Are Ceramic Paint Coatings Really Worth the Cost?

How to know if your car is worth having a ceramic paint coating or not...

Are ceramic coatings really worth it?

You’ve heard me talk about the benefits of my ceramic paint coatings to help protect your car’s paint… but are they really worth the $998-$4998 price tag?

The answer is… not always, but usually “yes”.

Think of ceramic coatings as a long-term investment in your car, but you get to enjoy that investment the whole time you’re using it AND it pays you back in the end.

Let’s look at the simple math; 

Sure, your car is new now, but someday it will be a used car that you’ll want to sell/trade. 

And everyone knows that a used car with perfectly shiny paint is worth far more than a car that has been neglected and has blemishes, stains, and etchings from sap, bird poo, and bug splatters. (This is why even used car dealers, who are known to be the most frugal of all businesses, pay to polish every single car they sell, because they know it is the best investment they can make in resale value)

Since a used car is worth at least 10% more simply due to the condition of the paint, then a $3500 ceramic coating will easily pay for itself on a car that is worth at least $35,000.

Plus, you get the added benefit of actually enjoying a clean, shiny car the entire time you own it!

How’s that for a dividend?

Here’s a little breakdown on my packages with the best scenarios they pertain towards, this will help you feel confident that you're selecting the best coating that fits your specific needs.

$4998 “Max Protect” Package

This is the best coatings available on all your paint, glass, wheels, seats, and carpets.

Perfect for:

*Brand new vehicles over $35,000.

*Dark colored paint (especially black!)

*You’re keeping it at least 5 years.

*Has light-colored seats or carpets.

*You frequently eat in the car.

*You want the best of the best, period.

*Collector/investment cars.

*You want to maximize your resale value, and drive a clean car with minimal effort.

*You hate cleaning your wheels and/or they never seem to come clean without meticulous cleaning with a toothbrush (German cars especially).

$3498 “Exterior Only” Protection Package

(This is the same exterior protection as the Max Protect package, but does not include any interior protection.)

Perfect for:

*Vehicles over $35,000 value.

*Collector/investment cars.

*Dark colored interiors that don’t show stains/spills.

*You don’t eat in your car much.

$1998 “Budget Protection Package”

This is only a 2-layer ceramic coating on your paint, but it’s still a fantastic coating, it just won’t last a lifetime like the one I use in the Max Protect and Exterior Only packages.

Perfect for:

*You’re only keeping the car another 5-7 years.

*Vehicles under $35,000 value.

*No interior stain protection.

*Wheels are still coated for easier cleaning.

$998 “Cheapest Ceramic Coating Package”

This is the best “Over-The-Counter” ceramic coating you can buy. (Called Optimum Gloss Coat)

Perfect for:

*Vehicles that you’re going to keep less than 5 years.

*Vehicles under $35,000 value.

"When is a ceramic coating not a good fit for me?"

If you’re about to sell your car within the next 6 months, then it wouldn’t make sense to have a long-term ceramic coating installed on your car.

In that case, my “Pre-Sale Detail” package will get you the most bang for your dollars and help you sell your car quickly, and for much more money.

Or, if your car is under $6,000 in value it usually doesn’t make financial sense to pay for a $998+ ceramic coating to protect the paint. In these cases, it’s best to just have me wax your car periodically, or do it yourself.

For a free in-person consultation, just call me or stop by anytime Mon-Fri 8am-3pm. I'll answer any questions you may have about the benefits of ceramic paint coatings.

-Jason Barker