Guess most car enthusiasts are familiar with protective ceramic car coatings by now. Well, there’s a new kid on the block: graphene ceramic car coating, graphene coating in short. A graphene car coating is a ceramic coating with added graphene. Graphene or graphene oxide is added to ceramic coatings to further improve their properties. That makes “graphene” kind of a “quality” or “2.0” label, meaning that the product has been upgraded recently with the latest knowledge and techniques based on the most recent experience available. In fact, it’s the toughest, longest lasting kind of protective car coating to date.
Check out our 5 best graphene coatings:
So what’s the deal? Do these protective coatings really last longer than their “plain” ceramic cousins? Are they as easy to apply? What’s the risk of things going horribly wrong? Do they really work better? Do they take more work to apply? Do you need special skills or training? Is it true that you will never have to wash your car again? Are they really scratch-proof?
We’ll answer all of these questions and more.
What is a Graphene Coating?
Graphene coating is the latest cutting-edge protective layer for various surfaces, known for its exceptional durability and performance.
According to the Faculty of Chemistry, graphene coating is made from a single 2D layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal, honeycomb-like structure, making it incredibly strong, lightweight, and highly conductive.
Of course, there is a big difference between applications under laboratory circumstances and real-world applications. At the time of this writing, no graphene coating, professional or consumer grade, can create this ideal honeycomb structure that would make the surface 200 times as tough as steel.
However, when applied to a surface such as car paint, a graphene coating creates a robust 3D protective barrier against scratches, corrosion, and UV damage. It enhances both the aesthetics and longevity of the car coating.
The addition of graphene to a quality ceramic car coating is like adding rebar to concrete. It holds the protective layer together to make it tougher and last longer. Graphene also helps to dissipate heat from a car’s surface because of its high conductivity.
Due to its remarkable properties, graphene coating is becoming increasingly popular in industries like automotive, electronics, and even in advanced medical applications.
Benefits of a Graphene Car Coating
A graphene car coating forms a protective, durable layer (shell) over your car paint. The following properties make it the ideal protection for your car paint, car glass and metal trim:
- more durable than any other type of protective car coating
- higher water contact angle (more beading)
- enhanced slickness
- higher abrasion resistance
- protects against light scratches and marring
- protects against the elements
- makes tree sap, bird droppings, tar… much easier to remove
- anti-static = car stays cleaner longer
- better heat dispersing properties
- built-in UV protection to slow the aging process of your car paint
Although a graphene coating has a lot of benefits, it’s not a miracle product. It won’t remove scratches as you hoped perhaps… It’s a protector, not a corrector. Although dirt is much easier to remove from your car, you still have to wash your car. Depending on conditions, the intervals in between 2 car washes will be much longer.
Application Method
Although you need no special skills to apply a graphene car coating, just like applying a ceramic coating, it takes some paint prep and patience to get it right. Here’s How To Apply a Graphene Car Coating.
If you don’t wanna put in the time and effort, you could try a “light” graphene spray coating instead. You can’t go wrong with that! Although it wears faster, it’s a simple spray-and-wipe application similar to a spray wax.
Some products come in a kit with a UV light. This makes it very easy to visibly check your graphene application. You will never miss a spot because the areas that have been coated will glow bluish when lit with the UV flashlight. Any spots you’ve missed can be corrected by simply adding some product.
Spray Application
Most graphene spray coatings are as easy to apply as a classic detail spray or a wax spray: spray on, wipe off. Most of them are water-based with a low graphene and ceramic content for easy application. Some can even be sprayed on a wet, freshly washed car before drying it, which is even easier.
For some graphene sprays you have to wait a moment for a haze or rainbow effect to appear before buffing them off.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions of course, but there’s not much that can go wrong.
In any case, spray-on graphene coatings are the easy, foolproof way to go. They cost much less than a full-blown graphene coating too.
With Applicator
Graphene coatings that come in a small vial have to be applied with an applicator and buffed short after when they haze or get a rainbow hue. They are always solvent-based with a high graphene and ceramic content for optimal durability.
These coatings are a little more difficult to apply and need some paint preparation but are much longer lasting than a spray coating. It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s steps to get the best results.
Although these solvent-based graphene coatings are more expensive, in the long run they will save you time and money. Remember: you’ll only have to prep and apply once and you’re good for many years to come.
How Long Does a Graphene Coating Last?
In general, water-based graphene sprays last 12 to 24 months, while premium solvent-based graphene car coatings that come in little vials and need to be applied with an applicator last from 7 to 9 years.
However, it has to be said that longevity of a graphene car coating can vary widely depending on:
- the preparation of the car paint surface before application
- the way the coating is applied
- coating thickness or number of layers
- the way the coating is maintained
- intensity of use
A lot of external factors also influence the durability of a graphene car coating:
- mechanical wear (rubbing)
- washing and maintenance procedures (hand wash or car wash)
- weather and climate conditions
- temperature fluctuations
- UV
- road salt
- acidity of environment and cleaning products used
- chemical contamination in general (e.g.: bird poop, tree sap, exhaust gasses, iron dust from brakes, chemical fallout, cleaning products,…)
Some graphene coatings work great and are an improvement on classic ceramic coatings, while others are just infused with gray dye instead of real graphene powder, because quality A-grade graphene is very expensive. That’s why it’s important to choose a graphene coating from a brand with a reliable track record. Best steer away from new or unknown brands that offer so called “graphene” coatings at prices far below established competitors. If it seems too good to be true…
How we did our review
Over the years we’ve tried and tested a lot of different protective car coatings for our cars, because not all cars are the same (new metallic paint, aging paint, chrome, steel, plastic,…) We already had experience with ceramic car coatings. So it was a logical step to also compare graphene car coatings. Our wide experience was a solid base to start from in our hunt for the best graphene car coatings on the market.
For this review we dove deep in the manufacturer specifications and looked at customer reviews to see what their experience was. We only recommend graphene car coatings that we tested did an excellent job for us and the vast majority of car enthusiasts. We’ve selected graphene coatings from different perspectives, to make it easy for you to choose the right coating for your car, depending on what you intend to use it for, your budget and time. We only selected the best, nobody wants to buy second-bests, right?
Check out our selection of best performing graphene car coatings:
CCM’s Top 5 Best Graphene Coatings for Cars
Best Graphene Spray Coating:
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Best Graphene Spray Coating
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- Type: Graphene ceramic coating
- Application method: Spray
- Durability: Up to 24 months of protection
- Drying time until water contact: 4 hours
- Drying time until full hardness: 4 hours
- Finish: Enriched gloss
- Content: 12 fl.oz
Adam’s Advanced Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating is the latest generation of protective spray coating and came out as the best graphene spray in the test. It incorporates cutting edge graphene nanotechnology to seal your car paint.
This advanced graphene technology will repel water and dirt and enhance the shine and depth of any surface. It will also lower surface temperature by dispersing sunlight away from the surface.
Application is as simple as it gets because of its lower graphene content compared to a full-blown ceramic graphene coating. It doesn’t require any special techniques or expertise and you don’t need to respect finicky application protocols. There’s absolutely 0% risk of messing it up because of Adam’s built-in patent pending Ceramic Glow technology. It’s child’s play to visibly check your graphene spray application and never miss a spot because the areas that have been coated will glow bluish when lit with Adam’s UV flashlight. Any spots you’ve missed can be corrected by simply adding some product.
This spray coating will protect your car for up to 24 months.
Customers love the fact that it is easy to apply. One of them states that it looks as good as his high end cars that have been coated professionally. Many users say that this product makes your car’s paint look like a mirror! However, some customers report that it doesn’t last as long as promised by the manufacturer. For daily drivers that are driven in harsh conditions, we can imagine that this coating might wear faster. However, for cars that are garaged and only used sparingly, this coating will most probably exceed Adam’s longevity claims.
PROS:
- As easy as it gets
- Up to 24 months of protection
- Extremely hydrophobic, spectacular water beading
- Latest graphene ceramic nanotechnology spray car coating
- Has Adam’s patent pending Ceramic Glow technology
- Dissipates heat
- Helps prevent water spotting
- Made in USA
CONS:
- Doesn’t last as long as a full-blown graphene ceramic coating
Best Budget Graphene Spray Coating:
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Best Budget Graphene Spray Coating
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- Type: Graphene ceramic coating
- Application Method: Spray
- Longevity / Durability: More than 12 months
- Drying time until water contact: None
- Drying time until full hardness: None
- Finish: Enhanced gloss
- Content: 15,5 fl.oz
303 Products, Inc. have been perfecting protective coatings since 1980 for aviation, aerospace, marine and automotive use. So I guess it’s safe to say these guys know what they’re talking about.
Their latest and easiest-to-use protective graphene automotive spray coating is extremely durable yet very affordable compared to their competitors. This next-level carbon polymer protection offers a dead-easy way of shielding all your car’s exterior surfaces.
It lowers surface temperature, reduces water-spotting, has a high water contact angle and sheds water quickly. It’s great on black paint and can even be used in direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight will make the product cure faster, which in turn allows faster application time.
Although according to 303, one year of premium protection or up to 35 wash cycles can be achieved, we recommend applying it every couple of months if your car is frequently used and washed.
Customers agree that the product is very easy to apply and gives their car a nice shine. Reviewers state that in spite of all the rain and sun their car went through, the coating has stayed strong.
Some good advice from a consumer: use gloves when you apply this product or it will leave a black cast on your hands.
PROS:
- Great price
- More than 12 months of protection
- Can be used in full sunlight for faster curing time
- Lowers surface temperature
- Reduces water-spotting
- High water contact angle, sheds water quickly
- Made in USA
CONS:
- Not by far as long-lasting as a full-blown graphene coating
- Doesn’t have the Ceramic Glow technology to check for uncoated areas
Best Hybrid Graphene Spray Wax:
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Best Hybrid Graphene Spray Wax
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- Type: Graphene infused ceramic wax spray
- Application Method: Spray
- Longevity/Durability: Up to 12 months
- Drying time until water contact: 24 hours
- Drying time until full hardness: 24 hours
- Finish: High Gloss
- Content: 23 fl.oz
This graphene infused spray wax protects against water spotting, environmental elements and chemical contaminants, as well as harsh UV rays. It adds incredible gloss and slickness, leaving a showroom shine finish.
Being a hybrid graphene wax spray, it can be used as:
- A dry wax: spray on a dry clean surface, then wipe off with an edgeless microfiber towel.
- A rinse wax: spray on a clean, wet car and rinse off.
- A coating: apply on a clean prepped car and allow it to cure 24 hours for protection that lasts up to 12 months.
You can apply it in direct sunlight and on all exterior surfaces including glass, headlights, trim and wheels. For any streaking, high spots or residue: just wipe the surface with a damp microfiber cloth and buff dry.
For cars that are used and washed frequently, we advise more frequent applications.
Most customers are wowed by the amazing shine and slickness this product leaves behind. They agree that it does a great job at micro-beading and repelling dirt. Customers love the fact that it is such an easy spray-on, wipe-off application. When we applied it, we used the recommended 24 hour cure time and 2 coats for the best protection.
PROS:
- Very versatile. Can be used as a dry wax, rinse wax or a coating
- Protects up to 12 months
- Innovative graphene infused wax
- Protects against UV, water spotting and dirt
- Made in USA
CONS:
- Much less durable than a full-blown graphene coating
- Doesn’t have the Ceramic Glow technology to check for uncoated spots
Best Graphene Ceramic Coating:
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Best Graphene Ceramic Coating
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- Type: Graphene ceramic coating
- Application Method: Applicator
- Longevity / Durability: 9+ years
- Drying time until water contact: 24 hours
- Drying time until full hardness: 24 hours
- Finish: Ultra high gloss
- Content: 60ml Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating, 4oz Graphene Boost, 4oz Surface Prep, 2x Single Soft Towel, 2x Suede Removal Towel, 2x Suede Applicator, Pair of Gloves, Adam’s UV Flashlight
This professional grade protective coating leaves a tough 45% graphene reinforced ceramic layer that protects your car paint for up to 9 years and delivers extreme hardness. In our tests it came out on top as the best overall graphene coating.
It is very easy to apply and with the help of the patented UV Glow Technology, you can check the coating with the included UV light. Everything that’s coated will glow bluish, and that’s more than a gimmick. This feature is crucial if you want to make sure you’ve covered every inch. It helped us a lot in the application process and gives it a clear advantage compared to other graphene products.
The glow is caused by a crystalline form of optical brightener in the coating. That brightener absorbs energy and emits light which allows you to verify that the coating is (still) there. This is also a neat feature when you want to check if there is still active coating left as time passes.
Adam’s Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating is also extremely hydrophobic and slick. It will make your paint less prone to “water spotting”, the awful mineral deposits that are hard to remove after rain or when accidentally sprayed by lawn sprinklers.
It comes as a complete set with everything you need to apply this coating and maintain it.
We absolutely love this awesome product. That’s why we chose it for our best “full-blown” graphene coating. Sure, it needs a bit more preparation than a spray coating, but it protects much, much longer too. We definitely think it’s worth the extra effort!
That’s what customers say too: they love this product because it provides the best shine for years to come. They state that it’s long lasting with professional looking results. However, users do remark that to get the best results, you have to prep your car paint as per instructions.
If you want to see the the results for yourself, look at our video where we tested and applied the Graphene Ceramic Coating on a car:
PROS:
- Professional grade product
- Complete set with everything you need including Ceramic Boost Spray for maintenance
- 45% graphene content, 50% increased coating resin over Graphene Ceramic Coating, 4-5 μm coating thickness
- Inclusion of additional silicate resin for added durability and longevity
- Extreme hardness, 9+ years of protection
- Easy application
- Patent pending UV Tracing Technology™
- Less prone to water spotting
- Higher stain resistance against bugs, tree sap, bird droppings, etc.
- Higher scratch resistance during the washing process
- Adds depth and clarity to all surfaces
- Lower sliding angle with water evacuating at angles less than 10-15°
- Higher contact angles averaging more than 110-118°
- Can be applied to all painted surfaces, glass, headlights, chrome, trim, wheels, and even bed liners
- Made in USA
CONS:
- It’s the best graphene ceramic coating a consumer can buy, so it’s not cheap
- Like with any semi-permanent coating, it takes some prep if you want it done right
- The awesome UV Tracing Technology is difficult to use in bright ambient lighting conditions or on light colored paint
Best Budget Graphene Ceramic Coating:
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Best Budget Graphene Ceramic Coating
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- Type: Graphene ceramic coating
- Application Method: Applicator
- Longevity / Durability: 7+ years
- Drying time until water contact: 24 hours
- Drying time until full hardness: 24 hours
- Finish: Medium gloss
- Content: 60ml Graphene Ceramic Coating, 4oz Graphene Boost, 4oz Surface Prep, 2x Single Soft Towel, 2x Suede Removal Towel, 2x Micro Silk Applicator, Pair of Gloves, Adam’s UV Flashlight
This budget-friendly version of Adam’s top range Advanced Ceramic Coating has the same properties but in a “light” version, giving slightly less durability but it is even easier to apply. Adam’s says it will last up to 7 years while the more concentrated “Advanced” formula is said to last up to 9 years.
In our test it still worked great though and is much cheaper. We think this is a good choice if you don’t want to pay a premium price but still want amazing results.
Customers say to make sure you’re happy with your paint correction before coating because once it’s on, paint imperfections are frozen in time for a couple of years. That’s true for all coatings, of course…
PROS:
- Competitive pricing
- Complete set with everything you need including Ceramic Boost Spray for maintenance
- 30% graphene content, 2-3 μm coating thickness
- Extreme hardness, 7+ years of protection
- Easy application
- Patent pending UV Tracing Technology™
- Less prone to water spotting
- Higher stain resistance against bugs, tree sap, bird droppings, etc.
- Higher scratch resistance during the washing process
- Adds depth and clarity to all surfaces
- Lower sliding angle with water evacuating at angles less than 10-15°
- Higher contact angles averaging more than 110-118°
- Can be applied to all painted surfaces, glass, headlights, chrome, trim, wheels, and even bed liners
- Made in USA
CONS:
- Like with any semi-permanent coating, it takes some prep if you want it done right
- The awesome UV Tracing Technology is difficult to use in bright ambient lighting conditions or on light colored paint
Final Thoughts
It’s a jungle out there…
There are so many graphene ceramic coatings on offer that promise the world with one spray or wipe…Some are great, while most are underperformers at best.
The fact of the matter is that a premium quality graphene car coating is the toughest protective coating to date.
However, it’s only fair to say that no graphene spray coating has the longevity of a full-blown graphene coating. Sprays last up to 24 months while full-blown ones last up to 9 years.
However, we do think graphene spray coatings are great for people who are scared of screwing it up. Because they don’t last as long, you don’t have to start with an immaculately prepared surface. In a couple of months or in a year’s time max, you’ll have the opportunity to correct any flaws you didn’t have time for, overlooked, or didn’t want to address at the time.
These graphene spray coatings are without doubt the fast and easy way to give your car maximum protection against the elements. Tests show that they perform as good as their full-blown cousins, but because of their much lower percentage of active ingredients and their water-based formula, they lay down a much thinner layer that wears much faster. They’re relatively inexpensive too compared to a full-blown solvent-based graphene coating.
If you wanna put in some more effort and money to make the coating last much longer, a solvent-based graphene coating is the way to go.
We’ve extensively searched the market so you don’t have to and came up with some astonishing products that in our tests lived up to their promise:
If you’re not looking for a bargain and don’t want to compromise, we strongly advise Adam’s Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating. This truly is a top range solvent-based graphene coating that stretches durability to the limit. We also love the built-in patent pending Ceramic Glow technology that enables you to visually check for spots you’ve missed.
However, we’re still a huge fan of Adam’s second-in-line, Adam’s Graphene Ceramic Coating. This is arguably the most bang for your buck. We think it is! You’re getting the same awesome technology for much less. Agreed, it has a lower active ingredient content, but that makes it easier to work with too. There’s two sides to a coin…
If you are looking for a bargain graphene infused protective spray, 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating is the product you want. It really is a graphene infused spray, it’s not just black dye infused like so many “graphene bargains” on the market. And the results are there to prove it! It really outperforms all competitors in its price range.
Turtle wax on the other hand, has formulated a completely unique hybrid wax spray that is graphene infused and called it Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex Graphene Spray Wax. Yes, we know… It’s a mouthful… But it works! Hybrid means it can be applied as a dry wax, rinse wax or a coating. Same here: real graphene oxide, no dye!
Not in for a bargain? Want the best graphene spray money can buy? Look no further, it’s probably the most popular graphene spray product out there: Adam’s Advanced Graphene Spray Coating.
Well, I hope we’ve made it a bit easier to differentiate between ceramic graphene spray coating products. It’s still up to you though to choose between these 5 great products, depending on your personal preference.
Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Happy Detailing!
FAQ
How Do I Know if a Car Has a Graphene Coating?
You can’t. Well, not off the bat anyway. You can do a water-beading test but if water really beads off like crazy just like it would on a graphene coating, this still is no proof. It might be because of some other protective wax or sealant. Only time will tell. If the water beading disappears or greatly diminishes in the next weeks or months, you’ll know there was no (fresh) graphene coating on there, but a less durable kind of wax or sealant. If water still beads off after more than a year, chances are there’s a graphene coating of some kind on your car paint. It could also be a ceramic coating, of course. If it’s still on there in a couple of years and going strong, you can bet it’s graphene.
What Is the Downside of a Graphene Coating?
The only real downside is its price. A graphene coating is much more expensive than a wax or sealant. It has to be done right too, because it’ll be on there for a long time.
Is Graphene Coating Anti-Scratch?
Yes, a graphene car coating prevents minor scratches from forming. It won’t prevent large scratches and dents though.
Can You Put Graphene over Wax?
Yes, you can put some types of graphene spray coating over wax, but it is not ideal. For optimal performance, a graphene coating needs a clean, degreased surface to bond to.
Can You Put Wax over a Graphene Coating?
Sure you can. It is even beneficiary for most quality graphene coatings. It will make them last longer. The wax will act like a sacrificial layer on top of the graphene coating.
What is the Best Protective Coating for Cars?
Graphene coatings, which are essentially improved ceramic coatings, are the best and strongest protective car coatings to date. They are even tougher and longer lasting than any ceramic coating because graphene reinforces the ceramic layer like rebar in concrete.
What is the Actual Graphene Content in a Graphene Coating?
Quality graphene is (still) hard to mass-produce and is expensive, (though prices are going down fast with new production methods emerging). This means a premium will have to be paid depending on the graphene content of the coating.
And that’s the catch…
It’s important to know that the general scientific consensus is that for optimal effectiveness, the coating has to contain a minimum of 30% of high quality graphene, which makes it an expensive product. That’s why often low quality graphene or a lower percentage is used.
Many low end so-called “graphene” coatings only have a few % of low quality graphene content (at best) or worst case even just black dye and should best be called “graphene infused ceramic coatings”. This doesn’t mean that current high content graphene coatings from trusted brands don’t have advantages, on the contrary.
Most graphene coating manufacturers won’t reveal the composition (not even the graphene content) of their coatings supposedly to keep the competition in the dark. This makes it near impossible to compare or validate any claims made about graphene products or their contents without extensive and expensive analyses performed by specialized laboratories.
With the ethanol content in fuel for example, if it says 5%, it legally has to be within certain measurable tolerances of what is stated. These values are checked on a regular basis by the authorities to protect consumers and guarantee quality standards.
With protective automotive coatings, there’s nobody checking if what manufacturers claim is true and it’s just too expensive for a consumer to have lab tests performed on let’s say a $50- $75 coating to see what it actually contains.
We’ll just have to wait a couple of years to find out if the longevity claims were true I guess…
Does Graphene Make a Coating Stronger?
Yes it does. Graphene is the strongest material ever discovered, some 200 times stronger than steel. It’s 1000 times lighter than paper, 98% transparent and conducts electricity better than any known material. It was originally developed or discovered in 2004 by Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov, two researchers at The University of Manchester.
Graphene basically is a single atomic layer of graphite made up of very tightly bonded carbon atoms organized into a hexagonal mesh. (like chicken wire)
Graphene reinforces a ceramic coating just like rebar does in concrete. It’s reported that even a small percentage would have a strengthening effect making the coating last longer.
