Do Dealerships Properly Apply Ceramic Coatings? The Shocking Truth
Many new car buyers are offered ceramic or graphene coatings by the dealership, often marketed as “lifetime protection” for their vehicle’s paint and interior. While this may sound like a great deal, the reality is far different. Dealership-applied coatings lack proper preparation, are applied in subpar conditions, and often come with misleading warranties.
If you want true long-term paint protection, it’s important to understand why dealership coatings don’t meet professional detailing standards and why a properly installed, high-quality ceramic coating is the best option.
Why Brand-New Cars Still Need Decontamination & Paint Correction
Many people assume a brand-new car’s paint is flawless and ready for coating—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. New vehicles go through an extensive journey before they reach your hands, and during that time, they pick up contaminants, defects, and imperfections that must be addressed before any protective coating is applied.
How Your New Car’s Paint Gets Contaminated
Factory Storage
Cars sit in holding lots where they are exposed to industrial fallout, rail dust, and airborne contaminants that embed into the clear coat.
Shipping & Transport
Vehicles are transported on ships, trains, and trucks, often exposed to salt, pollution, and dirt for weeks or months.
Port & Dealership Storage
Upon arrival, cars often sit outdoors, exposed to UV rays, acid rain, bird droppings, and environmental grime before even reaching the showroom.
Improper Washing at Dealerships
Once at the dealership, vehicles are typically washed with cheap products, dirty used towels, and abrasive brushes, causing swirl marks and micro-scratches in the paint.
This means that even a brand-new car needs a full decontamination process (including iron removal, clay bar treatment, and machine polishing) to properly prepare the surface before applying any coating. Dealerships do not perform these crucial steps, which significantly reduces the effectiveness and durability of their coatings.
The Problem with Dealership Ceramic & Graphene Coatings
Poor Surface Preparation
A high-quality ceramic or graphene coating needs a perfectly clean and polished surface to bond properly. This includes:
- Full decontamination to remove iron particles, tar, and embedded contaminants.
Machine paint correction to remove swirl marks, haze, and minor scratches from transport or improper washing techniques from the dealership.
- Panel wipe-down to ensure a residue-free surface for maximum adhesion.
Dealerships skip or rush these critical steps, leading to:
Coating applied over contaminants, reducing durability.
- Paint defects being locked in under the coating instead of corrected.
- A surface that doesn’t bond well, shortening the lifespan of the coating.
Rushed & Inexperienced Application
Unlike professional detailers, dealership technicians are not paint protection specialists. Their coatings are often applied:
In bulk and in uncontrolled environments (dust, humidity, and poor lighting).
By untrained staff who lack the expertise to properly apply and level coatings.
Without adequate curing time, leading to an uneven or weak finish.
This means the coating may not last as long, won’t perform as expected, and may fail prematurely.
Misleading “Lifetime Warranty” Claims
Many dealership coatings come with “lifetime warranties”, but these are often filled with loopholes that make them practically useless.
Common warranty conditions include:
- Frequent mandatory inspections & reapplications (at the dealership’s discretion).
Exclusions for environmental damage (which is the whole point of getting a coating).
- Voiding the warranty if maintenance conditions aren’t met, even if the coating fails.
In contrast, professional ceramic coatings like Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) offer genuine protection with proven longevity, backed by trusted independent testing—not marketing gimmicks.
Why Crystal Serum Ultra is a Superior Choice
Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra (CSU) has been tested and proven to outperform most coatings, including graphene-based alternatives.
- True 9H+ dual-layer protection for extreme hardness & scratch resistance.
- Industry-leading UV & chemical resistance, preventing oxidation and fading.
- Deep, rich gloss & enhanced clarity after proper paint correction.
Up to 9 years of durability when professionally applied.
Unlike dealership coatings, CSU is only available through certified installers who follow strict preparation and application processes, ensuring you get the best possible protection and results.
The Right Way to Protect Your New Car
If you want true long-term protection, the best way to safeguard your investment is through a professionally applied, high-quality ceramic coating after proper preparation.
Our Professional Process Includes:
Full decontamination wash (iron removal, clay bar, deep cleaning).
Machine paint correction to refine the surface, enhance gloss, and remove defects.
- Panel wipe-down to ensure a completely clean surface before coating.
Premium ceramic coating application with strict curing conditions.
Interior protection tailored to your vehicle’s materials (leather, fabric, plastics).
Unlike dealership coatings, we follow the highest industry standards to ensure your vehicle gets true protection, not just a sales pitch.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Settle for Dealership Coatings
While dealership coatings may seem like an easy option, they simply do not meet professional standards. Without proper decontamination, paint correction, and skilled application, these coatings fail to provide the protection and durability they promise.
For a superior, long-lasting solution, invest in a professionally installed ceramic coating that has been proven to stand the test of time.
Want to protect your new vehicle the right way?
Call RPM Detailing today at 0400 103 866 for a detailed quote on full exterior and interior protection. Experience the difference of professional grade coatings that keep your vehicle looking its best.
