The right coating, and the right shop to put it on
What ceramic coating really does, what it costs, the products worth buying, and the best coating specialists in your state. No shop can pay to rank here.
The questions everyone asks first
Is ceramic coating worth it?
For a car you plan to keep a few years, usually yes. Washing gets easier and the gloss holds. It will not stop rock chips.
Read the full answerHow much does it cost?
About $950 for a professional coating. Half of the prices shops post fall between $600 and $1,399.
Read the full answerCoating or paint protection film?
Film stops rock chips and scratches. Coating does not. Plenty of owners put film on the front end and coat the rest.
Read the full answerCan I do it myself?
Yes, if you have a garage and can polish paint first. The prep is most of the job, and it is where DIY coatings go wrong.
Read the full answerHow long does it last?
Pro coatings are sold as one to seven years or more. How the car is washed decides where in that range yours lands.
Read the full answerHow do I look after it?
Wash it every week or two with a pH-neutral shampoo, dry it with a clean towel, and skip automatic brush washes.
Read the full answerWhat people pay
Taken from 3,209 prices that 569 shops post on their own websites. Your quote will depend on the car, its paint and the package.
The best coating specialists, state by state
Shops that do coating and film as their main work, ranked on brand certifications, published prices and what their customers say. A shop can claim its listing for free, but it can never buy a better spot.
- Alabama85
- Alaska3
- Arizona271
- Arkansas39
- California1225
- Colorado203
- Connecticut88
- Delaware22
- District of Columbia1
- Florida1010
- Georgia256
- Hawaii31
- Idaho51
- Illinois233
- Indiana125
- Iowa41
- Kansas49
- Kentucky44
- Louisiana84
- Maine18
- Maryland129
- Massachusetts125
- Michigan209
- Minnesota82
- Mississippi39
- Missouri92
- Montana18
- Nebraska33
- Nevada102
- New Hampshire34
- New Jersey170
- New Mexico48
- New York279
- North Carolina249
- North Dakota21
- Ohio245
- Oklahoma66
- Oregon100
- Pennsylvania224
- Rhode Island23
- South Carolina125
- South Dakota14
- Tennessee148
- Texas675
- Utah138
- Vermont5
- Virginia184
- Washington209
- West Virginia27
- Wisconsin96
- Wyoming13
What to buy, and what to skip
For the DIY coating and the wash routine that keeps a coating working. We earn a commission on Amazon purchases, and it never decides what we recommend.
Who's behind this site
Trevor Rupe edits TopDetailers.com and CeramicCoating.com. He is a car enthusiast with hands-on detailing experience. He edits every guide here and decides how shops are listed. Rankings are never for sale, and if a shop's listing is wrong, the owner can claim it and fix it for free.
Run a coating or film shop?
Get listed or claim your listing for free. Add your packages, prices, certifications and photos.
Get listed freeMake or sell coatings?
Reach people who are about to buy. Sponsorships are always labeled, and they never touch rankings or reviews.
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