Ceramic coatings take your car’s paint protection to the next level. Instead of a wax or synthetic layer on top of your paint, nanoparticles in the formula bond directly to your paint. This long-lasting protection also adds brilliant shine. If you’re looking for the best ceramic coating for cars for 2022, we’ve got your answer in the reviews below.
If pressed to pick one overall winner, our money is on the Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating kit. It strikes a great balance between being easy to apply and giving great protection. It’s also a great buy for the money, especially since one kit is everything you need to treat two vehicles.
Having said that, there are a lot of different ceramic coatings out there, and some of them offer better protection than others. Before we dig into the full product reviews, let’s look at some of the features that will likely influence your decision.
Best Ceramic Coating for Cars 2022
| CQuartz UK 3.0 | Adam’s Ceramic Paint Coating | Ethos Ceramic Wax PRO | Color N Drive Kit | CarPro CQuartz | Hocossy 9H | Sonax CC36 | |
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| Capacity | 50ml | 50ml | 16 oz. | 50ml | 50ml | 30ml | 2 ounces BaseCoat, 2 ounces GlossCoat |
| Lasts | up to 2 years | 1-2 years | 1 year | up to 5 years | 70% Quartz | 3-6 months | 1 year (up to 3 with polymer net shield) |
| Type | Silica quartz | SiO2 (silica ceramic) | Carnauba wax/SiO2 hybrid | Siloxane | 1-2 years | Quartz | SiO2 polymer and ceramic wax hybrid |
| Included accessories | Foam applicator, 4 suede cloths | Foam applicator | 2 application sponges, 2 microfiber cloths, pretreatment (150ml), gloves | Application sponge, 5 microfiber cloths | Application sponge, microfiber cloth | microfiber cloth, 2 sponges, gloves | |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Protection
This is the main thing most people are looking for when they get ceramic coating. A high-quality ceramic coating provides better protection from the elements than any wax or sealant. Because no air or water touches your paint, it prevents fading from UV radiation as well as oxidation and corrosion. (Find top oxidation removers guide here).
Most ceramic coatings are also hydrophobic. This means water beads right off, taking contaminants and road dirt with it. A car treated with ceramic coating is a lot easier to clean than one without it. While no coating will prevent serious scratches, having a micro-particle layer over your paint can lessen the damage caused by minor impacts from rocks and gravel.
Best coating for protection: CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0
Durability
One big advantage of ceramic coatings over waxes is that they’re much more durable. Many waxes need to be applied every few months. In harsh conditions, they may even require monthly reapplication. (Learn about top waxes for winter). Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, can often protect your car for years between applications.
Keep in mind that where you drive does have an impact on the durability of any protectant or sealant. Hot climates and extreme conditions will wear down a ceramic coating. On average, however, you can expect most ceramic coatings to last a full year.
Best coating for durability: Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating
Gloss and shine
A ceramic coating can’t un-do fading or damage your paint’s already taken, but it can revitalize the look of your paint by giving it more shine. Compared to waxes, the depth of shine you’ll get from a ceramic coating is remarkable. That gloss will last much longer, too—your car will look fresh from the garage for months.
Some of the best products for shine are hybrid products, which combine ceramic particles with other polymers and compounds. This tends to also make these products a bit easier to use, so it’s a win-win.
Best coating for shine: Sonax CC36 Ceramic Coating
Ease of application
You’ll always want to wash and dry your car before you apply a ceramic coating. This makes sure you’re not trapping existing grime against the paint. The difficulty and time required to apply the actual coating can vary, however. Some coatings need to be buffed in, while others can be wiped on and off.
Pay attention to the curing time of the ceramic coating, as well. Some are designed to cure in just a few hours, but others will need up to 48 hours to fully set. Keep that in mind if you have a busy schedule—you may want to look for a fast-curing coating.
Easiest coating to apply: Ethos Ceramic Wax Pro
Full Reviews
CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0
Let’s start with one of the most advanced formulas on the list. The Cquartz used in the CarGuys CQ.UK coating protects your car from all kinds of roadway and environmental hazards. Along with this, it gives your car an awesome shine and is safe for any kind of paint. >>> Check price on Amazon
As far as protection, the CarGuys CQuartz UK safeguards your vehicle against UV rays, water spots, and man-made hazards, like airborne chemicals and road salt. The protection is on par with what you’d expect from professional coatings, but much easier to apply.
Along with keeping your car’s paint protected, it also makes it look fantastic. You’ll get a lasting shine from CarGuys CQ.UK, with no streaks or swirling. It’s not the most affordable option on the list, but it’s worth the investment for the level of protection.
Pros
- Fully hydrophobic protection
- Lasting deep shine and gloss
- Safe to use on metal or plastic, and all paint types
- Wide application temperature range
- Strongest consumer ceramic coating
Cons
- High price point
- Needs to cure for 1-2 days before driving
Adam’s Ceramic Paint Coating
Adam’s Paint Coating has been around for a little while and is a popular option among professional detailers. With their new Ceramic Paint Coating formula, they make this high-grade protection more accessible for the average car owner, while still offering the same water-beading protection against fading, dirt, and minor scratches. >>> Check price on Amazon
The main change they made is that it’s slower to dry, giving you more time to work before it gets tacky. You will still need to buff it in, especially if you’re looking for a great gloss, and will need to cure 24 hours before driving. The price and application make it suitable for advanced hobbyists and DIY-ers, more so than casual car owners.
The Adam’s line of ceramic products are designed for maximum real-world protection. Applied correctly, a single coating can last up to 2 years, which does make the price and effort feel more justified. Overall, it’s a serious product for serious car lovers.
Pros
- Highly hydrophobic coating
- 9H hardness for durable protection
- Easier to apply than previous Adam’s formulas
- Safe for clear coats and lacquer finishes
- Adds depth and gloss to your paint
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Does require buffing to get good shine
Ethos Ceramic Wax PRO
If you’re looking for something a bit kinder on your budget than the products above, check out Ethos Ceramic Wax Pro. It uses a unique formula, melding nano-particle technology into their usual wax formula. The end result is an affordable and easy to use sealant that lasts longer than most waxes. >>> Check price on Amazon
One great thing about this hybrid formula is it’s very easy to apply. Just wipe on and wipe off—no buffing or polishing required. While it doesn’t last quite as long as other coatings, it should give you at least a year’s worth of protection. That makes it an impressive value for the price.
Ethos Ceramic Wax Pro is a great middle-ground between a ceramic coating and a wax. It will repel water and contaminants just as successfully. The gloss and shine don’t last as long as other ceramics, but if you’re looking for the best protection for your money, this is a great choice. Click here for our more in-depth Ethos Ceramic Wax Pro review.
Pros
- Comparatively affordable
- Quick and easy to apply
- Protects against environmental hazards like UV, oxidation, and corrosion
- Repels contaminants like dead bugs and tree sap
- Brings out your paint’s natural color and shine
- Can be used on headlights to prevent yellowing
Cons
- Not as much shine and gloss as full ceramic formulas
- Doesn’t last as long as other ceramic coatings
Hocossy 9H Ceramic Coating
If you’re looking for true 9H hardness on a budget, check out Hocossy Ceramic Coating. It’s the most affordable 9H-level ceramic coating on the market. There’s nothing cheap about the protection it gives you, though. >>> Check price on Amazon
Hocossy Ceramic Coating protects against environmental hazards, water spots, oxidation, and other common environmental hazards. The 30-micrometer layer it creates guards your paint from scratches as effectively as other ceramic coatings. You’ll also get outstanding UV protection to prevent your paint from fading.
You will need to polish Hocossy Ceramic Coating for a deep shine. Having said that, the application process is relatively easy. It only needs to cure for 12 hours, too, and will work in a wide range of temperatures and climates. While it will need to be applied more often than other coatings, you’ll love the shine and protection you get, as well as the great price.
Pros
- Excellent value
- 9H hardness to protect against scratches
- Mirror-like gloss
- Shorter curing time than many ceramic coatings
- Protects against corrosion and UV rays
Cons
- Not as durable as other ceramic coatings
CarPro CQuartz
Another great option from CarPro is their original CQuartz formula. The nanoparticle coating it puts on your car contains 70% quartz that’s almost 100% pure. This means you can count on it to provide consistent protection over the entirety of your car. >>> Check price on Amazon
Like the CQ.UK reviewed above, this CarPro product will give you the outstanding protection. Your paint will be safeguarded against stains and scratches, repelling everything from road salt and airborne pollutants to tree sap and bird droppings.
Applying CarGuys Cquartz does take some elbow grease. You’ll need to buff it in and let it cure if you want to get the true protection and shine it’s capable of. The flip side of this is that it lasts a long time—at least a year, even in harsh climates. If you’re looking for the best scratch resistance from a ceramic coating, CarGuys is your answer. (Find the more informative review of this product here).
Pros
- 99% pure quartz provides reliable protection
- Formulated for quick curing and application
- Deep and lasting shine
- True hydrophobic layer to prevent water spots
- Highly durable in all environments
Cons
- Costs more than other options
- Not intended for glass or plastic surfaces
Sonax CC36 Ceramic Coating
The Sonax CC36 Ceramic Coating kit brings multi-stage professional protection right into your garage. While it does take a bit of time to apply, it’s worth the effort. Used in conjunction with maintenance products, you can get up to 3 years of protection from a single application. >>> Check price on Amazon
One nice thing about the Sonax Ceramic Coating kit is that it’s everything you need in one convenient box. It even comes with gloves to protect your hands while you’re applying. This makes it easier to get started if you don’t have a lot of experience, since it walks you through the process.
The shine from Sonax Ceramic Coating is very impressive, as well. You’ll see the difference as soon as you apply the gloss coat. The shine lasts for a long time, too, and it brings out the best, richest color in your paint. It also helps that keeping your car looking great will be easier with the Sonax coating—since most dirt won’t stick, washing your car is a breeze.
Pros
- Complete kit gives you everything you need to apply
- Excellent protection against airborne and roadway contaminants
- Repels dirt for low-maintenance car washing
- Improves the durability of your car’s paint
- Makes your car easier to clean
Cons
- Multi-stage application process can take some time
Color N Drive Car Ceramic Coating Kit
Last but not least, let’s check out Color N Drive’s Car Ceramic Coating Kit. Like the Sonax kit above, it comes with everything you need to coat two vehicles. The most impressive thing about this Color N Drive coating is its durability, though—it can last up to 5 years, and keep its gloss. >>> Check price on Amazon
The reason it’s so durable is that it uses a different chemistry than many ceramic coatings. Color N Drive’s formula is based on nano particles of siloxane, combining organic and synthetic compounds to improve the flexibility and durability. This is what allows it to be both easy to apply and incredibly long-lasting.
Applying Color N Drive’s ceramic coating isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. Pre-treating is important to make sure you’re getting the best seal and gloss. Since the kit walks you through the process, though, it’s easy enough for a novice to apply. If you’re looking for a combination of convenience and quality, this is the perfect kit for you.
Pros
- Hydrophobic sealant
- Easy to apply and maintain
- Kit includes everything you need for application
- Prevents dirt and contaminants from sticking
- Great looking shine that lasts
Cons
- Won’t protect against scratches or dings
The Final Word on Ceramic Coatings
The 7 ceramic coatings above have a lot in common. All of them will give you hydrophobic protection that blocks UV damage. They’ll make your car easier to clean and keep it shining between washes. Rest assured that you’ll be floored by how your car looks after you use any of these coatings. Hopefully, these reviews have helped you pick the perfect one for you!