Ceramic coating and paint protection in Sydney

What is ceramic coating?

Ceramic coating, also called nano-ceramic, is a liquid polymer applied to the outside of a car. Once it cures, it forms a thin, hard, invisible layer on top of the clear coat, so the paint itself no longer meets the outside world.

It is made mainly from silicon dioxide, blended with other ingredients that differ between manufacturers. Those ingredients are what make it bond to the paint and last for years rather than weeks. Think of it as the modern, far longer-lasting version of wax and paint sealant.

Why protect your paint

The biggest benefit is protection from UV. Sydney sun fades and dulls paint in just a few years, especially on cars parked outside every day. Picture a hot day at the beach without sunscreen: on paint, the burn never heals, it only gets worse.

A coating also shields the paint from bird and bat droppings, tree sap, acidic rain and the harsh soaps and degreasers used at some car washes. Because it repels water and dirt, less sticks to the car in the first place, so it stays cleaner for longer and washes in half the time. Light wash marks and swirls are reduced too.

How we apply it

Applying the coating itself is the easy part. The preparation is what takes the time and the experience, because the coating locks in whatever is underneath it.

First the car is washed thoroughly, including the wheels and door jambs, then treated with a clay bar to remove bonded contamination. On used cars we then machine polish the paint, usually in two or three stages, to remove swirls and light scratches. After polishing, every panel is wiped down to remove any polish residue, and only then is the Gtechniq coating applied, one panel at a time, and levelled by hand.

• Wheels degreased and pressure cleaned
• Pressure rinse, shampoo wash and door jambs
• Clay bar treatment
• Machine cut and polish, 1 to 3 stages (used cars)
• Panel wipe
• Gtechniq coating, exterior glass and tyre shine

How long does ceramic coating last?

Because a coating bonds chemically with the paint, a car kept indoors could in theory hold it almost indefinitely. In the real world, paint is exposed to sun, rain and road grime, which is why no manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty. Most brands offer somewhere between 3 and 7 years.

We give every customer the choice of a 5-year or 9-year warranty, depending on the Gtechniq product, and the warranty is provided by Gtechniq itself. Wash the car the way we show you at handover and the coating will do its job for the full period.

How much does ceramic coating cost in Sydney?

Our Gtechniq ceramic coating starts from $999. The final price depends on four things:

• Vehicle size: a hatch or small sedan takes less time and product than a large SUV, 4WD or seven-seater.
• Paint condition: a new car needs little or no polishing, while a used car with swirl marks is machine polished first, which is usually the biggest part of the job.
• Package: you choose a 5 or 9-year warranty.
• Add-ons: wheel, glass and interior protection.

We confirm the exact price in a free quote before any work starts, so send the make and model and a few photos of the paint. See new car paint protection and paint correction and ceramic coating for what each job involves.

Is ceramic coating worth the price?

For most people who plan to keep their car for a few years, yes. A respray costs many times more than a coating, and faded or etched paint drags down resale value. A coating keeps the car looking close to showroom condition with far less effort.

If you're selling soon or the paint is already badly damaged, we'll tell you honestly whether a presale detail or paint correction on its own makes more sense.

Interior protection with a full coating

When we coat the whole car, we can also protect the inside. A fabric and leather coating makes spills bead up instead of soaking in, helps stop stains setting and reduces UV fading on seats and trims. It's offered as part of a full ceramic coating job, not as a stand-alone service.

Car paint protection options

There are four common ways to protect car paint, and they suit different owners. Wax adds gloss but lasts only a few weeks. A spray sealant lasts a few months. A ceramic coating bonds to the clear coat and protects the paint for years against UV, droppings, sap and road grime, which is why it's the most popular form of ceramic paint protection in Sydney. Paint protection film is a thick clear film that stops stone chips, usually fitted to the front of the car. Many owners combine film on the bonnet and bumper with a coating on the rest. Read ceramic coating vs paint protection film.

As well as Gtechniq ceramic coating, we apply graphene coatings for owners who prefer them, and we coat motorbikes too.

Mobile ceramic coating across Sydney

We do the whole job at your home or workplace, ideally in a garage or under a carport so the coating can cure dry. We cover Greater Sydney, including Macarthur, Wollondilly, the Sutherland Shire, Penrith, Western Sydney and the Illawarra. We also coat classic and vintage cars, which benefit from protection without the need for regular repainting.

Ceramic coating across Sydney

We apply Gtechniq ceramic coating at your home or workplace across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra. Find your area:

Artarmon, Bankstown, Blacktown, Caddens, Camden, Campbelltown, Caringbah, Cranebrook, Cronulla, Gledswood Hills, Gregory Hills, Guildford, Heathcote, Killara, Kingswood, Kirrawee, Lane Cove, Leumeah, Liverpool, Macarthur, Maroubra, Marsden Park, Miranda, Mount Annan, Mount Druitt, Oran Park, Parramatta, Penrith, Revesby, Rooty Hill, Rouse Hill, Spring Farm, St Marys, Turramurra, West Hoxton, Wollondilly

Not sure if it's right for your car? Read is ceramic coating worth it in Sydney, how it compares with paint protection film, and how to look after a coated car.