A professional car detailing ceramic coating package (i.e. combining detailing with ceramic coating service) is one of the best things you can do for your car’s paint, but only when the paint underneath is right and the product on top is worth trusting.
In this article I walk through what a ceramic coating really does, why our high-altitude sun and Colorado weather are so hard on paint, how the major coating brands compare, and why our veteran-owned company believes XPEL FUSION PLUS is the best choice for car owners in Colorado Springs. I have spent 20 plus years fixing paint for dealerships and private owners, so this is the same honest advice I would give a friend standing in our shop.
Key Takeaways
- A ceramic coating bonds to your paint and makes it glossier, slicker, and much easier to keep clean. It is not armor, and it will not stop rock chips or hail.
- Colorado Springs sits at roughly 6,000 feet, so your paint takes more UV punishment here than it would at sea level.
- The coating is only as good as the paint under it. Proper car detailing and paint correction must come first.
- Ceramic Pro, Gtechniq, Gyeon, IGL, and CQuartz all make respected products. We believe XPEL FUSION PLUS is the best overall.
- Pairing ceramic coating with paint protection film (PPF) gives you the strongest protection available.
Table of Contents
- Why I Care So Much About Paint
- What a Ceramic Coating Really Does (and Doesn’t Do)
- Why Colorado Springs Is So Hard on Paint
- Why Detailing Has to Come Before the Coating
- Comparing the Popular Ceramic Coating Brands
- Why We Believe XPEL FUSION PLUS Is the Best
- Ceramic Coating and PPF: Better Together
- What to Expect at Springs Detailing
Why I Care So Much About Paint
When my family moved to Colorado Springs in 2014, I spent my first four years doing paint touch up work for local dealerships. Chips, scratches, scuffs from the lot. The hundreds of little things a buyer might not name, but always notices. That work grew slowly, one account at a time, until I could hire someone to help me.
Eventually I saw a real need in this town for a detail shop that treated high-end cars the way they deserve. So I borrowed some money and started building one. We began in the back of a car dealership. Today we have two shops in Colorado Springs, and our work has grown into paint correction, paint protection film, window tint, and ceramic coating.
My kids have grown up here, and so has this business. What hasn’t changed is the reason we do it. We love seeing an owner walk around their car and say they “can’t believe” it is the same vehicle. That reaction is why we take our time, and it is why I want you to understand car detailing ceramic coating before you spend a dollar on it.
What a Ceramic Coating Really Does (and Doesn’t Do)
A ceramic coating is a liquid that is applied to your paint by hand and then cures into a hard, clear layer. Once it cures, it becomes part of the surface. Water beads up and rolls off. Dirt has a harder time sticking. Bird droppings, tree sap, and bug splatter wipe away instead of etching into the clear coat. And the gloss is something you have to see in person.
Here is what a coating will not do. It will not stop a rock from chipping your hood on I-25. It will not save your roof from a hailstorm. Even the coating manufacturers are clear that a coating is not built to stop rock chips, and any shop that tells you otherwise is mistaken.
A coating is a shield against the everyday stuff, the slow damage that makes a car look old before its time. For the big impacts, you need paint protection film, and we will get to that.
Why Colorado Springs Is So Hard on Paint
People who move here from the coasts are often surprised by how quickly a car starts to look tired. There are a few reasons.
The sun is stronger up here. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that UV radiation climbs about 2 percent with every 1,000 feet of elevation. At around 6,000 feet, that puts us roughly 12 percent above sea level before you even drive up toward Cheyenne Mountain or Pikes Peak. UV is what fades red paint to pink and turns black trim gray. #Winning
Our storms can be brutal. Southwest Colorado Springs knows this well. In August 2018, a hailstorm hit the southwest side hard. The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that the storm hurt dozens of people, sadly killed two animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and left close to $173 million in damage across the southwest side of town.
Winter roads are rough on finishes. The magnesium chloride used on our roads clings to lower panels and wheels. Add the dust from a drive up Gold Camp Road or a weekend at North Cheyenne Cañon Park, and your paint is under constant attack.
So whether you live in Broadmoor Bluffs, Skyway, Cheyenne Hills, or Ivywild, your car is working harder than most. That is exactly why professional ceramic coating makes so much sense here.
Why Detailing Has to Come Before the Coating
This is the part most people never hear about. A ceramic coating locks in whatever is underneath it. If your paint has swirl marks, light scratches, or water spots, the coating seals those flaws in place and makes them shine.
That is why every coating we apply starts with a full detail. We wash, decontaminate, and clay the paint. Then we inspect it under proper lighting and correct it with proven polishing techniques until the defects are gone. Only then does the coating go on.
Paint correction is where I have spent most of my career, and it is the difference between “good enough” and “as good as new.” A quick wash and wax from a busy drive-through will never get there. When we talk about car detailing ceramic coating, we mean both pieces done right, in that order.
Comparing the Popular Ceramic Coating Brands
There are many coatings on the market, and some of them are excellent. Here is an honest look at the names you will hear most often.
Ceramic Pro is one of the best-known names in the industry. It has a large network of certified installers and offers layered packages at different price points.
Gtechniq is a UK-based brand with a strong reputation among professional detailers. Its professional-grade coatings are well regarded for durability.
Gyeon is a Korean brand that many enthusiasts love. Its products are known for strong water beading and a slick feel.
IGL Coatings markets its products around lower-VOC, more eco-conscious formulas, which appeals to some shops and owners.
CQuartz by CarPro has been around a long time and is popular with both professionals and hobbyists. Its pro-only products have a loyal following.
Each of these brands can give you a nice result in the right hands. But when you look at the whole package, including the product, the warranty, the installer network, and how it works with paint protection film, one brand stands above the rest for us.
Why We Believe XPEL FUSION PLUS Is the Best
After years of working on high-end vehicles, our shop trusts XPEL FUSION PLUS more than any other coating. Here is why.
It was built with paint protection film in mind. XPEL is known worldwide for its PPF, and its coating was designed to work on both paint and film. XPEL describes FUSION PLUS as forming a molecular bond that seals the surface against contaminants, UV rays, and bug acids, and notes that it can go over XPEL film for an extra layer of defense. One company standing behind both your film and your coating is a real advantage.
It comes in the right option for your car. Every FUSION PLUS coating is installed by an authorized XPEL dealer and carries a transferable warranty, ranging from one year on FUSION PLUS LITE up to eight years on FUSION PLUS PREMIUM. There is also a SATIN version made for matte paint and XPEL STEALTH film.
It keeps us accountable. To keep the PREMIUM warranty active, XPEL calls for a yearly inspection and a top-off with FUSION PLUS LITE. I like that. It means we see your car every year, catch small problems early (ideally before they escalate), and keep the finish looking its unapologetic best.
The warranty transfers. If you ever sell the car, the next owner benefits, and that is a strong selling point.
Ceramic Coating and PPF: Better Together
If you want the very best protection, combine both. Paint protection film is a clear, self-healing urethane layer that absorbs rock chips and scratches. A ceramic coating on top of that film adds gloss and makes cleaning easy.
Most of our luxury and performance clients choose PPF on the front of the car (the hood, bumper, fenders, and mirrors) and ceramic coating over the entire vehicle. For owners who want a whole new look, Color Change PPF paired with coating protects the factory paint underneath while giving you a finish that turns heads at summer car shows around town.
What to Expect at Springs Detailing
When you bring your car to us for ceramic coating service, here is what happens:
- We look at the car together and talk about how you drive and what you want.
- We give the vehicle a complete detail and decontamination.
- We correct the paint until it is as close to flawless as possible.
- We apply XPEL FUSION PLUS (or PRIME) by hand, panel by panel, and let it cure properly.
- A manager inspects every car front to back, top to bottom, before we hand you the keys.
“This is the second vehicle I’ve had a ceramic coating applied. Both cars had to have some scratches in the paint removed during the process. Both cars look immaculate, and if you follow the instructions on maintaining the ceramic, the water/dirt practically fall off the car, even the coating that is 2.5 yrs old. I highly recommend these guys!” ~ Kurt B.
We are a small crew of absolute seasoned experts, and we like it that way. We would rather do fewer cars and do every one of them right.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Ceramic Coating Actually Cost? | Be Prepared!
Conclusion
Your car takes a beating in Colorado Springs. Strong sun, sudden hail, salty winter roads, and dusty mountain drives all wear down paint faster than most people expect. A professional ceramic coating, applied over properly corrected paint, is one of the smartest ways to protect your investment and keep that new-car feeling for years.
There are good coating brands out there, but our shop believes XPEL is the best. It works on paint and film, it carries a transferable warranty, and it comes with the support of a company that leads the industry in paint protection.
If you love your car, if you plan to keep it for a long time, and if you want it to look right every time you walk out to the driveway, let’s talk. Schedule your car detailing and ceramic coating consultation with Springs Detailing today and see what 20+ years of paint experience can do for your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a ceramic coating last?
It depends on the product and how the car is cared for. XPEL FUSION PLUS and PRIME options carry transferable warranties from one year on LITE up to eight years on PREMIUM, as long as the coating is maintained and inspected according to XPEL’s terms.
Will a ceramic coating protect my car from rock chips or hail?
No. A coating protects against UV, contaminants, bird droppings, sap, and bug acids, but it cannot stop impacts. For rock chips, paint protection film is the right solution. Hail damage usually requires a body shop or paintless dent repair.
Do I need paint correction before getting a ceramic coating?
In almost every case, yes. A coating seals in whatever is underneath it, including swirls and scratches. Correcting the paint first is what makes the finish truly stand out. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get paint protection immediately after you purchase a new car…before it gets scratched.
Can you put a ceramic coating on top of PPF?
Yes. XPEL designed FUSION PLUS to work on both paint and its paint protection film. Many of our clients choose PPF on high-impact areas and ceramic coating on the entire vehicle.
How should I wash my car after it is coated?
Gentle hand washing with a pH-neutral soap is best. Avoid automatic car washes with brushes. We go over aftercare with every client and are always happy to answer questions when you come in for your annual inspection.
Is ceramic coating worth it in Colorado Springs?
For most owners, yes. Our elevation means stronger UV exposure, and our roads and weather are tough on paint. A professional ceramic coating keeps your car glossier and easier to clean, and it helps protect its value over time.
