paint that has no ceramic coating. You wouldn't use your expensive phone without at least a case, and the same philosophy should apply to your largest mobile asset.
How Much Does Ceramic Coating Cost
Where Should I Get Ceramic Coating Done
How Much Does Ceramic Coating Cost
Proper paint correction and ceramic coating in Toronto cost anywhere from $1000, all the way up to $3000 for large, heavily defected vehicles. Remember, quality ceramic coating materials are expensive. Ceramic Pro Silver Package can boast more than $700 in shop materials alone. Paint correction is a process that takes hours to perform. Cheaper coating services lack detail, fail quickly, and are prone to complications. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Installations of coatings are done to the highest caliber at Toronto Buffing, and are guaranteed to last.
Where Should I Get Ceramic Coating Done
Where Should I Get Ceramic Coating Done
Where Should I Get Ceramic Coating Done
Choosing a shop to trust with your vehicle is never an easy task. To start, you should choose a facility that makes you comfortable. Factors such as a long lasting business track record, and a positive reputation are a non negotiable. A shop performing ceramic coating in Vaughan should have a strong background in paint correction. Social media can verify some of these factors. Toronto Buffing checks off all items, and then some. We have performed thousands of coating installations, and have been Vaughans and Toronto's prefered ceramic coating store for the last decade.
What makes a Toronto Buffing Ceramic Coating different?
Proper Paint Correction
As mentioned throughout our website, we only accept jobs in which we are able to remove all possible defects, prior to ceramic coating. Protecting paint is one thing, making it truly worthy of protection, is a whole different story. It is the job of the professional to suggest the appropriate avenue for clients, and not leave room for the client to make the wrong choice while in your care.
There is only one right situation in which to install ceramic coatings: after all possible paint defects have been removed!
Research and Development
We have experience first hand with every noteworthy coating on the market. This includes but is not limited to: IGL Kenzo, Feynlab, CQuartz, GTechniq, Opticoat, Gyeon, System X, Kamikaze, Xpel Fusion, Ceramic Pro, and Fireball Korea. The coatings we select to offer to the public must meet certain criteria.
Our two primary objectives are:
1. Is the coating strong (hardness, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and environmental resistance)?
2. is the coating long lasting?
A) extreme conditions and neglect (IE automatic washes, infrequent washes, strip washes).
AND
B) normal conditions (IE our normal weather conditions).
There are other factors that also contribute to our selection of coatings. Issues such as long term clarity have eliminated a majority of coatings from our menu.
We have a simple test for durability: does a simple clay bar process compromise the coating? Surprisingly, a vast majority of listed coatings are severely hindered after a light, non abrasive clay bar treatment. Others, however, are unaffected by clay barring and in fact can handle some level of polishing without being compromised.
Permanent, long lasting coatings are an investment, and we take it very seriously!
Pre Installation Prep
After paint correction, and before coating installation, we have a specialty chemical strip process that insures an extreme bond to the paint. This further assist with longevity. It can be noted that our polishes contain zero fillers or waxes. Removal of lubricants and oils from polishing is a key to a concrete bond.
IR Curing When Required
When required, we often bake our "cure" our coatings to ensure a superior bond. This is done with IR Heat Lamps, or Radiant Heat.
Quality Control and Aftercare
After our coating installations, vehicles remain in the shop for their required drying time. During this time, the vehicle is inspected periodically for any imperfections. If any imperfections arise, we perform our process to remove the coating and reinstall it. After release of a ceramic coated vehicle, we have a mandatory 2 week (complimentary) inspection. During this inspection, the vehicle is washed by hand, and inspected for resistance to elements, and hydrophobics.
Our ceramic coating installations are not backed by a manufacture, or third party. They are warrantied in house, by Toronto Buffing Inc.
More than water repelling
Ceramic Coating Toronto
Ceramic coatings were popularized on social media by there amazing effect to repel water, known as hydrophobic behaviour. This characteristic is created by increasing the water contact angle of the surface on a microscopic level. This increasesed contact angle allows liquids, not only water, to be repelled. This has multiple benefits to an automotive surface, such as it staying cleaner longer, making washing easier, and decreasing the likelihood of strong bonds to form between dirt, contamination, and pollutants, to your vehicles finish.
But contrary to popular belief, true ceramic coatings offer so much more than just water beading, also known as hydrophobics. Naturally, the mesmerizing part of a coating installation is its incredible ability to repel liquid, but this alone should not be the trigger for you to go and get a ceramic coating.
High performing coatings are compromised of two parts; A base coat, and a top coat. The base coat is what is responsible for the actual protection aspect. It is the thicker part of the coating, which is the hardened layer responsible for increase in surface hardness. It is what carries the bulk of the coatings thickness, and is arguably the most important part of any coating system. The topcoat is what gives added gloss, and hydrophobic behaviour. The nature of topcoats is that they are semi-permanent. A two layer coating is an indicator of a proper ceramic coating system. Single layer coating systems are primarily for water beading and gloss. This is why you will be hard pressed to find a single layer coating that performs longer than 1.5 years in the real world. Fireball Korea's hybrid coating was one of the few single layer coatings that passed long term tests.
A true ceramic coating has the capacity to add several microns of harder, more durable clearcoat to your automotive finish. Not all ceramic coatings have this property. A vast majority of coatings on the market, especially consumer grade, are more long term hydrophobic sealants, than true ceramic coatings. This function of permanent added material is a non negotiable when it comes to choosing a ceramic coating product. Because ceramic coatings are usually done after paint correction, it is crucial for the coating to not only replace the material, but create a surplus if possible, to be used in future needs.
It is important to note that where coatings may work in other climates, Ceramic Coatings in Toronto pose a unique challenge. Our climate shows both extremes of the weather spectrum. Our winters are cold and brutal, and summers can be brutally hot. Lesser coatings can not withstand this style of constant abuse. This is why such a firm emphasis is placed on coatings with strong bonds, and weak coatings are disregarded @Toronto Buffing.
Ceramic Pro ION Coatings
Time Tried and True: Our Ceramic Pro Silver Package
Our most popular coating package
Our Ceramic Pro Silver Package has long been our Vaughan client's favorite coating package. It balances cost, with long term protection. On the paint, it is comprised of two parts: base coat, and topcoat. The base coat known as "Ceramic Pro 9H" is a heavy duty solvent / silica dioxide mix. Ceramic Pro 9H is permanent, meaning that it cannot be removed without polishing. This potent, durable liquid is applied to the paint after paint correction, and panel prep stages are completed. After 9H is dried, "Ceramic Pro Topcoat" is applied. This is what gives the vehicle intense gloss, and hydrophobic behavior. When cured, this product is designed to last a minimum of 5 years with the correct care. Even in scenarios of abnormal care, this coating still performs. A durable, and forgiving coating is what Ceramic Pro has masterminded here.
Naturally, this being a "Package", wheel faces are also ceramic coated, as well as the front windshield, exhaust tips, and calipers (when applicable).
The most common combination of correction and coating we perform is our 3-Stage Paint Correction, and this Ceramic Pro Silver Package. Cost for this combo package generally starts at $2600.
Ceramic Pro Coating Installation Process
First: Thorough Paint Correction
First: Thorough Paint Correction
First: Thorough Paint Correction
Naturally, before application of any ceramic coating, we perform our paint correction process. All possible defects are rectified prior before coating installation, in order for the ultimate results. Paint correction is what gives a vehicle its natural gloss, and clarity, similar to a new unprotected vehicle.
Application of 9H "Basecoat"
First: Thorough Paint Correction
First: Thorough Paint Correction
After paint correction is completed, and paint is thoroughly cleaned of any polish residue and oils, Ceramic Pro Basecoat is installed with a new foam applicator. A thin layer is carefully wiped on the paint, allowed to dwell, then leveled off with several microfiber towels.
Ceramic Pro Light AKA Topcoat
First: Thorough Paint Correction
Ceramic Pro Light AKA Topcoat
After basecoat has been applied to the entire finish, and allowed suitable time to dry (6-12 hours depending on factors), the topcoat can be applied in a similar fashion. Usually applied in a thicker technique, with a longer dwell time. The topcoat is leveled off. After another 6-12 hours, vehicle is ready to be released.
The Absolute Epitome Of Paint Coatings: Ceramic Pro Ion
The Best Ceramic Coating
Time and time again, we are asked, what is the most durable coating on the market. And for a long time, our Ceramic Pro Gold Package held this title. Times have changed, and a new line from Ceramic Pro has been introduced. Ceramic Pro's ION Exchange coatings create and incredible bond, boasting improved resistance to physical wear (swirl marks, and mechanical paint wear).
Ceramic Pro ION Videos
Ceramic Pro Ion In Detail
Learn more about the latest in ceramic technology from Ceramic Pro
Ceramic Pro ION Summary
Key points about the best ceramic coating available at our Vaughan location.
Paint Protection Film Specific Coatings
Gtechniq Halo Flexible Paint Protection Film Coating
Gtechniq is a long time industry veteran in the Ceramic Coating game. Their product GTechniq Halo is what we choose as our Entry Level PPF Coating. It boast great hydrophobics and chemical resistance, and is tested by our team first hand to last between 2-3 years with normal use.
Add this coating on to any full body paint protection film installation for $999 plus taxes.
Xpel Fusion Paint Protection Film Coating
If you have been around the paint protection world, chances are you have heard of Xpel. World renowned for their paint protection films, Xpel also offers one of the longest lasting PPF coatings on the the market. This coating, designed specifically for PPF , can also be used on automotive paint. However in our real world tests, we found it thrives on flexible paint protection film. It offers, excellent hydrophobics, chemical resistance, and longevity (4-Years).
Cost for this service is $1349.99.
Ceramic Pro 2 Layer PPF Coating
Top paint protection film coating solution available. This two layer coating offers top characteristics of hydrophobics and resistance. Longevity of this coating is unmatched, and is designed to last a minimum of 5 years.
Cost this coating service is $1999.99.