18/05/2026
We have at least 2 people per week asking questions on Ceramic coatings for paintwork on vehicles, vans, boats etc.
Thought I would give a quick run down of what I normally go through with customers . Customer brings me the vehicle to inspect. I look at paintwork condition and advise what is needed before the actual coating is applied. Even brand new vehicles require several stages of preparation for the coating to last, no matter how good the coating. Prep is key to the coating doing its job. So many people ask for prices. The customer is told prices are based on the preparation required, the products used, and the amount of product required. Customers who have had previous ceramic experience know quality products and preparation is not cheap. Others think its way too expensive, as another bloke can do it for $100
For Example you can go to an Auto store and purchase a $60 bottle of so called ceramic protection and spray it on a cloth after the car has been washed, that costs bu**er all. If that is all you want that's fine, but know what you are getting, They are a silicone type spray that has no protection quality, only makes the car shine and water bead for a few months or on the other hand you can choose a professional coating.
This is the process that most professional Applicators use.
☆ A full wash
☆ A decontamination wash for iron fallout
☆ A clay bar treatment if required
☆ A machine polish, regardless of paintwork condition. This is vital to give the coating the best chance of bonding to the surface.
☆ A solvent/alcohol type liquid wipe down of the paintwork to get it surgically clean and free from any polish and wax residue.
☆ Finally the coating or coatings are applied it the temperature and humidity are at a correct level.
Preparation can sometimes take 1 to 1.5 days for 1 person, depending on vehicle condition. Then the actual coating/s can take many hours. Some of the higher quality ceramic coatings cost $300 per 50ml bottle. Some vehicles require more than 1 bottle.
In summary, not all ceramic coatings are a "True" coatings. The professional applicator coating that we use, Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra, cannot be buffed off when cured, it must be wet sanded off. It bonds and becomes part of the paintwork. The lower cheaper so called ceramic coatings are a polymer that sits on top of the paintwork and can washed and polished off quite easily. The Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra, Kovalent Matrix and other professional high end coatings are not available to the general public, and carry a 9 year guarantee. In that period, polishing is not required, just maintain with normal cleaning. The lower end coatings will offer no protection from bug, bat and bird dropping etching into the clear coat paintwork.
If considering Ceramic paintwork protection, do your research and find out what the coating does or does not do, does the Applicator offer a guarantee, and the preparation process required. As they say, you get what you pay for. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
