Ceramic Coating
Done Properly
Gtechniq Accredited Detailer on the Sunshine Coast, created in 2008. Manufacturer backed paint protection that lasts up to 11 years, applied by hand at our Coolum Beach studio, with full paint preparation included.
What Is Ceramic Coating?
A liquid polymer that chemically bonds to your vehicle's paint, forming a transparent ceramic shell that protects the surface for years. Unlike wax (which sits on top and washes off in weeks), a ceramic coating becomes part of the paintwork itself
Hydrophobic Shield
Water beads and rolls off, taking dirt, salt and contaminants with it. Your car stays cleaner between washes, especially valuable in coastal Sunshine Coast conditions.
UV & Chemical Resistance
Resists fading and oxidation from harsh QLD sun. Bird droppings, tree sap, bug splatter and industrial fallout can't etch into protected paint (pH 2–13 chemical resistance).
Permanent Gloss
A 9H–10H surface hardness adds depth, clarity and a glass-like finish that doesn't dull over time. The car looks showroom fresh for years, not weeks.
Sunshine Coast's Gtechniq Accredited Detailer
Ceramic coating is only as good as the detailer applying it. Cut corners on prep and the coating fails inside 12 months. We've been doing this since 2008, and Gtechniq trust us with their flagship products
Operating on the Sunshine Coast, created in 2008. Jack has personally applied thousands of coatings, every car gets the same hands on attention.
Verified Google reviews from real Sunshine Coast customers. Read what they say. We let our work speak louder than our marketing.
Manufacturer backed warranty on Crystal Serum Ultra installs. Only Gtechniq accredited detailers can issue it, and we're on the official register.
Controlled studio in Coolum Beach. Your vehicle isn't passed between juniors, Jack handles the prep and application personally.
Only certified applicators can install Crystal Serum Ultra and issue the 9-year manufacturer warranty. Accreditation requires verified training, professional facilities and ongoing quality standards. It's the highest credential a ceramic coating installer can hold.
How A Proper Ceramic Install Happens
A ceramic coating bonds to whatever's under it, including swirl marks, scratches and contaminants. That's why 80% of our work happens before the coating goes on. Two to four days at our Coolum Beach studio, depending on the tier.
Inspection & Paint Reading
Paint thickness measured with a digital gauge to ensure safe correction. Vehicle assessed under high-output lighting to map every defect; swirls, scratches, etching, water spots. You get a detailed summary before any work begins.
Deep Decontamination Wash
Multi stage hand wash with pH-neutral foam, followed by iron fallout remover and full clay bar treatment. Removes embedded brake dust, road tar, tree sap and overspray that a normal wash leaves behind.
Paint Correction
Single stage gloss enhancement on Essential and Enhanced tiers; full two stage machine correction on Ultimate. Applied with professional Rupes random orbital polishing system; slow, methodical, panel by panel. Whatever's under the coating gets locked in for years, so this step is non negotiable.
Surface Prep & IPA Wipe
Every panel wiped with isopropyl alcohol to strip residual polishing oils. Trim and rubber masked. The paint must be completely chemically pure before coating; any residue and the bond fails.
Gtechniq Coating Application
Crystal Serum (Light or Ultra) hand applied panel by panel using Gtechniq applicators. Levelled with precision microfibre cloths in the correct flash window. EXOv5 topper layered on Enhanced and Ultimate tiers for added gloss and hydrophobic performance.
Cure & Quality Check
Vehicle stays in our studio for 12–24 hours to cure. Final inspection under high output lighting before handover, with full aftercare instructions and a warranty certificate where applicable.
Choose Your Protection
Three tiers built around Gtechniq's proven product line. From solid 5-year protection to flagship coatings backed by a 9-year manufacturer warranty. Every tier includes the prep work needed to bond properly
Essential
- ✓ Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light (9H)
- ✓ Up to 5 years durability
- ✓ Single-stage paint enhancement
- ✓ Full decontamination wash
- ✓ 2-day turnaround
- ✓ Aftercare guide & warranty card
Enhanced
- ✓ Crystal Serum Light + EXOv5 topper
- ✓ 5-year base + 2-year hydrophobic boost
- ✓ Single-stage paint enhancement
- ✓ Deeper gloss & water repellency
- ✓ 2 to 3 day turnaround
- ✓ Aftercare guide & warranty card
Ultimate
- ✓ Crystal Serum Ultra (10H) + EXOv5
- ✓ 9-year manufacturer backed warranty
- ✓ Two-stage machine paint correction
- ✓ Maximum gloss & hardness
- ✓ 3 to 4 day turnaround
- ✓ Gtechniq warranty certificate
Starting Prices
Step up from Essential to Enhanced for just $200 more and gain 2 extra years of hydrophobic protection. Choose Ultimate for $500 more and get Crystal Serum Ultra with two-stage correction.
| Vehicle Examples | Essential Up to 5 yrs | Enhanced +$200 · Up to 7 yrs | Ultimate +$500 · Up to 11 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, VW Golf | $950 | $1,150 | $1,450 |
| Medium Tesla Model 3, BMW 3 Series, Toyota Camry, Subaru Impreza | $1,150 | $1,350 | $1,650 |
| Large Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage | $1,250 | $1,450 | $1,750 |
| X-Large Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, BMW X5 | $1,450 | $1,650 | $1,950 |
| Huge Nissan Patrol, RAM 1500, Toyota LandCruiser, Ford F-150 | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,150 |
Prices are starting points based on standard paint condition. Final quote depends on vehicle condition, paint type and any additional correction required. Get a custom quote →
Sunshine Coast Coatings Recently Completed
Every car that leaves our Coolum Beach studio gets photographed. Real customer vehicles, real Gtechniq products, real results, no stock photos
More work on our Reviews & Realizations page.
Ceramic Coating FAQs
How long does ceramic coating actually last? +
Crystal Serum Light is rated for 5 years; Crystal Serum Ultra carries Gtechniq's 9-year manufacturer backed warranty. EXOv5 toppers add 2 years of enhanced gloss and hydrophobic performance on top. Real world durability depends on washing habits, sun exposure and storage. Coastal QLD vehicles benefit from annual maintenance washes to maximise lifespan.
Do I need paint correction before ceramic coating? +
Yes, and it's already included in every tier. A ceramic coating bonds to whatever's underneath it, so any swirls, scratches or holograms get locked in for years. Essential and Enhanced tiers include single-stage paint enhancement; Ultimate includes full two-stage machine correction. Vehicles with heavier defects may need additional correction work, which we'll quote after inspection.
How do I maintain a ceramic coated car? +
Hand wash every 2–4 weeks with pH-neutral shampoo and a clean microfibre mitt. Avoid automated brush car washes (the bristles can degrade the coating prematurely). Rinse off bird droppings and tree sap as soon as possible. We provide a written aftercare guide with every coating, plus we offer maintenance washes for clients who prefer to leave it to us.
Will ceramic coating prevent all scratches and rock chips? +
No, and any detailer who promises that is misleading you. Ceramic coatings dramatically reduce wash induced swirl marks, stop chemical etching from bird droppings, sap and bug splatter, and resist UV damage. They don't stop high speed rock chips or deep scratches from keys/branches. For full impact protection, paint protection film (PPF) is the right product.
Why does professional ceramic coating cost more than DIY kits? +
DIY kits skip the expensive part: prep. A professional install is roughly 80% prep work. Wash, decontamination, paint correction, IPA wipe, done in a controlled environment with calibrated tools. The product itself is also restricted: Crystal Serum Ultra is only sold to Gtechniq accredited detailers and carries the 9-year warranty when applied by them. DIY consumer coatings typically last 6–18 months at best.
What's the difference between Crystal Serum Light and Ultra? +
Crystal Serum Light (CSL) is the consumer grade flagship; 9H hardness, 5-year durability, available to detailers in general. Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) is the professional only formulation; harder (10H), longer lasting (9 years), only sold to Gtechniq accredited detailers, and the only product carrying the manufacturer backed warranty. Both are excellent; Ultra is the choice when you want the longest possible protection and an officially backed warranty.
How long will my car be at the studio? +
Essential tier: roughly 2 days. Enhanced tier: 2–3 days. Ultimate tier (with two-stage correction): 3–4 days. The coating itself needs 12–24 hours of controlled cure time after application, which is why your vehicle stays at the studio overnight. We can usually arrange drop-off and pick-up around your schedule.
Can ceramic coating be applied to any car? +
Yes. New and used, any colour, any size from a hatchback to a 4WD. New cars benefit from coating before contaminants embed in the clear coat. Older vehicles can look better than they did off the showroom floor once paint correction restores clarity and the coating locks it in. We assess every vehicle individually before quoting.