Question 1

What factors determine the final price of a ceramic coating?

Accepted Answer

At Immaculate Paint Protection, we believe in transparent and straightforward pricing. While your choice of a 2-year or 5-year coating determines the base price, the only other variable is the condition of your paint. For the ultimate peace of mind, we also offer an optional lifetime warranty for our 5-year coating package.

Here’s our process:

Included Paint Enhancement: Every ceramic coating package we offer already includes a light paint correction. For many vehicles, this single-stage polish is enough to remove minor imperfections and create a stunning, glossy surface for the coating to bond to.

Assessing Deeper Imperfections: If your vehicle has more significant swirls, scratches, or oxidation, a more intensive, multi-step paint correction will be needed to achieve a flawless finish.

A Transparent, Hands-On Quote: This is where we differ. Instead of guessing, we show you the solution firsthand. We will perform a test spot on your vehicle to demonstrate the transformative results of our multi-step correction compared to the included light polish. You get to see the actual improvement on your own car.

No Surprises: Based on the test spot, we provide a firm, upfront price for the additional paint correction. This price is agreed upon with you before you leave, ensuring there are absolutely no surprises. You are in complete control and can make an informed decision based on the visible results.

Question 2

Is a multi-year ceramic coating worth the higher initial investment?

Accepted Answer

The honest answer is: it depends on your specific goals for the vehicle. Our job is to be your trusted advisor and help you choose the right protection, not just the most expensive one.

Our 5-Year Gyeon Certified Coating (with its optional lifetime warranty) is the pinnacle of ceramic protection. For this premier service, we use a Gyeon dual-layer system: a flexible basecoat and a slick, durable topcoat. Applied by our skilled and certified technicians, this dual-layer system forms a sacrificial barrier over your paint. This barrier delivers superior chemical resistance, incredible self-cleaning properties, and an unmatched gloss that turns washing your car from a chore into a rewarding experience. This is the best choice for owners who want the ultimate peace of mind and the highest level of performance backed by a manufacturer's warranty.

However, our professional 2-Year Coating is the perfect solution in many cases:

You're on a Limited Budget: The 2-year option provides professional-grade protection and incredible gloss from a top-tier brand at a more accessible price point.

You're Leasing Your Vehicle: This is the perfect way to keep a leased vehicle's paint in pristine condition, helping you avoid costly penalties for excess wear and tear when you turn it in.

You Want to "Test Us Out": We understand the detailing industry is filled with big promises. We're confident you’ll be impressed—over 75% of our business comes from repeat clients. They trust our work and know we deliver exactly what we promise, so they return with all their other vehicles.

Ultimately, our reputation is built on long-term relationships, not one-time sales. Whichever option you choose, you are guaranteed professional-grade products, a meticulous application by an owner who cares, and our unwavering commitment to professional service.

Question 3

Does the cost of a ceramic coating include paint correction?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every one of our ceramic coating packages includes a light polish. The primary goal of this step is to maximize gloss and prepare the surface for the coating. This process removes very light imperfections and dramatically enhances the shine and clarity of your paint.

For many of our clients, this level of enhancement is the perfect balance of results and value. They get a really glossy vehicle, and don't receive any additional satisfaction from removing every single underlying scratch. However, other clients want to get as close to a flawless finish as possible, which requires a more intensive multi-step paint correction to remove deeper scratches and swirl marks.

Ultimately, this choice shouldn't be ours to make. Our job is to show you the possibilities. We will evaluate your vehicle with you and demonstrate firsthand—on your own car—the results you can expect from the included light polish versus the results of a multi-step correction. This empowers you to decide what level of finish is right for you.

Question 4

How do you evaluate my paint? (Understanding Stage I vs. Stage II vs. Stage III)

Accepted Answer

We don’t expect you to be a paint expert—that is our job. Because every vehicle’s clear coat hardness and history are different, we cannot give you an honest recommendation over the phone. We need to see the paint in person to give you a “No Games” price.

Our Evaluation Process: The “Test Spot” We believe in demonstrating results, not just promising them. During your consultation, we bring your vehicle into our studio under high-intensity inspection lighting to perform a “Test Spot” on a small section of your hood. This allows us to demonstrate—on your actual paint—the difference between a Stage I Polish and a Stage II Correction. You will see exactly what you are paying for before you book the job.

Stage I: Coating Prep (The “Protection First” Client) Designed for vehicles that are truly pristine or for owners who prioritize protection over perfection.
Best For: Brand new vehicles delivered with the white shipping wrap still intact (never touched by a dealer); or daily drivers where the owner wants the “easy cleaning” benefits of a ceramic coating but accepts that some existing swirl marks will remain beneath the glass layer.

Stage II: Enhancement (The “Gloss Hunter” & New Car Standard) This is our most popular service and the industry standard for a “Showroom” finish. Even brand new cars often have “rail dust” from shipping or light scratches from the dealership’s prep team.
Best For: New cars that have been washed by the dealer; vehicles 1-5 years old with standard “spider-web” wash swirls; or any owner who wants to remove haze to achieve the highest possible gloss levels.

Stage III: Restoration (The “Turn Back Time” Client) A heavy corrective surgery for paint that has lived a hard life. Best For: “Off-Lease” purchases; used vehicles that have been through automatic car wash tunnels; former dealer demonstrator cars; or show cars requiring a perfectly flat, mirror-like reflection. Because this removes significant clear coat to level deep scratches, we must inspect the vehicle first to ensure it is safe to proceed.

Question 5

Why is your professional coating a better value than a cheap DIY kit?

Accepted Answer

That's a perfectly fair question. When you see a DIY ceramic coating kit online for $100 and a professional service listed for over $1,000, it’s natural to wonder where the value is. We want to be transparent about this.

First, let's acknowledge that there are tons of DIY kits available—some are great, and some are garbage. If you're a hands-on person who is skilled with tools and genuinely enjoys the challenge of a weekend project, then a high-quality DIY kit might be the right path for you.

But for our clients, the value comes from a combination of factors that simply can't be bottled into a DIY kit. This is where we shine (pun intended).

1. The Product: Certified, Professional-Only Coatings We have been doing this professionally since 2018, and in that time, we have tested and sourced the best "professional-only" ceramic coatings on the market. These are formulas that you cannot buy, even if you wanted to. They are sold only to certified, vetted, and trained installers because of their chemistry and specific application requirements. This ensures a higher level of durability, gloss, and performance than what is available to the consumer market.

2. The Process: The Value is in the Service, Not Just the Bottle A ceramic coating is only as good as the surface it's applied to. The vast majority of the cost and labor in a professional application comes from the meticulous preparation work done before the coating ever touches your car. Our clients are paying for:

Expert Paint Correction: The craft of machine polishing to remove swirls and scratches, creating a flawless canvas.

The Right Tools: An investment of thousands of dollars in professional lighting, machine polishers, and measurement devices to ensure a perfect result.

Time & Environment: The hours and sometimes days of labor performed in a controlled environment to ensure the coating cures correctly without dust or contamination.

3. The Client: It's a Service for Those Who Value Time and Guaranteed Results The DIY market isn't really our target customer, and that's okay. We are happy for any guy or gal who can expertly maintain their own car. Our clients come to us for specific reasons:

They don't have the 10-20+ hours to dedicate to properly prepping and coating a car.

They don't have thousands of dollars of specialized tools and the experience to use them safely.

They recognize there is a distinct craft to this art and want a guaranteed, professional outcome.

They understand the total value is in the service and peace of mind, not just the product cost.

A Critical Warning: Not All "Professionals" Are Created Equal This brings up an interesting and vital point—you absolutely need to vet the company you're selecting. Unfortunately, we have seen all the potential negatives of a bad application (high spots, unevenness, premature failure) done by so-called "professionals."

At this point, we would suggest you head to our main ceramic coating page. Take a few more minutes and read up on what you should be looking for before you fall victim to a ceramic coating scam. We believe an educated customer is the best customer, whether you choose us or not.

Question 6

What's the "trick" to lifetime ceramic coating warranties?

Accepted Answer

We believe in complete transparency, and this is an area where the industry can be confusing.

You may see "lifetime warranties" advertised elsewhere. Often, the hidden secret is that this requires you to sign up for a mandatory and expensive annual service contract. If you miss just one of these paid services, the "lifetime warranty" is voided—it's less of a warranty and more of a required service contract that was not explained upfront.

Our approach is honest and different. Our Level II and III Gyeon coatings come with a true 5-year manufacturer's warranty that only requires simple, regular washing. For clients who do want a lifetime of protection, we offer an optional annual maintenance service at a reasonable cost. It's a simple, straightforward way to ensure your investment lasts, not a trick to lock you into a service contract you weren't expecting.

Paint Protection Film

PPF Options & Package Pricing

Ceramic Coating

Window Tint

Tesla

Ceramic Coating Costs & Package Prices

Passenger Car

Level 3: Premium

Coverage: Paint, Glass, Trim & Rims

Passenger Car

Level 2: Standard

Coverage: Paint Only

Passenger Car

Level 1: Economy

Coverage: Paint Only

Ceramic Coating Add-Ons

Interior Ceramic Shield

Wheel Ceramic Shield

Glass Ceramic Shield

Ceramic Trim Defense

Heavy Paint Correction

Service Specifications

Overview:

Polishing / Paint Correction Note:

Vehicle Examples:

Turnaround Time:

Mid-Size SUV

Level 3: Premium

Coverage: Paint, Glass, Trim & Rims

Mid-Size SUV

Level 2: Standard

Coverage: Paint Only

Mid-Size SUV

Level 1: Economy

Coverage: Paint Only

Ceramic Coating Add-Ons

Interior Ceramic Shield

Wheel Ceramic Shield

Glass Ceramic Shield

Ceramic Trim Defense

Heavy Paint Correction

Service Specifications

Overview:

Polishing / Paint Correction Note:

Vehicle Examples:

Turnaround Time:

Full-Size SUV Truck

Level 3: Premium

Coverage: Paint, Glass, Trim & Rims

Full-Size SUV Truck

Level 2: Standard

Coverage: Paint Only

Full-Size SUV Truck

Level 1: Economy

Coverage: Paint Only

Ceramic Coating Add-Ons

Interior Ceramic Shield

Wheel Ceramic Shield

Glass Ceramic Shield

Ceramic Trim Defense

Heavy Paint Correction

Service Specifications

Overview:

Polishing / Paint Correction Note:

Vehicle Examples:

Turnaround Time:

Sports Car / Exotic

Level 3: Premium

Coverage: Paint, Glass, Trim & Rims

Sports Car / Exotic

Level 2: Standard

Coverage: Paint Only

Sports Car / Exotic

Level 1: Economy

Coverage: Paint Only

Ceramic Coating Add-Ons

Interior Ceramic Shield

Wheel Ceramic Shield

Glass Ceramic Shield

Ceramic Trim Defense