9h vs 10h Ceramic Coatings: What Does It Mean for Your Car's Protection?
If you’ve been researching ceramic coatings for your vehicle, you’ve likely come across terms like “9H” and “10H” Ceramic Coatings and wonder how that relates to their hardness. But what do these ratings really mean, and how do they affect the protection your car receives? Let’s break it down in simple terms and see why it matters for you.
Understanding The "H" Scale
The “H” in 9H and 10H refers to the pencil HARDNESS scale, a standard method for measuring the hardness of some materials. Here’s a quick breakdown:
– **9H**: The hardness of the hardest pencil lead in standard pencils available.
– **10H**: The hardness level above 9H, recently developed by Mitsubishi.
You may be aware of the Mohs scale for gem-stone hardness, and this is similar.
While the H-Scale isn’t designed for coatings ect, it is the most adopted version of hardness rating in the ceramic coating industry. Although a somewhat flawed approach, it does allow some apples-to-apples comparison to the hardness you can expect out of your coating. This allows you to get some idea on how to choose between the ‘softer’ vs the ‘harder’ 9h vs 10h ceramic coatings.
What Is the Difference Between a 9h vs 10h Ceramic Coating?
9H Coatings:
- Extremely hard and resistant to scratches
- Provide excellent protection against environmental contaminants
- The industry standard for high-quality ceramic coatings
10H Coatings:
- Marketed as being even harder than 9H
- Claims of superior scratch resistance
- Often comes with a higher price tag
But, What's The Reality with These Coatings Then?
In the real world, you may not see a difference at all between these coatings. Almost like trying to tell the temperature difference when it 20c or 21c, all you know is it’s warm. Same with 9h or 10h, your vehicle is still protected.
What can make the difference is the other properties the coating may have as well. Coatings that are typically marketed as 10H such as Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra, and others, tend to be the best coatings the various brands have on offer, and represent the latest technology the company is using.
How That Makes a Difference to you...
Nelson has a special environment which makes it an attractive place to live, with coastal air with sand and salt, ever changing weather (it was sunny a few minutes ago and now it’s raining), and probably the worst thing for cars as much as it is for us – High UV.
As mentioned above, there are other factors that may be more important it’s rated scratch resistance such as:
- Chemical Resistance. Resisting high and low pH is important when cleaning your vehicle, or even when fighting bird bombs after going for a swim in Thauna.
- UV Protection. Like sunscreen, coatings seal in your paint work and help prevent the damage the UV and Oxidation cause, both long term and short term.
- Hydrophobics. Water repellency makes the vehicle stay cleaner longer and makes it easier to clean. It also looks amazing.
- Durability. How long with the coating last? With many coatings 10h is the longest lasting coating, up to 10 years.
How We Approach Ceramic Coatings in Nelson
We don’t just focus on the numbers, but also what’s best for our customers.
It’s why we offer CSU as our best overall pick. It offers the best overall coating on the market and happens to be a 10H 9-year coating.
No, this isn’t out most expensive coating on offer, but it will do its job, do it well, and do it for years.
As Nelson’s only IDA Certified Detailer, we understand that proper application is just as important as the product itself. Something to be aware of is that a perfectly applied 9H coating will outperform a poorly applied 10H coating any day of the week.
Making the Right Choice
When choosing a ceramic coating, consider:
- The overall protection package, not just hardness
- The reputation and track record of the product
- The expertise of the applicator
Remember, the best coating is the one that’s properly applied and suits your specific needs as a Nelson driver.
Ready to give your car the protection it deserves? Visit our Ceramic Coating Page to learn more about our services or to book your appointment. Let’s ensure your vehicle is ready to face Nelson’s unique challenges with confidence.
