Ceramic coating, done in a day.

Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that bonds chemically with your car's clear coat to create a hard, transparent, hydrophobic layer of protection. Once cured, it forms a semi-permanent shield that lasts for years depending on the product and care. It's the strongest paint protection available short of paint protection film (PPF).

Hector's offers one professional ceramic coating package for every car — the same coating, the same process, whether it's a compact or a full-size SUV. Pricing starts at $800 for smaller vehicles and goes up with the size and value of the car, because a larger vehicle takes more product and more time. We give every quote on-site, after we've seen the car. Bring it by or send photos through Calendly and we'll give you an exact number.

One day. Drop the car off at 8 AM and it's ready the same day. We wash, decontaminate, prep, correct the paint if it's needed, apply the coating, and let it set — all in a single day when you bring it in first thing. You'll get the exact pickup time when you book.

For most Palm Beach County drivers, yes — possibly more than anywhere else in the country. Florida's combination of intense UV, salt air, humidity, and frequent rain is brutal on paint. Ceramic coating's UV protection alone can extend the life of your clear coat by years. The hydrophobic effect makes the car much easier to wash. Bird droppings and tree sap, which can etch unprotected paint in hours, slide off coated paint with a rinse. For luxury vehicles, leases, and any car you plan to keep more than two years, ceramic coating is among the best dollar-per-year protection investments available.

Very different products. A ceramic spray, whether it comes as a wash add-on or out of a bottle, lays down a thin water-repelling layer that lasts a few weeks. A professional ceramic coating is a polymer that bonds to the clear coat and lasts for years. The spray is a nice short-term shine. The coating is a real paint protection system, applied by hand after the paint is prepped.

It will prevent some scratches but not all. Ceramic coating is harder than your clear coat (around 9H on the pencil hardness scale), which means it resists swirl marks from improper washing and fine scratches from light contact. It will not prevent deep scratches from keys, shopping carts, or rocks. For full scratch prevention, paint protection film (PPF) is the better choice — and PPF and ceramic can be used together for maximum protection.

Wash regularly — every 1 to 2 weeks for daily drivers. Use a pH-neutral soap. A hand wash like the one at Hector's is ideal. Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive sponges. We give every ceramic customer a care guide at delivery and recommended products to maintain the coating.

A professional ceramic coating lasts for years — far longer than wax or the express ceramic spray — depending on the environment and how the car is maintained. Hector's uses coatings from established manufacturers. Warranty details are confirmed on-site when we give you the quote, so you know exactly what's covered before any work starts.

Often, yes. Ceramic coating is transparent — it locks in whatever's underneath. If your paint has swirl marks, light scratches, water spots, or oxidation, the coating will preserve them for years. Paint correction is a polishing process that removes these defects before the coating goes on. We inspect every car and recommend correction only if it's needed. Cars with already-perfect paint (new vehicles, well-maintained older ones) often don't need it.

Yes. We offer ceramic coatings for wheels (which makes brake dust much easier to clean), windshield and side windows (which improves water beading at speed and reduces wiper wear), and exterior trim (which prevents plastic from fading and graying). These are add-ons to the main paint coating and can be quoted separately.