Which brand of ceramic coating is right for me?
You are spilt for choice when it comes to different brands of ceramic coatings, and the good news is that most are very good, so it is hard to go wrong.
Almost all the major brands provide a range of ceramic paint coatings, providing different levels of protection so you whether you are keeping your car for 3-years or the rest of your life, they have a product for you.
They will be eager to protect the reputation of their product and brand, and so will ensure their outlets are properly equipped, trained and will have issued accreditation.
They may also have additional coatings for wheels, glass, fabric seats, leather and cabriolet hoods. Most of the major brands will have everything you need.
The difference between the different brands is how they package it all up and sell it to you. Even within brands, different outlets may do that differently.
What type of customer are you?
Whether you go to a traditional detailing shop like us, or to a guy who has converted his home garage into a studio, or a fancy boutique in Chelsea, the end results should be pretty much the same even though they are all aimed at slightly different kinds of customers.
There are certain brands that very much aim at the super-car market, and their outlets cater to the type of customer who can afford those cars. They are not just selling the ceramic coating, but also selling "the experience". Obviously, you can expect to pay a premium for this service.
There are outlets who are targeting the car enthusiast market, and they will go above and beyond to polish and coat areas of a car you probably didn't even know existed, but which might be important to an enthusiast who displays their car at car shows. As perfection is so important for show cars, they may spend several days machine polishing your car, removing imperfections that the average person wouldn't even notice. If this is what you desire, there are plenty of outlets who will attempt paintwork perfection, and be willing to take the wheels off, coat calipers and make your engine bay cleaner than a kitchen in an expensive restaurant.
However, the average customer just wants their paintwork protected and to get the benefit of a car which is easier to maintain. You will probably opt to have your wheels protected too and if you have seats which are prone to staining or damage, you can have a fabric or leather protector in with your package. There are certainly plenty of companies that are willing to do that without the additional expense and fuss.
Our advice is to look at the companies in your area, talk to them, see what they have to offer and at what price. While we strongly advise you go with a reputable brand with accredited outlets, but don't worry too much about the brand. The top brands became market leaders because they packaged up their products well and got to market first, not because the product is far superior in quality to other lesser known brands.
In order for you to get a quotation, an outlet will need to see your car and it's condition. So at the very least you will need to send them a video. If you can't do this, arrange a visit. Before you buy, make sure you have a quote for the whole job, including polishing and any extras, this will help you to compare like with like. There really is no harm in shopping around.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 13/02/2023 15:31