Glass coating is an inorganic material made from a silica or quartz-silane-based compound. It is used to protect the painted surfaces of car bodies. It is less likely to stain. Unlike traditional wax, its shine and protection can be long-lasting once applied. This is because they do not contain materials that oxidize (bind with oxygen). Oxidation weakens the original protection and shine of many auto products, making the car surface prone to damage. It is easy to maintain, provides clean, shiny surfaces and long-lasting protection.
What is the difference between coating and wax?
The main component of the wax is carnauba wax oil, which is extracted from palm trees. In recent years, some waxes have added oil. Higher quality waxes contain more carnauba oil. Carnauba wax is oil-based, so it has water-repellent characteristics and can hide scratches. However, there are also disadvantages. Waxes can easily get dirty because the oil has a high viscosity (thick and sticky). This means that dirt can stick. Also, wax can easily melt and deteriorate because it is sensitive to heat. Sunlight or heat from the engine can promote deterioration and cause the wax to melt from the car’s surface. Wax can also break down in the rain or when the car is washed.
On the other hand, the coating has a chemical composition of silicon, silica, fluorine and titanium. These molecules form a film that penetrates between the molecules on the painted surface of the car, creating a very powerful protective layer. Resistant to dirt, heat and rain, the protection and shine of the coating will last longer than wax.
There are several types of coatings that vary in application complexity, from simple, which can be applied by any consumer, to products for professional use only.
During application, if the car surface is dirty and rough, the materials will not adhere to the body paint, so surface preparation prior to application is important.
Types of glass coatings
Glass-based coatings can be broadly divided into two categories: quartz-silane-based coatings and silica-based coatings.
The quartz-silane based glass coating, also known as “fully cured film type glass”, achieves very high gloss and long durability. Protects the car body by creating a cured layer of silica on the car surface. However, it takes about three weeks for the coating to fully cure, which is inconvenient. It is also expensive because it takes a long time to formulate the product.
Silica-based glass coating, also known as the “fiberglass type,” also forms a film that coats the surface of the car body. It is attached to a silicon polymer molecule. It is an easy formulation and therefore costs less to produce. However, its durability and water repellency is inferior compared to the quartz-silane base.
Also, some of the fluorine-based coatings, such as Teflon, are used to coat car bodies. They are excellent in durability. However, they are inferior compared to glass liners and more expensive to formulate. As a result, glass coatings are at the forefront of the technology exploration approach.
A glass-clad hybrid
Currently, there is a debate about whether hydrophilic products (attract water) are more effective than hydrophobic products (repel water) for car care. Glass is hydrophilic. The new types of glass coatings are hybrids, adding a layer of silicone resin to the existing glass layer to change the hydrophilic trait of the glass to hydrophobic, thus creating a strong water repellent product.