ceramic coating Questions, Answers, and booking.
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A ceramic coating is a long-term surface protectant primarily made from silica, commonly called SiO2. Once applied, it chemically bonds to the surface and creates a thin, semi-permanent sacrificial layer that is more durable and chemical-resistant than traditional waxes and sealants.
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Our prep, polishing and coating process is the same across the entire line-up.
what differentiates these is the amount of your vehicle that gets protection applied to it.
Daily protection - Painted Surfaces only. Our fastest turn around, make your vehicle look great and be much easier to wash, while also protecting it from the daily grind.
Starting at: $999 for sedans and crossovers, larger Suvs, trucks, and XL vehicles start at $1199
Sport Protection - In addition to the paint, The wheel faces, plastic trim, and windshield get protected
Starting at : $1349 for cars and crossovers, $1499 for Suvs/Trucks/XL vehicles
Enthusiast protection - With this package I dig in deep. The entire exterior gets protection, all of the paint, all of the trim, all of the glass; Your Wheels get removed, deep cleaned, with barrels & faces coated. I also detail the suspension and brakes, painted calipers get coated as well.
Starting at: $1999 for cars and crossovers, $2399 for trucks, suvs, and larger vehicles
All services are subject to a 20% deposit to secure your time slot and allow me to order fresh coating, pads, and towels. I do not tend keep a large inventory on hand.
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That truly depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle, how it is stored, how much it is driven and which surfaces you want protected.
Some customers simply want durable paint protection and easier washing. Others want the wheels, glass and additional exterior surfaces protected as well.
After inspecting the vehicle and learning how you use it, I will recommend the option that makes the most sense—not automatically the most expensive one.
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Step 1: Decon Wash
First things first we need to get things clean!
We thoroughly hand wash the vehicle paying special attention to the wheels, trim, nooks and crannies and the engine bay.
Once washed it is time for a chemical decontamination with iron and tar remover.
This step removes bonded gunk like iron fall out, heavy road grime, bug guts, tar, etc. Anything still bonded to the paint gets removed mechanically by the use of a clay bar on all of the painted and glass surfaces.
Our goal is to have the cleanest surface possible before polishing begins to avoid potentially adding more marks to the finish by dragging them around with a pad.
- Step 2: Paint Inspection
After drying we thoroughly inspect the vehicle for any defects or damage, prior repairs, or other problem areas.
This is done visually, and with a special tool designed to measure the actual thickness of your paint. (Fun fact, factory finishes in recent years can be as thin or thinner than a single sheet of paper.)
If anything is found that could affect the process or results - I will document and communicate that with you before moving forward.
- Step 3: Paint Enhancement/Polishing/Correction
This is where the shine comes from.
Machine polishing -also known as enhancing or correcting the paint is the process of taking a machine, pad, and polishing liquid combo that matches your paint system and gives you the desired result. On some vehicles this is as simple as a few passes with a DA orbital polisher, all the way up to sanding and using a rotary buffer to clear heavy defects efficiently while still maintaining the integrity of your finish.
In general, 99% of my clients are thrilled with the result of a single step of polishing, cars with greater amounts of defects or those of you chasing near perfect results usually benefit from 2 or sometimes even 3 stages. I’ve had cars that barely needed to be touched, and others that have required wet sanding to achieve that desired outcome.
With that said - all prices include a single step.
I always do a test spot and report back with my findings to see if my clients want to pursue more.
One thing to keep in mind with chasing a mirror like glassy finish, is that it is more difficult to maintain. If you’re a weekend warrior looking to wash your car and dry it with ease while not worrying about protection, its generally a disservice to sell you more than is needed. If you’re meticulous, then it may be for you and I am glad to help get you there.
-Step 4: Final Prep
Once the final finish is achieved, its time to clean the vehicle again.
With this step all polishing residue is removed from nooks, crannies, trim, and emblems.
This final step ensures the best possible conditions for the coating to bond to your vehicle.
-Step 5: Application
The coating gets applied in sections, or panel by panel depending on things like temperature and humidity.
It is applied in a cross hatched pattern (up and down, left to right) to ensure full coverage. Then it is allowed to “flash” which gives the carrier solvents in the coating time to do their magic and leave nothing but solids behind. It is then wiped down with brand new towels to ensure a lint-free, streak-free, glossy and slick finish behind.
I typically recommend coatings to sit overnight after application, and this time is built into the quote I provide, so you’ll know exactly how long I need your vehicle for.
- Step 6: Taking it home.
At delivery we go over the vehicle and I can answer any questions you may have.
Ill explain how I prefer to take care of a coating, and if you’re interested I can send you links to the products I use. I’m also here any time to answer questions.
As an added bonus all coatings installed in 2026 will come with a Mini Interior Detail and 3 free maintenance washes to be used within 6 months of install to help protect your investment.
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Ceramic coatings help protect the surfaces they’re applied to from environmental contamination, chemicals, bugs, bird droppings and ultraviolet exposure. They also create a slick, water-repellent surface that stays cleaner longer and is easier to wash.
They provide protection and easier maintenance—not an invisible force field.
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Short answer, no.
A coating can not make your vehicle scratch-proof or chip-proof.
It can however, provide some resistance against light marring and chemical damage, but improper washing, road debris and physical contact can still damage the finish. Water spots can also form when mineral-heavy water is allowed to dry on the surface, although with a coating they are far easier to remove than on bare surfaces.
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In most cases, yes.
Polishing improves the appearance of the paint and creates a clean, properly prepared surface for the coating to bond to. Every coating package includes a single-step paint enhancement, which is enough to produce a major improvement on most vehicles.
Deeper scratches, heavier oxidation or customers seeking near-perfect results may benefit from additional correction. I always perform a test spot and discuss the expected results before moving forward.
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The way I see it, yes.
New vehicles can arrive with rail dust, water spots, dealership wash marks, adhesive residue and other contamination. “New” does not always mean the paint is clean or defect-free.
The vehicle will still be washed, decontaminated and inspected so the coating is installed on the best surface possible.
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Coating durability depends on the product, mileage, storage, weather exposure and maintenance. At Stine’s Auto Care, the base product I use for all packages is rated to last 3-5+ years, I do offer one other product that can last longer, but my pricing does not reflect that. I’d be more than glad to tell you more about it.
My available coatings are designed to provide multiple years of protection, but those ratings assume the vehicle is cared for consistently. I have seen shorter-rated coatings outperform their expected life, and longer-rated coatings fail early because of poor maintenance.
The product matters, but how the vehicle is treated matters just as much.
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Regular washing is the most important part of coating care. I generally recommend washing every two to four weeks so dirt and contamination do not build up on the surface.
A quality pH-neutral soap, clean microfiber wash media and safe drying method are usually all you need. Touchless automatic washes can be used when necessary, but their stronger chemicals may reduce the coating’s lifespan.
At delivery, I will walk you through aftercare and can provide links to the products I personally recommend.
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Most coating services require the vehicle 2-3 days so there is enough time for preparation, polishing, application and initial curing. More intensive paint correction may require additional time.
Complete the quote request form with some basic information about the vehicle and your goals. I will review it, contact you to discuss the options and provide a clear quote and timeframe before anything is scheduled.