How to Compare Pricing & Quality for Paint Correction and Ceramic Coating
If you’re looking into paint correction or ceramic coating for your car in Prestons, Sydney, chances are you’ve come across a wide range of pricing — some packages start at a few hundred dollars, while others quote over $1,500. So what’s the difference? Why are some quotes so cheap? And how do you know who’s offering quality and who’s cutting corners?
At Infinity Detailing Studio in Prestons 2170, we regularly help clients from Sydney make informed decisions about their car care. In this blog, we’ll break down what to consider when comparing paint correction and ceramic coating services — including price, workmanship, products, and red flags to watch out for.
Why Pricing Varies So Much
There’s no universal price list when it comes to paint correction and ceramic coatings. Several factors affect pricing:
The condition of your vehicle’s paint
The level of paint correction required (single-stage, two-stage, or three-stage)
The brand and quality of ceramic coating used
Preparation time and techniques
Warranty and durability of the coating
Experience, training, and setup of the detailer
If you’ve received several quotes and one stands out as significantly cheaper, don’t assume it’s the best deal. In detailing, you get what you pay for.
Another detailers Ceramic Coating Offers The World?
It is well known ceramic coatings are not bullet proof and do not last forever. When a detailer promises the world with their ceramic coating—like a lifetime durability or unlimited warranty—it’s a red flag that warrants closer scrutiny. Ceramic coatings are impressive products that offer excellent protection against UV rays, chemical stains, and minor scratches, but they are not invincible. Claims of lifetime performance often ignore important variables like how the vehicle is maintained, the environment it’s driven in, and how frequently it’s washed. No coating can completely prevent damage from road debris, swirl marks from improper washing, or years of sun exposure. Overpromising results may be a marketing tactic rather than a reflection of the product’s true capabilities.
Furthermore, terms like “unlimited warranty” can be misleading without fine print. Many such warranties are filled with conditions—such as mandatory inspections, professional maintenance at specific intervals, and exclusions for wear and tear—that can void the coverage if not strictly followed. The best detailers will give you a realistic understanding of what the coating can do, including its limitations. Be wary of anyone who guarantees perfection or permanence; instead, look for transparency, a solid maintenance plan, and a reputation backed by real customer reviews rather than flashy guarantees. That is why we like CarPro ceramic coatings, their business model is to underpromise and overdeliver. Often we see CarPro ceramic coatings still healthy well after the minimum durability claimed from CarPro.
The Problem with Cheap Quotes
While saving money sounds great, ultra-cheap quotes often signal a lack of experience, sub-par products, or rushed jobs. Here are some common issues with budget options:
Poor preparation: Paint correction requires hours of washing, decontaminating, claying, and polishing before any coating is applied. Skipping steps means poor results.
Low-grade coatings: Cheap coatings may offer little to no protection or durability, even if they’re labeled as “ceramic.”
No warranty or aftercare: Reputable studios offer warranty-backed coatings and aftercare advice. Budget providers often disappear after the job is done.
No correction included: Some ceramic coating quotes don’t include paint correction at all. Applying coating over swirl marks just seals in imperfections.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
How to Compare Quotes the Right Way
Here are 5 key areas to focus on when comparing ceramic coating and paint correction quotes in Sydney:
1. Preparation & Paint Correction Level
Paint correction isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Depending on the condition of your paint, different levels of correction may be required:
Single-stage correction: Removes light swirl marks and enhances gloss.
Two-stage correction: Removes deeper scratches and oxidation before refining.
Multi-stage correction: Complete restoration of severely damaged paint.
When receiving quotes, always ask what level of correction is included. Some detailers will apply ceramic coating without doing any polishing — which defeats the purpose.
At Infinity Detailing Studio, every ceramic coating package includes appropriate correction for the condition of your vehicle. We also conduct a thorough inspection before quoting, so you get exactly what your car needs.
2. Product Quality & Brand Transparency
Ceramic coatings vary massively in quality. Professional-grade brands like CarPro DQuartz or CarPro Professional offer true protection, durability, and hydrophobic performance — but they’re not cheap.
Many budget quotes use generic coatings that aren’t tested, certified, or backed by a warranty. Ask your detailer:
What brand of coating do you use?
Is it a consumer or professional-grade product?
What is the expected durability?
Is there a warranty?
We use only high-end, professional ceramic coatings from CarPro, applied in a controlled environment in our Prestons studio. With proper maintenance, our coatings can last 3–5 years or more, depending on the system chosen.
3. Detailer Experience and Setup
A detailer’s training, technique, and working environment all affect the outcome. A mobile detailer working in an open driveway isn’t going to deliver the same results as a professional studio with lighting, controlled airflow, and proper tools.
When comparing detailers quotes, ask these questions:
How many ceramic coatings have you done?
Do you have a dedicated studio?
Are you insured?
Can I see before and after photos or reviews?
At Infinity Detailing Studio, we’re fully insured, highly trained, and operate from a purpose-built studio in Prestons with ideal lighting and equipment for precision correction and coating.
4. Time Required
Proper paint correction and ceramic coating takes time. If a detailer says they can coat your car in 2–3 hours, you should be very cautious. That’s simply not enough time for decontamination, correction, panel prep, coating, and curing.
On average, we spend 18-30 hours on a full correction and coating service — sometimes longer depending on the vehicle.
If your quote promises same-day coating in 2–3 hours, chances are corners are being cut. Rushed work leads to poor bonding, streaking, and coating failure.
5. Inclusions, Warranty & Aftercare
Always look at what’s actually included in the price:
Is paint correction included, or just a wash and coat?
Is the coating layered for additional durability?
Are the wheels, glass, trims, or plastics coated?
If wheels, glass, trims & plastics are coated is it a specific coating for each type of material or one ceramic coating for all surfaces? Surface specific coatings work much better.
Is there a warranty?
Do they offer aftercare advice or maintenance plans?
We provide complete transparency with our packages, so you know exactly what you’re getting. We also offer maintenance washes and aftercare guidance to ensure your coating performs long-term.
What to Watch Out For
Keep an eye out for these common red flags:
Vague package descriptions (e.g. "ceramic coating included" without detail)
No mention of paint correction
Lowball pricing with no warranty
Poor communication or rushed inspection
No clear brand name of the coating used
No proof of previous work (photos, reviews, etc.)
Quality Work Is an Investment
Your car is a significant investment. Don’t trust it to the cheapest option. Paint correction and ceramic coatings are highly skilled services that require time, training, and quality products. A proper job not only makes your car look amazing but also protects it for years.
While a cheap coating may only last a few months or begin to fail quickly, a professional-grade coating with thorough prep can last years — saving you money and hassle in the long run.
Get an Honest Quote from Infinity Detailing Studio
At Infinity Detailing Studio in Prestons, Sydney, we’re upfront, honest, and committed to quality. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t use cheap, rebranded coatings. All of our paint correction and ceramic coating services are tailored to your vehicle, using trusted brands like CarPro, and delivered with care in our professional studio.
We proudly serve Prestons, Liverpool, Ingleburn, Casula, Wetherill Park, Moorebank, and surrounding suburbs.
Visit www.infinitydetailingstudio.com.au or contact us to request a detailed inspection and quote. When it comes to protecting your car, don’t settle for “good enough” — choose quality that lasts.
