Ceramic coating

It depends on the product and how the car is washed. Professional coatings are typically rated from about three to seven years. Brush car washes and harsh soaps wear them down faster.

Yes if you keep your car for a few years and want it easier to clean: salt, brine and bugs let go faster, and the gloss lasts. No if you're hoping it will stop rock chips or scratches.

No. Clear paint protection film is what stops chips. A coating protects against UV, chemicals and grime and keeps the car easier to wash. Many owners film the front and coat the rest.

Yes. A coating locks in whatever is under it, swirls included, so the paint is corrected first. That prep is a big part of why coating prices vary.

Hand wash every week or two with a pH-neutral car soap, and skip brush car washes. An occasional touchless wash is generally fine, though strong pre-soaks wear the coating faster.

Graphene coatings are still mostly silica, the same base as ceramic, with a small graphene additive. The believable benefit is somewhat less water spotting. Prep and aftercare matter far more than the label.

It's a pencil-hardness score, roughly 3 to 4 on the mineral scale. It doesn't make paint scratch-proof, and higher numbers on the label are marketing.

Sometimes not. Consumer Reports lists dealer paint sealant and coating packages among add-ons buyers don't need, and many are quick spray sealants. If water stops beading within a few months, it most likely wasn't a long-lasting coating.