Car paint protection
Car Paint Protection on the Sunshine Coast
Car paint protection on the Sunshine Coast covers everything from a dealer spray to a full ceramic coating. Isaac corrects the paint first, then protects it with Blask RX520 ceramic coating at your home, and he'll tell you honestly when another option suits you better.
- Ceramic paint protection from $1,300 + GST
- Paint corrected before every coating
- Mobile: done in your garage or carport
- Afterpay available
"Protection" doesn't mean bulletproof
Most customers hear "paint protection" and picture a car that can't be scratched. That's not what a ceramic coating is. In Isaac's words, a ceramic coating is a cleaning aid and protection against environmental contaminants: bird droppings, bug guts, sap, salt, water spots and UV. It makes the car far easier to keep clean and stops those contaminants bonding to the paint.
What most people actually imagine when they hear "protection" is paint protection film (PPF). Film resists physical abrasion: it stops rock chips doing damage, absorbs light scratches, and many films self-heal swirl marks. PPF is the stronger protection, but it comes at a cost. A full-car PPF job can run upwards of $7,000 depending on the vehicle and the film, while our ceramic coatings start from $1,300 + GST.
"Any form of protection will benefit a car, but only if it's applied correctly."Isaac
Your paint protection options, honestly compared
"Paint protection" means very different things depending on who's selling it. Here's how the main options compare.
| Option | What it does well | Where it falls short |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic coating (what we do) | Bonds to the clear coat. Dirt, bugs and bird droppings wash off easily, strong UV and chemical resistance, deep gloss. | Won't stop rock chips or deep scratches. Needs regular hand washing to keep working. |
| Dealer protection package | Convenient, added at purchase. | Rarely applied over corrected paint, and often applied in a hurry. Ask exactly what product it is. |
| Paint protection film (PPF) | The best protection against rock chips and abrasion. Many films self-heal light swirls. | A full car can cost upwards of $7,000. Some films yellow, and old film can damage paint when removed. We don't install PPF. |
| Wax or sealant | Cheap, warm gloss, easy to apply yourself. | Lasts weeks to months. Wax applied with the wrong cloths often leaves soft modern paint looking worse than before. Sealant streaks if it bakes in the sun. |
What we find under dealer protection
Peter's black Haval GT had been worked on by the dealership, and the dealer had charged a few thousand dollars for protection. When Isaac tested it, the water was already flattish and sheeting instead of beading. After a decontamination wash the water sat completely flat, which means there was no real protection left on the paint. It took nine hours of correction and a proper coating to bring it back.
It isn't only budget brands. Isaac has seen new cars from dealerships charging $3,000 or more for "interior and exterior protection" where nothing had been applied to the interior, and the paint had a thin spray product with weak water beading. Some prestige dealerships, such as BMW and Audi, do a good job, but they usually charge far more than a private detailer would for the same or better result.
Before you pay for a dealer package, ask exactly which product is used, who applies it, whether the paint is corrected first, and what goes on the interior.
Waxing soft modern paint can make it worse
Isaac will go out on a limb here: most modern cars with soft paint look worse after a home wax than before it. The wax isn't the problem. The wrong microfibre cloths are. Applying and buffing off wax with cheap or dirty towels drags grit across the paint and leaves swirl marks and marring. A spray sealant is much harder to get wrong, as long as you don't let it sit and bake in the sun, which leaves streaks all over the car.
Why we correct before we protect
Any protection locks in whatever is underneath it. If the paint has swirls, holograms or dealer wash marks, a coating makes them shinier, not gone. That's why every car we coat is corrected first, including brand new cars. See paint correction for how that works.
Paint protection pricing
New cars under 12 months old: from $1,300 + GST sedan, $1,500 + GST SUV and $1,800 + GST 4WD, including a one-step correction, the coating and an interior clean.
Ultimate Protection for older cars, with a deeper correction:
Sedan
$1,500
+ GST
SUV
$1,800
+ GST
4WD
$2,200
+ GST
Want to dip your toe in first? Our Enhancement package, a paint enhancement with a one-year NXTZEN 365 Pro coating, is $600 + GST sedan, $750 + GST SUV and $850 + GST 4WD. Caravans start from $2,000 + GST. Every quote is fixed before work starts.
Which protection suits you?
- Ceramic coating if you wash at least monthly, want easier cleaning and gloss, and keep the car out of automatic car washes.
- PPF if rock chips are your main worry, for example a lot of highway driving behind trucks. Many owners put film on the bonnet and coat the rest. For film, Isaac recommends Clean Getaway on the Sunshine Coast.
- Nothing yet if you're selling soon or the clear coat is already peeling. Isaac will tell you if a coating isn't worth it.
Paint protection that suits the Sunshine Coast
Strong UV most of the year, salt air near the beach, flying-fox droppings and sap in leafy streets, and mineral spots from tank or bore water all attack paint here. A ceramic coating doesn't make paint bulletproof, but it stops those contaminants bonding, so they wash off before they etch.
Coating over PPF
Yes, we coat over paint protection film. It's done just like a normal vehicle, and the coating makes the film easier to clean and keeps the gloss up. A popular setup is film on the high-impact areas and a ceramic coating over the whole car, film included.
Interior protection
Our Ultimate Protection packages include interior protection for fabric, vinyl and leather, not just the paint.
Related: new car ceramic coating, 4WD ceramic coating, caravan ceramic coating, coating maintenance.
Real reviews
What customers say
Car looked amazing after Isaac spent a full day ceramic coating my lexus. I got the full package and couldnt be happier it looks better than the day i received it from the dealership.
Isaac spent 9 hrs on my car and gave back to me better than the Dealers handover. I would never get Dealers ever to Coat any car. Any new car buyer I full recommend Isaac's Car Detailing.
Isaac did an amazing job on my ranger raptor, very easy to work with from start to finish, and very happy with the ceramic coating done, he even did the door jambs and interior. Gave me instructions to look after car going forward.
FAQ
Questions
What is the best paint protection for a car?
It depends on what you want to protect against. Ceramic coating is best for gloss, UV and easy cleaning. PPF is best against rock chips. Many owners combine film on the bonnet with a coating everywhere else.
How much is car paint protection on the Sunshine Coast?
Our ceramic paint protection starts from $1,300 + GST for new cars under 12 months old. Ultimate Protection is $1,500 + GST sedan, $1,800 + GST SUV and $2,200 + GST 4WD, with correction included.
Is dealer paint protection worth it?
Sometimes it's a decent product, but it's rarely applied over corrected paint. Ask the dealer exactly which product it is, who applies it and what the warranty requires, then compare.
Does paint protection make my car scratch-proof?
No. A ceramic coating is a cleaning aid and protection against environmental contaminants like bird droppings, sap, salt and UV. Paint protection film is what resists scratches and rock chips.
How much does PPF cost compared with ceramic coating?
A full-car PPF job can cost upwards of $7,000 depending on the vehicle and film. Our ceramic coatings start from $1,300 + GST.
Do you install PPF?
No. We specialise in paint correction and ceramic coating. For film, Isaac recommends Clean Getaway on the Sunshine Coast, and we can coat over or around the film.
Can you ceramic coat over PPF?
Yes. Coating over film works just like coating paint, and it makes the film easier to clean.
Do your packages protect the interior?
Yes. Ultimate Protection packages include interior protection for fabric, vinyl and leather.
Do you come to me?
Yes. We're fully mobile across the Sunshine Coast and need a garage or carport, plus a tap. We bring our own power.
Get a fixed quote
Tell us your car and suburb. Isaac will call you back within 5 minutes.