Recently, as the site started growing more rapidly, we have got a lot of different questions from our readers.
As we go about tackling each and one of them, today we have on our plate the infamous question of whether a Ceramic Coatings bottle that is used to store the product should be plastic or glass. Or another one, that is a bit more straightforward - 'Are ceramic coatings in a plastic bottle fake?'.
Just as a quick disclaimer - we aren't scientists. We do not have a fancy lab with expensive testing equipment along with a Ph.D. and an IQ of 250. But we have almost 2 decades of experience with Ceramic Coatings under our belt, and that must count for something.
We will answer that question by using what we have seen and experienced firsthand in all those years while working with many different Ceramic Coating products from all over the world and from many, many different manufacturers.
So here we go!
Contents:
Can Ceramic Coating be packaged in a plastic bottle?
Yes, yes it can. Should it be? Well, that is a bit complicated, but if you want to be safe - then the answer is, "No, it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bottle."
If you buy a Ceramic Coating and it arrives in a plastic bottle, you are instantly thinking to yourself "Oh Lord, why me? I have been ripped off!" - calm down. Everything will be ok. We promise!
The reason why this information is popular in the car detailing industry is that it had some truth to it. The problem is the name 'ceramic coating' being used for different types of products.
What do we mean by that?
Ceramic Coatings are basically made out of 3 things: solids, solvents, and additives.
Different products have different ratios of the thee in their formula. And of course, the types of solvents, additives, and their respective quality as well. It is like trying to recreate the taste of Coca-Cola. You know the ingredients, but somehow there are hundreds of products out there that try to mimic the giant, and yet not one tastes the same.
Now, the Ceramic Coating, namely the liquid, may expand in the packaging due to changes in pressure or temperature and the chemical processes that both would impose on the coating itself. And such pressure changes might compromise the packaging and thus compromise the product itself. That is why it is not recommended to store ceramic coatings in plastic containers at all, but instead, use glass or, in some cases, even metals ( usually aluminum ). The truth is that this is not very straightforward or easy to answer, though, because there is more to it than just what we have just said. You also have to consider the shelf life and the storage instructions of each individual product you might have.
What is the shelf life of Ceramic Coating?
The average is about one year for an unopened product and about 3 - 6 months for an opened one as air is introduced to the solution.
Again, this is also not really simple to answer as you have to consider other factors as well.
Not each product is one year of shelf life, and in case the ceramic coating has been opened, it depends on how long it was opened for and what type of packaging it is.
It depends on whether the ceramic coating comes with a dropper or is intended to be applied via a pipette.
The ones that come with a pipette have a larger opening and a letting more air more easily once it is opened, while the ones that come with a dropper still let air in, but in a much smaller volume.
These two factors do not determine how good or bad a ceramic coating is at all. They only determine how long the product will last once it has been opened.
It also depends heavily on where you store the bottle. Is it in a cool place or a warm one, is it in direct sunlight, or is it in a dark place?
So why even package Ceramic Coatings in plastic instead of glass bottles?
Easy, it costs less. And it weighs less as well, so the transport and manufacturing costs go way down if you use plastic.
So, even though you might come across amazing quality Ceramic Coating products, they just might be packaged in a thick plastic bottle. You never know. This is also the reason why Ceramic Spray Coatings have not considered 'real' ceramic coatings since they almost always come in a plastic container because the amount of solids they contain is very low, around 10 - 15 %, compared to standard ceramic coatings that have 45 - 100 % of solids in them.
Because of this percentage, ceramic spray coatings have almost no risk of expansion due to external elements, and plastic packaging is the obvious choice for them. Hopefully, all of the above puts some clarity on the issue at hand.
But for those that are screaming for a simple and short answer, below is the summary of what we have told so far.
Should Ceramic Coating be packaged in a glass or plastic container?
Glass is best, but plastic can be used as well if it is thick enough and if the composition of the ceramic coating allows it without compromising the integrity of the solution.
How should Ceramic Coating be stored?
In a dark and cool place. Avoid direct sunlight. You do not have to store it in a refrigerator. A dark place is usually cool enough. The best practice is to follow the manufacturers' instructions to get the most out of the product.
What is the shelf life of a Ceramic Coating?
If it is not opened, the average is one year, depending on the product in question. But if it is stored in a cool and dark place, it can last for years even, again, depending on the product.
If it has been opened, however, then the shelf life drops significantly based on how much oxygen has been introduced to the coating and, again, how it is stored.
Is a plastic container an indicator that the ceramic coating is snake oil?
It can be. But it isn't really. If the plastic container is thick you still might have an amazing product on your hands.
If you bought a fake ceramic coating, or what we like to call 'snake oil', it is likely packaged in a plastic container. But the reason behind it is usually not what you might first think.
The real reason why fake or low-quality ceramic coatings are in plastic containers is that if someone wants to scam you, they do not want to spend too much money on it.
That doesn't mean that the same might not come in a glass or aluminum container. It just means that that scenario is unlikely to happen as it would involve a much higher cost and a higher risk which a scammer might not be comfortable with.
We hope we didn't give anyone any ideas about that.
Ok lads, that about covers this issue. We hope we have answered your question clearly but be sure to contact us via our social networks or via email at info@ceramiccoatexpert.com.
You can also check out more myths regarding ceramic coatings in this article, or you can check out the commonly asked questions regarding ceramic coatings.
Cheers!