Can Ceramic Coating Restore Faded Black Plastic Trim?
April 5, 2024
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Professional ceramic car coating - how does it work?

Wondering how a professional ceramic car coating works and if it's right for you?


If you’re here, it’s because you’re probably wondering if professional ceramic car coatings are worth it and how they work. Of course, we think they’re worth it! The first thing to understand about professional ceramic car coating is it makes clean-up so easy. What you see in the video is System X MAX 10-year ceramic coating on the hood of our BMW i8. While we love System X MAX, all of our ceramic coatings make cleanup so much easier. 

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Ok, so how does a professional ceramic car coating work?


Your paint is made out of peaks and valleys. It doesn’t look like it to the naked eye, but it isn’t a perfectly smooth piece of material. You can see it over here at Detailing Wiki, which has a picture of polished and unpolished paint surfaces as viewed from under a microscope.

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Automotive paint, peaks and valleys, and how ceramic coating can (slightly) prevent swirling


As you can see in the picture, or our embedded YouTube video, the way a professional car ceramic coating works, is it attempts to fill many of the peaks and valleys of the paint. When the paint is smoother, it is less likely to trap these contaminants (or pollutants). 


This means that the paint is less likely to hold dirt, making it easier, and safer, to clean. If you recall from our other question/video, the more you have to work to clean paint, the more likely you are to scratch it. This is how ceramic coating protects against scratches. It’s a different level of protection than a clear bra, but it does add a slight layer. 


More importantly, you’re not scrubbing the paint and less likely to damage it, with a professional car ceramic coating. 

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BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL CAR CERAMIC COATING


  • Easy cleanup of bugs, bird poop, road grime, brake dust
  • Enhanced gloss/shine after ceramic coating (add paint correction for even better shine)
  • Minor wash swirl protection due to easier cleanup
  • UV and chemical resistance from ceramic coating, which extend the life of the vehicle clear coat
  • Repels water (hydrophobic)


A white suv with a duck on top of it.
A white rivian r1 suv is shown on a white background.

How much will ceramic coating protect against scratching and swirling?



The truth is – not that much. A professional car ceramic coating provides a VERY small amount of protection, if any, against swirling and scratching. Many companies claim that it does, but it does not. It works to reduce swirling and scratching as mentioned above. 


This is especially true if you are very aggressive with your vehicle washing and drying, use improper washing techniques, or use an automatic car wash, like Today’s Car Wash or Galaxy Car Wash in the Copperas Cove/Killeen/Harker Heights area. 

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Does this mean you don't have to wash your car after a ceramic coating?


As much as I wish a professional car ceramic coating made you not have to wash your vehicle – you still do.


Even after applying a professional ceramic coating, washing your car regularly is necessary to maintain its appearance and protect the coating. The ceramic coating provides a barrier of protection against contaminants, but it is not impervious to dirt, grime, and other substances that can accumulate on the vehicle’s surface over time. Regular washing helps to remove these contaminants and prevent them from etching into the surface, which can cause permanent damage to the coating. Additionally, regular washing helps to maintain the shine and overall appearance of the vehicle, ensuring that it continues to look its best for years to come.

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Insurance Company Writes For Replacement - Hail Repair Killeen TX
By Matthew Jones March 25, 2025
If your vehicle was hammered by the massive hailstorm in Killeen and Harker Heights in May 2024, you might be wondering whether your hood, roof, or trunk needs to be replaced—or if it can be repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR). When dealing with insurance claims for hail damage repair in Killeen, TX, it’s common for adjusters to write up estimates that call for panel replacements, especially on heavily dented hoods, roofs, and trunks. But does that mean you must get a new panel? Not necessarily! Let’s break down how insurance companies approach hail repair, why they sometimes push for replacement over repair, and how we help customers preserve their factory paint whenever possible.
Hail Repair in Killeen, TX: Why Fixing Aluminum Panels is More Expensive
By Matthew Jones March 25, 2025
If you've ever brought your Ford Super Duty or F-150 in for hail repair in Killeen, TX, you may have been surprised at the price difference compared to other vehicles. Why does it cost more to fix hail damage on aluminum-bodied vehicles? You're not alone in wondering! Whether it's door dings from Fort Cavazos or severe hail damage from storms like the one that hit Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, and Killeen on May 12, 2024, aluminum repairs always come at a higher cost. But why? The short answer: Aluminum is a completely different material than steel, requiring more time, effort, and skill to repair. The long answer? Let’s dive into it!
Protecting a Classic: 2011 Bentley Continental Gets Custom Paint Protection Film & Ceramic Coating!
By Matthew Jones March 23, 2025
If you’re in Killeen, Copperas Cove, or Temple, TX, and looking for the best protection for your luxury vehicle, we’ve got you covered! This 2011 Bentley Continental came to us with an existing paint protection film (PPF) on the front bumper, but the owner wanted to take it a step further by adding protection to the fenders and hood. Not only did we install custom-cut Autobahn Incognito Paint Protection Film (PPF) on the front-end, but we also polished out years of swirl marks and sealed the vehicle with a long-lasting ceramic coating to keep it looking flawless for years to come. 📍 If you’re nearby, bring your Bentley—or any vehicle—to our shop in Nolanville, TX, for elite paint protection!
2025 Mazda CX-90 Gets Full-Front PPF, Ceramic Coating, & Window Tint Near Killeen, TX!
By Matthew Jones March 23, 2025
Whether you're coming from Temple, TX, to the east or Copperas Cove, TX, to the west, we’re conveniently located just east of Killeen and Harker Heights. Our shop stays busy with premium paint protection projects and expert auto hail repair services—and this latest job was no exception! This fully loaded 2025 Mazda CX-90 came to us from Fort Cavazos, brought in by a Soldier looking to protect his investment from rock chips, UV damage, and Texas heat. To give his SUV the ultimate defense, we installed: ✔ Full-Front Paint Protection Film (PPF) – Mike applied Autobahn Incognito PPF with a lifetime warranty, covering the hood, bumper, fenders, and mirrors. ✔ Autobahn Window Tint – Installed by Jose, this high-performance tint reduces heat, glare, and UV exposure, and—like our PPF—it comes with a lifetime warranty. ✔ Eight-Year Ceramic Coating – Applied by our second Mike, this premium coating locks in shine, repels contaminants, and enhances long-term protection. 🚗 Looking for instant pricing on PPF? Get a qu
Another Stunning Red Mist C8 Corvette Gets a Five-Year Ceramic Coating!
By Matthew Jones March 23, 2025
I’ve honestly lost track of how many Red Mist C8 Corvettes we’ve had in the shop for Paint Protection Film (PPF), Ceramic Coating, or Window Tint—but here’s another one! There’s something about this color that just stands out. If I had to pick a favorite, Red Mist Metallic might be at the top of the list, though Riptide Blue Metallic is a close second. The way these metallic colors shine under the sun is just unreal! This particular C8 Corvette owner chose a five-year ceramic coating, ensuring long-lasting protection, extreme gloss, and easy maintenance. We didn’t just coat the paint—we also applied ceramic protection to the wheel faces and glass, giving this Corvette a sleek, ultra-hydrophobic finish from top to bottom. 📍 If you’re in Killeen, Copperas Cove, or Temple, TX, and want the best protection for your Corvette, we’re the shop to trust! No one in the area protects more C8s than us!
Restoring & Protecting a 2008 Audi TT with New PPF, Paintless Dent Repair, & Ceramic Coating!
By Matthew Jones March 22, 2025
A Fun Project Reviving This Classic Audi TT! This was a project we truly enjoyed! The owner of this 2008 Audi TT has had the car since it was brand new, and when he first bought it, he had paint protection film (PPF) installed. However, PPF technology has come a long way over the years, and the old film had started to yellow and crack. It was time for an upgrade! We spent around eight hours carefully removing the old PPF, ensuring no damage to the original paint. Then, we installed new Autobahn Incognito PPF on the hood, fenders, front bumper, and mirrors, giving this Audi a fresh, modern layer of protection.
Protecting This 2025 Infiniti QX60 with Autobahn Incognito PPF – Long-Lasting Paint Protection!
By Matthew Jones March 21, 2025
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 is a luxurious SUV designed for comfort, performance, and sleek styling. With its modern design and premium finish, keeping the paint in pristine condition is a top priority for any owner. That’s why this client brought their QX60 to Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings, where we installed Autobahn Incognito Paint Protection Film (PPF) to safeguard against road hazards, rock chips, and daily wear and tear. With Autobahn PPF’s lifetime warranty, this Infiniti is now shielded against yellowing, cracking, and fading, ensuring it looks brand-new for years to come. 📍 Located in Nolanville, TX, we’re just a short drive from Temple, Killeen, and Copperas Cove—offering the best in paint protection, ceramic coatings, and window tinting!
Protecting This 2024 Dodge RAM 3500 with Autobahn Incognito PPF on the Bedside & Fenders!
By Matthew Jones March 21, 2025
When it comes to heavy-duty trucks like the 2024 Dodge RAM 3500, durability is everything—but that doesn’t mean the paint should suffer from daily wear and tear. To keep this truck looking brand new, we installed Autobahn Incognito Paint Protection Film (PPF) on the bedside and fenders, shielding these high-impact areas from rock chips, scratches, and road debris. Whether you’re hauling, towing, or driving through rough terrain, the bedside and fenders take a beating—but with Autobahn PPF, this RAM 3500 is now equipped with an invisible layer of protection that will keep it looking flawless for years to come.
Another Mercedes Protected! Repeat Client Brings Their 2024 E350 for Autobahn Incognito PPF Install
By Matthew Jones March 21, 2025
There’s no better sign of trust than a repeat customer bringing in another vehicle for premium protection! After previously protecting their 2023 Mercedes with paint protection film (PPF), this client returned to Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings for their 2024 Mercedes E350, ensuring it stays just as flawless. This time, we installed Autobahn Incognito PPF on the hood, mirrors, and bumper—a package we call the Critical Impact Package. This setup provides protection in the areas that take the most damage from road debris, rock chips, and environmental wear. ✔ Lifetime Warranty – Autobahn Incognito PPF is guaranteed never to yellow, crack, or peel, ensuring long-lasting defense. ✔ Self-Healing Technology – Light scratches disappear with heat, keeping the finish smooth and pristine. ✔ Virtually Invisible Protection – Maintains the luxury look of the E350 without altering its aesthetics. 📍 Located conveniently between Temple, TX, and Killeen, TX, our shop is right in the middle—an easy drive for top-tier vehic
Protecting This Black 2024 Lincoln Nautilus with Autobahn Incognito PPF – Backed by a Lifetime Warra
By Matthew Jones March 20, 2025
A brand-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus deserves the best protection available, and that’s exactly what we provided for this client. Joe and I installed Autobahn Incognito Paint Protection Film (PPF) on the hood, fenders, front bumper, mirrors, and trim pieces, ensuring this luxury SUV stays flawless for years to come. What makes Autobahn PPF stand out? Not only does it come with a lifetime warranty against yellowing, cracking, and peeling, but it’s also the only film manufacturer that includes a no-fault warranty—offering a one-time $250 credit for replacement if the film gets damaged. That means extra peace of mind for the road ahead! 📍 Conveniently located behind the CEFCO in Nolanville, we’re just a short drive from Temple, Copperas Cove, and Killeen, TX!
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