How to Spot a Ceramic Coating Scam (Don’t Get Fooled!)

Immaculate Paint Protection helps new car owners protect their future classic cars, so they look awesome and stay looking new for years to come.

Car enthusiasts are a passionate bunch. They love their vehicles, and they are eager to preserve and protect them. Unfortunately, this can make them prey to some unscrupulous members of the car-care community.

Ceramic coating is a product applied to your car to make it easier to wash, keep it cleaner longer, and protect it from UV fading and chemical damage. It might make the paint harder, and it can even hide some minor imperfections.

But that said, some shops out there will offer you the moon—and deliver something far less appealing. Here is how to spot a ceramic coating scam.

Red Flag #1: High-Pressure & Dishonest Sales Tactics

Fear-Based Selling

Beware of installers who focus on listing your vehicle’s paint defects to make you feel anxious. Instead, look for a shop that respects your vehicle and focuses on solutions rather than fear.

Exaggerated Benefits

Scammers often focus too much on “9H Hardness” or suggest that ceramic coating prevents rock chips. Truth: If you want real protection against rocks and stones, you need Paint Protection Film (PPF), not a coating.

The “Multiple Layers” Upsell

If a shop tries to sell you 5, 8, or 10 layers of coating, it is a clue they are using old technology. Look for a shop that uses the newest high-solids, one-step applications that provide better protection with more advanced chemistry.

INSERT YOUTUBE VIDEO AFTER UPLOAD MULTIPLE LAYERS On Corvette

Red Flag #2: Shortcuts in Labor and Environment

The “Same-Day” Service Trap

A professional ceramic coating installation is a multi-day process. If a shop promises a half-day or same-day turnaround, they are skipping the essential decontamination and curing steps. Work with a shop that keeps your vehicle for 2 to 3 days to ensure the bond is permanent.

Red Flag #3: Warranty “Strings” and Unrealistic Pricing

Maintenance Requirements

Watch out for warranty “strings,” such as requiring you to come back for paid yearly inspections just to maintain your warranty. Look for a shop with a straightforward, no-strings-attached manufacturer warranty.

Suspicious Pricing

Extreme pricing—either super high or “too good to be true” low—is a major warning sign. Like Goldilocks, you are looking for “just right” pricing that reflects the cost of high-quality materials and 20+ hours of professional labor.

If you follow these tips, you’ll set yourself up for success in finding a reputable shop, and your vehicle will look cleaner than 95 percent of other vehicles on the road.