Graphene coating, what is the hype all about? For many of us, protecting the appearance of our car is just part of the ownership experience. Maybe you’re an enthusiast who obsesses over every detail, a lessee intent on avoiding excess wear-and-tear charges, or one of an increasing number of folks who seldom drive due to a new work-from-home arrangement. Where you fall on that spectrum will dictate the amount of time and money you’re willing to spend, and whether a Graphene coating is a worthwhile investment.
What is Graphene Coating?
Although Graphene coating is considered the newest innovation in the automobile industry, graphene as a carbon-based material has existed for a very long time. It is 200 times more rigid than steel yet lighter than paper. Today, graphene is increasingly getting accepted among detailers due to its hardness and anti-static properties. Furthermore, it does not allow the dust to settle down on the coated surface because of its anti-static properties.
Graphene coatings take graphene, which is only a single atom thick, and reduce it to a more usable form called graphene oxide. This allows it to be mixed with a ceramic base and produces a coating that offers even better protection, durability, and longevity than traditional ceramic coatings.
Benefits of Graphene Coating
Since graphene coatings have a ceramic base, they have many of the same characteristics as traditional ceramic coatings. However, they also bond chemically to your vehicle’s paint through the use of solvent-based carrier fluids, forming a semi-permanent barrier.
While this chemical bond offers great protection, it also means that care must be taken when applying the coating, and mistakes need to be fixed quickly to avoid becoming permanent.
There are many benefits of graphene in automotive applications and relative strengths compared to ceramic coatings. Here are a few:
High water contact angle means more water beading and less water spotting.
Anti-static layer ensures that dirt and grime do not stick easily on the surface, makes cleaning the car easier.
High flexibility means less cracking or chipping.
Rich & deep shine forms jaw dropping reflections while leaving a silky smooth finish.
Ease of application means simple installation without the need for additional tools or experience.
The slickness factor of graphene is extremely high making it comparable to some of the best coatings and sealants on the market. If you’re a fan of that water beading effect then you’ll love graphene.
Graphene vs. Waxes and Sealants
Waxes and sealants have been on the market for decades and are inexpensive, widely available, and straightforward to use. They do offer a glossy coat and help water bead on the vehicle’s surface. However, they don’t last very long, usually only weeks to a few months, and don’t offer much protection.
Graphene coatings are a much tougher, longer-lasting option, even if they take a little more skill to apply. They can last anywhere from 6 months up to 4 years or longer, and they provide much better protection against scratches and are even more hydrophobic and water-repellant.
Waxes and sealants are also more sensitive to heat from the normal use of the vehicle or environmental heat and exposure to the sun. This can cause them to soften and collect or trap dust and other contaminants. On the other hand, Graphene is relatively resistant to heat, and the natural conductivity of the material helps repel dust rather than attract it.
Graphene vs. Traditional Ceramic Coating
So if a graphene coating is just a ceramic coating with a little something extra, why not just use the ceramic? The answer to that is simple. Everything a good ceramic coating does, a good graphene coating does it even better. A graphene coating takes all the best traits of a ceramic coating and amplifies them. It also helps minimize less desirable tendencies, such as water and soap spots.
Because graphene oxide’s chemical structure allows it to form a microscopic honeycomb structure, creating a high contact angle and a low sliding angle, graphene coatings are highly water repellent.
This means that instead of just making the water bead on the surface of your vehicle, the high sliding angle causes those beads to roll off easily, and it even rolls off some of the dirt that would otherwise accumulate.
Properly applied graphene coatings are also much more durable than traditional ceramic coatings. Graphene is one of the strongest coatings globally, and even after being reduced to graphene oxide, it retains that high level of strength. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it’s immune to nicks and scratches, but it does make it more resistant to water etching and any debris picked up by your wash mitt or drying towel when you wash your vehicle.
The added graphene makes the finished coating incredibly glossy and slick, leaving a smooth feeling after curing. The kind of sheen achieved by a well-applied graphene coating is unmatched.
Are Graphene Coatings the Best Thing on the Market?
We are excited to see the rise of graphene in both the professional and DIY detailing worlds, and believe it might just be the next big thing in paint protection. All our tests have shown promising results and we are very satisfied with the interest that this wonderful product is getting.
About Fobbu One
If you are looking for a DIY ceramic coat for glass, you can buy it directly from One.
If you are looking for a ceramic coating specialist to apply ceramic coating on your car book an appointment with Fobbu Car Care, a reputed detailer for quality work.
