Ceramic Coating, Applied at Your Home
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that chemically bonds to your clear coat and cures into a hard, hydrophobic layer. Unlike wax, it doesn't wash off in a few weeks — a properly applied coating lasts years and makes the car dramatically easier to keep clean.
Detailers offering ceramic coating
What's included
- Decontamination wash: iron removal, tar removal, and clay to strip the paint clean
- Paint correction — usually a one- or two-stage polish, because a coating locks in whatever is underneath
- Panel wipe with an alcohol or IPA solution so nothing blocks the bond
- Coating applied panel by panel, leveled by hand, and inspected under dedicated lighting
- Optional coating on wheels, glass, and trim, often quoted as add-ons
- Aftercare instructions and a cure window with no washing, usually 24 hours to 7 days
What's usually not included
- Scratch-proofing — a coating resists chemicals and light marring, not rock chips or door dings
- Dent, chip, and deep scratch repair; those need body work before coating
- Paint protection film (PPF), which is a physical clear film and a different product
- Permanent maintenance-free ownership; coatings still need proper washing and periodic decontamination
Time and price
Typical duration: 1 to 3 days including prep and cureTypical price: $500–$1,500 depending on coating and prep
Expect roughly $500 to $1,500 on Drip. Price is driven mostly by prep, not the bottle: a single-stage polish on a new car costs far less than two-stage correction on a ten-year-old daily driver, and longer-warranty coatings cost more than one-year products. Coverage matters too — adding wheels, glass, and trim raises the total.
Timing is the part people underestimate. Correction plus application usually spans a full day, sometimes two, and the coating needs a dry, protected cure window afterward. Mobile ceramic coating works best when you have a garage or covered space available; ask the detailer what they need before booking, because rain or sprinklers during cure can ruin an application.
Ceramic coating is worth it if you plan to keep the car, wash it properly, and want the paint to still look sharp in three to five years. If you just want a clean, protected car for a season, a sealant on an exterior detail delivers most of the visible benefit for a fraction of the cost. Drip detailers list which coating brands and durations they offer directly on their profiles.
How booking on Drip works
- Find coating specialists — Browse Drip detailers who list ceramic coating services in your area.
- Compare coatings and prep — Check which coating durations they offer and what paint correction is included in the price.
- Confirm your space — Message the detailer about your garage or covered parking and the cure window.
- Book and pay on completion — Your card is authorized at booking and charged once the coating job is marked complete.
Start from the Drip homepage or browse every detailer near you.
Ceramic Coating FAQ
How much does ceramic coating cost?
Most ceramic coating jobs on Drip land between $500 and $1,500. The biggest cost driver is the paint correction done beforehand, followed by coating durability and whether wheels, glass, and trim are included.
How long does a ceramic coating last?
Consumer coatings typically last two to five years with proper maintenance; entry-level products are closer to one year. Longevity depends heavily on how the car is washed, where it's parked, and whether it gets periodic decontamination.
Does ceramic coating prevent scratches?
No. A coating adds chemical resistance, UV protection, and slickness that reduces light wash marring, but it will not stop rock chips, door dings, or deliberate scratches. Paint protection film is the product for impact protection.
Can ceramic coating be applied at my house?
Yes, and most Drip detailers do it mobile — but they need a dry, sheltered space for the cure window and enough time for prep and correction. Confirm your setup with the detailer in the app before booking.
Related services
Paint CorrectionFull Car Detail
Ceramic Coating by city
Los Angeles, CARiverside, CAAnaheim, CASan Bernardino, CAMoreno Valley, CAHemet, CABellflower, CACudahy, CALake Forest, CALa Cañada Flintridge, CAAurora, ILColorado City, TX