1). What is a ceramic coating?
Here at Atom, we use ceramic coatings as a long-term way of protecting your vehicle’s paintwork and making it easier to maintain. Once applied, the coating bonds to the surface and creates a durable, hydrophobic layer that helps resist dirt, road grime and environmental contamination.

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2. Which ceramic coating do you use?
We believe in only offering the top tier ceramic Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra for our main paintwork ceramic coating. We’re a Gtechniq Accredited Installer, so the coating is installed professionally and, when correctly maintained, comes with a 9-year manufacturer warranty.

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3. Do you machine polish the car before applying the ceramic coating?
Yes. Here at Atom, we machine polish every vehicle before applying a ceramic coating, including brand-new cars. This allows us to improve the finish, remove light defects where possible and make sure the surface is properly prepared before the coating is installed.

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4. Can you ceramic coat a brand-new car?
Absolutely. In fact, many of the vehicles we protect are brand new. Even new cars can have light wash marks, transport defects or dealership preparation marks, so we still inspect and machine polish the paintwork before coating it.

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5. Will a ceramic coating stop stone chips?
No. Ceramic coatings are excellent for chemical resistance, ease of cleaning and maintaining the finish, but they do not provide meaningful protection against stone chips or heavier physical damage. Here at Atom, we recommend Paint Protection Film (PPF) for areas where impact protection is the priority.

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6. How long does a ceramic coating last?
The lifespan depends on the coating, how the vehicle is used and how well it is maintained. With our Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra installation, customers can benefit from a 9-year manufacturer warranty when the coating is correctly installed and maintained.

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7. Does a ceramic coating make the car maintenance-free?
No. It makes maintenance much easier, but the vehicle still needs to be washed properly. We recommend washing your vehicle at least once a month where possible. We also provide our customers with wash guidance so they know how to look after the coating correctly.

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8. Do you offer aftercare?
Yes. Aftercare is a big part of the service. We provide wash guides, carry out your first wash free of charge, and offer ongoing maintenance washes and annual coating reviews if you would rather leave the upkeep to us.

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9. Can you coat the wheels and glass as well?
Yes. We offer ceramic protection for the wheel faces, full wheels and exterior glass, depending on the package you choose. Our Core and Atom packages include additional protection beyond the paintwork, and we also offer these areas as add-ons where appropriate.

 

10) What is the difference between your ENHANCE, CORE and ATOM packages?
ENHANCE focuses on the paintwork and gives you the essential machine polish and ceramic protection. CORE adds ceramic protection to the wheel faces and exterior glass. Atom is our most comprehensive detailing package, with a higher level of paint correction, wheels removed and coated, plus interior cleaning and protection.

 

11) Can ceramic coatings be applied to satin or matte paint?
Yes, but the correct product and preparation need to be used for the finish. We assess the vehicle first and make sure the coating is suitable for gloss, satin or matte surfaces without changing the intended appearance.

 

12) Will ceramic coating make my car look better?
Yes, although the biggest visual improvement usually comes from the preparation and polishing carried out beforehand. Here at Atom, we focus heavily on the preparation stage so the paintwork looks its best before the coating is applied and locked in.

 

13) How long will you need the car for?
That depends on the package and the condition of the vehicle. Ceramic coating is not a quick wipe-on service. We allow the time needed for proper washing, decontamination, machine polishing, coating application and curing so the job is done correctly. Approx examples per package: ENHANCE 2 days, CORE 2-3 Days, ATOM 4-5 Days.

 

14) Is ceramic coating worth having on a daily-driven car?
Yes. In many ways, daily-driven cars benefit the most because they are exposed to more road grime, weather and contamination. Ceramic coating makes regular cleaning easier and helps preserve the finish over the long term.

 

15) Can I combine ceramic coating with PPF?
Yes, and this is something we recommend a lot. Our Shield Package combines Front End PPF with ceramic protection to the rest of the vehicle, plus wheel-face and exterior-glass coatings. It gives you physical protection where stone chips are most likely, with ceramic protection across the rest of the car.