A ceramic coating bonds to your clear coat and forms a hard, slick layer. Dirt has a harder time sticking, water sheets off, and bird droppings and tree sap are far less likely to etch the paint.

Is it worth it?

If you plan to keep your car for more than a couple of years, usually yes. A coating costs more up front than wax, but it lasts years instead of weeks, and it makes every future wash faster.

Because the coating locks in whatever is underneath, we always polish the paint first.