The Cost of XPEL Ceramic Coating
XPEL Ceramic Coating adds a layer of protection to your vehicle’s exterior, makes it easier to clean, and helps it maintain its gloss and shine.
Do you want to protect your vehicle’s exterior but aren’t sure if XPEL Ceramic coatings are worth it? Do you worry that this paint coating’s durability and protective benefits are too good to be true?
With nearly 15 years of experience installing PPF and paint coatings, we have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. And while we are undoubtedly XPEL fans (they’re the only brand we use in our shop), we know not everyone will choose ceramic coating.
In this post, we’ll provide an honest look at the expense associated with XPEL Ceramic Coating. We’ll cover the materials, the required environment to apply the coating, and the expertise needed to provide a pristine finished product.
XPEL Ceramic Coating & Surface Protection
XPEL’s ceramic coating is a silicon dioxide-based liquid that provides a protective layer. It keeps contaminants off your vehicle’s paint to stop chemical stains and etching marks. The ceramic coating bonds with your vehicle’s paint, plastic, chrome, and the face of the wheels during the application process.
Once the curing process is finished and the ceramic coating has bonded it offers a:
- A surface that’s 98% harder than clear coat, making the vehicle easier to clean
- A sacrificial layer that is less susceptible to marring and fine scratches.
Ceramic paint coatings were first developed in the 1960s. They were designed for the aerospace industry to protect spacecraft against harsh travel environments, such as extreme temperatures and exposure to corrosive substances.
XPEL released its patented FUSION PLUS™ Ceramic Coating in 2019 after extensive research and product testing. This hydrophobic formula was particularly revolutionary thanks to its self-cleaning properties that repel water, dirt, and grime.
Why is this ceramic coating so unique? Because unlike many ceramic coatings, XPEL Ceramic Coatings offers a scratch-resistant layer that helps protect against swirl marks and minor wash scratches — delivering a sleek, high-gloss finish.
Ceramic Paint Coating Application Process
In addition to the high-quality, patented material, applying XPEL Ceramic Coating is an intensive process. It requires:
- A clean, sterile environment
- The necessary tools and space for preparing the vehicle, applying the coating, and letting it cure
- The expertise to prep the vehicle and apply the ceramic coating properly
XPEL Warranties Only Valid When Applied by a Certified Dealer
XPEL’s line of high-end ceramic coatings have reliable warranties that last for anywhere from one year to eight years:
- FUSION PLUS™ LITE Ceramic Coating — entry-level ceramic coating
- FUSION PLUS™ SATIN Ceramic Coating — standard ceramic coating protection with a satin finish
- FUSION PLUS™ PAINT & PPF Ceramic Coating — a unique ceramic coating designed to increase clarity and color depth of paint and PPF film with a classic gloss finish
- FUSION PLUS™ PREMIUM v2 Ceramic Coating — XPEL’s newest ceramic coating, offering the highest level of ceramic protection
Each of these warranties are only valid for ceramic coating that has been applied by a certified XPEL dealer.
What’s Not Covered?
Severe neglect of the vehicle’s exterior is not covered under the warranty. Vehicle owners must still wash and maintain their exterior. In order for the warranty to remain valid, customers must have a year inspection completed throughout the warranty period, within 30 days of the anniversary of the installation date or previous service period.
The inspection must be completed by an XPEL certified Fusion Installer. Fees or charges for the annual inspection may include, but are not limited to: exterior wash, decontamination, and inspection. Proof of these inspections should be retained, as they need to be provided for any Limited Warranty related issue.
6 Steps to Apply XPEL Ceramic Coating*
You’ll notice that step three is optional. Customers with older vehicles will be more likely to need paint correction due to the natural wear and tear on a vehicle’s exterior. However, we’ve found that even cars coming directly from the dealer may need paint correction.
1. Thoroughly Wash and Dry Your Car
Getting a clean exterior is one of the most critical steps to properly applying ceramic coating. This is why your certified XPEL Ceramic Coating installer should always start by meticulously washing your vehicle.
During this process, dirt will be removed from all the cracks and crevices of your vehicle — including on the body, wheels and wheel wells. Any remaining dirt and road grime will interfere with the ceramic coating application process.
2. Decontaminate the Paint with a Clay Bar & Iron Remover
Even the most thorough of washes only remove so much. In order to remove all contaminants, such as rail dust, brake dust, tree sap, bird droppings, and bug residue from the surface, your vehicle needs a Clay Bar treatment and a specialized iron remover.
The clay bar treatment involves using a professional-grade, self-cleaning clay bar to grab contaminants from the vehicle’s surface. The surface is then thoroughly wiped down with a microfiber towel.
To get get the rail dust that accumulates during transport on trains and the break dust that accumulates during the normal use of a vehicle, an iron remover is used. The solution is lightly misted onto the dar during the washing process, allowing our technicians to remove contaminants that don’t come off with standard soap.
Rail dust (from transport on the trains) and break dust (from the vehicle itself and other vehicles) - use of an iron remover. Mist it on during the wash process. Acid free and removes iron contaminants that don’t come off during washing.
3. Paint Correction & Paint Touch-Ups (Optional*)
After the vehicle has been washed, paint correction and paint touch-ups can be completed, as desired. Paint correction can include removing swirl marks and fine scratches. Paint touch-ups will require the paint to be sourced directly from the manufacturer or dealership.
These services are an additional cost that can be assessed when your vehicle is dropped off.
4. Single Stage Machine Polish
The Single Stage Machine Polish enriches the glossy finish and allows the ceramic coating to bond properly to the paint.
5. Apply & Level the Ceramic Coating
The XPEL Ceramic Coating is then applied and leveled by hand. This is a very precise process that takes expertise to apply evenly so there are no high spots on the vehicle’s surface, which look like oil slick.
6. 12-Hour (Minimum) Cure Time Inside a Sterile Shop
Finally, your vehicle needs to remain in a dry environment for a minimum of 12 hours while the XPEL Ceramic Coating cures. This curing time is paramount, so that no moisture is introduced to the vehicle’s exterior, which would interrupt the curing process and cause the ceramic coating not to perform as it should.
Is XPEL Ceramic Coating Right for You?
Waxes are great. They work and can be easily applied to almost every vehicle. We believe ceramic coatings offer everything a traditional wax does, but does it better and for much longer.
Plus, ceramic coatings do a far superior job of keeping your car clean — with less maintenance.
Our team is happy to chat with you, answer any questions or concerns you may have, and talk about whether XPEL ceramic coating is the right choice for your vehicle. You’ll always get an honest, free quote.
In the meantime, explore our frequently asked questions and become better informed about the benefits of ceramic coatings. Please let us know if there are any questions you can’t find answers to, and we can work on adding them to the list.
