The "9H" Lie & The Magic Bay: 5 Ceramic Coating Myths That Are Costing You Money

Category: Automotive Education | Hi-Power Detailing | By: Aaron Sutherland-Taylor (Owner) | Updated for 2026

Why a "Force Field" doesn't exist, why you still have to wash your car, and why Aaron at Hi-Power refuses to play the "marketing fluff" game.)

Is ceramic coating scratch-proof? Do you need a "dedicated coating bay"? Aaron at Hi-Power Detailing in Trenton debunks the biggest myths in the industry to save you money and manage expectations.

If you have spent five minutes on Google searching for "car paint protection," you have likely been bombarded with ads that look more like sci-fi movies than auto detailing.

You’ve seen the videos: mud sliding off a hood like magic, lasers bouncing off doors, and claims of "Diamond Hardness" that suggest your car could survive a meteor strike.

It is time for a reality check.

At Hi-Power Detailing, we believe in Feynlab ceramic coatings because the science works, not because the marketing is loud. The detailing industry is full of smoke and mirrors—esoteric terms designed to confuse vehicle owners into overpaying for "magic" that doesn't exist.

I’m Aaron, and I’m here to tell you the truth about ceramic coatings—even if it makes other detailers in Trenton uncomfortable.

Myth #1: "It’s Rock Chip Proof" (The Force Field Myth)

The Legend: Once coated, your car is armored against flying gravel on the 401. The Truth: Ceramic coating is a microscopic layer of glass (silica). It is hard, yes, but it is not thick. It cannot absorb the impact of a stone hitting your bumper at 110km/h.

Reality: If you want rock chip protection, you need Paint Protection Film (PPF), which is a thick urethane plastic. Ceramic coating protects against chemical damage (bird poop, tree sap, UV rays) and very light wash marring. It is a shield for your clear coat’s chemistry, not physical armor.

Myth #2: "The 9H Diamond Hardness"

The Legend: "Our coating is 9H hardness, almost as hard as a diamond!" The Truth: This is the cleverest trick in the book. In the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, a diamond is a 10. But ceramic coatings aren't measured on the mineral scale; they are measured on the Pencil Hardness Scale.

Reality: "9H" just means the coating won't scratch if you drag a 9H drafting pencil across it. It does not mean your paint is as hard as a gemstone. Don't pay extra just because someone throws a hardness number at you without context.

Myth #3: "You Never Have to Wash Your Car Again"

The Legend: The car is "self-cleaning." Rain will wash it for you. The Truth: I wish this were true. While coatings are hydrophobic (water-fearing), meaning water beads up and rolls off, they are not magic.

Reality: If you drive through a muddy construction site in Quinte West, your car will get dirty. The difference is that on a coated car, the dirt sits on top of the surface rather than sticking to it. You still have to wash it, but the wash will take 10 minutes instead of an hour, and you won't need to scrub.

Myth #4: "The Dedicated Coating Bay" (The Industry's Favorite Gimmick)

This is a big one, and it’s controversial. You will see shops advertising a "Specialized Ceramic Coating Bay" or a "Hermetically Sealed Application Suite" as a reason to charge you hundreds of dollars more.

The Truth: It is largely a marketing gimmick designed to prey on the fact that customers don't understand the chemistry of coatings.

Here is the reality: To apply a coating correctly, you need two things:

A Clean Environment: No dust blowing around.
Climate Control: Stable temperature and humidity so the chemicals flash (cure) correctly.

You do not need a "NASA-grade clean room" separate from the rest of the shop to achieve a perfect bond. A clean, well-lit, climate-controlled detailing studio (like ours) is perfectly sufficient.

Shops that hype up their "Exclusive Coating Bay" are often trying to create a false sense of prestige to justify inflated pricing. At Hi-Power, we invest in prep work (polishing the paint to perfection) rather than fancy room labels. The shine comes from the paint correction, not the walls of the garage.

Myth #5: "It Lasts Forever"

The Legend: "Lifetime Warranty! Never wax again!" The Truth: Nothing lasts forever. Not your engine, not your tires, and definitely not a layer of liquid glass.

Reality: A "Lifetime Warranty" usually comes with a catch—you have to come back every year for a paid "inspection" that costs as much as a wax job. A real, honest professional coating lasts 3-5 years depending on how you care for it.

The Bottom Line

Ceramic coating is the best technology we have to keep your car glossy and protected from the Ontario elements. It makes your white car stay white and your black car look like a mirror.

But it isn't magic. It's chemistry.

If you want straight answers, honest pricing, and a shine that speaks for itself without the gimmicks, come see us at Hi-Power Detailing.

Located at 79a Dufferin Ave, Trenton, ON.