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In detailing studio price lists and on ceramic coating packages, three labels keep appearing as sellers' shorthand for "premium": 9H, SiO2, SiC. In fact these are three different characteristics describing different material properties. 9H is hardness, SiO2 is the base chemistry, SiC is a newer chemistry with different hardness and lifespan. Here's exactly what each label means, how it affects body protection, and why "the more of all three the better" doesn't hold.
9H — pencil-hardness scale, not a ceramic brand
The "9H" label isn't a ceramic coating brand — it's a hardness rating on the pencil hardness scale, developed in Japan in the mid-20th century for grading protective coatings. The scale runs from 6B (soft pencil, leaves a mark on almost any surface) to 9H (hardest, doesn't scratch even glass).
On automotive ceramic coating, 9H means: a standard 9H graphite pencil held at 45° and dragged across the surface at 1 kg of load leaves no mark. This roughly corresponds to Mohs micro-hardness 6-7 (quartz, granite) — enough to resist most everyday scratches from fingernails, keys in casual contact, and sand grains.
Important caveats.
First — 9H is not "protection against anything." The pencil test doesn't mean the film will stop an 80 km/h rock — a few kilograms of force on a one-square-millimetre point still produces a chip. 9H is about abrasion resistance, not impact.
Second — most premium ceramic coatings on the market carry 9H class. "9H" in advertising isn't a competitive edge — it's the baseline bar. If something is sold as "9H" at a higher price — that's marketing exaggeration.
Third — actual hardness depends on thickness and application quality. Two layers of a 9H class are harder than one; application in a cold bay with disrupted polymerisation can produce real-world hardness below 7H.
Gyeon's line labels 9H on all mainstream formulas — that's the standard, not a differentiator.
SiO2 — silicon dioxide, the base chemistry
SiO2 is the chemical formula for silicon dioxide — the base of most automotive ceramics on the 2010-2020 market. In nature SiO2 is quartz (sand, rock crystal); in a ceramic coating it's a liquid solution of nanoparticles that, after solvent evaporation, polymerise on the clearcoat as a thin hard film.
SiO2 ceramic characteristics:
- Hardness — typically 9H on the pencil scale
- Film thickness after polymerisation — 1-3 microns
- Hydrophobic angle (water contact angle) — 100-115°, water beads off
- Lifespan — 12-36 months depending on formula and conditions
- UV and chemistry resistance — high
- Material cost — baseline market level
SiO2 is a well-understood chemistry with predictable behaviour, and millions of cars worldwide have been coated with such formulas over the past 15 years. If the choice is between SiO2 and something "experimental" — SiO2 is a working option with a known lifespan.
In Gyeon's line, SiO2 formulas make up the base of most products, including their standard 12- and 24-month coatings.
SiC — silicon carbide, a harder class
SiC (silicon carbide) is a newer chemistry in automotive ceramics, widely adopted in 2018-2022. The headline difference from SiO2 — higher material hardness:
- Pencil scale — often marketed as 10H (formally outside the 1-9H scale, but many makers use this label to denote above-9H)
- Mohs scale — 9.5, close to diamond (diamond is 10)
- Film thickness — usually slightly thicker, 2-5 microns
- Hydrophobic angle — on par with SiO2, 100-120°
- Lifespan — 24-60 months
- Price — higher than SiO2
Practically, the SiO2 vs SiC gap isn't always radical for an owner. A harder coating better resists microabrasion from brushes and dust, holds the water angle longer, is less prone to local damage from careless washes. But "impact" protection from gravel — neither one provides it.
SiC formulas in Gyeon's line are the premium segment — three-year and longer coatings for those chasing maximum lifespan and best abrasion resistance.
Comparison table — three labels
So we don't confuse them, one table:
| Metric | 9H | SiO2 | SiC |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hardness scale | Chemical base | Chemical base |
| Typical film thickness | — | 1-3 microns | 2-5 microns |
| Hydrophobic angle | — | 100-115° | 100-120° |
| Lifespan | — | 12-36 months | 24-60 months |
| Impact protection | No | No | No |
| Abrasion resistance | Yes (hardness class) | Medium | High |
| Price level | — | Baseline | Premium |
9H describes hardness; SiO2 and SiC are different ceramic types, both of which can be 9H class. Mixing labels into "9H SiO2 SiC" on a single product is marketing, not physics.
How to pick a ceramic type for the car
Three questions that set the choice.
How many years of ownership are planned?
- 1-2 years — base SiO2 12-month; no point buying a 3-year
- 3-4 years — SiO2 24-month
- 5+ years — SiC 36-60-month; pays back on per-year cost
Car parked outside or in a garage?
- Garage — any formula hits its labelled lifespan
- Outside under sun and winter salt — buy with a buffer: if you need 2 years, get 3-year
Car colour?
- Light (white, silver) — difference between base and premium ceramic is visually slight; pick on lifespan
- Dark (black, deep blue) — premium formulas hold the "wet" effect noticeably better; difference is visible
For most cars in Tbilisi, Georgia a typical pick is SiO2 24-month (Gyeon's Q² Mohs or equivalent). For premium dark-colour SUVs — SiC 36-60 months (Q² Pure Evo or equivalent). Extreme versions (10-year coatings) exist, but in Tbilisi's climate their real lifespan drops to 5-6 years under salt and UV.
Prices and what's in the ceramic package
BESTAUTO ceramic coating prices are structured by surface type and car size:
- Full-body ceramic coating — from 500 ₾
- Interior ceramic coating (separate) — from 300 ₾
- Anti-rain on glass — from 150 ₾
The base figure includes prep polishing, degrease, application, and final cure in a controlled bay. The exact amount depends on the selected formula (12, 24 or 36+ months), body size and clearcoat condition. Full pricing for ceramic coating on the service page.
When ceramic isn't enough and where PPF comes in
Neither 9H, nor SiO2, nor SiC protect against physical impact. A truck-thrown stone, a heavy branch, a neighbour's door in a car park — ceramic is powerless regardless of label.
For physical protection PPF film does the job — a polyurethane coating 150-200 microns thick, so 30-100x thicker than ceramic. It physically absorbs the stone impact and spreads its energy across the area. Chips don't reach the paint beneath.
Typical combo for maximum protection: ceramic (SiO2 or SiC) on the whole body + PPF on impact zones (bonnet, front bumper, front fenders, mirrors, pillars). Ceramic handles chemistry and washing; PPF handles physics.
FAQ
Is "9H" ceramic the same as premium?
No. 9H is the standard hardness benchmark for modern ceramic coatings. Almost every serious brand, Gyeon included, has 9H-class formulas. Premium level isn't only hardness — it's also film thickness, lifespan, chemistry resistance, application quality. "Just 9H" on the package isn't a marketing edge.
Is SiC always better than SiO2?
Not always. SiC has higher hardness and typically a longer lifespan, but it costs more and needs careful application (more sensitive to temperature and humidity). On a car parked in a garage and washed gently, the SiO2 vs SiC gap is minimal. On a car run through brush automatics, SiC lasts longer but still ahead of the labelled lifespan.
Can two ceramics, SiO2 and SiC, be layered?
Technically yes, and it's sometimes done: SiC on horizontal surfaces (bonnet, roof, boot) as the main layer, SiO2 as the top layer for extra hydrophobicity. But it's a specific approach, and most studios work with a single formula from a chosen line. This combo makes sense mostly for premium SUVs with heavy use.
Is Gyeon SiO2 or SiC?
Gyeon's line contains both. Base formulas are SiO2-based (12 and 24 months), premium formulas carry a higher SiC share (36+ months). At BESTAUTO the technician picks the formula for your case at inspection: clearcoat condition, colour, usage conditions, budget. The full line is discussed at booking.
What does 9H vs SiC ceramic cost in Tbilisi?
9H is a hardness rating, not a product category, so "9H ceramic price" isn't a thing. Real pricing by line: base ceramic from 500 ₾ for the full body (usually SiO2), premium formulas (SiC or combined) — higher. Full pricing with formula options on the ceramic coating page; exact figure at inspection.
Conclusion
Three labels — 9H, SiO2, SiC — describe different properties of ceramic coatings, though sellers often use them interchangeably as premium synonyms. 9H is a hardness scale and the baseline bar for modern formulas — not a differentiator. SiO2 is the market's core chemistry with a predictable 12-36-month lifespan. SiC is a harder chemistry with a longer lifespan and higher price.
Formula choice runs through three questions: ownership horizon, parking conditions, colour. For most cases SiO2 24 months is enough; for premium and heavy use — SiC. No formula replaces PPF as physical gravel protection.
Key takeaways:
- 9H is a pencil hardness scale — a standard class for modern ceramics, not "premium"
- SiO2 is the base chemistry, 12-36 months, predictable behaviour
- SiC is a harder chemistry, 24-60 months, premium pricing
- No ceramic protects from gravel impact — PPF on top is needed
- Right pick — by ownership horizon, parking, body colour
Book ceramic coating at BESTAUTO via the service page form or by phone:
- BESTAUTO Guramishvili — Guramishvili Ave. 78, tel. +995 550 000 299
- BESTAUTO Politkovskaya — Anna Politkovskaya St. 51, tel. +995 550 000 199
Both studios operate Monday to Saturday, 10:00–20:00 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Before the procedure — an in-person inspection under LED and formula selection for your case: the technician discusses lifespan, budget, usage conditions.
