Icon Rocklear VS Ceramic Coatings: When it comes to protecting your vehicle’s exterior, not all coatings are created equal.
In Calgary’s challenging climate, choosing between Icon Rocklear and ceramic/graphene coatings can make a significant difference in your car’s longevity, appearance, and maintenance needs. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you understand why Icon Rocklear may be the best choice for your vehicle.
Hydrophobic Properties
Both Icon Rocklear and ceramic/graphene coatings excel at repelling water, making it easier to keep your vehicle clean. Hydrophobic properties are crucial, especially in Calgary, where snow and rain can lead to unsightly water spots and road grime.
However, while both coatings offer this feature, Icon Rocklear brings additional benefits that ceramic/graphene coatings simply can’t match.
Hydrophobics:
Self-Healing
One of the standout features of Icon Rocklear is its self-healing ability. Minor scratches, swirls, and scuffs can disappear with heat exposure, such as sunlight or hot water.
Ceramic/graphene coatings, on the other hand, do not have comparable self-healing properties, leaving your vehicle more vulnerable to permanent damage from everyday wear and tear.
Self-Healing: Icon Rocklear Takes the Lead
Scratch and Rock Chip Resistance
In Calgary, where gravel and debris on the roads are common, scratch and rock chip resistance are essential for maintaining your vehicle’s appearance.
Icon Rocklear’s superior strength and thickness (63 microns vs. 1-3 microns for ceramic/graphene coatings) provide exceptional protection against these hazards, ensuring your car remains in pristine condition.
Scratch & Rock Chip Resistance: Icon Rocklear Dominates
UV Protection
Calgary’s high altitude and sunny weather mean that UV protection is a must to prevent paint fading and damage over time.
While ceramic/graphene coatings do offer some UV protection, Icon Rocklear’s UV defense is 20 times stronger than ceramics/graphene coatings, providing long-lasting protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
In the most recent ASTM-Certified lab tests, Icon Rocklear withstood over 4,000 hours of constant UV exposure without any fading, discolouration, peeling, delamination, or marring.
UV Protection: Icon Rocklear is 20x Stronger
Colour Enhancement
Icon Rocklear not only protects but also enhances the color of your vehicle, giving it a richer, more vibrant look.
Ceramic/graphene coatings, while offering a glossy finish, do not enhance the color in the same way, leaving Icon Rocklear as the superior choice for those who want their vehicle to truly stand out.
Colour Enhancement: Only with Icon Rocklear
Chemical Protection and Impact Absorption
Whether it’s road salt, bird droppings, or tree sap, your vehicle faces various chemical threats daily.
Icon Rocklear’s advanced formulation provides a robust barrier against these chemicals, unlike ceramic/graphene coatings, which offer minimal chemical protection.
Additionally, Icon Rocklear absorbs impacts up to 120 lbs, compared to ceramic/graphene coatings’ 80 lbs, offering better defense against potential damage.
Chemical & Impact Protection: Icon Rocklear Outperforms
Ceramic/graphene coatings offer minimal chemical protection at best, and can only absorb up to 80lbs of impact.
Longevity and Warranty
One of the most significant differences between the two coatings is their longevity and warranty.
Icon Rocklear can last 20 years or even a lifetime with proper care, and it comes with a robust warranty to match.
In contrast, ceramic/graphene coatings require reapplication every 6-12 months with daily driving, and the warranty maxes out at around 8 years.
Over time, the costs of maintaining a ceramic/graphene coating add up significantly.
Longevity & Warranty: Long-Term Advantage with Icon Rocklear
Icon Rocklear lasts and is warrantied for a minimum of 20 years, with zero annual recoats, reapplications, or maintenance needed.
The Hidden Costs of Ceramic/Graphene Coatings
Clear Coat Reduction and Yearly Reapplication Costs
What many shops won’t tell you upfront is that ceramic/graphene coatings come with ongoing maintenance costs.
After the initial installation, you’ll need to pay $250-$500+ annually for reapplications, which, over an 8-year period, can easily exceed $3,000 to $5,000 when you include the initial installation cost.
Moreover, the installation process often involves grinding down your vehicle’s clear coat—a protective layer that’s meant to shield your paint. This doesn’t make much sense, as it weakens your vehicle’s defenses right from the start.
Icon Rocklear, on the other hand, requires no clear coat reduction during installation and doesn’t need yearly recoats, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Meaning it’s a one-and-done system that’s guaranteed to last a minimum of 20 years.
Hidden Costs: What Most Shops Won't Tell You Upfront
Icon Rocklear is a one-and-done system - for a minimum of 20 years - at a much lower cost than ceramics/graphene coatings.
Comparison Chart
Features
Icon Rocklear
Ceramic / Graphene
Hydrophobic
Self-Healing
Scratch Resistance
Rock Chip Resistance
Coating Thickness (UM+)
63+ microns
1-3 microns
UV Protection
20x
1x
Colour Enhancement
Chemical Protection
Impact Absorption (in LBs)
Up to 120 lbs
Up to 80 lbs
Salt Spray
Longevity
LIFETIME
6-12 months until recoat is necessary
Warranty
LIFETIME
1-8 years
Clear Coat Reduction
None Required
Polishing & clear coat reduction required during install process
Yearly Recoat / Reapplication Costs
None Required
$250 - $500+ / year mandatory
Mandatory Maintenance
None Required
REQUIRED
Costs
1697 - 2497
Includes FREE lifetime warranty and ZERO annual costs
$1499 - $2997+
PLUS annual recoat costs , limited warranty, and ZERO real-world protection.
= Significantly underperformed against Icon Rocklear
Conclusion: The Obvious Choice for Calgary Drivers
When you consider all the factors—protection, longevity, cost, and maintenance—Icon Rocklear clearly outshines ceramic/graphene coatings. Not only does it offer superior protection against scratches, chips, and UV rays, but it also enhances your vehicle’s appearance without the need for constant upkeep.
For Calgary drivers looking for real-world protection, unmatched gloss, and minimal maintenance, Icon Rocklear is the obvious choice. With a proven track record since 2016 and zero product failures or warranty claims to date, you can trust Icon Rocklear to keep your vehicle looking its best for years to come.
Ready to protect your vehicle with Icon Rocklear? Contact Tap and Shine today to learn more and schedule your installation.
