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CERAMIC

Ceramic Coating & Paint Correction

First we correct the paint — cutting out the swirl marks, fine scratches, oxidation and water spots that dull your finish — then we lock that flawless surface under a ceramic coating that beads water, shrugs off UV and chemicals, and makes the car far easier to keep clean. Applied to bare paint, or on top of your paint protection film for a complete, layered defense.

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Ceramic Coating & Paint Correction

What it is

First we correct the paint — cutting out the swirl marks, fine scratches, oxidation and water spots that dull your finish — then we lock that flawless surface under a ceramic coating that beads water, shrugs off UV and chemicals, and makes the car far easier to keep clean. Applied to bare paint, or on top of your paint protection film for a complete, layered defense.

Common applications

  • New-vehicle paint protection
  • Swirl & scratch removal (paint correction)
  • Ceramic coating over PPF
  • Gloss enhancement on daily drivers
  • Show-car multi-stage correction
  • Wheel, glass & trim coatings
The right way to protect paint

Correct first. Coat second. Then it lasts.

A ceramic coating and paint protection film are both optically clear — so they don't hide anything underneath. Every swirl mark, wash scratch, water spot and patch of oxidation gets sealed in and, under that glossy layer, made more obvious. That's why real protection starts with paint correction: machine-polishing the clear coat to cut those defects out and bring back the true depth and gloss of the paint, so the surface we seal is flawless.

It also makes the protection work better. Film needs a clean, smooth surface to lay flat and bond cleanly, and a coating grips corrected paint tighter — so doing the prep right means a better-looking, longer-lasting result whether you're coating bare paint or laying PPF over top.

Better together

Ceramic coating over paint protection film

PPF takes the impacts; ceramic makes it slick, clean and protected. Layer them and you get the most complete defense there is.

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Stays cleaner, washes faster

The coating's hydrophobic surface makes water bead and sheet off, carrying dirt with it — so your film and paint stay cleaner between washes and take far less effort to keep looking new.

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Protects the film itself

A ceramic layer shields PPF from the UV, road chemicals and industrial fallout that stain or yellow film over time — while preserving its self-healing top coat.

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More gloss, longer life

On top of the film you get a deeper, glass-like shine and a tougher outer surface that helps the whole system last longer.

One thing a coating won't do is stop a rock chip — that's PPF's job. A ceramic coating is thin and hard: it beads water and resists chemicals and UV, but it can't absorb an impact. That's exactly why we pair them — film for the hits, ceramic for everything else.

Packages

Correction & coating packages

Every car is quoted after we see the paint — here's how our packages are built. Tell us about your vehicle and we'll point you to the right one.

Gloss

Gloss Coat

~2–3 year protection

A one-step machine polish to knock back light swirls, sealed with an entry ceramic coating. Ideal for newer or well-kept cars.

  • Single-stage gloss enhancement
  • Removes light swirls & haze
  • Entry ceramic coating
  • Hydrophobic, UV-resistant finish
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Most popularCorrection + Ceramic

Correction & Ceramic

~5 year protection

Multi-stage paint correction to cut deeper swirls, oxidation and water spots, sealed under a premium ceramic coating. Our most popular package.

  • Multi-stage paint correction
  • Removes deeper swirls & etching
  • Premium ceramic coating
  • Glass, trim & headlights included
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Elite / PPF-ready

Elite & PPF-Ready

Up to ~7–10 year protection

A show-level correction and top-tier coating — or a ceramic layer applied over your paint protection film for the complete, layered system.

  • Show-finish multi-stage correction
  • Top-tier / graphene-class coating
  • Ceramic-over-PPF option
  • Longest-lasting protection we offer
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Why NIKO

Why choose us for ceramic coating & paint correction

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Correct first, then seal

A coating locks in whatever is beneath it — so we cut out the swirls and scratches before we coat, never after.

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Hydrophobic & UV-resistant

Water beads and rolls off, and the coating shields paint and PPF from UV, road chemicals and fallout.

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Easier to maintain

A slick, dirt-shedding surface means faster washes, no more waxing, and years of protection instead of months.

The Process

How your project runs

01

Consult & Quote

We assess your vehicle or project and give a clear, no-pressure quote.

02

Prep & Protect

Surfaces are decontaminated and hand-prepped in a clean, controlled bay.

03

Precision Install

Computer-cut patterns and experienced hands mean tight, invisible edges.

04

Inspect & Hand Back

A final walkthrough together, plus aftercare guidance and warranty.

Questions about ceramic coating & paint correction

A ceramic coating is a thin, glass-like layer — usually silica, or SiO2 — that bonds to your clear coat and adds gloss while repelling water and shrugging off UV and harsh chemicals. Where a wax simply sits on top and wears away in a matter of weeks to months, a proper coating chemically bonds to the paint and lasts years. Think of it as a semi-permanent upgrade to your paint's own defences rather than a dressing you have to top up every few weeks.
They protect in completely different ways. Paint protection film is a thick, self-healing urethane that physically takes the hit from rock chips, road debris and scratches, while a ceramic coating is a thin, glass-like layer that adds gloss and slickness, repels water and blocks UV and chemical staining — but it will not stop a stone. That is exactly why we often pair them: film on the high-impact areas like the front bumper, hood and mirrors, with a coating over the whole car for shine and easy cleaning.
Almost always, yes. A ceramic coating is optically clear and has no polishing or filling ability of its own, so it simply locks in whatever is underneath — any swirls, haze or light scratches get sealed in and actually stand out more once the glossy layer goes over top. The fix is paint correction, which is machine polishing that removes those defects first, so what we seal in is a clean, mirror-clear finish rather than preserved flaws. On a nearly flawless new car the correction can be light, but we always assess the paint before coating.
It depends on the package and how the car is cared for, but a professional coating generally lasts anywhere from two to three years at the entry level up to five to seven years for a premium, multi-layer system — a world apart from wax, which is gone in weeks to months. Longevity also comes down to upkeep: a coated car that is hand-washed properly and given the occasional maintenance top-up will hold its performance far longer than one run through brush car washes. We will recommend a package based on how long you want the protection to last and how you use the vehicle.
No, and we would be cautious of anyone who tells you otherwise. A coating adds real surface hardness and modest resistance to the fine swirl marks that come from washing, but it will not stop a rock chip, a key, a shopping cart or a deeper scratch — those need the physical cushion of paint protection film. Think of a coating as a tough, slick shield against everyday grime and light marring, not as armour against impacts.
Yes, and this is where a coating really earns its keep. The surface becomes strongly hydrophobic, so water beads up and sheets off, carrying a lot of loose dirt and brake dust away with it, and grime has a much harder time bonding to the slick finish. That said, it is water-repellent, not self-cleaning — your car will still get dirty and still needs regular washing, it just comes clean far faster and with much less effort.
It is arguably the ideal time to do it. The paint is at its freshest, so correction is usually minimal and you are protecting the finish from day one instead of trying to recover it after the first winter has taken its toll. Even new cars pick up swirls and haze on the dealer lot and in transport, so we will still inspect and lightly correct before coating to make sure what we seal in is truly flawless.
Absolutely, and it is one of our favourite combinations. A coating goes on beautifully over top of PPF, adding gloss and that slick, self-rinsing surface to the film while helping it stay cleaner and easier to maintain. We can coat just the film, just the exposed paint, or the whole vehicle so everything looks and behaves consistently.
Please keep it out of automatic washes with spinning brushes or cloth flaps — those are the quickest way to put swirl marks right back into your paint, coating or not. A coated car is easiest to look after with a gentle hand wash using a pH-neutral soap and the two-bucket method, or a good touchless wash when you are short on time. An occasional maintenance product keeps the water-beading strong, and we are glad to walk you through a simple routine when you pick the car up.
It helps a great deal. The slick, hydrophobic surface means winter road salt and sand rinse off far more easily, and the coating's chemical resistance gives real protection against staining and etching from tree sap, bird droppings and bug splatter — provided you rinse them off reasonably promptly. To be honest, it is protection rather than a force field: something acidic left baking on the paint for days can still leave a mark, so a coating buys you time and makes cleanup easy rather than making the car bulletproof.
Most ceramic coating jobs run one to three days, driven mostly by how much paint correction the finish needs — a fresh car needing a light polish is quicker than a weathered one that needs multi-stage correction. After application the coating has to cure, so we ask you to keep it dry and out of the rain for at least 24 hours, and ideally hold off on washing it for about a week while it fully hardens. We will give you a clear timeline and simple aftercare instructions specific to your vehicle.
It adds noticeable gloss, depth and a wet, reflective look, especially once the paint has been corrected first — that mirror finish is a big part of the appeal. It does not change your actual paint colour, though it can make it look richer and more saturated by smoothing the surface and boosting reflectivity. If you are after a deeper, glassier version of the colour you already have, a coating delivers exactly that.
Not really — they share a name and not much else. The spray-on and bottle products you buy at the store are far thinner and typically last a few weeks to a few months, whereas a professional-grade coating is a stronger formula, properly prepped and applied over corrected paint, that lasts years. They are fine as a quick top-up between details, but they are not a substitute for the durability, hardness and finish of a professionally installed coating.
Yes — the professional coatings we install carry a manufacturer's durability warranty, with the term depending on the package and number of layers you choose. The higher tiers back their longevity for several years, provided the coating is maintained with proper washing rather than harsh brush washes. We will go over exactly what your chosen package covers, and the care that keeps that warranty valid, before we begin.
We do not list set prices, because no two jobs are the same — the cost comes down to how much paint correction your finish needs, the size of the vehicle, and which coating package and warranty tier you choose. A new car needing a light polish and a single-layer coating sits very differently from a weathered one needing multi-stage correction and a premium, multi-year system. The honest way to price it is to look at your actual paint, so we are always happy to inspect the vehicle and give you a free, no-obligation quote.

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