Ceramic Coatings
Years of hydrophobic, high-gloss protection. At our shop in Washington, NJ.
Ceramic Coatings in Washington, NJ
A ceramic coating is a liquid protective layer that is applied by hand and cures into a hard, glossy, water-repellent film on top of your clear coat. Unlike a wax or spray sealant that sits loosely on the surface and wears off in a matter of weeks, a professional coating bonds to the paint and holds up far longer. It helps resist bird droppings, road salt, tree sap, bug residue and UV fading, and it makes washing noticeably easier because dirt and water have a harder time sticking.
At Appearance Plus Auto Detailing & Powder Coating in Washington, NJ, Rob Torres handles every coating personally inside our indoor shop. Coating work depends on preparation and a controlled environment. Whatever is on the paint when the coating goes on gets sealed in, so we spend most of our time making sure the surface is clean, corrected and ready before any product is applied.
How long a coating lasts depends on the product level, how the vehicle is driven and stored, and how it is washed. We walk you through the options and what to expect when we quote your vehicle.
- Professional-grade coating
- Years of lasting protection
- Extreme water beading
- Deep mirror-gloss finish
What's Included
Full wash and decontamination
A careful hand wash, iron fallout removal, tar removal and clay bar treatment to remove bonded contaminants from paint, glass and wheels.
Paint assessment
We inspect the paint under shop lighting to decide how much polishing is needed before coating, since a coating will lock in swirls just as well as it locks in gloss.
Paint enhancement or correction
Depending on the package and the paint's condition, the finish is machine polished to remove swirls and defects and bring out full clarity.
Panel wipe prep
Every surface is wiped with a panel prep solution to remove polishing oils and residue so the coating can bond directly to clean clear coat.
Hand application and leveling
The coating is applied panel by panel, given the right flash time, then leveled and buffed off to avoid high spots or streaks.
Indoor curing and final inspection
The vehicle stays inside while the coating begins to cure, and we check every panel under lighting before it goes home.
Our Process
- 1
Consultation
We talk about how you use the vehicle, where it is parked and how it is washed, then recommend a coating level and which surfaces to include.
- 2
Wash and decon
The vehicle is fully washed, chemically decontaminated and clayed so no grit or fallout is trapped under the coating.
- 3
Polish
Rob machine polishes the paint to the level your package calls for, starting with a test spot to dial in the right approach.
- 4
Panel wipe and coat
After a full panel wipe, the coating is applied in small sections, leveled and inspected under lighting as each panel is finished.
- 5
Cure and aftercare walkthrough
The coating begins curing indoors. At pickup we explain how long to wait before the first wash and how to maintain the finish.
Options & Related Services
Paint coating packages
Coating levels for different needs, from a daily driver that sits outside to a garage-kept car. We explain the differences in protection and prep at the quote.
Wheels and calipers
A heat-resistant coating on wheel faces, barrels and calipers makes brake dust easier to rinse off. It pairs well with our Powder Coating service for refinished wheels.
Glass coating
A water-repellent coating on the windshield and windows helps rain sheet off and makes it easier to clear bugs and road film.
Exterior trim
Coating unpainted plastic trim helps it resist fading and keeps it looking dark and even instead of chalky and gray.
Interior surfaces
Protection for leather, fabric and interior plastics that helps resist spills, stains and everyday wear.
Maintenance washes
Proper, coating-safe hand washes and decontamination to keep the coating performing and to catch any issues early.
Why Appearance Plus
A coating is only as good as the prep underneath it. Rob washes, decontaminates, polishes and panel wipes each vehicle before the coating ever goes on, and he does the application himself in our indoor Washington, NJ shop. If the paint needs more than polishing, such as a scratch through the clear or a damaged panel, we can handle that too, since detailing, body repair and powder coating are all done under one roof.
We work with drivers from Washington and nearby towns in Warren, Hunterdon and Morris Counties. Book online or call (908) 894-8147 to get a quote and talk through which coating makes sense for your vehicle.
Ceramic Coatings FAQ
What is the difference between a ceramic coating and paint protection film?
A ceramic coating adds gloss, chemical resistance and easier cleaning, but it is a thin layer that will not stop rock chips. Paint protection film is a thicker urethane layer designed to absorb impacts. Many owners put film on high-impact areas and coat the rest of the vehicle.
Can you put a ceramic coating over paint protection film?
Yes. Coating the film makes it easier to clean and helps it resist staining. We can coat film we install or film already on your vehicle, depending on its condition.
Does a ceramic coating mean I never have to wash my car?
No. A coated car still needs regular washing. The difference is that dirt releases more easily and the paint is better protected between washes.
How should I wash my car after it is coated?
Wait the cure time we give you before the first wash. After that, hand wash with a pH-neutral soap and clean microfiber, dry gently and avoid automatic brush washes and harsh degreasers on the paint.
Will a ceramic coating hide swirls and scratches?
No. A coating adds gloss, but it will seal in any defects that are already there. That is why we polish the paint first, and why paint correction is often part of a coating package.
How long does a ceramic coating last?
It depends on the coating level, the prep, how the vehicle is stored and how it is maintained. We explain what to realistically expect for each option when we quote your vehicle.