What is the primary difference between a ceramic coating and a clear bra?

It is true: Both ceramic coatings and paint protection films that we install here at Chicago Auto Pros provide protection for your vehicle’s paint and exterior surfaces. However, the most notable difference is that our ceramic coatings are mostly designed to lower daily maintenance routines, keep stains at bay, and add gloss. Paint protection films are polyurethane vehicle wraps that prevent light surface damage and resist defects caused by unpredictable hazards.

Ceramic coatings are low-maintenance, so why do they need to be detailed?

Because ceramic coatings are not completely indestructible against swirls, scratches, paint chips, or abrasive surface damage, keeping them clean when the need arises keeps them looking high quality and staying effective. Likewise, ceramic coatings require professional detailing to maintain their lifetime warranties, as opposed to public car washes, as those drive-thru efforts can and will scratch them or cause marring.

Can I cover my paint protection film in a ceramic coating?

Absolutely! Utilizing both a ceramic coating and a paint protection film to give your automobile the ultimate in value, shine, and perfection is an extremely proactive effort. Here at Chicago Auto Pros, our paint protection films keep defects from reaching your actual finish, while the ceramic coating on top of them will further enhance the quality of your vehicle's paintwork.

Audi RS3 - XPEL | C.Quartz

September 22, 2017

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CERAMIC COATINGS

With the new Audi RS3's starting to arrive at dealerships across the country we knew it was only a matter of time before we received our first one. A few weeks ago that day came when a gorgeous Nardo Gray RS3 pulled up to our shop and scheduled to have XPEL paint protection film installed on the high impact areas and C.Quartz professional applied to the full vehicle. Let's begin:

Being so new, this car required little paint correction.

It all started with a thorough wash and decontamination followed by light compounding and a polish to make this paint flawless.

Once finished with polishing it was time to begin the paint protection film install.

All of our paint protection film is computer cut giving us a perfect template every time.

A man is pointing at a laptop screen while another man holds a cell phone

A man is sitting in front of a large machine holding a piece of paper.

A man is sitting at a table in front of a car.

Once cut out, the film is then loosely applied and positioned to fit.

Once it is aligned perfectly it can finally be installed.

Two men are wrapping a gray audi q3 with clear plastic.

A man is applying a protective film to the hood of a car.

Two men are cleaning the hood of a car in a garage.

Wherever possible we oversize the film. This allows for extra film that can be wrapped into edges giving a much cleaner install.

After the XPEL is applied and has cured we can begin the coating process. All painted surfaces, glass, lights and trim and coated by hand and the wheels and brake calipers are sprayed ensuring total protection.

A person is applying a hood protector to a car.

A man is kneeling down next to a car and cleaning it with a cloth.

A man is sitting on a stool working on a car in a garage.

The coating is then left to bake allowing it to reach optimal curing temperature.

Here is the finished product. It is just as beautiful as it was before entering the shop, but now fully protected. I'm sure this won't be the last RS3 we receive and i speak for all of us when I say we can't wait for the next one!