Ceramic Coatings: What Are They and Should You Get One?

At
Williams we always want the best for our customers and cars. We have been using ceramic coatings
for many years (even if we don’t shout about it) and want to explain in detail what this is and
how it will benifit your sports car.

If
you are looking for an incredibly long-lasting way to protect your car’s exterior from the
elements, then you’ve probably heard of the term “ceramic coating” before. This is a clear
coating formulated for use on the paint, glass and alloys, to provide years of protection. Here
is everything you need to know about ceramic coatings and why they are so beneficial.

Ceramic coatings
contain silicon dioxide, typically derived from quartz crystals in a liquid format. When applied
to a car’s exterior, the coating forms a clear layer of protection which is very hydrophobic,
slick, and durable. The overall aim is to keep the car looking cleaner and newer for longer. It
also makes the car much easier to clean in the future.

Who Are Ceramic Coatings Aimed Towards?

Ceramic coatings appeal to sports car owners who want their vehicle to look
great and stay cleaner for longer. Many new car owners opt for ceramic coatings because they provide
a high-level of protection and outstanding durability to help keep the car looking newer for longer,
but that doesn’t mean that older vehicles won’t benefit. Ceramic coating an older car is a wise
choice because it helps to avoid the vehicle from showing its age by keeping the exterior
well-protected.

​Advantages of Ceramic Coatings

There are numerous features of ceramic coatings which make them a stand-out exterior protection option
including:

• Outstanding durability
• High-level of protection
• Self-cleaning properties
• Impressive hydrophobicity
• High-gloss finish
• Scratch-resistance

Outstanding Durability

Ceramic coatings typically last for several years, and the most premium grades can even last up to 5
years. They last far longer than more traditional forms of paint protection. Typically natural waxes
last only a few months, and sealants last around 6-12 months on average. This is one of the reasons why
choosing a ceramic coating is becoming such a popular option, because it gives car owners peace of mind
that their vehicle is protected, even if they don’t get chance to re-wax it every few months.

High Level of Protection

The level of protection that a ceramic coating gives to the vehicle’s exterior is also outstanding. All
cars are subject to abuse by the elements, even if you dont use yours to often.

Ceramic coatings are able to protect the
exterior from:

1. UV rays
2. Water spots
3. Dirt and grime
4. Other “contaminants”

Exposure to UV rays will cause the paintwork to become dull over time. The structure of the paintwork on
modern cars means that a clear layer of paint, known as the “clear coat”, sits on top of the base layer,
which provides the car’s colour. The aim of the clear coat is to shield the base coat so the colour
stays looking vibrant.

However, the clear coat will eventually wear away over time, leaving the base coat exposed to UV rays
which cause it to fade quickly. Ceramic coatings shield the clear coat to prevent it from degrading and
consequently, help to keep the colour looking fresh.

Water spots are also particularly damaging to the paintwork. Whilst they may seem harmless, the chalky
residue left behind from the water when it evaporates can be corrosive to the paintwork. This residue is
essentially, all the impurities that were being held in the water. If left to sit on the paintwork, it
can cause “etching”, which means a small groove will form where the clear coat has eroded. Ceramic
coatings prevent this from happening by providing a resistant layer of protection to maintain the
integrity of the clear coat.

Have you ever felt your car’s paintwork when it was clean, and noticed that it still feels rough? This is
because there are embedded “contaminants” in the paint. These include water spots, tar, iron fallout
(from brake disks, industry and railways) and tree sap. These contaminants cannot be removed by routine
washing once they become embedded in the clear coat. Not only do they cause it to feel rough, but they
also contribute to an overall dull appearance. One of the protective roles of a ceramic coating, is to
prevent this contamination building up.

Contaminants find it a lot harder to stick to ceramic coatings, so can be more easily washed away. And
even if they do manage to attach to the coating, they will not penetrate through to the paintwork,
keeping it protected.

Impressive Hydrophobicity

Another massive benefit of applying a ceramic coating to your car, is that is provides a super
hydrophobic layer of protection. This is really useful for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, it helps to keep the car looking cleaner. When you drive in the rain, dirty water from the road
will spray up onto the lower panels of the car. If it is allowed to dry, then it will leave a layer of
dirt and grime on the paintwork. Ceramic coatings allow the water to “sheet” off the surface, leaving it
dry. Hence, the dirt and grime are unable to cling to the paint.

This ability of the coating to sheet water off the surface, instead of letting it sit on the panel, also
prevents water spots and stains. On an uncoated car, the water will stick to the paintwork and
evaporate, leaving water spots behind. On a ceramic coating, this water beads up and rolls off the
paintwork, particularly if you drive the car after it has rained. This helps to remove the surface water
and keep the finish water spot-free.

High Gloss Finish

Everyone wants a shinier looking car, so it’s good news to know that ceramic coatings are prized for
leaving a high-gloss finish to the paintwork. This is due to both the coating’s properties, and the
preparation that goes into applying them properly, which really enhances the finish.

Scratch Resistenace

Since ceramic coatings form a tough layer of protection on the surface, it is probably not a massive
surprise that this offers some level of scratch-resistance. It will not protect the car from deeper
scratches; however, it does provide some protection from minor clear coat scratches, which are commonly
inflicted during the wash process. A build-up of these clear coat scratches causes the paintwork to look
dull over-time.

It’s important to note though, that ceramic coatings will not make the paintwork scratch-proof by any
means, but it is reassuring to know that they offer a step-up in terms of protection when compared to
waxes.

The Next Stage

If you are interested in having your sports car professionly ceramic coated then please feel free to
contact Williams and we can discuss options. Each car is different depending on age and paint type but
once complete to will be a huge benefit to you and your car.

THE NEW MORGAN PLUS RANGE ARRIVES AT WILLIAMS

We are pleased to announce that our new MY23 morgan sports cars have arrives at Williams. The first in
the UK.

The Morgan Plus Four and Plus Six have been given a range of updates for 2023, with both
models picking up significant changes to their chassis’, technology and safety systems.

The updates will
apply to models built from January 2023-onwards, with final specifications and pricing to be finalised
closer to the new year.

These changes begin under the skin, where the suspension on both models has been modified with new
dampers and bushes. The new dampers, which are still passive, promise improved compliance at low speeds
and better control at high speeds. These are paired with new bushes that increase low-frequency
refinement, making both the Plus Four and Plus Six more compliant and therefore more composed over rough
roads.

The braking systems have also been completely redesigned, with new hardware developed in collaboration
with AP Racing and fresh ABS and ESP systems from Continental. The new ESP system is a first for Morgan,
and is variable in calibration depending on the selected drive mode. The ESP system has also been
calibrated specifically for each powertrain variant, be that the four-cylinder in six-speed manual or
eight-speed automatic forms, or the auto-only straight-six. Morgan’s also added new passive safety
features, incorporating front driver and passenger airbags for the first time.

Power figures for both powertrain options are the same as before, giving the smaller Plus Four figures of
255bhp and 258lb ft of torque delivered from BMWs modular B48 turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder. The
more powerful Plus Six produces 335bhp and 369lb ft from the twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight-six.
Both automatic models feature Sport and Sport+ modes for the transmission which have new calibrations
for the 2023 model year.

Enquire on New Plus Range

Alongside these technical upgrades, Morgan has also introduced a range of new styling elements inside the
cabin, including a new superformed aluminium dashboard that incorporates a larger and more useful
digital display. This is mounted in front of the driver, and supplements the redesigned analogue dials.

The centre console has also been redesigned, and is now available in a new selection of veneers with
metallic inlays, while tactile elements like the interior door handles and new fabric trim options give
the whole interior a more hand-crafted feel. This lift in interior ambiance is reinforced by a new
high-spec Sennheiser sound system on the options list, which combined with new seats and higher quality
interior trim aimed to make the Plus Four and Plus Six a more luxurious daily driver.

Williams Open Day
2022

After two years of waiting Williams Automobiles are proud to invite you to our 2022 Open Day on Saturday
30th July. Open to all our customers are their friends.

The usual Williams BBQ will be available
all day along with teas and coffees.

This year we are celebrating 60 years of the Morgan Motor
Companies win in TOK258 at Le Mans and with the launch of the new Plus Four LM62 we have invited the
fantastic Richard Shepherd Baron who drove that winning car to be our guest speaker this
year.

The open day will start at 10am with the main talk around 11.30. We will have live music
during the day and of course many sports cars to view.

We would like to get as many LeMans Morgan
cars on the day as possible.

We look forward to seeing you at the dealership soon.

Please
visit our Eventbrite page to register your place.

Book Open
Day

TRANSPORTING A LOTUS SEVEN

Nobody said that trying to transport a car on your own would be easy. Even when you own a Lotus 7 (or
Caterham7) with a lightweight design, it doesn’t mean that the task gets easier. Even though transport
companies offer multiple options to help you get your Lotus 7 where it needs to go, it doesn’t mean that
all of them are the right ones for you and your unique situation. So, what are you supposed to do when
it comes to transporting this sports car?

FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR TRANSPORT

Transporting vehicles is more than packing them into a box and placing a stamp on it. There is more that
must be considered when you are shipping a car. Should you do open or enclosed transport? What do you
need to do to get it ready to be moved? You are also tasked with finding the right company to handle
your Lotus 7 – which you don’t trust to just anyone!

ENCLOSED OR OPEN TRANSPORT? WHICH TO CHOOSE

The million-dollar question, and the most important, is what method of transport are you going to choose
– enclosed or open transport? For the sake of your Lotus 7, hopefully, you are leaning more toward the
closed transport, but what kind of guide would this be if we didn’t look at both options?

Both methods of transport are just as they sound, open or enclosed. Open transport means that your Lotus
7 will be exposed to the elements, so unless you plan it just right, you could be subjecting your car to
rain and other unforeseen elements.

Disaster? Most likely.

On the other hand, enclosed transport encloses your car in a protective transport shell to keep the
weather and other unsuspecting elements away from it. A1 Auto Transport’s article on Enclosed Car Transport answers whether or not you need enclosed
transport. You may not always need to use enclosed transport, but it should be considered for longer
distances in most circumstances.

THERE IS A TIME TO TRANSPORT

You may not be privy to this golden piece of information, but there are better times of the year to
transport your Lotus 7. Transporting it 30 miles is much different than transporting it 300 miles.
Depending on what type of transport you choose, the weather may play a major part in the experience.

You can probably get away with open transport for 50 miles and under – with proper planning. Further than
that and you risk sudden downpours and other elements working against you. When in doubt, stick to
enclosed transport.

Weather is unpredictable. We know this—April showers, May flowers, and so on. We know that those
Springtime showers can turn into hail and downpours in a blink of an eye. Hail dents cars, and heavy
rain can flood an interior. If you are thinking of transporting your Lotus 7, look at the weather in
both pick-up and destination locations (and everywhere along the way).

BENEFITS OF HIGH-END TRANSPORT SERVICES

You know your Lotus 7 deserves only the best. You wouldn’t be looking for the right way to transport it
if you didn’t believe that. Some of the best quality services come in the form of “Exotic and Luxury Car
Transport.” The benefits of using services like these are more than specialized transport but the
additional perks that come along with it.

· Luxury enclosed transport vehicles are made with air ride suspension to promote a smoother ride

· Brackets within the enclosed transport trailer feature wall and floor brackets, allowing for a more
secure fit

· The interior and exterior are covered even if using the enclosed transport for additional protection

· Luxury enclosed trailers include hydraulic lift gates for safer loading and unloading

· Drip guards are in place to ensure that any leaks are prevented during transport

PREPARE YOUR LOTUS 7 FOR TRANSPORT

You don’t throw a vase in a box to ship it without taking the proper precautions. If you did this, it
would most definitely arrive in pieces, even with FRAGILE on the box. When you have your Lotus 7
transported, you can’t have expectations you don’t prepare for.

1. Wash your car before you transport it. You might even consider having it detailed inside and out to
ensure that it is in the best shape it can be before it gets transported.

2. Take photographs of any existing damage that may be on your Lotus 7. Here you can see why number 1 is
important. You want to be able to see any dings, dents, and scratches that might already be present. You
and the transport representative will be signing off on the bill of lading for all of these
imperfections.

3. To be safe, remove anything of value from your car for transport. It’s unlikely that you have
expensive stereo equipment in your vehicle, but if you have upgraded to a fancy CD player, remove the
cover plate too.

4. If there is a loose part, take it off. Antennas are removable, so make sure you take them off. While
some accessories are unlikely on your Lotus 7, we can’t point out enough how important it is to removed
things that are not “standard” or are removable from your car.

5. If applicable to your situation, you may have your mechanic do a maintenance check before you
transport. Many of these are for cross-country relocations, not necessarily taking your Lotus to a car
show.

6. Empty the fluids and make sure you have under a quarter of a tank of gas. Not only is gas a
combustible fluid, but it also adds weight to the transport. We aren’t saying to empty the oil,
transmission fluid, or other operationally important fluids – lower the amount of gas, drain your
windshield washer fluid. If you aren’t going to be starting up and driving the car right away, you might
be able to drain the antifreeze/coolant reservoir (just the reservoir).

7. Make sure you have an extra set of keys with you. You will be giving your keys to the driver of the
truck that is transporting your car. Not that it will happen, but things get lost – you might be
thankful you have that extra set of keys.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TRANSPORT COMPANY

When you decide you want to transport your Lotus 7, you need to make sure you find a company that can do
the job (and right). The transport company you consider should offer fair and transparent pricing. The
last thing you want is to get your Lotus 7 loaded on the trailer and find out that there are extra fees
associated with the quote you received.

Knowledge is power in the automotive transport industry. If the transporter doesn’t know cars, how can
they transport them efficiently? Ensure your transporter knows what the Lotus 7 is, the special
features, dynamics, and can efficiently care for your vehicle.

To get the best insight into transporting your Lotus 7, call more than one reputable auto transport
company. Your car is your investment, and you need to leave it in good hands. Much like you wouldn’t
point at a map and visit the doctor closest, you want to research who you choose.

Research. Transport. Safe Lotus 7 Arrival (on-time).