Carolina's Finest Detailing
Ceramic Coating Disclaimer
- Protection – A Ceramic Coating is not paint protection film and does not provide protection against rock chips, and very minor, if any, protection from scratches. Some installers make significant but untrue claims about the level of protection provided. A Ceramic Coating is primarily used for ease of maintenance, UV protection, etc. It should not be used to prevent rock chips and other paint hazards. Bird droppings, bug guts, and hard water spots should still be taken care of ASAP.
- Paint Correction – We will ask you to provide any trouble or concern areas on your paint and how you feel about the overall paint condition. The reason we attempt to conduct the least amount of correction necessary is because any amount of correction removes a certain amount of clear coat. This should not discourage you from getting paint correction, but serves as an explanation as to why we are cautious in doing so if you are already satisfied with the way your paint looks. Please reach out to us or read our blogs for a more comprehensive explanation.
- Factory Paint – Recent body or paint work can create issues with ceramic coating application. Depending upon the methods used to cure the paint, and the coating, the ceramic coating can prevent off-gassing of the paint and create solvent pop or other issues. This does NOT apply to OEM/factory paint. Please let us know if you have had any recent body or paint work completed in the last 90 days, to the best of your knowledge. Many brand new vehicles are damaged in shipment and are touched up (poorly) by dealerships prior to listing for sale. We make every attempt to spot these touch-ups prior to conducting correction and will notify you if we see them.
- Minor Issues – We will often discover minor issues as we get deeper into the correction and preparation process. We will stay in constant communication with the client throughout the process. Often times vehicles are too dirty or the lighting outside hides problem areas until we see them inside (sometimes we may, for example, realize that a panel was repainted). We try to be up front and honest as possible regarding any damage we may encounter. Please also note that even in factory/OEM paint we often see runs, nibs, or debris under the clear coat.
- “Paint Perfection” – We make every effort to make your paint as good to the naked eye as possible while balancing the longevity of your clear coat and paint. Please understand that not all scratches are likely able to be removed without compromising the clear coat. There is no perfect paint, just like there is no perfect paint protection film installation. We try to make the vehicle as pristine as possible, balancing the negatives of compromising clear coat or potential long-term ISSUES.
- Automatic Brush Car Washes – Using brush automatic car washes and waxing the vehicle after the ceramic coating will cause problems with the longevity or performance, and the brushed washes will also scratch the paint. No ceramic coating company nor CFD are able to warranty issues arising from automatic brush car washes.
- Touchless Car Washes – While we don’t like the use of Touchless Automatic we understand that sometimes it’s all you have time for. If you must use one, do so early morning or late at night when it is the coolest part of the day. It is also important to try and perform a hand wash in between use to cleanse the surface of the ceramic coating.
- Washing Your Car – Applying a ceramic coating is a great decision that will enhance the gloss of your vehicle, provide UV protection, and make it far easier to clean (such as removing bug guts). However, it will still get dirty. Wheels will still get brake dust. Ceramic coating will make it easier to remove these contaminants, but applying ceramic coating does NOT mean that you no longer need to clean your car! Water spots, bug guts, bird poop, tar, acid, & tree sap can still etch your paint and should be removed ASAP. Never just rinse your car off with water and allow to air dry.
- Annual Inspections and Coating Maintenance – At CFD, we recommend a yearly coating decor wash, especially if your car sits outside 24/7. Many issues, typically clogging, with coatings can be solved with a strong decontamination wash. We warranty all of our coatings in house. We are also happy to inspect your car once per year (or more often if you desire) to reapply the windshield coating, conduct an exterior detail, and apply a ceramic “topper” if you see fit. The topper will refresh your coating, especially if it sits outside 24/7 or if you have fallen behind on care.