MF/CCeramic coating
Ceramic coating, done in the studio.
A coating is only as good as the paint underneath it and the care taken applying it. Ours go on in the Kilburn studio, and every car is inspected under LED light before it leaves.
- WhereKilburn studio
- HandoverLED inspection
MF/C1What it does
Protection, not armour.
Ceramic coatings get oversold. The plain version: a coating forms a hard, slick, glossy layer on top of your clear coat. That changes how the paint behaves day to day, but it doesn’t make the car invincible.
What a coating does
- Adds depth and gloss, especially on dark paint
- Makes water bead and run off
- Helps dirt, dust and bird droppings let go when you wash
- Makes washing quicker and easier
- Protects the clear coat from everyday grime
What it won’t do
- Stop stone chips
- Prevent deep scratches or dents
- Remove swirls that are already there (that’s paint correction)
- Mean the car never needs washing
How long a coating lasts depends on the product and how the car is kept. We’ll talk you through the options for your car when we quote.
MF/C2The process
How a coating goes on.
A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, good or bad. That’s why the work before the coating matters as much as the coating itself.
Wash and decontaminate
A thorough wash, then the bonded grit and fallout a wash leaves behind are lifted off the paint.
Correct
Machine polishing takes out swirls and scratches where the paint needs it, so the coating seals in a clean finish.
Coat
The coating is applied panel by panel in the studio.
Inspect and hand over
Every panel is checked under LED light for high spots and missed areas before the keys come back.
MF/C3Care after
Looking after a coated car.
A coating makes washing easier, not optional. These habits keep it doing its job.
Do
- Wash with a pH-neutral car shampoo
- Use two buckets and a clean wash mitt
- Dry with a soft, clean microfibre towel
- Rinse off bird droppings and bugs soon after they land
- Wash in the shade, on cool paint
Avoid
- Automatic brush car washes
- Harsh degreasers and strong detergents on the paint
- Dish soap and household cleaners
- Wiping a dusty car dry
Ask us when your car can have its first wash after coating, as it depends on the product used.
MF/C4Questions
Ceramic coating, answered.
How long does a ceramic coating last?
It depends on the coating used and how the car is looked after, so we don’t quote a one-size number. When you ask for a quote, we’ll explain the options for your car and how long each is designed to last.
Is a coating worth it on a brand new car?
A new car is the best time. The paint hasn’t picked up swirls yet, so there’s less to correct first, and the protection is on before the first wash marks appear. See new car protection on the services page.
Do I need paint correction before coating?
A coating seals in whatever is underneath, including swirls, so paint with visible swirls usually benefits from correction first. A new car often needs very little. Tell us the car’s age and condition when you ask for a quote.
Will a coating stop stone chips and scratches?
No. A coating resists light marring and makes cleaning easier, but stone chips and deeper scratches go through it. Anyone who tells you a coating is scratch-proof is overselling it.
Can a coating be applied at my home?
No. Ceramic coatings are applied in the Kilburn studio. Mobile details come to you; coatings and paint correction happen in the studio.
MF/C5Get a quote
Ready to coat it?
Send the make, model and year, and roughly how the paint looks now. We’ll come back to you with a quote.