These are list prices from five detailers, mostly in San Diego and Charlotte, read from their own price pages on 2026-10-08. They are asking prices, so use them to sanity-check a quote, not as a national average. See how we get these numbers.

Ceramic coating price by durability tier

Tier Provider Published price Notes
1 year Smith Bros Mobile Detailing (San Diego) $649 sedan Includes one-step polish
1 year Fresh Layer (San Diego) $599 to $899 Range, not split by size
3 year Smith Bros Mobile Detailing $849 sedan Rated up to 3 years
3 year Fresh Layer $799 to $1,299 Range
3 year Punchy’s Mobile Detailing (Charlotte) from $600 Includes polish
5 year Smith Bros Mobile Detailing $1,399 sedan Rated up to 5 years
5 year Dennis Auto Details (San Diego) $900 to $1,400 Starting range
5 year WeDetail (Charlotte) $579 Coating only, no paint correction
5 year Punchy’s Mobile Detailing from $1,300 Includes polish

The tiers overlap: a cheap 5-year coating can cost less than another provider’s 3-year one. The headline price also hides what is bundled. The Charlotte detailer’s $579 is coating only, while the $1,300 and $1,399 prices include a polish step. That is much of why one “5-year” label spans $579 to $1,400.

Vehicle size, paint correction and paint age

Only one provider we checked split coating prices by vehicle. A San Diego mobile detailer lists base prices from $599 (coupe) to $799 (full-size SUV) for 1 year, $799 to $999 for 3 years and $1,299 to $1,699 for 5 years. Each size step adds $50 on the 1- and 3-year tiers and $100 on the 5-year tier, and it charges $90 more for oversized or lifted vehicles and $90 for matte or wrapped finishes. For how size affects other services, see our cost by vehicle size guide.

Paint prep is the biggest swing. A coating locks in whatever the paint looks like, so correction matters. One Charlotte detailer sells one 5-year coating at $579 (coating only), $899 (with 1-step correction) and $1,299 (with 2-step correction). The San Diego detailer also adds a surcharge as paint ages: $0 for a brand-new car, $180 for 1 to 12 months, $270 for 1 to 3 years and $360 for 3 to 7+ years. On that menu, a 5-year coating on a 4-year-old sedan is $1,399 plus $360, or $1,759 before add-ons.

Cost per year of protection

Dividing price by rated years is the fastest way to compare tiers. On the lists above, 1-year coatings cost $599 to $899 per year, 3-year coatings $200 to $433 and 5-year coatings $116 to $280. Within that San Diego detailer’s sedan prices it is $649 per year for 1 year, about $283 for 3 years and about $280 for 5 years. Most of the saving comes from leaving the 1-year tier; going from 3 to 5 years barely changes the cost per year.

The catch is that the years are ratings, not guarantees. Providers say “up to 5 years” and “with proper maintenance.” As an illustration only, a $1,399 coating that lasts 3 years costs about $466 per year, not $280. Get warranty terms in writing before paying for a longer tier, and see how to find a reliable mobile detailer for what else to verify.

Add-ons

That San Diego detailer prices these on top of any tier: ceramic glass $200, ceramic wheel faces $200, and headlight restoration, plastic trim restoration or engine detailing at $149 each. Glass and wheels together add about $400. Also see our guide to how much to charge for mobile detailing for how detailers price these extras.

DIY ceramic coating

A consumer coating maker lists its graphene ceramic coating kit at $249.99 as of 2026-10-08. A kit covers materials only. You still need to wash, decontaminate and ideally polish the paint first, and consumer products differ from professional ones, so don’t assume the same lifespan. Gear that helps: ceramic coating DIY kit for cars, with applicators and prep spray and microfiber towels for ceramic coating buffing.

Red flags in a quote

  • No paint inspection. The price can’t be right without seeing the paint. This is one of several mobile detailing mistakes to avoid on the customer side.
  • “Lifetime” with no written warranty terms. Ask what is covered and what maintenance voids it.
  • No prep or add-ons itemized. Look for wash, clay, polish and wipe-down, with glass, wheels and trim priced separately.

Sources

Prices checked on 2026-10-08 from each provider’s own page. Confirm before you book.