Ceramic Coating in Sarasota, FL

Every week without coating is correction work you could have avoided. Florida sun, salt air, and love bugs do not wait — and they are harder to undo than to prevent. Available at our Sarasota and Punta Gorda locations for Sarasota and Venice drivers looking for professional ceramic coating on a daily driver, weekend car, or new delivery. Standalone from $2,200, or add it to any PPF job for $1,500.

★★★★★ 5.0 Google Rating
8-year Warranty
XPEL Certified

What coating actually does

Ceramic coating is not a film. It does not absorb rock chips or road debris — that is PPF's job. What coating does is bond to the paint and change how the surface behaves. Contaminants release faster, water sheets off instead of pooling, UV exposure does less damage, and the car stays noticeably easier to wash for years.

We use XPEL Fusion Plus, backed by an 8-year manufacturer warranty. But the product is only as good as the prep underneath it. If we coat over a water spot, a swirl mark, or an unfilled chip — we just locked it in for life. Ceramic cannot come off. Whatever is underneath stays there for the life of the vehicle. That is why our prep takes a full day, not an hour.

If somebody tells you they can do ceramic coating in three hours, run. If your car is not there for a full day, it is not real. A $400 product applied four inches at a time, flashing between sections, polished off — that alone takes three hours. The six hours before that are what separates a coating that lasts from one that locks in problems.

What it costs

Standalone Ceramic Coating
Most popular

From $2,200

Full exterior coating with 8-year warranty. Includes decontamination and correction if needed.
Add-On with PPF

$1,500

Save $700 when bundled with any PPF job. The car is already prepped, so the work stacks.
Interior Coating

Call for pricing

Leather, plastics, and glass coating. Protects surfaces from UV fading and makes cleaning easier.

Who should do ceramic coating by itself, and who should not?

Good fit

You park outside in Florida

HOA sprinkler water spots etch clear coat. Salt air corrodes. Love bugs stain within hours if they sit. Coating changes how your paint handles it — contaminants release instead of bonding, water sheets off instead of pooling.

Good fit

You want easier washes, not a force field

Coating makes the car noticeably easier to wash and better looking between washes. It does not stop rock chips or physical damage. If you want washing to take half the time, coating delivers.

Wrong product

Your main concern is the front bumper chipping

That is a PPF problem, not a coating problem. Ceramic does not absorb impacts. If you want both, the prep only happens once — adding ceramic to any PPF job is $1,500 instead of $2,200.

Investigate first

A dealer already sold you a coating package

Some dealer packages are real. Many are a finance desk upsell with vague prep and no manufacturer warranty. Bring the car in — we will inspect the surface and tell you honestly whether it is working.

of the work you’re paying for happens before any coating touches your car.

If you skip the prep, every water spot, every swirl mark, every unfilled rock chip gets sealed under your protection permanently. Ceramic can’t come off. PPF locks it in. Whatever’s underneath stays there for the life of the vehicle.

Full wash

Remove all surface contaminants.
Clay bar treatment

Pull embedded contaminants — industrial fallout, tree sap, brake dust — out of the clear coat.
Iron decontamination

Chemical iron remover dissolves ferrous particles bonded to the paint surface.
Two-step machine polish

Cut deeper defects, then refine the finish. This also exposes rock chips hidden under swirl marks.
Final wipe & buff

Clean the surface completely for product adhesion. Nothing goes on until it’s right.
Ceramic coating

Applied on top of the film — ceramic makes the surface hydrophobic. Four inches at a time, flash, polish off.

What people are saying about our work

“Alset Custom did a great job! Got my GR86 tinted with XPEL XR PLUS Ceramic tint! Kyle made me feel like I didn't have to stress about getting my car protected and wasn't too pushy. Definitely a spot to go for locals looking for Paint Protection Film, window tint, & Ceramic Coating!”

Nick Rick ★★★★★ Google

“I got my CT wrapped in metallic gloss black vinyl with a ceramic coating as well as the side windows/windshield tinted. They did an amazing job and answered/fixed any questions/concerns I had. They were very professional and made the whole process easy and gave me peace of mind.”

Mark Gonsowski ★★★★★ Google

“I've had 3 cars serviced with Alset and can't say enough good things about this group! Kyle and his staff go above and beyond with both workmanship and customer service. In my recent visit I dropped off my car Thursday afternoon and the staff worked late into the night and had my car ready on Saturday 2p. Great turnaround and customer service.”

Steve Bell ★★★★★ Google

“XPEL certified. These guys know what they are doing! They tinted, PPF, and ceramic coated my Escalade with XPEL exclusive products. Amazing results! Look no further than Alset Custom. They know how to deal with high end vehicles.”

Yu Yu ★★★★★ Google

“The Guys at ALSET Custom are the BEST. Very professional, friendly and the work is above and beyond the competition. Just had ALSET install PPF and Ceramic Coating to my Tesla Model 3. The car looks better than the day I bought it. I am more than excited and satisfied with the end result. WOW!”

Tee Rex ★★★★★ Google

“Got my Cybertruck and Model Y done. Very happy with both installs. Kyle and Nick are very easy to work with.”

Daniel Griffith ★★★★★ Google

“Since I had my vehicle ceramic coated, I have traveled over 700 miles, through 3 days of rain and my vehicle looks showroom fresh. Great investment. Thanks Alset.”

Tom DeBlossi ★★★★★ Google

“Great experience with Alset! They did a wonderful job on my BMW — PPF, ceramic coating, and tint. Staff are all amazing and very kind.”

Julie Vinson ★★★★★ Google

Common questions

How much does ceramic coating cost in Sarasota?

Standalone ceramic coating starts at $2,200. Add it to any PPF job for $1,500 — the car is already prepped, so the work stacks. Reach out if you have questions about your specific vehicle or want to get on the schedule.

What is ceramic coating?

A liquid polymer that bonds to the paint and creates a hard, hydrophobic surface. It makes the car easier to wash, more resistant to contamination, and better looking for longer. It is not a film and it does not stop physical damage.

How long does ceramic coating last?

XPEL Fusion Plus is backed by an 8-year manufacturer warranty. Real longevity depends on how the car is maintained, but a properly prepped and coated car should stay easier to wash and better protected for years.

Is ceramic coating worth it on a new car?

Usually, yes. New paint is the easiest surface to coat because it rarely needs correction first. If you are doing PPF on the front end, adding ceramic coating to the rest of the car at the same time is the most efficient way to protect everything.

How Ceramic Coating Works

A chemically bonded layer that changes how your paint behaves against contamination, UV, and water.

Hardness 9H pencil scale

Durability 8 year warranty

Hydrophobic 110+ degree contact angle

Application 2-3 layers typical

Understanding Your Options

What ceramic coating does, what it does not do, and how it compares to other protection methods.

What Ceramic Coating Does

UV resistance slows oxidation and fade

Hydrophobic surface sheds water and contaminants

Chemical resistance against bird droppings, sap, bugs

Easier washing, less scrubbing required

Enhanced gloss and depth on dark paint

What Ceramic Coating Does Not Do

Does not stop rock chips or road debris

Does not prevent scratches from improper washing

Does not hide existing swirl marks or defects

Does not make the car scratch-proof

Does not eliminate the need for washing

Professional Coating

Full surface decontamination and correction

Controlled environment with proper lighting

8-year manufacturer warranty (XPEL Fusion Plus)

Multiple layers with proper flash time between

Written aftercare instructions and support

DIY / Consumer Coating

Usually skips proper paint correction

Application in uncontrolled conditions

No manufacturer warranty backup

Inconsistent thickness and coverage

Locks in defects you could not see

Ceramic vs. PPF: Different Problems, Different Solutions

Both get sold as "paint protection," which is too broad to be useful. PPF protects against what hits the paint — rock chips, road debris, scratches from physical contact. Ceramic coating helps with what lands on the paint — bird droppings, bug residue, mineral deposits, UV degradation.

A rock chip is a physical impact. A love bug stain is a chemical one. Film stops the first. Coating makes the second easier to deal with. If a shop sold you ceramic coating to stop rock chips, they pointed you at the wrong product.

The most common setup: PPF on the front end (bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors), ceramic coating over the rest of the car and on top of the film. Adding coating to any PPF job is $1,500 instead of $2,200 because the prep work is already done.

Evaluating Quality

How to spot red flags, evaluate shops, and set realistic expectations.

Same-Day Service

If a shop quotes ceramic coating as a same-day job, ask what prep they are skipping. A real install takes a full day. The coating application itself is three hours minimum. The six hours before that are what separates lasting results from locked-in problems.

Vague Prep Description

If a shop cannot explain exactly what happens to the paint before coating goes on — decontamination, clay bar, correction steps, wipe-down — the price is missing the most important part of the job.

9H Hardness Claims

Shops advertising "9H hardness" implying scratch-proof protection are misrepresenting what the number means. It comes from a pencil hardness test. A 9H coating can still be marred by a brush wash or scratched by a fingernail with pressure.

No Aftercare Instructions

If you leave without knowing when you can wash the car, what products to avoid, and how long to keep it dry, that is a gap in the process. Even well-applied coating underperforms without proper aftercare guidance.

Signs of Bad Coating Work

High spots and streaks: Visible marks, dark smears, or rainbow-like streaks that show up in direct sunlight or under LED lighting. Happens when coating is not leveled properly before it begins to cure.

Coating over uncorrected paint: The most common mistake. Swirl marks and haze sealed under the coating are often more visible than before, especially on dark paint. The only fix is polishing through the coating and starting over.

Short-term failure: If water behavior degrades significantly within the first year, either the product was substandard, the surface was not properly prepped, or aftercare instructions were not followed.

After Your Coating

What to expect during the cure period and how to maintain the coating long-term.

Curing Timeline

Hours 0-24

Initial Cure

Keep the car completely dry. No touching the surface. Park indoors or under cover if possible. The coating is still soft and can be marked or contaminated.

Days 2-3

Surface Hardening

Coating begins to harden. Still avoid water exposure and direct contact. Light dust can be gently blown off but do not wipe.

Days 4-7

Full Cure

Chemical bonding completes. After day 7, the car can be washed using proper methods. The coating has reached full hardness and hydrophobic performance.

Ongoing

Maintenance Phase

Hand wash or touchless only. Use pH-neutral soap. Avoid brush washes permanently. Annual maintenance top-ups extend hydrophobic performance.

Maintenance FAQ

When can I wash the car?

Wait at least 7 full days. The coating needs this time to fully cure and bond. Washing too early can compromise the chemical bond and reduce longevity.

Hand wash with pH-neutral soap, or touchless automatic washes. Avoid brush washes permanently — they will degrade the coating over time regardless of how hard the coating is rated.

Optional but beneficial. Annual ceramic boost sprays or professional maintenance washes extend hydrophobic performance. The coating works without them, but they help it perform better longer.

Some reduction in water behavior over years is normal. If beading degrades significantly within the first year, contact us. It may indicate a curing issue or contamination that can be addressed.

Use pH-neutral car wash soap. Avoid dish soap, degreasers, or harsh chemicals. These can strip the coating's top layer and reduce its protective properties over time.

Ready to protect your paint?

We install ceramic coating for drivers in Sarasota, Venice, and Englewood. Call us or submit the form — we are happy to answer questions about your car and get you scheduled.

SARASOTA

(941) 837-2828 604 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis FL 34275

Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM

PUNTA GORDA (941) 786-6812 28041 Airpark Dr, Punta Gorda FL 33982

Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM