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Side-by-side comparison

Ceramic Coating vs Paint Correction

Real comparison from a working detail shop, not a generic SEO matrix. We do both — here's how each fits.

  Ceramic Coating Paint Correction
Short version Professional ceramic coating with full paint prep. Multi-year hydrophobic protection on properly corrected paint. Machine polish to remove swirl marks, scratches, water etching, and oxidation. Single-stage or two-stage depending on paint condition.
Typical price $799 – $2400 $449 – $1499
Duration Two days. Vehicle stays with us overnight to cure. Six to twelve hours. Two days for two-stage on heavily defected paint.
Recovery / lasts 48 hours no water contact, 7 days before machine washing 24 hours before rain or detailer's wash if no sealant is applied immediately after
What's included
  • Two-bucket decontamination wash
  • Iron and tar removal
  • Clay bar treatment
  • Panel-by-panel paint correction (single or two stage)
  • Alcohol panel wipe to strip oils
  • Ceramic coating application (your choice of 2-year, 5-year, or 9-year tier)
  • IPA leveling pass after application
  • Tire and trim ceramic on request
  • Decon wash and clay bar
  • Paint depth measurement
  • Section-by-section polish with foam pads
  • Defect reduction documented with before/after photos
  • Sealant or wax to protect the corrected finish
Not the right call when Skip ceramic coating if you sell or trade cars every 2 years — the cost does not return in resale at that horizon. Get a polish and seal instead. If the paint has been polished thin already, or if there is a deep scratch into the basecoat, correction will not save it. We use a paint depth gauge to tell you when to stop.

About Ceramic Coating

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About Paint Correction

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Not sure which fits? Tell us your situation.

Ceramic Pro Authorized Installer Serving the Raleigh area Mon-Sat 8am-7pm

We respond by text or call, usually within a few hours.