There are a lot of things you have to protect your car from. Examples include dirt, chemicals, and heat. When these elements interact with various parts of your vehicle, they can cause significant damage.
Because of the need to protect cars from multiple elements, special coatings such as VHT flameproof and ceramic coating were developed. If you are interested in finding out which of these two you should use, below is a detailed comparison.
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What is VHT Flameproof Paint?
VHT flameproof is a type of paint designed to withstand extreme heat. Initially, VHT paint was used in engine jets because of its capabilities.
However, with time it became very popular amongst car owners. In automotive applications, VHT flameproof is used in the engine and exhaust system.
Let’s take the exhaust headers, for example. If you were to spray regular paint on them, it would melt in days. That would leave you stuck in a loophole of repainting that particular part repeatedly.
VHT paints can withstand temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees F. They are also flameproof, and in case of a fire, the ingredients found in VHT paint would help tone down the flames.
VHT paint can be used on any car part exposed to high temperatures. You can spray it on the pistons, headers, and exhaust manifolds.
As we compare VHT paint against ceramic coating, it’s essential to know that VHT does contain some ceramic coating that helps it adhere to the surface it is sprayed onto.
According to the manufacturers, VHT paint won’t peel or crack when exposed to high temperatures.
Some car owners have different things to say about this. Moving on, this paint is available in different colors. Therefore, other than the protection against high temperatures and flames, you can get better aesthetics.
VHT flameproof paint is very easy to apply. It comes in a spray can, and the best part is that it doesn’t need primer. It also cures within a very short duration.
Even though it doesn’t need primer, the surface it’s being sprayed on needs to be cleaned thoroughly. That ensures the contents of the paint can adhere without interference from contaminants.
To achieve the best results, spray at least three coats of VHT paint.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is a chemical polymer that protects car paint from damage. For years ceramic coating has been used as an alternative to waxing.
This coating aims to improve aesthetics since it creates a protective hydrophobic layer on the surface when applied.
A car that has been ceramic coated will retain the showroom shine on the surface and keep stains of all manner away from the paint job. It will also ensure the clear coat isn’t eaten away by chemicals and other contaminants.
This type of coating uses nano-technology, which creates a permanent shield on your car’s surface. This layer is very strong and will withstand exposure to rain, road salt, snow, and dirt.
Applying this coat to your vehicle will protect the surface from UV rays, chemical stains, dirt, and bird droppings.
The hydrophobic layer created by ceramic coating makes it easy for you to clean your vehicle. Since it doesn’t wear off quickly, you don’t have to dread washing your car.
Thanks to the nano-technology used by ceramic coating, this product creates a semi-permanent coating on the vehicle’s surface.
This means that it should serve you for an incredibly long period. While it’s doing that, you will enjoy a candy-like gloss every time you look at your vehicle.
Before we move on to the similarities, you should know that there is a special type of ceramic coating that can resist high temperatures. It is known as high temp ceramic coating.
Unlike VHT paint, the high temp ceramic coating can withstand temperatures of up to 3,800 degrees F. This is the type of ceramic coating you should compare against VHT paint.
High temp ceramic coating can protect your engine and exhaust system from the effects of extreme temperatures. It can also prevent corrosion effects, which are accelerated by road salt.
Applying high temp ceramic coating on your vehicle is a brilliant idea because it lasts for very long, especially if you opt for professionally applied high temp ceramic coating.
This type of ceramic coating is available in various colors, and it looks as great as the one you would apply to your paint.
Other than aesthetics, a ceramic coat, thanks to its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures, can boost your car’s performance. If applied well, it can stick for years.
How Are They Similar?
Both;
• Are Special Coatings
When you look at VHT paint and ceramic coating features, they are both specialized types of coatings that can be used on various parts of the car.
• Offer Some Form of Protection
VHT paint and ceramic coating protect your vehicle from the harmful effects of extreme heat. They also keep dirt, rust, and other contaminants from ruining different parts of your vehicle.
• Improve Aesthetics
Since they are available in a wide range of finishes, you can use ceramic coating and VHT paint to improve the aesthetics of certain parts of your car.
• Contain Ceramic Coating
VHT paint contains certain amounts of ceramic coating, which helps the product adhere better to surfaces. It’s safe to say that all have ceramic coating in their ingredients.
How Are They Different?
• Uses
The most significant difference between VHT flameproof paint and ceramic coating is how each product is used.
Even though both can be used to protect certain car parts from high temperatures, that only applies to high temp ceramic coating.
If you look at regular ceramic coating, is used to protect car paint from damage. The chemical polymer formed when you spray ceramic coat keeps dirt and contaminants from bonding with car paint and wearing it out in the process.
VHT flameproof paint is used only on parts exposed to high temperatures, such as pistons and headers.
The bottom line is that these two can only be compared when protecting car parts from high temperatures. And that’s a job for high temp ceramic coating, not the ordinary one.
• Mode of Application
There is a similarity here, but we will explain why we listed this as a difference. With VHT and ceramic coating, you can buy a can of each and apply it to your car. This is the easiest mode of application.
However, when it comes to ceramic coating. If you want it to last, you should have it applied by an expert. Ceramic coating is a bit more complicated than VHT paint. It requires a particular set of skills so that it can be done right.
• Ceramic Coating is More Expensive
In terms of cost, an expert’s application of an industry-grade ceramic coating will cost more than buying some VHT paint.
If you are on a budget, what you can do is buy the VHT paint and spray it yourself. However, if you are interested in the features of a ceramic coat, you shouldn’t hesitate to pay more because you will receive value for your money.
• Ceramic Coating Lasts Longer
A ceramic coat creates a semi-permanent bond with any surface it is applied to. Even though VHT also contains some ceramic coat, it is in minimal amounts.
The ceramic coat will hold on longer on your car surface or parts than VHT paint. There have been complaints in the past that VHT paint degrades pretty quickly.
• Ceramic Coating Withstands a Higher Temperature
From the above, it is clear that the ceramic coat is a winner in almost all categories. A ceramic coat can withstand temperatures of up to 3000 degrees F.
VHT paint can only reach 2000 degrees F. That difference determines how long each coating will last on your car.
What’s Better about VHT Paint?
The only sector where VHT paint beats ceramic coating is aesthetics. The ceramic coat is known to add gloss to the paint.
The high temp ceramic coat can be colored, but it is no match for VHT paint when it comes to aesthetics. If you want a coating for your headers and want something to improve the looks, you should go for VHT paint.
What’s Better about Ceramic Coating?
There are plenty of reasons to choose ceramic coating over VHT paint. First, the ceramic coating has got many uses. It can be used to protect car paint and add gloss.
At the same time, high temp ceramic coat can keep certain car components safe from excess heat. It lasts much longer and withstands a higher temperature than VHT paint.
Who Should Get VHT Flameproof Paint and Why?
If you are interested in a quick solution to protecting certain parts of your car from high heat, VHT flameproof paint is an affordable choice. VHT paint is easy to apply, doesn’t need primer, and can withstand high heat.
However, you should thoroughly research the VHT flameproof paint you want to buy. Some don’t hold up well against excess heat.
Who Should Get Ceramic Coating and Why?
For car owners interested in better heat protection and a coating that will last for a long time, ceramic coating is an excellent choice.
Not only does a ceramic coat have many uses, but its advanced nano-technology makes it ideal for protecting headers and pistons from high temperatures. It may cost more than VHT paint, but it is worth spending money on.