Does Ceramic Coating Prevent Scratches?

This is the most oversold claim in the industry, so here is the straight version. A ceramic or graphene coating is a hard, thin sacrificial layer. ‘9H’ and ‘10H’ refer to a pencil-hardness scale for the coating film itself, not to impact resistance.

What a coating does resist

• Fine wash marring — the swirl marks a mitt puts in over time
• Chemical etching from bird droppings, sap and industrial fallout
• UV oxidation that flattens and fades the colour
• Water spotting and bonded road grime

What it does not stop

• Rock chips from the freeway — that is an impact, and only paint protection film helps
• Car park door dings and trolley strikes
• Deep scratches through the clear coat
• Someone keying the car

If stone chipping on the bonnet and bumper is your actual concern, the correct product is paint protection film (PPF) on the front end, and a coating over the rest of the car. They solve different problems and they work well together.