Ottawa's climate puts your vehicle's paint through relentless abuse — road salt and chemical brine all winter, intense UV exposure in summer, and temperature swings that can crack and fade unprotected finishes. Professional ceramic coating creates a semi-permanent molecular bond with your paint, delivering years of protection, an intense glass-like gloss, and dramatically easier maintenance.
Benefits of Ceramic Coating
- Multi-year durability — professional-grade coatings last 2-5+ years, far outlasting wax or sealants
- Extreme hydrophobic properties — water, dirt, and road grime slide off effortlessly
- Superior UV protection that prevents paint oxidation and colour fading
- Chemical resistance against bird droppings, bug acids, tree sap, and road salt
- Enhanced gloss and depth that makes your paint look better than showroom-new
- Drastically reduces wash time and effort — your vehicle stays cleaner between washes
Our Ceramic Coating Process
- Comprehensive vehicle wash and decontamination — iron fallout removal, clay bar treatment, and chemical decontamination
- Paint depth measurement to establish safe correction thresholds
- Multi-stage paint correction to remove swirls, scratches, and oxidation — the coating locks in whatever is underneath, so the paint must be flawless
- Surface preparation with panel wipe to remove all polishing oils and residue
- Precision ceramic coating application panel by panel in a controlled, dust-free environment
- Infrared-assisted curing to ensure full hardness and bonding before the vehicle leaves our shop
The Ultimate Protection Stack
For clients who want the absolute best, we recommend combining paint protection film on high-impact areas (hood, bumper, fenders) with ceramic coating over the entire vehicle. PPF handles the physical impact protection — rock chips, road debris, scratches — while ceramic coating provides chemical protection, UV resistance, and that intense hydrophobic finish. Together, they form the ultimate shield against everything Ottawa's roads throw at your vehicle.
We always perform paint correction before ceramic coating application. Applying a coating over swirled or scratched paint locks those imperfections in permanently. Our process ensures the coating bonds to a flawless surface, delivering results that genuinely look better than new.
Things to Consider
- Ceramic coating is not a substitute for paint protection film — it resists chemical damage and UV but does not prevent rock chips
- The coating needs 24-48 hours to fully cure before exposure to water or elements
- Professional application requires paint correction first, which adds to the total process time (typically 2-4 days)
- Maintenance is simple but important — regular pH-neutral washing keeps the coating performing at its best
- Consumer-grade ceramic products do not match the durability or hardness of professional coatings
Why Choose Garage Knights for Ceramic Coating
Every ceramic coating we apply starts with thorough paint correction — there are no shortcuts. We work in a controlled environment, use professional-grade coatings not available to consumers, and verify every panel under high-intensity inspection lighting. The result is a finish with depth and gloss that speaks for itself, backed by years of real-world protection against Ottawa's harshest conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a ceramic coating last?
Professional-grade ceramic coatings applied at Garage Knights last 2-5+ years depending on the product chosen and how the vehicle is maintained. Regular pH-neutral washing and an annual maintenance detail maximise the coating's lifespan.
Is ceramic coating worth the investment?
For most vehicle owners in Ottawa, absolutely. When you factor in the cost of repeated waxing, the time saved on maintenance, and the long-term paint protection against salt, UV, and contaminants, ceramic coating delivers significant value over its lifespan.
Can ceramic coating be applied to a new car?
Yes, and it's actually the ideal time. New paint still benefits from light paint correction to remove dealer-installed imperfections, and applying a coating early means the paint is protected from day one.
What's the difference between ceramic coating and paint protection film?
Ceramic coating provides chemical protection, UV resistance, and hydrophobic properties but does not prevent physical impact damage. PPF physically absorbs rock chips and scratches. For maximum protection, we recommend both — PPF on high-impact areas and ceramic coating over everything.
How do I maintain a ceramic coated vehicle?
Wash regularly with a pH-neutral car shampoo and avoid automated car washes with brushes. That's it. The hydrophobic surface means dirt and grime rinse off easily, and an annual maintenance detail helps keep the coating performing at its peak.
