Ceramic Coating in Derby
A hard, glass-like layer bonded to the paint. Water beads off, dirt struggles to stick, and the corrected finish underneath stays protected for years rather than months.
What a coating does
A ceramic coating is a liquid that cures into a hard, transparent layer on top of the lacquer. It's far more durable than a wax or sealant and changes how the surface behaves.
- Water repellency. Rain beads and rolls off, taking loose dirt with it, so the car stays cleaner between washes.
- Easier cleaning. Road grime, bird droppings and brake dust release with less effort, so you can wash more gently and put fewer marks back in.
- Chemical and UV resistance. A sacrificial layer between the paint and the things that dull it.
- Gloss. A coating on properly corrected paint adds a sharp, wet-look depth.
What a coating doesn't do
Honest limits matter more with coatings than with anything else, because they're often oversold.
A coating is not scratch-proof. It adds some resistance to light marring, but a sponge or a bad wash will still scratch it. It won't stop stone chips — nothing that thin can. And it doesn't eliminate maintenance: a coated car still needs washing, just less often and with less effort.
It also won't hide defects. A coating locks in whatever is underneath, which is why it's applied after correction, not instead of it.
Coating vs correction
Correction removes defects that are already in the paint. Coating protects the paint from new ones. They're different jobs, priced separately.
Every coating we apply goes onto paint that has had at least a Gloss Enhancement, so the surface is clean, decontaminated and free of the marks you'd otherwise be sealing in. That's why coatings are listed as add-ons — except Stage Two, which includes the 7-year coating as standard.
Coating options
Coating prices are add-ons to Gloss Enhancement or Stage One. Stage Two already includes the 7-year coating. A coating needs corrected, clean paint underneath it, so it isn't sold on its own.
- 2-year coating+ £150
- 3-year coating+ £175
- 4–5-year coating+ £200
- 7-year coating+ £250
The rated duration assumes the aftercare below is followed. Prices are added to the correction package you choose — see paint correction prices. Wheels, glass, leather and trim can be coated separately — see extras.
Preparation and aftercare
Before. The paint is washed, decontaminated, clayed and corrected, then wiped with a panel prep so nothing sits between the lacquer and the coating. The coating is applied panel by panel and levelled by hand.
The first week. Coatings continue to cure after application. Keep the car dry where possible and don't wash it for the first seven days.
Ongoing. Wash with a pH-neutral shampoo, two buckets and a clean mitt. Avoid brush car washes. A ceramic booster spray every few months keeps the water behaviour sharp — this is included in every Maintenance Plan visit.
Ceramic coating questions
Which coating should I choose?
For a daily driver kept a few years, 2 or 3-year coatings are good value. For a car you're keeping long term, or one that lives outside, the 4–5 or 7-year options are harder-wearing and worth the difference.
Can you coat my car without correction?
No — a coating seals in whatever is underneath, so it's always applied to paint that's been at least gloss-enhanced. It's the difference between a good result and a permanent one.
Can I coat wheels, glass and interior?
Yes. Wheel, window, leather and trim coatings are listed as extras on the Services page, and a 2-year wheel coating comes free with every correction package.
Does a coating replace waxing?
Yes. Don't put wax over a coating; it masks the water behaviour. A booster spray is the right top-up.