A paint coating is a ceramic coating from a small bottle that you apply with an applicator to clean, degreased paint, and it lasts for years. A spray coating (a spray ceramic coating for your car) is sprayed onto a cloth and buffed off: it takes minutes, but it lasts months rather than years. A glass coating is made for windows and makes rain roll off in beads. Which ceramic coating for your car is right depends on the surface and on how much work you want to put into applying it.
The difference between paint, spray and glass coating
All three are hydrophobic: water and dirt stick less and washing gets easier. The difference comes down to three things. How you apply it (applicator or spray), how long it lasts (years or months) and where it belongs (paint or glass). A paint coating needs the most preparation and gives the longest protection. A spray coating is the quick route and also works as an extra layer on top of an existing coating.
What to look for when choosing
Preparation: for a paint coating you polish the paint where needed and degrease it thoroughly. A spray coating needs clean paint. A glass coating needs clean glass.
Durability: with a paint coating you count in years, with a spray coating in months. That is why many people use both.
Curing: a paint coating needs days to cure fully. A spray coating is fully active after a day.
Surface: use a paint coating on paint and a glass coating on windows. They are not meant to swap places.
Maintenance: wash with a pH-neutral shampoo to keep any coating working longer.
Comparison: paint coating, spray coating and glass coating
Product | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Paint coating, bottle with applicator | Paint that has to stay protected for years | |
Paint coating, kit with suede applicators | Long-lasting protection on paint | |
Spray coating, spray on and buff off | Coating it yourself without days of work | |
Spray coating, on dry paint | An extra layer over wax or a coating | |
Glass coating, cleaner and coating in one | Front, side and rear windows | |
Glass coating with nanotechnology | Windows that stay clean and clear longer |
One pick for each type
Paint coating
Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light is an SiO2 coating that bonds chemically to the clear coat and protects for years with maintenance using a coating-safe shampoo. The hard, hydrophobic layer makes water bead and dirt stick less, so washing takes less effort. For temperature and curing time, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
According to the manufacturer, Koch Chemie CB 0.01 protects for up to 36 months against UV, bird droppings, road salt and brake dust. The set includes two suede applicators, a sticker and a detailing plan, so you can start straight away. The coating is fully cured after 9 days.
Spray coating
Chemical Guys HydroCharge gives the paint an SiO2 layer from a spray bottle. You spray onto a microfibre cloth, wipe on evenly and buff dry after 1 to 2 minutes. On untreated paint it lasts up to 12 months with sheltered parking and regular maintenance, and the hydrophobic effect is fully active after 24 hours. It also works as a booster for an existing ceramic coating.
Menzerna Ceramic Spray Sealant contains SiO2 and goes on dry paint: spray onto the cloth, spread it and dry it off with the dry side. After 2 to 3 hours out of the sun it has set and lasts up to 3 months.
Glass coating
D-CON Ceramic Glass Clean & Protect cleans and coats in one go: apply, wipe and polish off. The glass is clean and water repellent, and insects and limescale stick less. It comes in 500 ml and 5 L and works on front, side and rear windows.
Koch Chemie NG Nano Glass Sealant (250 ml) uses nanotechnology to leave an invisible hydrophobic layer on the windows. You apply it by hand and polish it off.
Which one suits you
You want to protect the paint for years and have a day for preparation: choose a paint coating from our paint coatings. How to do it yourself is covered in the guide applying a ceramic coating yourself.
You want a quick result or an extra layer: a spray coating from the sealants and quick detailers is enough.
You drive a lot in the rain: add a glass coating from the glass coatings. For a clean base, read cleaning car glass without streaks.
Unsure between wax, sealant and coating: wax, sealant or ceramic coating: which to choose will help.
You prefer Koch Chemie: the steps are in applying the CB 0.01 ceramic coating.