Ceramic Coating & Paint Correction FAQ

It's a liquid layer that bonds to your clear coat and hardens into a slick, glossy shell. It makes your paint easier to clean, helps it shed water and dirt, and protects it from things like UV, bird droppings, and tree sap. Think of it as a much tougher, longer-lasting version of wax.

Every car gets Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light, rated for up to 5 years. We picked one coating we trust and use it on every job, so you get the same quality no matter what you drive.

Honestly, how you take care of the car after it's coated matters way more than which brand is on it. A great coating that's washed through an automatic car wash every week won't last. A solid coating that's maintained right will look great for years. We'd rather be straight with you than upsell you on a label.

No, and anyone who says it does is overselling. It helps resist light marring and makes the paint harder to damage during washing, but it won't stop rock chips, key scratches, or door dings. For chip protection on the front end, PPF (paint protection film) is the right tool.

Crystal Serum Light is rated for up to 5 years. Real-world lifespan depends on how the car is washed, whether it's garaged, and how hard Michigan weather hits it.

We think so. Between winter road salt and brine, spring pollen, tree sap, and summer sun, your paint takes a beating in Michigan. A coating makes all of that way easier to wash off before it can do damage.

Almost always, yes. A coating locks in whatever's underneath it, including swirls and scratches. We polish the paint first so you're sealing in a finish that actually looks good. Even brand new cars usually need some polishing, since dealership washes and shipping leave marks.

Yes, and it's the best time to do it. New cars still usually need a light polish first, but there's less work involved, and you're protecting the paint from day one.

Yes, we're fully mobile around East Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids. Our trailer brings its own water and power. Coatings need to go on out of direct sun, so a garage or covered spot is ideal.

About 4 hours for a ceramic coating, and about 6 hours for Paint Correction + Ceramic Coating, depending on the size of the vehicle and how much correction the paint needs.

Keep it dry for the first day or so and hold off on washing for about a week while the coating fully cures. After that, hand wash it with a pH-neutral soap and skip the automatic car washes with brushes. We'll go over the details with you when we finish.

Touchless is okay in a pinch. Brush washes are what wreck coated paint, so we'd steer you away from those.

Yes, it's a coating, not a force field. The difference is it'll clean up way faster and easier, and water and grime won't stick the way they used to.

Ceramic Coating starts at $750, and Paint Correction + Ceramic Coating starts at $1,250. Larger vehicles are quoted by size, and the final price depends on your vehicle and how much correction the paint needs. Call or text James at 616-717-1192 for a real quote. A few photos of the car help.

It's machine polishing that removes a thin layer of clear coat to take out swirls, light scratches, water spots, and haze. It's what brings back that deep, glossy, wet look.

People use them interchangeably. "Correction" usually means we're actually removing defects, not just adding shine. A one-step is a single polish that cleans up most of the swirls and boosts gloss. A multi-step goes deeper for cars that need more work.

A one-step uses one polish and usually gets rid of a big chunk of the visible swirls, which is the sweet spot for most daily drivers. A two-step uses a heavier cut first, then a finishing polish, for deeper defects or when you want it as close to perfect as possible.

Not always. If a scratch catches your fingernail, it's likely through the clear coat, and polishing won't fully remove it without taking off too much paint. We'll tell you up front what's realistic.

Not when it's done right. We measure paint thickness with a gauge before we start so we know how much clear coat we're working with, and we only remove what's needed.

Mostly washing. Automatic car washes, dirty towels, dry wiping dust off the car, and old sponges all drag grit across the paint. That's why a good wash routine is the best way to keep your car looking corrected.

The correction itself is permanent, since the defects are physically removed. But new swirls can come right back from bad washing, which is exactly why we pair it with a coating.

We do paint correction together with a ceramic coating, and that package starts at $1,250. The price depends on the car's size, the paint's condition, and how far you want to take it. Call or text James at 616-717-1192 and we'll quote it, or confirm in person once we see the paint.

We serve East Grand Rapids and the surrounding Grand Rapids, MI area, including Ada, Forest Hills, Cascade, Kentwood, and Wyoming. If you're just outside that range, reach out and James will let you know if we can make it work.

Call or text James at 616-717-1192 and send a couple of photos of your car, and we'll get back to you with a quote and a time. To book a regular detail, use the online form at justthedetails.site/book.