If you're looking to protect your car and keep it looking showroom-fresh, you've probably heard the buzz around ceramic coatings. While ceramic coatings are still relatively new to the market (as opposed to wax which has been around for decades), they are vital to maintaining your vehicle's appearance and protecting your car from the environment here in Utah. As you know, Utah has extremes in weather - snow and ice in the winter time and high heat in the summer months. The snow in the winter leads to road salt which can cause rusting of your car. The warmer months bring about harmful factors like bug guts, acid rain, and industrial fallout. Ceramic coatings are a great way to preserve and protect your vehicle against these environmental conditions. But what exactly are they, and why are they considered one of the best investments for your vehicle? Why are they growing in popularity among car enthusiasts and people looking to protect their investments? How could a ceramic coating from Stokes Auto Spa benefit you and your vehicle? Let's break it down in simple terms.
What is a ceramic coating?
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that’s applied to your car’s exterior surfaces. Once cured, it chemically bonds with the vehicle’s factory paint, creating a layer of protection that’s harder and more durable than traditional waxes or sealants. It doesn’t just sit on top of the paint—it integrates with it, offering a more permanent solution. Where a wax or sealant is more surface level, a ceramic coating chemically bonds to your vehicle's paint work, plastics, wheels, and interior surfaces. In essence, it’s like adding a second skin to your car—one that’s resistant to dirt, water, UV rays, and chemical contaminants. One of the most beneficial aspects of a ceramic coating (from a professional viewpoint) is how much easier a vehicle is to wash. We have timed it and the results are in - it takes nearly 50% less time to wash a ceramic coated car than it does to wash and clean a car that has not been ceramic coated.
What Does it protect against?
-UV Rays – Prevents paint from fading and oxidizing over time. No more having a dull, lack-luster finish.
-Chemical Stains – Acts as a barrier against road salts, bird droppings, bug splatter, and acidic contaminants. Say good bye to these contaminants
etching into your clear coat and paint work.
-Water Spots – Its hydrophobic properties mean water beads off rather than clinging to the surface.
-Minor Scratches – Helps resist light abrasions (though it’s not a shield against major scratches or rock chips).
There are many things that a ceramic coating will protect your car from. However, there are some things that a ceramic coating will not protect your car from. Ceramic coatings are only 1/10 of a human hair in thickness- that is why they are also referred to as nano ceramic coatings. You can only see them under a microscope. With this being said, damage to your vehicle from physical things such as rock chips, scratches, jewelry, tree branches, etc. may occur even though you have a ceramic coating on your car. You may want to look into paint protection film (ppf) for issues such as those as the film is a thicker, more protective option. However, ceramic coatings are still great at protecting your vehicle from the things listed above and even better when paired with ppf from Stokes Auto Spa.
Ceramic Coatings vs. Wax and Sealants
| Feature | Wax | Sealant | Ceramic Coating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity | Weeks | Few Months | Years |
| Durability | Low | Medium | High |
| Gloss | Good | Great | Deep, Wet-Look Shine |
| Protection | Basic | Moderate | Advanced |
Why More Utah Drivers Are Choosing Ceramic Coatings
Utah’s climate can be tough on vehicles—sun, snow, salt, and sudden weather shifts can wreak havoc on your car’s paint. That’s why so many people are searching for the best ceramic coating Utah has to offer. At Stokes Auto Spa, we specialize in high-end ceramic coating Utah applications tailored to your vehicle’s specific needs. For example, if you are only leasing your vehicle but want to ensure that it still looks brand new when your lease agreement is up, we have a package for that. If you are the type of person that keeps a vehicle until the day it can no longer physically drive, we have a ceramic coating package for you. All of our ceramic coating packages are tailored to your individual needs, concerns, and wants. Not to mention, we can do more than just protect your paint work- we have a ceramic coating option for your exterior plastics, exhaust tips, wheels, glass, and even your interior surfaces. Most any part of your vehicle can be protected with our ceramic coating services here at Stokes Auto Spa.
The ceramic coatings used here at Stokes Auto Spa are professional grade only- meaning you and your vehicle are getting the absolute best the industry has to offer! Our coating technicians are trained and certified with multiple different ceramic coatings, so we know which ones are the absolute best at protecting your car from the environment here in Utah. Our team has worked with everything from Porsche to Ford to Lexus to BMW to Toyota to Audi to Tesla to Honda to... you get the idea right? Our team is well versed and trained to handle any potential complications or nuances that any vehicle may need for a successful, long-term application of a ceramic coating here in Utah.
Final Thoughts
A ceramic coating isn’t just about shine—it’s about long-term protection and reducing the effort required to maintain your vehicle’s appearance. This equates to less money spent on regular detailing and polishing, less time spent cleaning and maintaining your vehicle, and more people envious and questioning why your car has looked so new for so long. Whether you’re driving a daily commuter or a weekend show car, ceramic coatings are a smart investment for any Utah driver who values their ride. To learn more about how a ceramic coating can benefit you, get in touch here. Our team is more than happy to help you build a custom tailored package to protect and preserve your vehicle. Whether you want just your paint work protected or are looking to protect everything from the paint, to the wheels, to the exterior plastics, to the glass, to the interior of your vehicle, we have a package for you! Start driving protected today and leave your worries behind!
-Britt Stokes
2025 Air Force One Detailing Team Member
Detailing Success Paint Protection Film and Window Tint Trainer
2024 War Eagles Museum Detailing Team Member
2024 & 2023 LA County Fire Museum Detailing Team Member
