Nano ceramic, honestly: what does it do, what does it not do, and how long does it last?

"Is nano ceramic real protection or a scam?" Even the newspapers ask this question, and the reason is that what gets said about nano ceramic is bigger than what it does. Nano ceramic is a good product if you know exactly what it is for. Buy it as a shield and you will be disappointed.

These are the nano ceramic coating pros and cons, as they are.

What does nano ceramic do?

It is a thin clear layer applied to the paint after it has been cleaned and polished, and it does three things:

• Deeper gloss: the paint looks as if it is wet.
• Water and dust do not cling: water beads up and runs off, and dust comes off more easily.
• Quicker washing: the car comes clean with less effort and stays clean for longer.

There is also a layer between the paint and bird droppings and sap, so you have time to wipe them off before they leave a mark.

What does nano ceramic not do?

It does not stop stone chips, and it does not remove a scratch that is already there. Those are the two most important things to know before you pay:

• Stone chips and deep scratches: the layer is far too thin to absorb an impact. That is the job of paint protection film (PPF).
• Old scratches and swirl marks: nano ceramic seals in whatever is underneath it. What removes them is polishing and paint correction before the coating.
• Washing: the car will still get dirty, but it will come clean more easily.

How is nano ceramic applied?

Any nano ceramic job done properly follows the same order: a wash, then polishing or paint correction, then a complete clean of the surface, then the coating itself, and time for it to set.

Half the result is in the steps before the coating. An expensive nano ceramic on paint that was not polished will look worse than a cheaper one on paint that was prepared properly.

Does nano ceramic protect against scratches?

It helps a little against light wash scratches, and not against anything bigger.

You will see "9H" in the adverts. That is a hardness scale measured with a pencil, and it does not mean the car cannot be scratched. A key, a stone or a car-wash brush will scratch the coating and the paint underneath it.

How long does nano ceramic last?

The German nano ceramic we use carries a 3-year warranty with us, and the American nano graphene carries a 5-year warranty. Both come with a free check-up with us every 6 months.

How long it actually lasts is decided by the way you wash the car more than by anything else. The same coating lasts longer with hand washing and a mild shampoo, and less with brush car washes and harsh cleaners.

What are the drawbacks of nano ceramic?

• It needs preparation: the paint has to be washed and polished properly first. Any defect gets sealed in under the coating.
• Water spots: if the car is washed and left to dry in the sun, water drops can leave spots. Wash in the shade and dry with a microfibre towel.
• It is not a substitute for the film: if your problem is stones on the motorway, nano ceramic will not solve it.
• There are fakes on the market: Masrawy has warned about fake nano ceramic, and any product that shines can be sold as "nano".

Does nano ceramic harm the car?

No, if it is done properly. The harm comes from what surrounds it: bad polishing before the coating, or a product of unknown origin.

So ask any centre about the nano ceramic's country of origin and its warranty length, and about what will be done to the paint before it.

Nano ceramic, graphene or PPF?

• German nano ceramic: gloss and easier washing. A 3-year warranty, priced at EGP 6,000.
• American nano graphene: the same job with a longer warranty. A 5-year warranty, priced at EGP 9,000.
• Paint protection film (PPF): this is what stops stone chips and scratches. A warranty of 10 to 12 years depending on the type of film, priced from EGP 25,000 for the whole car.

More detail in graphene or nano ceramic and paint protection film or nano ceramic.

Does nano ceramic come with a digital warranty?

Our nano ceramic warranty is 3 years and graphene is 5 years, but the serial, the secret code and the digital certificate are for PPF only. We say it so you do not mix the two up.

So when is nano ceramic enough for me?

It is enough if your car stays in the city and you want gloss and easier washing at a lower cost. It is not enough if you travel a lot or you are worried about stones hitting the original paint.

If you are not sure, send us your car model and how you use it on WhatsApp and we will tell you what suits you. The details and the price are on the nano ceramic page.