Ceramic Coatings & PPF: The $3,000+ Jobs You're Missing

The Service Category That Changed Detailing

If you're still only offering wash and detail packages, you're leaving the most profitable segment of the market untouched. Ceramic coatings and PPF (paint protection film) have transformed detailing from a service business into a protection business—with job tickets 5-10x higher than traditional details.

Here's the reality: a full detail on a sedan might bring in $200-400. A ceramic coating on that same sedan? $1,000-2,500. A full-front PPF install? $1,500-3,000+. Full vehicle PPF with ceramic coating? $5,000-10,000.

Same customer. Same car. Dramatically different revenue.

The 2025 Pricing Landscape

Ceramic Coatings:

• Entry-level (2-year protection): $500-800
• Mid-tier (5-year protection): $1,000-1,800
• Premium (7+ year with warranty): $2,000-3,500
• High-end/exotic vehicles: $3,000-5,000+

Paint Protection Film:

• Partial front (bumper, hood, mirrors): $900-1,500
• Full front end: $1,500-2,500
• Full vehicle coverage: $4,000-7,000+
• Premium films (self-healing, ceramic-infused): Add 20-30%

The Combo Package: PPF on high-impact areas + ceramic coating on the rest of the vehicle is increasingly popular. Customers get physical protection where they need it most, plus easy maintenance and gloss everywhere else. These combo packages run $3,500-6,000+ for most vehicles.

Why These Services Have Higher Margins

Traditional detailing is time-intensive. You're trading hours for dollars, and there's a ceiling on how much you can charge for a wash and vacuum.

Ceramic coatings and PPF flip the equation:

Higher perceived value: Customers understand they're buying protection that lasts years, not a cleaning that lasts weeks. That justifies premium pricing.

Material costs are proportionally lower: Yes, a quality ceramic coating costs $100-300 in product. But on a $2,000 job, that's still a 85-95% gross margin on materials.

The skill barrier creates pricing power: Not everyone can install PPF without bubbles and edges lifting. Not everyone can do proper paint correction before coating. Your expertise is the product.

Recurring revenue opportunities: Ceramic coatings need maintenance washes. PPF customers come back for additional panels or replacement. One high-ticket customer can mean years of follow-up business.

The EV Opportunity

Electric vehicle owners are a particularly strong market for protection services. They tend to be:

• Higher income (Tesla Model 3 starts at $40K+, Model S/X at $80K+)
• Early adopters who research products extensively
• Invested in protecting their vehicle's appearance and resale value
• Active in owner communities where they share recommendations

EV paint is notoriously soft on many models, making ceramic coatings and PPF not just nice-to-haves but genuine paint preservation. If you're not specifically marketing to EV owners, you're missing a growing segment that's willing to pay premium prices.

How to Get Into Ceramic Coatings

If you're currently doing traditional detailing, adding ceramic coatings is the logical first step:

1. Get certified with a reputable brand. Gtechniq, Ceramic Pro, IGL, Gyeon—pick a coating manufacturer and go through their training. The certification gives you credibility and access to professional-grade products not available retail.

2. Master paint correction first. Ceramic coating locks in whatever is on the paint. If you coat swirl marks, you've locked in swirl marks for 5 years. Paint correction is the prerequisite skill.

3. Start with single-stage coatings. Before offering 5-year warranties and multi-layer systems, get comfortable with the application process on less complex products.

4. Document everything. Before/after photos, paint depth readings, product batch numbers. This protects you and demonstrates professionalism to customers.

5. Price confidently. A local detailer charging $600 for a "lifetime coating" is racing to the bottom. Position yourself as a premium installer and price accordingly.

How to Get Into PPF

PPF has a steeper learning curve, but also higher job tickets:

Investment required: A quality plotter (for cutting film) runs $5,000-15,000+. Software licenses for patterns are ongoing costs. You'll need a clean, climate-controlled workspace.

Training is essential: PPF installation is technique-intensive. Improper installation means bubbles, lifting edges, and unhappy customers. Most film manufacturers offer installation training.

Start with partial installations: Full-vehicle wraps are complex. Begin with bumpers, hoods, and fenders before attempting full coverage.

Partner if needed: Some detailers partner with dedicated PPF shops—they handle the correction and coating, the PPF shop handles film installation. Customer gets seamless service, both businesses win.

The Competitive Advantage

Here's what separates shops charging $1,000 for ceramic coating from shops charging $3,000:

Environment: A clean, professional facility signals quality. Overhead lighting that lets customers see defects. Climate control that ensures proper curing.

Process documentation: Showing customers paint depth readings, contamination removed, correction stages completed. Make the invisible work visible.

Warranty backing: Partner with coating manufacturers that offer transferable warranties. Customers pay more for guaranteed protection.

After-care support: Maintenance wash programs, annual inspections, warranty check-ins. The relationship doesn't end at delivery.

The protection services market is growing—customers are increasingly willing to pay for durable solutions. The question is whether you'll be positioned to capture that demand.