How much does ceramic coating typically cost?

It is almost impossible to say because there really isn't a 'typical', but you should expect to pay upwards of £500 for a new, medium-sized car.

The cost of a ceramic coating depends more on the condition and size of the car than on the actual coating. Applying the coating is just the final stage on the process where your car is polished and make as near perfect is as economically viable. Therefore, the cost of the service is, polishing and preparation plus ceramic coating, with the former often being the larger part of the cost. Some companies will advertise the cost of the coating without including the cost of the preparation, making them seem much cheaper.

A used car will be more expensive than a new car, a small town car will be less expensive than a mini-bus, and a 3-year coating is less expensive than a 10-year coating.

If you want to know how much it will cost, the best thing to do is ask. For the detailer to get an accurate quotation, they will need to do an inspection, or at least see photos and video of the condition of the car.

Why prices for ceramic coatings vary so much

When you ask how much a ceramic coating costs, you are really asking about a whole package – inspection, preparation, polishing, the coating itself and often some level of warranty and aftercare. Two quotes that look miles apart on price are usually not for the same amount of work.

The main drivers are the size and shape of the car, the condition of the paintwork, the quality of the products used and how many hours are set aside to do the job properly.

What you are actually paying for

Most of the cost in a proper ceramic package is time, not liquid in a bottle.

• Inspection and preparation – wash, decontamination, clay and masking so the car is truly clean and ready to polish.
• Machine polishing – anything from a light gloss enhancement to multi-stage correction, depending on how marked the paint is.
• Coating application – carefully layering the chosen coating, allowing the right flash and cure times panel by panel.
• Curing and checks – safe storage while the coating hardens, and a final inspection so high spots and misses are picked up.
• Product and overheads – professional grade coatings, lighting, controlled environment, insurance and training all sit behind the invoice.

Cheaper packages usually save money by cutting time from one or more of those stages, not by some magic cheaper version of the same work.

Typical pricing tiers you will see

Although every car and business is different, most ceramic coating menus follow a similar pattern.

• Entry level / gloss enhancement packages – suited to newer cars in reasonable condition, with lighter polishing and a single coating layer on paintwork only.
• Standard correction and coating – more machine polishing to deal with visible swirls, usually with coating on paint and key trims, sometimes wheels and glass options.
• Major correction / restoration packages – for harder used or enthusiast cars, allowing more time for defect removal and multiple layers or premium variants of coating.
• Add-ons – coating wheels, glass, interiors, convertible roofs or additional vehicles all stack on top of the core package.

When you compare quotes, it is worth checking which tier you are looking at in each case, rather than just the headline price.

Factors that push costs up or down

Beyond the basic package level, a few practical details make a big difference to the final figure.

• Vehicle size and shape – large 4x4s, vans and very complex bodywork simply take longer to wash, polish and coat than a small hatchback.
• Paint condition – heavily swirled, scratched or oxidised paint needs more polishing stages and test spots than lightly marked factory paint.
• Colour and finish – dark, soft and black cars show every defect and usually take more refinement work than forgiving light colours.
• Extras chosen – including wheels off coating, glass, interiors and engine bays all adds honest time to the job.
• Travel and logistics – mobile work, collection and delivery, or storage for several days will all be reflected somewhere in the price.

This is why asking “how much for a ceramic coating” without any detail is a bit like asking “how much for a building extension” – the range is wide for good reason.

Red flags with very cheap ceramic coatings

Bargains do exist, but some low prices come from cutting corners you cannot see on the day.

• Little or no discussion of paint inspection, decontamination or machine polishing, just “wash and coat”.
• Very short booking slots that do not leave enough time to carry out everything promised on the menu.
• Coatings sold as “lifetime” or “permanent” with no mention of inspections, aftercare or what happens if there is a problem.
• Heavy reliance on buzzwords – nano, titanium, graphene – but vague answers when you ask what preparation is included.

Often, extremely cheap “ceramic” deals are really retail style sealants or quick dealer packages, not the same as a fully prepared, high-solids professional coating.

How to compare quotes fairly

Rather than chasing the cheapest or assuming the most expensive is automatically best, it helps to compare the contents of each package.

• Ask for a written breakdown of what is included – inspection, preparation, how many stages of polishing, what is coated and which products are used.
• Check how long the car will be with them and how that time is split between preparation, polishing and coating.
• Look at photos or, better, real cars they have coated and how those finishes look in daylight, not just under soft showroom lights.
• Read the warranty and aftercare information so you know what you are expected to do, and what help you get if something goes wrong.

Once you have that detail, you can make an informed decision about value rather than just price.

Choosing a budget that makes sense for you

The right spend depends as much on your plans for the car as it does on the chemistry in the bottle.

• If you will keep the car for many years and hate swirl marks, investing in thorough correction and a strong coating usually pays back over time.
• If the car is on a short lease or due to be sold soon, a lighter package or even a good non-ceramic protection may be more sensible.
• If funds are tight, it can be better to put budget into careful machine polishing and a solid mid-range protection than stretch for a premium label with minimal preparation.
• Whatever level you choose, safe washing and periodic maintenance are what ultimately protect your investment.

Framed this way, the useful question is less “what is the going rate for ceramic” and more “what level of preparation and protection will keep this particular car in the condition I want for the years I plan to own it”.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/12/2025 10:52