Ceramic coating for
Crystal Lake drivers.
You paid more for your car than any car you've owned before. A ceramic coating takes the abuse from salt, sap and sun so your paint doesn't, and makes every wash easier. Our shop is about 15 minutes away in McHenry.
Pick how long you’ll keep the car. We handle the rest.
Crystal Lake drivers get the same full prep and certified install as every coating we do, about 15 minutes away in McHenry.
Choose 1, 3 or 5 years
Match the coating to how long you plan to own the car.
We prep and coat
Full decontamination, careful hand application and a proper cure.
You wash less, worry less
Lasting gloss and easier washes, backed by a warranty and our 30-day guarantee.
Salt, sap and Metra lots are hard on paint.
What a coating does for a Crystal Lake car
Road salt on Route 14, sap in the tree-lined neighborhoods by the lake, and long days parked at the train station wear your finish down a little every day. A ceramic coating bonds to your clear coat and takes that abuse instead. Dirt comes off with a normal wash instead of sticking.
Drop the car off in the morning in McHenry, about 15 minutes up Route 31, and it's ready the same day or the next.
- Resists UV fading, bird droppings, tree sap, road salt film and water spots
- Deep gloss that lasts for years, not weeks
- Washing is faster because dirt lets go instead of bonding
- Not scratch-proof or chip-proof, and we'll never tell you it is
A 2023 Tahoe Z71, recoated after a repair.
This Crystal Lake customer's 2023 Chevy Tahoe Z71 already had our 5-year ceramic coating, applied two years earlier. After a minor accident and body repair, he made sure the insurance claim covered recoating the entire truck, not just the repaired panels.
After two years of living with the coating, he wasn't willing to go without it. His reason: it keeps the truck simple to keep clean. The whole truck got a fresh 5-year coating, and the windshield was coated too, which is why the wipers are up while it cures.
Protection sized to how long you'll own it.
Every package — 1, 3, or 5-year — covers your paint, exterior glass, and wheel faces as one system: glass and wheels always get a 2-year coating regardless of the length you choose for your paint. Fully warrantied and reported to CARFAX, with complimentary detail spray for the life of your coating.
The full system at its most accessible entry point — same in-house process, same warranty.
- Paint, glass & wheel faces coated
- Fully warrantied, CARFAX reported
- Complimentary detail spray for life
Where most owners land — protection that actually matches how long they keep the car.
- Paint, glass & wheel faces coated
- Fully warrantied, CARFAX reported
- Complimentary detail spray for life
Our longest-lasting package, for owners who want to set it and stop thinking about it.
- Paint, glass & wheel faces coated
- Fully warrantied, CARFAX reported
- Complimentary detail spray for life
Same gloss, protection, and easy maintenance as our vehicle coatings, sized for bikes.
Coating-safe wash that keeps an existing coating performing at its best.
Want physical film protection instead of (or in addition to) a ceramic coating? See our Paint Protection Film page.
Not happy? We remove it and refund the service.
If you're not satisfied with your coating, bring the vehicle back within 30 days and we'll remove it completely, in-house — then refund the coating service in full. Coatings get evaluated and applied right the first time, and you get peace of mind either way.
Certifications don't detail your car. People do.
One of only two IDA-Certified detailers in McHenry County
Detailer Skills Verified through documented training, testing, and a portfolio of proven work — not a sticker we bought online.
600+ coatings applied since 2015
A decade of learning exactly what works on every paint, plastic, and finish that comes through the door — not a first-year learning curve on your car.
Family-run, one shop, no franchise
Your car is coated at our McHenry garage, by our team — never subcontracted out or handed to a franchise crew.
Every coating reported to CARFAX
Documentation that protects your resale value, not just your paint — proof the work was actually done.
From "what does my car need" to done.
Tell us about your vehicle
Call, text, or book online. We'll ask about your paint condition and how long you plan to keep the car.
We recommend a package
1, 3, or 5-year protection — matched to your vehicle and how you actually drive it, no upsell.
Drop it off in McHenry
Everything happens in-house at our shop — 6 hours to a full day depending on the package.
Drive out protected
Warrantied, CARFAX-reported, and backed by our 30-day guarantee — with detail spray for the life of the coating.
What McHenry County drivers say.
"Recently he did a paint correction and ceramic coated my Audi and it turned out great. He will give you honest estimates and not try to upsell you."
"Inside, exterior ceramic application, engine clean, wheels & windows... Joe was in constant contact by text & email. Professional — I will be back & highly recommend."
"His detailing skills are top notch and he's a super nice guy... I would use them again and recommend them to anyone looking for a great detail."
Crystal Lake ceramic coating questions, answered straight.
How far is your shop from Crystal Lake?
About 15 minutes. We're at 3980 W Albany St in McHenry, just off Route 31.
My car sits at the train station all day. Is a coating worth it?
Yes, that's where it helps most. Sun, bird droppings and sap sit on the coating instead of etching into your clear coat.
How much does ceramic coating cost?
Packages run $895 to $1,395 for cars and crossovers and $995 to $1,595 for trucks and SUVs, depending on whether you choose 1, 3, or 5 years of protection. Before you compare quotes, read how to compare ceramic coating shops.
Do I need paint correction first?
Only if you want swirls or haze removed before they're locked in. We inspect your paint before quoting and tell you if you don't need it.
What happens to my coating if I'm in an accident?
Repaired panels lose the coating. Every coating we apply is warrantied and reported to CARFAX, so you have documentation to give your adjuster if you ask for the coating to be restored as part of the claim. Coverage depends on your insurer.
Does a ceramic coating prevent scratches or rock chips?
No. It resists UV, droppings, sap, grime and water spots and makes washing easier. For rock chips, paint protection film is the physical barrier built for that.
How long will my detail take?
Most details are done the same day, except ceramic coatings. Most details take 3 to 5 hours, and you’ll be notified once we’re done.
Do you offer pick-up and delivery?
Yes. With our valet service, we come to your home or office, leave our own car parked there (it’s not a loaner), and drive your car to our shop. We’re fully insured. Once your detail is done, we bring your car back and pick ours up, so you never have to leave your home or office. You get the convenience of a mobile detailer with the quality of a full shop detail.
Certified Installer for Five Coating Brands
We match the coating to your car, how you drive, and how long you plan to keep it. Learn more about each brand we're certified to install:
Also available: interior ceramic coating for carpets and seats, motorcycle ceramic coating, and XPEL paint protection film for rock-chip protection. Not sure which you need? Compare ceramic coating vs. sealant vs. PPF.
Not Sure Which Coating Is Right For You?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and we'll match you with the exact package your car needs.
Ready to stop worrying
about your paint?
Serving Crystal Lake from our McHenry shop, about 15 minutes up Route 31.