- A while back, a guy reached out to me after noticing some issues with the ceramic coating on his car, which had been applied about two months ago. He was concerned and wanted us to take a look, so I invited him over. Upon his arrival, we got into the details of his situation. It turns out, he hired a local detailer from McDonough to apply a ceramic coating at his home. He was familiar with the brand used, indicating he had done his homework.
In my experience, a professionally applied ceramic coating should exhibit certain qualities, like excellent water repellency — a step up from the old days of hand waxing where we were impressed by water sheeting off. Technology has progressed to where water doesn’t just sheet; it beads and rolls off almost immediately, leaving behind perfectly rounded droplets if the coating is correct. However, what we saw on his silver vehicle was concerning. The water footprint was wider than expected, indicating the coating might not be functioning properly. This doesn’t always mean there’s no protection; external factors like road salt can diminish a coating’s hydrophobic properties until properly decontaminated. But in this case, the slow sheeting and wide droplets suggested a deeper issue, possibly due to improper application or surface preparation.
Many mobile detailers skip crucial steps like thoroughly cleaning the paint’s pores and polishing the surface before applying the ceramic coating. A smooth, scratch-free surface is essential for the coating to bond effectively and provide lasting protection. In contrast, a surface with scratches provides an uneven base that compromises the coating’s integrity.
The conversation then shifted more personally as he shared his background with me. He’s an Air Force veteran who worked as an RN at the VA and is currently dealing with severe heart issues. Hearing his story, and considering our organization’s close ties to the military community, we felt a strong desire to help him out. We’re deeply connected to the military; we have Marine Corps vets, an Army combat medic, and come from an Air Force family ourselves. It became clear that we needed to take care of him.
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