Sealants and nanotechnology or ceramic automotive sealants: what they are and when they are needed

Innovacar by Fra-Ber nanotechnological or ceramic sealants and sealants are professional products to protect the vehicle from weathering and create a high-performance water-repellent effect.

These products can be water-based (SC0 Hydro Sealant) to provide high protection even from acid rain, or alcohol-based (SC1 Sealant) to simplify application.

The efficacy of a sealant lasts up to 5 months, which can be increased to 9 months through proper matching and maintenance using W1 Quick Detailer and H20 Coat.

In contrast, ceramics, also known as nanotechnological sealants, enable solutions that were unthinkable a few years ago, provide protection for up to 60,000 km or 60 automatic wash cycles, but their application requires more experience and more time. The result, however, is definitely worth the wait.

When it is necessary to use sealants and nanotechnology or self-ceramics

The use of sealants and ceramics is required when we want to create a significantly longer-lasting and highly water-repellent protective barrier compared to the use of classic waxes with Carnauba and when we want to minimize the formation of residues and imperfections on the bodywork by giving greater shine and brighter reflections.

In addition, all the surfaces of our vehicles, no matter how smooth they may appear, are actually pockmarked by endless pores, just like our skin. In this case, the action of a ceramic/nanotechnology product allows us to fill in these cavities, resulting in a truly smooth surface, increasing its solidity and performance.

How to use sealants: guide and tutorial

Water- and alcohol-based spray sealant with microfibre

Innovacar's water-based sealant (SC0 Hydro Sealant) is easier to use than standard ceramics on the market because it requires no special care in applying and dries very slowly, allow anyone to achieve great performance. It is also a great product after applying a ceramic to preserve it from acid rain, as it is water-based.

But how do you apply it? before we find out, we reveal that the secret to getting the best result is an even application and careful buffing, so that no traces of product are left at the end of the job.

Here is a step-by-step procedure:

1. Prepare a clean microfibre cloth (Micron Up or Micron 2F) and 2-3 buffing and finishing cloths (Micron Buffing) to be changed whenever the cloth is soaked in product.
2. Spray two doses of sealant on the Micron Up microfibre and two on the section to be treated, then proceed with slow vertical and then horizontal passes for sections of approximately 40x40 cm.
3. Wipe the surface after 10 seconds with the Micron Buffing cloth or the long side of the Micron 2F microfibre cloth to even out the application until all excess is removed.
4. In case of excess product on the section, we suggest replacing the cloth or using D2 Check to remove the excess in the first few minutes of application.
5. Wait at least one hour (drying time) before using the vehicle and at least 7 hours (cure time) before washing.

1. Prepare a clean microfibre cloth (Micron Up or Micron 2F) and 2-3 for buffing and finishing (Micron Buffing) to be changed whenever the cloth is soaked in product.
2. Proceed for sections of approximately 40x40 cm. Spray 2 doses of sealant on the Micron Up cloth and two on the section, then proceed with slow vertical and then horizontal passes, so as to cover the surface uniformly.
3. Wipe the surface after 10 seconds with the Micron Buffing cloth or the long side of the Micron 2F microfibre cloth to even out the application until all excess is removed.
4. In case of excess product on the section, we recommend replacing the Microfibre cloth.
5. Wait at least 1 hour (drying time) before using the vehicle and at least 7 hours (cure time) before washing.

Water- and alcohol-based spray sealant with hand pad

The microfiber pad (Micron App) is a perfect solution for applying glaze, waxes, and sealants because of its convenient handle that makes it more immediate and secure.

Here's how to proceed:

1. Identify the working surface, we recommend working in sections of approximately 40x40cm.
2. Spray 3 doses of sealant onto the Micron App hand applicator.
3. Distribute the sealant evenly with slow movements, first vertically and then horizontally, applying slight pressure. Repeat the movement at least 3 times.
4. Wipe the surface after 10 seconds with the Micron Buffing cloth or the long side of the Micron 2F microfibre to even out the application.
5. Wait at least 1 hour (drying time) before using the vehicle and at least 7 hours (cure time) before washing.

How to use nanotechnology sealants (ceramic treatment) for cars

Our Innovacar by Fra-Ber ceramics for professional detailers represent the highest technological achievement in the field of vehicle treatments, they have a long service life with tests performed at certified external laboratories have monitored changes in gloss (ISO 20566:2013) and surface hydrophobicity in both automatic and manual wash cycles confirming their durations. Innovacar's SiNH Top Coat is the best water repellent in Innovacar's entire ceramic line with a service life of up to about 4-5 years (75,000 km or up to 60 washes-automatic washes). In combination with SiNH Base Coat, the durability is extended up to 9-11 years.Innovacar's SiNH Hybrid Coat is a complete nanoceramic treatment that can be applied in one step with the right balance of protection and water repellency with a durability of up to about 4-5 years (75,000 km or up to 72 washes-car washes). Innovacar's SiNH Base Coat is a state-of-the-art ceramic coating for cars and is available only as a kit with SiNH Top Coat at authorized Innovacar centers with a durability of up to about 5-6 years (90,000 km or up to 72 washes-car washes. In combination with SiNH Top Coat, the life is extended up to 9-11 years.

But nanotechnology products are not reserved only for professionals. There are nanotechnological protectants that, following proper application, are simple yet high-performance. Below is an example of the treatment, but it is always good to refer to the instructions contained in each of our ceramics.

It is advisable to:

• Preferably apply the product in a temperature controlled environment ranging from +5 °C to 25 °C, free from contamination and with controlled humidity;
• Apply the product in a well-lit environment.
• Frequently replace the Micron Suede;
• Use Micron 2F: the low pile part to remove 80-90% of the product and the long pile part to finish it off;
• Change the Micron 2F often, every 2 panels on average;
• Do not treat the surface with dirty or worn cloths.
• For maximum efficiency, use Innovacar maintenance products only.

1. Prewash with SP1 Prewash or similar products.
2. Proceed to chemically decontaminate the surface from tar using D3 Tar, from ferrous residues using D1 Iron and from limescale using DS Scale;
3. Then mechanically decontaminate the surface with Clay Bar (or Clay Mitt), using DL Lube;
4. If necessary, polish the car to remove any defects and achieve a perfectly smooth surface;
5. Remove any traces of residual oil with D2 check;
6. Visually check the car to make sure it is perfectly decontaminated and clean, and therefore ready for applying the protective treatment.
7. Wash with S2 Foamy to clean the surface.

1. Apply a few drops of the ceramic to the Micron Suede wrapped around the Foam App Block.
2. Apply the product using the Criss-Cross method (at least 3 times), treating one panel at a time (approximately 50x50 cm);
3. Allow to polymerise for at least 30 seconds (at high ambient temperatures) and up to a maximum of 2 minutes (at low ambient temperatures), before removing any excess product, if necessary by smoothing with a Micron Buffing Wipe;
4. If excess product is not properly removed from the surface within 10 minutes, the product can be reapplied, making sure to even it out;

1. After 4 hours, apply the final coat of SC0 Hydro Sealant. This is the final protective layer that is intended to preserve the surface during the complete curing period;
2. Wait 3-4 hours before leaving the vehicle outside and 7 days before leaving it out in the snow/rain or washing it again, as recommended in the Innovacar maintenance programme.

Application of multilayers

Applying multiple layers will not always increase the durability of sealant and ceramic protection. We recommend that you proceed with the application of additional layers only where expressly indicated.

In case this activity is necessary, we remind you that:

1. It is always necessary to wait until the previously applied coat has completely dried. This phase is called Fast Cure or Drying, as indicated in the paragraphs above, and is the phase in which the car should not come into contact with water.
2. Always wait for the next solidification step to be completed after which the car can be washed (as mentioned above this phase is called Slow Cure or Cure). The timing of this last stage can vary from 7 hours to 7 days, depending on the climatic conditions to which the vehicle is subjected (outside and inside temperature, humidity etc.).

How to keep your treatment effective.

Nanotechnological sealers and coatings exhibit great durability characteristics and do not require any special maintenance during the course of their activity, other than carefully following the washing directions.

It is possible to increase the silky feel and gloss of these products through coating boosters ("booster" from the English "sustainer") such as H2O Coat or W1 Quick Detailer to be applied after washing to keep the aesthetic performance of one's treatments always at their best.

And if we wanted to go into the details of particularly careful sealer and ceramic maintenance:

1. The first wash is followed by the Innovacar cyclic Fra-Ber treatment:
   1. First phase - double cleaning: with SP1 Prewash and S2 Foamy (or S1 Wash&Coat).
   2. Second step - double protection: having already applied Fra-Ber Innovacar coating, continue with H20 Coat for water film drying and on the dry machine apply SC0 Hydro Sealant or SC1 Sealant, if not already applied.
2. For subsequent washes, repeat step 1 without reapplying SC1 or SC0, but use W1 Quick Detailer or G1 Glossy when the machine is dry.
3. At least once between the 3rd and 5th wash proceed as follows:
   1. First step - double cleaning: SP1 Prewash and then to purify the surface and decontaminate it use DS Scale shampoo.
   2. Second step - continuing with the double protection, continue with H20 Coat for water-based drying. In this case it is not necessary to reapply SC0 or SC1 as it has already been applied in the first wash, but use W1 Quick Detailer or G1 Glossy for finishing.

Repeat application

In the case of sealants since they do not create "build-up" it is important to reapply a new treatment before the previous one has completely worn off in order to ensure continued protection.

Indicatively we suggest reapplication at the arrival of each new season (4 times a year) or after 6/8 washes.

Recommending precise and equal timelines for all cases is difficult as there are many factors that influence the duration of the treatment, ranging from the distance traveled to the climatic conditions, the quality of paint preparation to the treatment to the frequency of washes jointly with the type of shampoos used and, no less fundamental, the place where the car is stored (in the garage or outside).