Ceramic Coating and Paint Correction Specialists Highland Park, IL

Ceramic Coating installer Prices near Highland Park?

What do ceramic coatings cost and how do you know if you should pay the price? Let’s get some clear answers...

Below I’ve given a simple breakdown of average ceramic coating prices based on vehicle size and average coating choice (8 year warrantied ceramic coating)

Compact/Sports Car: $600-$1000

Sedan: $800-$1300

Small SUV/Truck: $900-$1500

Standard SUV/Truck/Jeep: $1000-$1700

XL SUV/XL Truck: $1000-$2000

Why Ceramic Coating for Cars is Expensive?

To better understand ceramic coating prices, it’s important to understand what is required in order to apply a ceramic coating properly.

The pre-wash wash - where we remove as much surface dirt and grime from vehicle as possible all with without touching the paint.

Traditional car washing - which is exactly what you think! After surface dirt is removed, it’s time for us to wash the paint with our multi step process called Decontamination Wash. Next is the iron removal phase. If you’re not from the detailing world, that phrase probably means nothing to you. Most people aren’t aware of the tiny contaminants that sit on your car’s paint that are not removed through the washing process. These contaminants are single handedly responsible for long term paint damage! We are sure to remove all iron contaminants before moving on to the next step.

Nearing the end of our decontamination process we move into ‘clay barring’ the paint and glass. After a trip to your local carwash have you ever ran you hand over the car paint and felt a rough, gritty feeling surface? This is caused by the tiny contaminants that are stuck on your car. The clay bar phase of our preparation process allows us to remove any and all of the final contaminants that are embedded in the paint leaving behind a super smooth and clear surface that you’ve probably never felt before.

Last but not least we move into the final wipe down & solvent removal stage. This phase is exactly what it sounds like. We use a specific type of chemical that will remove any last minute oils, residues, waxes, sealants or any other chemical that is left on the surface of the paint.

Step 2: Paint Correction & Ceramic Coating Prices

Now that the car paint has been completely cleaned and stripped in preparation for the ceramic coating application, it’s finally time to level out the clear coat and remove some scratches. Because ceramic coatings are the most durable form of long term paint protection that exists in the detailing industry, any little imperfection that is in the paint is there to stay as soon as the coating is applied. Here in Highland Park, IL… we get rain, snow, ice, hail, pollen, bugs, and pretty much anything else you can think of that would damage car paint! For that reason, it’s necessary for us to go through a paint correction stage prior to the ceramic coating application in order to remove paint imperfections, and create a smooth surface with which the ceramic coating can bond. There are 2 major types of paint correction: Paint Enhancement & Paint Correction.

What is Paint Correction?

Paint correction is nothing more than more aggressive paint enhancement. Can you see the pattern here? When we are dealing with a vehicle whose paint is REALLY DAMAGED, or a customer who has a detailed eye, we will perform paint correction in order to remove the maximum amount of scratches, swirls, etchings, and paint imperfections as possible. Once again, this is necessary not only for visual appeal, but to create a smooth surface with which the ceramic coating can bond to the paint.

Do I Have To Get Paint Correction To Get A Ceramic Coating?

The simple answer is: Yes & No. Ok… maybe it’s not so simple. We have many customers who understand what paint correction is, and who realize that with it, the ceramic coating will have a longer life span, but they choose not to get any correction done because they want a lower price. While there are situations when paint correction is necessary, there are also situations where it can be optional, and we love talking with our customers about the difference. Even the most surface level of paint enhancement will extend the life of the ceramic coating, create an amazingly glossy, beautiful surface, and maximize your dollars spent… so we like to say: “It’s your choice… but we are biased”

Step 3: Ceramic Coating Application

After all of that work… It's time to install the ceramic coating. You know how a surgeon goes to school for 8-12 years before they ever cut into an actual person? Most of the work is in the PREP! That is a great way to understand ceramic coatings. While there is a lot of technical skill included in the ceramic coating application… most of the time and labor is done in the preparation! Ceramic coating installations take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the vehicle, but the preparation takes ALL of the other hours. Depending on the amount of paint correction done, a ceramic coating installation can take somewhere between a single day, and 2 to 3 days to finish. We really hope this sheds light on why ceramic coatings come with this price tag… in addition to having a lifetime protection on your vehicle!