Automotive Paint Protection 1-2 Punch: Clear Bra and Ceramic Coatings
You’ve just purchased a new car in Colorado. You are well aware that we live in a harsh environment and the finish of your new vehicle is going to be subject to constant abuse. We are exposed to high temperatures, heavy UV, and plenty of dust and pollen in the warm months. We have mag chloride, salt, snow pack, and slushy roads to contend with in the winter months. But the most pressing and ever present issue on our beautiful roads is of course, the issue of rock chips. So how do you have fun in your new car without destroying the paint and other surfaces? We have the solution: Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coatings.
Paint Protection Film (also known as Clear Bra) is an 8.5 mil thick optically clear urethane, that when installed correctly is nearly invisible. The sole purpose of this material is to absorb the impact of road debris, disperse it through the soft urethane, and keep the impact from chipping the paint. Now I know what you’re thinking. For the last 10 years every clear bra installation you’ve seen has looked terrible. Well that has changed. The technology of the film itself has come an extremely long way. We now have dual layer (top coat and base layer) urethane that are indistinguishable from factory paint. They are warranted for a period of 10 years, do not yellow like films of old, can be treated just like paint in terms of cleaning and detailing, and perform there function extremely well. The technology and tools we as installers have has also come a very long way. We have pattern software, advanced slip solutions, and 60” rolls of material to perfectly install the film, wrap all possible edges, and create a finished result to the level where you won’t even know the film is in place. Clear Bra is a must have for any Colorado car.
Ceramic Coatings perform a very different function than Clear Bra. Ceramic Coatings are in place to provide long term protection from exposure to the harsh environment. Every surface of your car is porous. What causes the slow deterioration of the finish of the car is the pores of these materials slowly collecting contaminant over time. The contaminant bonds to the finish within the pores and starts to chemically break down. This is seen as staining of the clear coat. The paints finish is also exposed to heavy UV which over time will dull and alter the pigments. The Ceramic Coating applies a microscopically thin protective layer over each surface we apply it to. It can last for years compared to a few months with a traditional wax or sealant. It will prevent the bonding of contaminant and keep the finish looking healthy. But where it shows up most noticeably in your daily life is that it produces a surface that is actively repelling dirt and contaminant. This makes your regular wash maintenance fast, easy, and effective. The more effective we are at keeping the surface clean over time the healthy the finish will remain.
Clear Bra and Ceramic Coatings are not a “one or the other” type of thing. They work exceptionally well together and allow you to have fun and enjoy the car you care about, without the stress or worry of damage to the vehicles finish.
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