How Much Does
Ceramic Coating Cost?
Ceramic coating prices on the Sunshine Coast range from a few hundred dollars for a spray-on product to several thousand for a proper professional installation. Here's exactly what you should expect to pay, what drives the price, and why the gap matters.
Our Pricing
What We Charge at Quantum Detail
We offer two approaches to ceramic coating — a Seal package for paint already in excellent condition, and our Correct and Coat package which includes machine polishing before the coating is applied. Both use Gtechniq professional coatings applied by accredited installers. Both come in CSL and CSU tiers.
- + Full decontamination and clay bar prep
- + Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light applied
- + Strong UV and chemical resistance
- + Accredited installation — warranty valid
- – No paint correction — swirls sealed in
- + Full decontamination and clay bar prep
- + Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra applied
- + Superior gloss and chemical resistance
- + Accredited installation — warranty valid
- – No paint correction — swirls sealed in
- + Full decontamination and clay bar prep
- + Machine polish — defects corrected first
- + Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light applied
- + Accredited installation — warranty valid
- + Right choice for most vehicles
- + Full decontamination and clay bar prep
- + Machine polish — defects corrected first
- + Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra applied
- + Accredited installation — warranty valid
- + Best for prestige and enthusiast vehicles
If your paint has swirl marks, haze or deeper scratches beyond what the standard Correct and Coat polish addresses, additional correction is quoted separately. We assess every vehicle before quoting — you'll always know exactly what's needed before any work begins.
What Affects the Price
Why Ceramic Coating Prices Vary So Much
You'll see ceramic coating quotes ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand on the Sunshine Coast. Here's what actually drives that range.
How We Compare
What You Get at Different Price Points
Not all ceramic coating quotes are equal. Here's what the money actually buys you at each market tier — and where our pricing sits.
| Price Range | What You're Getting | Warranty |
| Under $500 | Consumer-grade spray ceramic or inexperienced operator. Minimal prep. Results last weeks to months. | None or very limited |
| $500 – $900 | Entry-level professional coating. Some prep included. Results and longevity variable depending on product and operator. | Often not manufacturer warranted |
| $950 – $1,150 | Professional-grade Gtechniq product with proper decontamination and prep. Accredited installation. Manufacturer warranty valid. ← QD Ceramic Seal | 5–9yr manufacturer warranty |
| $1,399 – $1,699 | Professional Gtechniq coating with machine polish correction included before application. The correct sequence. ← QD Correct & Coat | 5–9yr manufacturer warranty |
| $2,000+ | Premium coating, multi-stage correction and additional protection — wheels, glass, interior. Full vehicle package or prestige correction work. | Full manufacturer warranty |
The Add-Ons
What Else Can Be Added
Beyond the paint coating, you can protect other surfaces. These are priced separately and can be added to any coating appointment.
The Real Question
Is Ceramic Coating Worth the Money?
For most Sunshine Coast drivers, yes.
Queensland UV load is extreme. Unprotected paint fades, oxidises and loses clarity fast — and once that damage is in the clear coat, no wash or wax brings it back. A proper ceramic coating locks in that finish before it starts degrading.
On the maintenance side, coated cars take a fraction of the time to wash. Water sheets off, dirt struggles to bond, bird drops and sap wipe off without etching. If you spend a Saturday a month washing and waxing, that time disappears.
On resale, a documented coating service history signals a cared-for vehicle — which moves the price at sale time for quality cars. For a one-off investment between $950 and $1,699, protected over 5 to 9 years, the maths lands in favour of coating for most owners.
The honest case against: if you're selling the car within 12 months, or drive a beater you don't care about presenting well, ceramic probably isn't the right spend. We'll tell you that directly if that's your situation.
Our standards on every coating we apply are reinforced by our sponsorship of Paige Raddatz Motorsport. The discipline of preparing a car for competitive racing — where everything is under scrutiny — carries into every vehicle through our studio. It's part of why we take preparation seriously, and why we won't coat a car that hasn't been properly corrected first.
FAQ
Ceramic Coating Cost — Answered
Why is there such a big price range for ceramic coatings?
Three main reasons. First, the product — consumer spray coatings cost tens of dollars while professional Gtechniq coatings cost hundreds. Second, preparation quality — a proper job includes decontamination, clay bar and often paint correction, which takes time. Third, installer accreditation — Gtechniq's manufacturer warranties are only valid when applied by an accredited installer, which requires training and compliance.
What's the difference between Ceramic Seal and Correct & Coat?
Ceramic Seal is for paint already in excellent condition — full decontamination and prep, then the coating applied directly. No machine polishing. Correct and Coat includes a machine polish to correct any swirl marks, haze or light scratches before the coating goes on. This is the right sequence for most vehicles — coating over a corrected surface rather than sealing in defects. We recommend Correct and Coat for the majority of cars we assess.
What's the difference between CSL and CSU?
Crystal Serum Light (CSL) is Gtechniq's entry professional tier — strong UV, chemical and hydrophobic performance, 5-year manufacturer warranty. Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) is Gtechniq's flagship — deeper gloss, stronger chemical and scratch resistance, superior UV protection, 9-year warranty. Seal CSL starts from $950, Seal CSU from $1,150. Correct and Coat CSL from $1,399, Correct and Coat CSU from $1,699. For most enthusiast clients, the CSU tier is the choice.
Do I need paint correction before ceramic coating?
Sometimes. New cars often need light correction because of transport marks and dealership washes. Older cars often have swirl marks or haze that a coating will lock in permanently if not addressed. We assess every vehicle's paint before quoting and only recommend correction if it's genuinely needed. If the paint is in great shape, Ceramic Seal might be all you need. We'll tell you honestly.
What does EXOv5 do and is it worth $249?
EXOv5 is a finishing layer applied on top of CSL or CSU. It boosts hydrophobic performance significantly, adds extra gloss and slickness, and makes the car easier to wash. Most clients who see the difference on a coated panel versus a coated + EXO panel add it. For visual result and maintenance ease, it's a straightforward upgrade.
Do larger vehicles cost more?
Yes. Larger vehicles — SUVs, 4WDs, utes — take longer to decontaminate, prep and coat because there's simply more surface area. The prices listed are starting points for standard-sized cars. We quote specifically for each vehicle to reflect the actual time involved.
How long does a Gtechniq ceramic coating last?
Backed by the manufacturer warranty — 5 years on CSL, 9 years on CSU. Real-world life depends on how the car is washed and maintained. With proper care, coatings often perform well beyond their warranty period. We provide full aftercare instructions at handover.
Is there anything more advanced than ceramic coating?
Yes — AG Formula 1051. It's a next-generation liquid-applied protection that builds measurable physical thickness (8–15 microns per layer), has self-healing capability and carries a 10-year rating. Quantum Detail is the exclusive Sunshine Coast installer. From $3,600 — a significant step up from ceramic, for buyers wanting the most advanced protection available short of full paint protection film.
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We'll assess your paint, recommend the right package, and give you a clear price before anything starts. No surprises, no pressure, no upsells you don't need.