blackjagmike said:
Basically Ceramic Coatings do add significant protection to the underlying paint. They are normally applied as an under layer of 6/7h ( based on the pencil hardness test) and a top layer of 8/9h. This not only protects the car from scratching but also chemicals ph2 to ph13. So yes it won't stop 10molar acids or alkalis wrecking the paint but it will stop the corrosive power of bird poo marking the paint.
Both layers are applied covering a small section at a time and then the whole car is left to cure / harden overnight. Depending on what combination of undercoat and top coat and what product manufacturer you use = length of guarantee. Yes guarantee. I have used GTechniq products Crystal Serum base and EXO top and I have a 7 year guarantee meaning that should the car be damaged tree sap, bug splatter, bird droppings or the sun's harmful UV rays, Gtechniq will repair and retreat the damaged area at no cost to me.
I still remain a little unconvinced blackjagmike. but this is my view and I am very careful how I spend my hard earned cash, making sure I research, read reviews and I believe completely understand what I am buying. I like to think I'm the type opting often for quality over quantity if i know it'll serve me longer. My opinion should not affect anyone else' as it is an opinion and I encourage anyone to make their own opinion as that is what really matters, if YOU are happy with your decision or not.
Now for my comments:
I read what you say about 2< Ph > 12. It's worth noting that...
Ph 2 = Citric acid (Lemon Juice), acetic acid (vinegar)
Ph 1 = Gastric /Stomach acid
Ph 0 = Battery Acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid etc.
Also highly worth noting that hydrofluoric acid is used in many car cleaning solutions as it's cheap and very effective at stripping the grime especially from alloy wheels. I'd triple check it's not in any GTechniq cleaning products, if I were to consider it, otherwise could be doing more damage than good by taking off layers of paint before applying the shine chemical and finally laquer layer.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226086X12001189
I found an MSDS for GTechniq G1, it's basically Propan-2-Ol (an alcohol which predominantly will evaporate, but is known to be used in some industrial cleaning products - so I can see it's use in their products)
http://www.gtechniq.com.au/upFiles/g1_MSDS.pdf
Sadly, In my searches I found no creditable, peer reviewed research, with facts and basis in regards to Car detailing. in fact I I found none at all on the either of the first two search pages (i didn't look any further). All i saw was a lot of web pages from car detailing companies, filled with what looked to me like marketing. I must point out that the claims could of course be true and upheld after research, but I look for more than just statements. It might just be the research has not been peer-reviewed and published.
I certainly don't want to be a downer or dissuade other forum members, in any way, it's up to you all how you spend your hard earn cash, but in my mind and opinion it's a case of show me the data.