The problem: Too many “ceramic” options, not enough straight answers

If you have been shopping for protection, you have probably seen this circus:

• Ceramic coatings

• Ceramic spray sealants

• Ceramic quick detailers

• “Graphene” everything

• Products promising 1, 3, or 5 years of protection

On paper, they all sound like the same thing. In reality, they are not.
Let’s strip the marketing noise and make this simple enough that you can decide in one read.

We will break this into three levels.

1. Ceramic quick detailers – the easy, everyday option

2. Ceramic spray sealants – serious protection in a spray bottle

3. True ceramic coatings – long term, high commitment protection

You do not need all three. You need the one that fits your car, your patience, and how much you actually care to maintain it.

---

Level 1 – Ceramic quick detailer

Example: Magnum Ceramic Detailer

Think of a ceramic quick detailer as the daily cheat code.

What it does well:

• Cleans light dust, fingerprints, and fresh water spots

• Adds real gloss and slickness

• Lays down a layer of ceramic protection that stacks with repeated use

• Works great between washes and right after a wash

What it does not do:

• Replace a true 3 or 5 year coating

• Survive constant abuse with no maintenance

• Fix wrecked paint or deep swirls

This is perfect if:

• You daily drive the car and want it to look fresh without a full wash every time

• You want to dip your toes into ceramic protection without a full coating

• You already have a coating and want a compatible topper that cleans and boosts it

Where Magnum fits

Magnum Ceramic Detailer is built as a 3 in 1:

• Cleans light contamination

• Adds serious gloss and slickness

• Leaves behind ceramic protection that outlasts normal quick detailers

Use it:

• After every wash

• Before photos or meets

• To keep coated cars feeling slick and hydrophobic

If you only want to add one product to your routine and you like instant gratification, this is probably your move.

---

Level 2 – Ceramic spray sealant

Example: Silica Ceramic Sealant, Crowne Spray Sealant

Ceramic spray sealants are the middle ground between a quick detailer and a full coating.

What they do well:

• Provide months of protection, not just weeks

• Offer strong hydrophobic behavior and chemical resistance

• Make the car easier to wash and dry

• Replace traditional waxes and basic sealants

What you trade:

• A little more setup and care during application

• More attention to panel prep, towels, and lighting

• Some products can streak if overused or applied in bad conditions

This is perfect if:

• You want real protection without committing to a full coating

• You wash at home and are comfortable taking your time on application

• You want something you can reapply a few times a year and be done with it

Where Silica fits

Silica Ceramic Sealant is for people who want maximum performance out of a spray bottle.

• Up to 12 months of protection with proper prep and maintenance

• Extremely high gloss and slickness

• Strong chemical resistance and water behavior

It is tuned for performance first, ease second, which is why technique matters. Used correctly, it fills the gap between “I just want something quick” and “I am ready to coat the car.”

Where Crowne fits

Crowne is your non-ceramic spray sealant.
If you want:

• Deep gloss

• Strong water beading

• A slick, protected feel

• Without stepping into ceramic chemistry

Crowne is the classic style sealant that still plays perfectly with modern ceramic routines.

---

Level 3 – True ceramic coatings

Example: Serum 3 Year Coating, Carbon 5 Year Coating

Coatings are where things get serious.

What they do well:

• Create a hardened layer that bonds to the clear coat

• Offer the strongest chemical and UV resistance

• Deliver long term hydrophobic behavior and self cleaning

• Make every wash easier, for years

What you trade:

• More prep work up front

• Polishing is usually recommended for the best result

• You need a controlled environment and patience during install and cure

• Mistakes are harder to fix than with a spray

This is perfect if:

• You plan to keep the car for years

• You are particular about your paint and happy to invest time once

• You want the car to stay easier to clean, longer

Where Serum fits

Serum is a 3 year ceramic coating built to:

• Deliver extreme gloss and slickness

• Provide strong hydrophobic and self cleaning behavior

• Be installable by both serious enthusiasts and pros

• Balance working time so you are not sprinting panel to panel

You choose Serum if you want a real coating, without trying to win a “highest solids” contest. It is long term protection that is still realistic to apply in a home garage.

Where Carbon fits

Carbon is the 5 year, pro level coating that still respects your sanity.

• Higher durability and chemical resistance

• Stronger long term hydrophobic performance

• Designed so professionals can rely on it, and experienced enthusiasts can still install it without wanting to throw a bottle

Choose Carbon if:

• This is your long term car

• You want true long haul protection

• You are willing to either pay a pro or treat installation like a proper project

---

So which one should you actually choose?

Let’s simplify.

Pick a ceramic quick detailer like Magnum if:

• You want something you will actually use often

• You care about instant results

• You want cleaning, gloss, and protection in one move

• You are not ready to commit to coatings yet

Pick a ceramic spray sealant like Silica if:

• You want real protection in months, not days

• You are comfortable spending a bit more time on application

• You want to maintain a coating or use it standalone as your main protection

• You are okay learning proper technique to avoid streaking

Pick a coating like Serum or Carbon if:

• You want to set the protection baseline once, then maintain it

• You are willing to polish, prep, and respect cure times

• You want the strongest, longest lasting option Alchemist can give you

And if you still do not want to think about any of this, you can do this:

• AquaFoam to wash

• Serum or Carbon once, to set the base

• Silica every few months, to maintain

• Magnum whenever you feel like cheating and making the car look coated again

---

How Alchemist fits into your plan

You do not need to memorize every product. You only need to know what job you want done.

• Quick clean and gloss with real ceramic protection

  • Start with Magnum Ceramic Detailer

• Spray on protection that can realistically last up to a year

  • Step into Silica Ceramic Sealant

• Long term, high end protection

  • Choose Serum for 3 years

  • Choose Carbon for 5 years

Everything else is just choosing how serious you want to get and how often you want to touch the car.