Level I
Ocotillo (2-Year)
Entry professional tier. Appropriate for factory-paint daily drivers. Roughly one year of serious gloss retention and two years of protection.
Quoted after inspection.
Service 03 of 05
Inspection firstCeramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a silica-derived protective layer that chemically bonds to the clear coat, providing UV resistance, chemical resistance, and hydrophobic properties for multiple years under proper maintenance. Every coating is inspection-gated because coatings lock in whatever is underneath — the prep is the job.
Request an assessment
The inspection is free.
Three tiers
Longevity is the variable. Prep is not.
Level II
Saguaro (5-Year)
Balanced tier. Cost, longevity, and hardness land where most owners are trying to get to. Most customers choose this tier.
Quoted after inspection.
Level III
Ironwood (7+ Year)
Flagship tier. Maximum hardness, hydrophobicity, and chemical resistance. Annual in-person check-in included for the life of the coating.
Quoted after inspection.
Scope
What the work covers.
What's included
- 01Required correction prep — at minimum a single-stage enhancement polish, because a coating seals in every defect present at application
- 02Panel-wipe decontamination to strip polishing oils and residual contamination before coating
- 03Professional coating application per panel at specified mil thickness (the measured wet-film thickness that determines cure and durability)
- 04Controlled-environment cure in the bay — temperature and humidity matter for how the coating sets
- 05Post-cure inspection under LED before the vehicle is released
What to expect
- 01Send vehicle details first; photos are helpful if the coating path is not obvious
- 02Free thirty-minute in-person inspection — paint condition drives the correction prep tier, and the prep tier drives the quote
- 03Written proposal with final scope, timing, and price
- 0425% deposit to schedule
- 05Multi-day work window with controlled cure time before the vehicle is returned
A good fit when
- You plan to keep the vehicle and want multi-year UV, chemical, gloss, and hydrophobic protection.
- The paint can support correction prep before the coating is installed.
- You are willing to use proper wash care after installation so the coating can perform as intended.
Not the right lane when
- You want protection without any paint prep; coatings lock in the current finish.
- The paint has failed clear coat, repaint defects, or damage that needs body repair first.
- You need a budget wax-style gloss boost instead of a controlled coating and cure process.
Ceramic coating is inspection-gated because prep determines the result. We confirm the correction tier before quoting the coating package.
Why prep comes before protection
A coating seals in whatever is underneath it.
Every swirl, scratch, and water-spot etch present at application gets locked in along with the gloss. That's why every coating includes at least a single-stage enhancement polish, and heavier paint gets a full correction pass first — confirmed at the inspection, not guessed from a photo.
The inspection is free and tells us which correction tier your paint actually needs before we quote the coating.
What this is not
A coating is not a substitute for paint correction, and it won't fix paint that has failed clear coat or body-shop repair work underneath it. It protects the finish that's already there — it doesn't create one.
Coating only works over corrected paint
Review the defect-removal step that prepares paint before coating locks it in.
Ask about Paint Correction in your quote →Start with the free inspection.
Thirty minutes under the light bar tells us which correction tier your paint needs before we quote the coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saguaro is where most owners land — a balance of cost, hardness, and longevity that fits daily-driven enthusiast and luxury vehicles. Ironwood is the flagship for collectors and show cars where maximum durability matters. Ocotillo is the entry professional tier for factory-paint daily drivers who want real protection without the flagship spend.
Yes. A coating locks in whatever is underneath it — every swirl, every scratch, every water-spot etch visible at the time of application. Every coating includes at minimum a single-stage enhancement polish. Heavier defects require a two-stage Correction or a three-stage Show Correction first, which we confirm at the in-person inspection.
Collision damage, abrasive wash methods (automatic tunnels, dirty mitts, harsh brushes), and chemical contamination applied by third parties. Normal wash care — hand wash with a pH-neutral soap and proper tools — is covered for the full warranty period.
At 11 Mile Detail Co., professional ceramic coating starts at the published Ocotillo tier and increases with vehicle size, coating tier, and required paint prep. Phoenix pricing should not be compared by coating bottle alone; inspection, correction prep, controlled cure time, and maintenance expectations drive the real scope.
The coating tier sets the expected protection window, but Phoenix heat, UV exposure, parking conditions, and wash method decide how much of that window you actually get. Ocotillo is the entry two-year tier, Saguaro is the balanced five-year tier, and Ironwood is the 7+ year tier with annual in-person check-ins.
Related Services and Buyer Guides
ServicePaint CorrectionReview the defect-removal step that prepares paint before coating locks it in.ServiceComplete DetailUse when the vehicle needs a full interior and exterior reset before coating decisions.GuideHow long ceramic coating lasts in Phoenix heatPlanned buyer guide for heat, UV, wash care, and coating tier expectations.