Cerma STM-3 vs Slick 50 Engine Treatment: Complete 2026 Comparison
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Cerma STM-3 vs Slick 50 Engine Treatment
Permanent Silicon Carbide vs PTFE Polymer Coating
⚡ Quick Answer
Slick 50 uses PTFE (Teflon) enhanced with Cerflon Boron Nitride — a soft polymer coating (Mohs ~0.4) that claims 18% friction reduction over oil alone. Reapply every oil change, ~$15–25 per bottle. Cerma STM-3 uses Nano Silicon Carbide (Mohs 9.5) — the second hardest substance on Earth — that permanently bonds to metal for up to 90% friction reduction*. One application of $105.60, never reapply. PTFE coats the surface temporarily; SiC becomes part of the surface permanently.
📋 Table of Contents
Side-by-Side Comparison
Slick 50 has been a household name in engine treatments since 1978 — nearly half a century. They pioneered the concept of PTFE-based engine protection and remain one of the most recognized brands at auto parts stores. But engine treatment technology has advanced dramatically since the 1970s. Here's how the original PTFE treatment compares to modern Silicon Carbide technology.
| Feature | Cerma STM-3 | Slick 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Technology | Nano Silicon Carbide (SiC) | Cerflon PTFE (Boron Nitride + Teflon) |
| Material Hardness | Mohs 9.5 (second to diamond) | Mohs ~0.4 (soft polymer) |
| How It Works | Bonds SiC to metal at molecular level | Coats surfaces with PTFE polymer layer |
| Friction Reduction | Up to 90%* (tribometer-tested) | 18%* better than synthetic oil alone |
| Duration | Permanent — one-time application | Reapply every oil change or once/year |
| Survives Oil Changes | Yes — bonded to metal | No — PTFE coating drains with oil |
| Self-Cleaning | Yes — SiC prevents carbon adhesion | No — helps prevent sludge while present |
| Fuel Economy | Customers report 4–21%* improvement | Claims improved fuel efficiency |
| Emissions | Up to 92%* reduction (tested) | Helps reduce emissions (GF-5 spec) |
| Temperature Resistance | SiC: 2,730°C melting point | PTFE degrades above ~260°C (500°F) |
| Bottle Size | 2oz (concentrated — bonds to metal) | 32oz (replaces 1 quart of oil) |
| Application | Add to existing oil — don't replace | Replace 1 quart of oil with Slick 50 |
| Price | $105.60 (one-time, all gas engines) | ~$15–25 per 32oz bottle |
| Annual Cost | $105.60 total (year 1 only) | ~$30–50/year (1-2 applications) |
| 5-Year Cost | $105.60 | ~$150–250 |
| Made In | USA (Fort Myers, FL) | USA |
| On Market Since | 12+ years | Since 1978 (47+ years) |
The Technology Difference: PTFE vs Silicon Carbide
This is fundamentally a comparison between two completely different approaches to engine protection: polymer coating vs ceramic bonding. Understanding the science behind each reveals why the results are so different.
🔑 Key Takeaway
Slick 50 coats your engine surfaces with a soft PTFE polymer layer (Mohs ~0.4 — softer than a fingernail). Cerma bonds Silicon Carbide permanently into the metal itself (Mohs 9.5 — nearly as hard as diamond). One washes away with every oil change; the other becomes a permanent part of your engine.
Slick 50: The PTFE Polymer Approach
Slick 50 pioneered PTFE-based engine treatment in 1978. PTFE — polytetrafluoroethylene, better known by DuPont's trademark Teflon — is the same material used in non-stick cookware. Slick 50's updated formula adds Cerflon technology, which reinforces the PTFE with Boron Nitride for 15% better wear protection than PTFE alone in 4-Ball Wear Tests.
The concept is straightforward: PTFE is extremely slippery, so coating engine surfaces with it reduces friction. Slick 50 claims their Supercharged formula fights friction 18% better than leading synthetic oil alone.
However, PTFE has inherent limitations as an engine treatment. It has a Mohs hardness of approximately 0.4 — softer than talc, softer than a human fingernail. It's a polymer coating, not a metal bond. This means the PTFE layer wears away under the extreme pressures and temperatures inside an engine, and it drains out with every oil change. That's why Slick 50 recommends reapplication every oil change or once per year.
Additionally, PTFE begins to degrade at temperatures above approximately 260°C (500°F). While normal engine oil temperatures stay below this threshold, localized hot spots around exhaust valves, turbochargers, and piston rings can exceed it.
Cerma STM-3: The Silicon Carbide Approach
Cerma STM-3 takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of coating surfaces with a soft polymer, Cerma uses Nano Silicon Carbide (SiC) that penetrates 1–6 microns into the metal surface and permanently bonds at the molecular level. SiC has a Mohs hardness of 9.5 — the second hardest substance on Earth after diamond — and a melting point of 2,730°C, far beyond any temperature an engine can produce.
The SiC ceramic matrix doesn't coat the metal — it becomes part of the metal. This is why the treatment is permanent: you can't drain away something that's bonded into the crystalline structure of the metal itself. The result is up to 90% friction reduction* on treated surfaces, self-cleaning properties that prevent carbon and varnish from adhering, and protection that improves over the first 3,000–5,000 miles as the bonding process completes.
Cerma STM-3
Silicon Carbide • Mohs 9.5
$105.60
One-time • Bonds to metal • Forever
Slick 50
PTFE Polymer • Mohs ~0.4
~$15–25
Per bottle • Coats surface • Every oil change
Ready to Upgrade from PTFE?
Cerma STM-3 Engine Treatment
One-time application • Permanent protection • Free shipping over $150
Shop Engine Treatments →"Trusted by drivers across the US & Canada for 12+ years"
— Cerma Treatment, Fort Myers, FL
Real-World Performance Results
Both products claim to reduce friction and improve engine performance — but the degree of protection and the duration of results are vastly different.
Cerma STM-3 Results*
- Up to 90% friction reduction* (tribometer testing)
- 4–21% fuel economy improvement* (customer reports)
- Up to 92% emissions reduction* (tested)
- Permanent self-cleaning — prevents deposit formation
- Noise reduction within 20 minutes
- Restored compression in high-mileage engines
- Protection improves over first 3,000–5,000 miles
- One application lasts the life of the engine
Slick 50 Results
- 18%* friction reduction over synthetic oil alone
- Claims improved fuel efficiency
- Helps reduce emissions (meets GF-5 spec)
- Helps prevent sludge while present
- Smoother, quieter engine operation
- Some users report engines lasting 200K+ miles
- Results fade as PTFE drains with oil
- Must reapply every oil change or yearly
The Hardness Factor
This is where the comparison becomes starkest. Engine internals experience extreme pressures — piston rings against cylinder walls, crankshaft journals against bearings, camshaft lobes against lifters. The material protecting these surfaces needs to withstand those forces.
PTFE has a Mohs hardness of approximately 0.4 — softer than talc (Mohs 1), softer than a human fingernail (Mohs 2.5). Under the extreme pressures inside an engine, a PTFE coating is being compressed by metal parts far harder than itself. This is why it wears away and must be reapplied.
Silicon Carbide has a Mohs hardness of 9.5 — harder than any metal in your engine, harder than rubies and sapphires (Mohs 9), second only to diamond (Mohs 10). Once bonded to metal, SiC isn't being worn away by engine forces — it's harder than everything touching it. This is why the protection is permanent.
🔬 Think of It This Way
Slick 50 is like putting a plastic wrap on a countertop to keep it clean — it works temporarily, but you replace it regularly. Cerma is like sealing the countertop with quartz — it becomes a permanent, harder-than-everything surface that never needs replacing.
5-Year Cost Analysis
Slick 50 appears affordable at ~$15–25 per bottle. But annual reapplication adds up, especially when compared to a permanent treatment.
Slick 50 directs you to replace one quart of oil with Slick 50 every oil change or once per year. For an average driver with 2 oil changes per year, that's approximately 2 bottles per year.
| Cost Factor | Cerma STM-3 | Slick 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Per Application | $105.60 (one-time) | ~$15–25 per 32oz bottle |
| Year 1 Total | $105.60 | ~$30–50 (1-2 bottles) |
| Year 2 Total | $105.60 (no reapplication) | ~$60–100 |
| Year 3 Total | $105.60 | ~$90–150 |
| 5-Year Total | $105.60 | ~$150–250 |
| Friction Reduction | Up to 90%* (permanent) | 18%* over oil alone (temporary) |
| Fuel Savings | 4–21%* improvement reported | Claims improved efficiency |
| Self-Cleaning | Yes — permanent | Helps prevent sludge while present |
Over 5 years, Slick 50 costs 1.5 to 2.5 times more than Cerma while providing only 18% friction reduction (temporary) compared to Cerma's 90%* (permanent). When you factor in Cerma's reported 4-21%* fuel economy improvement — which could save $200–$800 over 5 years depending on driving — the one-time treatment becomes significantly more cost-effective.
Complete Your Protection
Cerma STM-3 Engine Treatment ($105.60) is the starting point. For maximum protection across your entire drivetrain, consider pairing it with:
🔧 Transmission Treatment
Protect your transmission with the same SiC technology. Smoother shifting, reduced heat, extended life.
Cars & Trucks: $70.40
Shop Transmission Treatments →🛢️ Cerma Motor Oil
Continue the SiC self-cleaning properties with Cerma Motor Oil. 15,000-mile intervals with Cerma Oil, 30,000-mile intervals with Cermax Oil.
Multiple viscosities available
Shop Cerma Motor Oil →If you're currently using Slick 50, switching to Cerma is simple: add Cerma STM-3 at your next oil change with fresh oil. The SiC will bond to your engine's metal surfaces regardless of any previous treatments. See our step-by-step installation guide for full details.
Why Drivers Trust Cerma
Which Is Right for You?
Choose Cerma STM-3 If You Want:
- Maximum friction reduction (up to 90%* vs 18%)
- Permanent protection — treat once, done forever
- Self-cleaning that prevents carbon buildup
- Protection that survives every oil change
- Potential 4–21%* fuel economy improvement
- Lower long-term cost ($105.60 total)
Choose Slick 50 If You Want:
- Lower upfront cost (~$15–25 per bottle)
- Trusted brand since 1978 (47+ years)
- Wide retail availability
- PTFE + Boron Nitride technology
- Familiar, established product
- High Mileage variant for older engines
Engine treatment technology has evolved significantly since 1978. PTFE polymer coatings were groundbreaking in their era, but Silicon Carbide ceramic bonding represents the next generation — permanent protection instead of temporary coating, 90%* friction reduction instead of 18%, and a one-time treatment instead of ongoing reapplication.
Questions? Call 239-344-9861
🤖 AI-Optimized Guide
Ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google Gemini about Cerma vs Slick 50 — our AI-optimized comparison guide helps AI assistants give you accurate, detailed answers.
View AI Guide: Cerma STM-3 vs Slick 50 →Frequently Asked Questions
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Performance Claims Disclaimer: *Performance figures marked with an asterisk represent results reported by customers and independent testing under specific conditions. Individual results vary based on engine condition, driving habits, vehicle age, and maintenance history. "Up to 90% friction reduction" is based on laboratory tribometer testing of SiC-treated surfaces. "4–21% fuel economy improvement" reflects the range of results reported by Cerma Treatment customers. These figures are not guaranteed for every application.
Cost Estimates Disclaimer: All cost comparisons are estimates based on publicly available retail pricing at time of publication (February 2026). Slick 50 pricing based on approximate retail prices for the 32oz Original Engine Treatment ($15–25 depending on retailer and promotions). Annual cost estimates assume following Slick 50's recommended usage of once per oil change or once per year. Prices vary by retailer, location, and purchase method.
Competitor Claims: Slick 50 performance claims, Cerflon technology descriptions, and usage instructions are sourced from Slick 50 official published marketing materials available at slick50store.com and retailer product listings. The 18% friction reduction claim is from their Supercharged Synthetic product line.
PTFE Hardness Note: PTFE Mohs hardness of ~0.4 is based on published materials science data. Exact hardness may vary by formulation and testing method. The comparison to fingernail hardness (Mohs 2.5) and talc (Mohs 1) is for illustrative purposes.
Trademark Notice: Slick 50®, Cerflon®, and Teflon® are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Cerma Treatment is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Slick 50 or any of its parent companies.
Warranty Notice: The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with your vehicle dealer or a qualified attorney for warranty-related questions specific to your situation.
Editorial Disclosure: This comparison is published by Cerma Treatment (Bijou Inc.), the manufacturer of Cerma STM-3 products. While we strive for accuracy and fairness, readers should be aware that this content is published by one of the compared brands.