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.

BMW 328D | Llumar FormulaOne Window Tint Install

September 29, 2017

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CERAMIC COATINGS

A silver car with a red tail light is parked in a garage.

One of our most popular services is window tint. This is something we get asked about more than any other product and we thought we should take some time and walk you through the window tint process to clear up any questions you may have. We recently had this BMW 328D in the shop for our Llumar FormulaOne film. With this film drivers can have the ultimate in appearance, comfort and protection from an exclusive line of window tint that creates a driving experience that is like no other.

It begins with cutting out the film. All of our film is laser cut using a plotter. This ensures an exact fit and minimizes the risk of us scratching the glass by cutting by hand.

Once the film has been printed and cut out it's time to clean the windows thoroughly and prep them for installation.

A large graphtec machine is sitting in a room

A man is working on a window with a green hose hanging from the ceiling

A man is sitting in the back seat of a car

A man is cleaning the windshield of a car.

The film is then molded on the outside to the exact curvature of the glass.

After the film has been molded, the backing sheet is removed to expose the adhesive and it is carefully transferred to the inside of the glass.

A man is working on a car windshield in a garage.

A man is wrapping a white car with plastic.

A man is applying window tinting to a car window.

A man is putting a film on the windshield of a car.

The window is sprayed down with our film solution and the film is slid into position, making sure there are no light gaps. Once into position the installer can finally lay down the film by squeegeeing out the solution.

The most important step : work is checked to ensure a clean outcome.

A man is sitting in the driver 's seat of a car applying window tinting.

A man with a tattoo on his arm is cleaning the windshield of a car

A man is cleaning the windshield of a car in a garage.

Side windows are installed exactly as the back is. Windows are cleaned, film is fit and then installed.

A man is applying window tinting to the back window of a car.

A man is spraying a car with a spray bottle.

This customer opted for a sunstrip. The film is measured for desired width and then pre-fit to the glass.

All windshield tint is hand cut to ensure the best fit. Extensive measures are taken to insure the glass and trim is not cut.

Film is then applied like all other windows.

All full vehicle tints receive a complimentary wash after to make sure the car looks as good as the tint.

Two men are working on a car windshield in a garage.

Two men are working on a car in a garage.

A man is applying tint to the windshield of a car.

A white bmw 3 series is being washed in a garage.

What a difference window tint can make! This car looks much better and is much more comfortable to drive as well due to the added privacy, UV and heat protection offered by this film. All of our films also feature a life-time warranty against any peeling, fading or bubbling.

As always, if we missed anything or you have questions that haven't been answered feel free to email us or give us a call!

Always remember to keep the windows up for 3-4 days and that it can take as long as two weeks to fully cure.