Ceramic & Graphene Coating

Your paint, locked in.

9H ceramic coatings with graphene oxide hybrid options. This isn't a wax — it's a permanent shell. UV protection, hydrophobic beading, chemical resistance, and a gloss that lasts years, not months.

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Ceramic coated vehicle — glossy dark finish in coastal setting
Starting Price
$899
Paint correction included
Multi-year coating options
Annual maintenance program

What Is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating bonds to your paint at a molecular level — creating a glass-like shield that nothing sticks to.

Traditional wax sits on top of your paint and washes away in weeks. Ceramic coating chemically bonds to the clear coat, forming a permanent layer that's harder than the paint itself. Graphene oxide takes it further — adding flexibility, higher heat resistance, and even better hydrophobic properties.

9H Hardness

Same hardness scale as a pencil. Light scratches from wash mitts, branches, and road debris can't penetrate the coating. No more swirl marks from your own detailing routine.

UV Protection

North Carolina sun is relentless. Ceramic coating blocks UV rays from oxidizing your clear coat — the thing that turns a glossy finish dull and faded over just one summer.

Hydrophobic

Water beads and sheets off the surface instead of sitting on it. Bird droppings, bug splatter, salt spray — nothing bonds. Contaminants rinse off with a quick rinse or rain.

Chemical Resistance

Salt water, boat bilge fumes, acidic bird droppings, road chemicals — the things that eat through wax and sealants in weeks. Ceramic shrugs all of it off.

Why Go Ceramic

One application. Years of protection.

Scratch Resistance

9H hardness means your wash mitt can't leave marks. Light abrasions that would cut through clear coat just bounce off the ceramic layer.

UV & Fade Protection

Stop the oxidation process before it starts. Your clear coat stays intact and your paint stays deep and glossy — not chalky and faded.

Chemical Resistance

Salt, acid rain, boat exhaust, road chemicals — the things that strip wax in days don't touch ceramic. Repels contaminants that eat through traditional protection.

Hydrophobic Water Beading

Rain beads up and rolls off. Water spots don't form. Your boat or car stays cleaner between washes — and when you do wash, it takes a fraction of the time.

Long-Lasting Gloss

Wet-look depth that doesn't wash away. The candy-like gloss you see on high-end exotics — maintained for years, not weeks.

Reduced Maintenance

No weekly waxing. No monthly sealant. A quick rinse or rinse-and-wipe keeps your car looking like you just detailed it. Your weekends are yours again.

The TidalShine Process

This is not a weekend detail. This is a full prep — then the coating.

01

Paint Decontamination

Iron remover, tar remover, and clay bar treatment to strip every contaminant from the surface — industrial fallout, road grime, tree sap, everything. The coating can't bond to a dirty surface.

02

Prep Polish

Single or multi-stage machine polishing to remove swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation. The coating magnifies everything underneath it — so perfect preparation is non-negotiable.

03

IPA Wipe & Surface Prep

Isopropyl alcohol wipe-down removes any remaining polishing oils or residues. Surface must be 100% clean before the coating goes on.

04

Ceramic / Graphene Application

Multi-layer application of 9H ceramic or graphene oxide hybrid coating. Each layer bonds to the previous — creating a thick, even, resilient shield across every panel.

05

Cure Time & IR Curing

Coating requires time to fully cure and cross-link. We use IR curing lamps to accelerate and ensure proper hardening — so you're not waiting days before driving your car.

06

Final Inspection

Panel-by-panel inspection under high-intensity lighting to verify even coverage, no high spots, and perfect bonding. Every surface is verified before we call it done.

Know What You're Getting

Ceramic vs. Graphene vs. Traditional Wax

Traditional Wax
9H Ceramic
Graphene Hybrid
Durability
1–3 months
2–5 years
3–7 years
Hardness
No hardness rating
9H — pencil hardness scale
9H + more flexible
Scratch Resistance
None
High — light scratches bounce off
High — graphene adds flexibility
UV Protection
Minimal
Strong — full UV blocking
Strong + better heat dissipation
Hydrophobicity
Moderate beading
Strong beading + sheeting
Best — superior water beading
Chemical Resistance
Low — dissolves in acids
High — resists acids, salt, solvents
Highest — graphene resists more
Application
Hand apply, 30 min
Professional prep + application (1–2 days)
Same as ceramic — requires skill
Maintenance
Reapply every 1–3 months
Annual inspection & topper coat
Annual inspection & topper coat

We recommend ceramic for most vehicles. Graphene hybrid is the right choice for boats, daily-driven vehicles in harsh climates, and anyone who wants maximum durability and heat resistance.

Annual Maintenance

Your coating needs a check-up every year — here's why.

Ceramic coatings are permanent when applied correctly — but "permanent" doesn't mean "maintenance-free." The top surface gets contaminated over time (water spots, mineral deposits, environmental fallout). An annual decontamination and topper coat refreshes the hydrophobic properties and keeps the coating performing like new.

  • Full surface decontamination — strip contaminants without stripping the coating
  • Inspection of all coated panels under proper lighting
  • Topper coat reapplication to restore hydrophobic and gloss properties
  • Touch-up of any high-traffic areas where the coating has worn
  • Pricing varies by vehicle size — included in annual program pricing
Schedule Your Coating
Annual Program
Coating Maintenance
Starting at $199
Full decontamination wash
Topper coat reapplication
Panel-by-panel inspection
Priority scheduling for coating clients

How to Wash a Coated Vehicle

Your coating is protecting your paint — protect your coating with the right wash routine.

Use pH-neutral soap

Avoid acidic or alkaline wash products — pH-neutral formulas preserve the ceramic layer's surface chemistry and hydrophobic properties.

Two-bucket method

One bucket with soap, one with clean water for your wash mitt. Prevents grit from being redeposited onto the paint — the #1 cause of swirl marks on coated vehicles.

Never dry with a chamois

Use a clean, soft microfiber towel or a forced-air dryer. Chamois drags grit across the surface — it looks clean but you're adding micro-scratches with every pass.

Wash in the shade

Never wash in direct sunlight. Water spots and soap residue dry unevenly, leaving spots that require follow-up correction. Early morning or overcast is perfect.

Pricing

Transparent pricing — no surprises after we see the car.

Every vehicle is different. Final pricing depends on vehicle size, condition, and the level of paint correction required before coating. We quote in-person after inspection.

Standard Ceramic
9H Ceramic Coating
From $899
  • Paint decontamination
  • Single-stage paint correction
  • 9H ceramic application (2 layers)
  • IR curing
  • Final inspection
  • Annual maintenance program available
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Recommended
Graphene Oxide Hybrid
From $1,299
  • Full paint decontamination
  • Multi-stage paint correction
  • Graphene oxide hybrid application (3 layers)
  • IR curing
  • Final inspection & verification
  • Annual maintenance program included (1 year)
Get a Quote
Full Restoration
Ceramic + Paint Correction Bundle
From $2,499
  • Complete paint correction (multi-stage)
  • Wet sanding for severe defects
  • 9H ceramic or graphene hybrid coating
  • Glass ceramic treatment
  • Wheel face ceramic coating
  • 2-year annual maintenance included
Get a Quote

Pricing varies by vehicle size and condition. Sport boats, large SUVs, and vehicles with heavy oxidation require additional time. Final quote provided after in-person inspection — no surprises.

Ready for protection that lasts?

Book your ceramic coating appointment. We come to your location in New Hanover, Brunswick & Pender counties.

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