If you are looking for a quick answer, the best ceramic coating is the Gtechniq EXO V4, which is a tried and tested formula that’s designed to provide unbeatable gloss and protection. If applied correctly, it can last up to 24 months too.
However, if you would prefer to use a complete kit that comes with everything you need, the Autoglym Ultra High Definition is the best alternative that produces a semi-permanent durable coating.
To rate the ceramic coatings within this article, we based our recommendations upon testing, research and multiple factors. The factors we considered included their length of protection, durability, ease of application, finish and value.
Best Ceramic Coating Overview
- Best Overall: Gtechniq EXO V4
- Best Complete Kit: Autoglym Ultra HD
- Best Long Lasting: Drexler 9H
- Best Spray: Meguiar’s Advanced SiO2
- Best Value: Greyghost 9H
- Best Value Spray: Autoglym Rapid
Although you can apply a long lasting car wax or paint sealant, they will never be as durable as a ceramic coating. This is due to the fact that ceramic coatings bond with the paintwork to provide a protective barrier that’s resistant to chemicals, scratches and so much more.
Below is a list of the best ceramic coatings that bond with the car’s paintwork to form a long lasting protective finish.
The Best Ceramic Coatings
1. Best Overall: Gtechniq EXO V4 Hydrophobic Coating
The Gtechniq EXO V4 is a tried and tested formula that’s recently been improved for unbeatable durability and chemical resistance. This impressive durability is thanks to the advanced hydrophobic coating that prevents any water droplets being absorbed and spread through the paintwork of your car.
According to the brand, this particular formula has also been developed to provide outstanding levels of shine and gloss, which they state will last up to 24 months.
- Lasts between 18 to 24 months
- Extensively tested within labs
- Available in a 30 or 50 ml bottle
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Must be used within 3 months of opening
The hydrophobic coating that the Gtechniq EXO V4 provides is ultra water repellent and also produces a high gloss finish, which can last up to 24 months. Overall, it’s an excellent all-round ceramic coating that’s durable, easy to apply and certainly won’t disappoint.
2. Best Complete Kit: Autoglym Ultra HD Ceramic Coating
Autoglym is a highly reputable detailing brand in the UK and they’ve recently launched this ceramic coating kit. It includes a preparation formula, ceramic coating, applicator and two microfiber cloths for buffing off the formula.
If it’s your first time using a ceramic coating yourself, the brand states that it’s been specially formulated for an easy panel by panel application, which is great for beginners.
- Highly durable and lasts up to 12 months
- Contains amino-functional siloxanes and reactive polymers
- Produces a silky smooth, mirror like finish
- Comes as a complete kit ready to apply
- Ceramic coating comes in a 100 ml bottle
- Not as long lasting when compared to the alternatives
Overall, the Ultra High Definition Ceramic Coating kit is a semi-permanent coating that bonds to the paintwork with ease and provides great results. It isn’t as long lasting as the Gtechniq alternative above but it’s much easier to apply.
3. Best Long Lasting: Drexler Car Ceramic Coating Kit
The Drexler ceramic coating for cars is a professional grade kit that provides 9H hardness and a finish that can last between 3 to 5 years. Included within the kit is a base and top coat, applicator pad, microfiber cloth and gloves.
In order to achieve the long lasting 9H hardness level, the brand recommend applying two layers of the formula.
- Desirable 9H hardness
- Self-cleaning finish
- Extreme heat resistance
- Lasts up to 5 years
- Weather, UV and chemical resistant
- Comes as a complete kit
- Requires preparation to be thorough for the best results
Overall, the Drexler 9H Ceramic Coating is a professional grade kit that provides a highly durable and long lasting finish. It isn’t the cheapest but it’s a high-end kit that comes with everything you need to begin applying it straightaway
4. Best Spray: Meguiar's Advanced SiO2 Ceramic Spray Wax
If you want to apply a ceramic coating to your car in the most easiest way possible, the Meguiar’s Advanced SiO2 is the perfect solution. It’s a ceramic spray wax that provides protection and durability beyond that of a conventional wax.
In terms of using this ceramic spray, you simply spray it on, rinse off and then dry the car. It really is that simple to use and it’s the reason why this formula by Meguiar’s is so popular in the UK.
- Very easy to apply
- Produces impressive water beading protection
- Requires no rubbing or buffing whatsoever
- Great protection considering its spray formulation
- Uses a lot of the formula per coating
- Requires rinsing with a pressure washer for the best results
To conclude, the Meguiar’s Advanced SiO2 is by far the best ceramic spray wax on the market that makes protecting your car so much easier. However, for the best results, we found that using a car pressure washer instead of a hose helped to move the formula around on the paintwork.
5. Best Value: Greyghost Ceramic Coating For Cars
The cheapest ceramic coating that’s actually worth your time applying is the Greyghost 9H Diamond Coating. It produces a high gloss finish that’s scratch, chemical, UV and thermal resistant and should last up to 12 months.
- Supplied with a 30 ml formula and applicator
- Lasts up to 12 months
- 9H hardness level
- Hydrophobic and high gloss finish
- Heat resistance up to 760 degrees
- Requires thorough preparation
- Not as long lasting when compared to the alternatives
If you are on a tight budget and want to trial a ceramic coating, the Greyghost 9H Diamond Coating is the best option. It’s easy to use and provides a high gloss finish that’s self cleaning and lasts up to 12 months.
6. Best Value Spray: Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray
Another popular ceramic coating that comes in the form of a spray is by the Autoglym brand. According to the brand, it’s a hybrid formula that’s designed to bond quickly to the paintwork and offer up to 3 months of protection.
In terms of using this ceramic spray, it can be sprayed onto dry or wet cars and then buffed clear with a finishing cloth.
- Last up to 3 months
- Leaves a deep gloss finish
- Can be used on PPF or wrapped cars
- Tropical scent once sprayed upon the paintwork
- Far more affordable when compared to other spray formulas
- Easy to apply but requires buffing (unlike the Meguiar's alternative)
To conclude, the Autoglym Rapid is an affordable yet high quality ceramic spray that certainly won’t disappoint. Although the formula requires a little bit more effort to apply, it leaves a durable, deep gloss finish that looks great. It also has the benefit of being suitable for use upon car’s that have been wrapped in vinyl or PPF too.
How We Tested & Rated The Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings are a premium detailing product and when applied correctly, they can provide unbeatable paint protection. In terms of our testing of the ceramic coatings, we’ve applied a number of formulas over the years to a range of cars and gained plenty of experience.
As shown in the image, we recently tested the Autoglym formula that we recommended above upon a 20 year old Mercedes and we were very impressed with the product.
As well as our testing, we also based our recommendations upon plenty of research and multiple factors. The factors that we considered included the ceramic coating’s length of protection, durability, ease of application, finish and value for money.
Conclusion
The best and most effective way of protecting your car’s paintwork is to use a ceramic coating. They are far more durable than a wax or car paint sealant and also provide a silky smooth gloss finish that can last between 1 to 5 years. Our recommendations in this article are suitable for all budgets and are produced by reputable detailing brands from the UK. Due to the time involved to apply the coating, we advise choosing the best possible formula to make it a worthwhile task
