No. Ceramic coatings are not the same as paint protection film (PPF). Ceramic coatings will not prevent rock chips or severe scratches. However, ceramic coatings offer their own advantages, and are great at preventing common contaminants from damaging your paint (like bird droppings, sap, dirt, acid rain, bugs, salt, brake dust, etc. ).

No. Automated car washes can potentially damage ceramic coatings due to the following reasons:

• Micro-Scratches: Soft-touch car washes can cause micro-scratches, even on vehicles with ceramic coatings. The brushes or cloth strips often harbor dirt, sand, and debris from previous washes, which can create swirl marks and fine scratches on the car's surface.
• Chemical Degradation: Touchless car washes use strong chemical detergents to break down dirt and grime. These chemicals can gradually degrade the hydrophobic properties of ceramic coatings, weakening the coating's ability to repel water, dirt, and other contaminants.
• High-Pressure Water Jets: The force of the water jets can potentially strip away the protective layer of the ceramic coating, especially if the pressure is too high and the jets get too close to the vehicle.
• Harsh Chemicals: Some touchless car washes utilize strong detergents and cleaning agents that can damage the delicate bonds within the ceramic coating.
• Lack of Thorough Cleaning: While touchless washes can remove surface dirt, they may not effectively clean deeply embedded contaminants, which can eventually harm the coating.

Ceramic coating creates a durable barrier that makes it much harder for contaminants (like bugs, brake dust, sap, bird droppings, acid rain, dirt, salt, etc.) to etch into the surface. If these contaminants do land on a coated surface, they are much easier to remove without the need for aggressive scrubbing or special cleaners. Although, these contaminants can still etch the paint of a ceramic coated vehicle if it is not washed properly and on a routine basis. Additionally, ceramic coatings protect against harmful UV rays, oxidation, road salts, and chemical contaminants.. They also enhance the gloss, depth of color in your paint, and keep your car looking freshly detailed for longer.

To care for your ceramic coated vehicle yourself you should follow the following steps:

• Park your car out of direct sunlight and wait for it to cool off.
• Rinse off your car.
• Clean the wheels and tires first with a separate bucket. Using a non-acidic wheel cleaner and wheel brushes.
• Rinse off your wheels and tires.
• Wash the rest of your car with a PH neutral soap, microfibre wash mitts, and the two bucket wash method.
• Rinse off all the soap.
• Dry the car to prevent water spots.