Ceramic Coating Cheshire

CERAMIC COATING CHESHIRE

Ceramic coating service in Cheshire. Have your vehicle protected with the highest quality coatings to keep the surfaces shielded for years to come. Choose from a 1-year, 3-year or 7-year ceramic coating.

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CERAMIC COATING PACKAGES IN CHESHIRE

1-YEAR CERAMIC COATING

From £400

This package includes a single-stage enhancement polish to remove minor clear coat defects and a 1-year ceramic coating to lock in the gloss

3-YEAR CERAMIC COATING

From £550

Upgrade to a 3-year ceramic coating for long-term protection of the exterior surfaces. This also includes a single-stage machine polish

7-YEAR CERAMIC COATING

From £600

Upgrade to a 7-year ceramic coating for the ultimate level of paintwork protection. This also includes a single-stage machine polish

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

Exterior safe-wash

Tar and iron deposit removal

Clay bar treatment

Machine polishing stage(s)

Ceramic coating application

Tyre & trim dressing application

Please note that this package does not include any interior work but this can be added as an extra if desired.

EXTRAS & ADD-ONS

WHEEL COATING

The alloy faces are deep cleaned to remove contaminants and then ceramic coated

£100

Book Package

GLASS COATING

Windows are polished and coated to improve visibility when driving in the rain

£60

Book Package

SOFT-TOP PROTECTION

The fabric is deep cleaned and protected to help keep shield the roof from the environment

£50

Book Package

INTERIOR DEEP CLEAN

The interior is treated to a thorough deep clean leaving all the surfaces refreshed

£90

Book Package

INTERIOR COATING

The leather and plastics are protected from UV and spillages using dedicated interior coatings

£60

Book Package

WHAT IS A CERAMIC COATING?

Ceramic coatings are chemical polymers which are in liquid form, but when applied to a vehicle, harden to form an extremely durable layer of protection. Ceramic coatings can be applied to most surfaces including the paint, glass, wheels, plastic trim, and leather.

BENEFITS OF CERAMIC COATINGS

Exceptional Durability

Chemical Resistance

Extreme Depth of Gloss

Repels Water and Dirt

★★★★★

GET IN TOUCH

To get your vehicle booked in, get in touch with Heather, please send an email

Email: heather@autocarehq.com

CERAMIC COATING PROCESS

The ceramic coating application process is intensive and requires a level of skill to ensure the installation is successful. Here is a step-by-step explanation of the preparation and application steps involved in the ceramic coating package.

Step 1. Exterior Wash

The car is firstly washed using safe-techniques and premium shampoos and microfiber wash mitts. This includes a thorough clean of the entire wheel surface (arches, alloy barrels/ faces and tyres), a two-stage pre-wash and hand-wash.

Step 2. Decontamination

To remove embedded contamination and leave the paintwork completely smooth, the car is chemically decontaminated using iron remover, tar remover, and mineral deposit remover sprays. It then receives a clay bar treatment to remove any remaining bonded contaminants.

Step 3. Paint Depth Inspection

To check the thickness of the paint before machine polishing, a Paint Depth Gauge is used. A full report of the readings will also be provided to the owner to show the thickness before and after coating application.

Step 4. Paint Condition Inspection

An inspection light is then used to assess the paint defects and find a suitable pad and polish combination to improve gloss and remove swirl marks without being overly aggressive.

Step 5. Machine Polishing

The paintwork is then machine polished to remove the defects and enhance the gloss. The result is a mirror-finish which is ready to be locked in by the coating.

Step 6. Coating Preparation

In order to remove any polishing oils, a panel wipe solution is used. This ensures that the surface is completely free from any residues to allow the ceramic coating to bond properly.

Step 7. Coating Application

You have the choice of either a 1-year, 5-year or 7-year ceramic coating application to the paintwork. You can also upgrade the package to include the application of a coating to the alloy faces, glass, exterior trim, and exhaust.

Step 8. Tyre Conditioner

To not only complete the freshly detailed look, but also to protect the rubber, a tyre conditioner is applied. This is not your typical shiny tyre gel, but a unique formulation which hydrates the rubber to keep it in excellent condition.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which surfaces can be ceramic coated?

Ceramic coatings can be applied to:

– Paintwork
– Glass
– Alloys
– Painted callipers
– Exhaust
– Metal trim
– Black plastic trim
– Leather
– Interior plastics

Different ceramic coatings are used for various surfaces to ensure the best performance. For example, the properties of a glass coating are slightly different to the properties of an interior trim coating.

How long do ceramic coatings last?

Ceramic coatings last for 3 years on average but can last for 1-7 years. The durability of the coating depends on the type of coating itself, how it was applied and how it is cared for.
The grade of the coating affects the durability, which is affected by how much silicon dioxide is in the formulation. It is also essential to prepare the surface properly before coating it as otherwise the coating will not bond. Caring for the ceramic coating properly is also essential to ensure it performs properly for its intended lifespan.
Here is a link to an article with more information on the durability of ceramic coatings.

How do you wash and maintain a ceramic coated vehicle?

It is essential that a ceramic coating is cared for properly to ensure it performs to the highest standard and does not become damaged.
It is recommended that a ceramic coated vehicle is washed at least monthly, but ideally every couple of weeks especially if the car is driven frequently and stored outside. This prevents the coating from becoming “clogged” which masks the hydrophobic and slick properties.

Here are some key rules to keep in mind when washing and maintaining a ceramic coated car. If you are looking for more detail, please read this article.
Never take a ceramic coated car to an automatic car wash or cheap roadside hand-washing station. This will cause the coating to become scratches and aggressive chemicals will degrade the coating.

– Always pre-wash the vehicle before making contact with a wash mitt. This can be with a citrus pre-wash spray or snow foam.
– Use a pH neutral, pure shampoo to wash the coating. Do not used wax-infused or gloss-enhancing shampoos, or any household products which will damage or clog the coating.
– Use microfiber mitts to wash the car, and never use sponges or brushes.
– Don’t scrub at the paintwork with your wash mitt. Use plenty of lubrication and wipe gently to avoid scratches.
– Don’t wash the car in direct sunlight because the water and chemicals will dry on the surface very quickly.
– Use a microfiber towel to gently dry the car. Never water blades (squeegees), chamois leather or bath towels.

It is also recommended to perform a “decontamination wash” roughly every 6 months on a ceramic coated car which involves using tar remover, iron fallout remover and an acidic shampoo to tackle mineral deposits which can clog the coating. This ensures the coating performs to its maximum capability.

If you do not feel confident washing the vehicle yourself then I offer a maintenance programme to keep the exterior and interior of the vehicle in check on a monthly basis. Please visit the valeting services page and view the “full vehicle maintenance” package for more information.

How much do ceramic coatings cost?

Auto Care HQ offers several ceramic coating packages to suit different budgets. These packages all include a minimum of a single-stage machine polish (and full decontamination preparation) prior to applying the coating to ensure the best finish and durability.

– 1-year paintwork ceramic coating: from £400
– 3-year paintwork ceramic coating: from £550

Extras:
– 1-year glass coating: from £40
– 2-year alloy (faces only) coating: from £80
– Exterior plastic trim coating: from £40
– Interior coating: from £60

What is the ceramic coating application process?

Most of the steps involved in a ceramic coating service actually happen before the coating is applied. An extensive preparation process is required as otherwise the finish will be poor and the durability will be nowhere near the capability of the coating.

Here is a rundown of the steps involved:
– Pre-wash of the vehicle using a citrus-spray/ snow foam
– Hand-wash of the paintwork using a decontamination shampoo
– Iron fallout deposit removal
– Tar deposit removal
– Clay bar treatment to remove the remaining contaminants
– Drying stage using warm, filtered air and a microfiber towel
– Taping of any plastic trim surrounding the paintwork to mask it
– Machine polishing the paintwork to enhance gloss and remove clear coat defects
– Panel wipe solution to remove oils and residues
– Application of the coating by spreading with an applicator pad and then removing the residue with microfiber towels
– Inspection with an LED light to ensure there are no “high-spots”
– The coating is then left to cure and cannot get wait for the required time (4-24 hours depending on the coating)

How long does it take to apply a ceramic coating?

The process of applying a ceramic coating typically takes 1-2 days to complete. There is some variability as it depends on how much paint correction the vehicle requires before the coating application process.

You also need to factor in any curing times. Some ceramic coatings must be kept indoors and dry for up to 24 hours after application in which case the detailer will usually keep the vehicle with them for this time.

To cut down the amount of time I require your vehicle for, I use very high-quality coatings which have a shorter curing time of just 4 hours before they can be exposed to the elements. This means I aim to complete the job within a single day, providing no extra services are required.

Do ceramic coatings prevent scratches?

Ceramic coatings do not prevent scratches in a car’s paintwork and they do not protect the car against rock chips. However, they do provide a some level of protection against swirl marks and marring which can be inflicted when washing the car. Ceramic coatings also do not remove, hide or cover scratches. The paintwork must be polished prior to applying the ceramic coating to ensure the scratches are removed beforehand and not locked in by the coating.

Is a ceramic coating worth it?

Ceramic coatings offer several advantages over traditional waxes and sealants including:

– Exceptional durability
– Chemical resistance
– Extreme gloss and slickness
– Ultra-hydrophobicity
– UV protection

These properties ensure that the vehicle stays protected for years to come and looks cleaner between washes. Ceramic coatings are certainly an investment in the aesthetic condition of a vehicle with the only disadvantages really being the additional cost (compared to less durable waxes and sealants) and more labour intensive preparation and application process.

Check out this article on the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic coatings to learn more.