Question 1

What should I ask a coating installer before I book?

Accepted Answer

Ask what happens to the paint first, how long the coating lasts, how long you will be without the car, what care it needs and what it will not do. These are our answers:

Question 2

Which freeway gets me from Southfield to your shop?

Accepted Answer

I-696 east to its I-75 interchange at exit 18, then I-75 north to exit 65, 14 Mile Road. We are at 436 E 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, and I-696's Southfield exits run from American Drive (exit 7) to Greenfield Road (exit 13).

Question 3

Will a coating hide swirls and scratches?

Accepted Answer

No, it seals them in. That is why paint correction comes first: multi-stage compounding and polishing removes swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation, and the coating then protects the corrected paint.

Question 4

Is a coating worth it on a car that sits in a parking lot all day?

Accepted Answer

That is where it earns its keep. A vehicle parked outside is exposed to UV and road chemicals all day, and a coating protects the paint from both while making dirt easier to rinse off.

Question 5

Does the coating cover the interior too?

Accepted Answer

No. A paint coating covers paint, so leather and other interior surfaces still need conditioning every 3 to 6 months.

Question 6

Which cities near Southfield have ceramic coating pages?

Accepted Answer

Southfield borders Detroit on the south and Royal Oak, Berkley and Oak Park on the east. These cities have ceramic coating pages:

Question 7

Can film or tint go with the coating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Paint protection film, window tint and vinyl wrap are all done at the same Madison Heights shop, so a coating can be planned together with any of them on one car:

Question 8

How much does a ceramic coating cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the coating, your vehicle's size and the paint correction it needs first. Request a free quote with your year, make and model, or call (248) 881-8204; the financing page explains payment plans.

Question 9

What should a Southfield driver ask before booking a coating?

Accepted Answer

Ask whether the paint needs correction first, and whether rock chips from the Lodge or Telegraph need film instead. Southfield's office district is served by I-696 and the Lodge. A coating makes washing easier and does not stop chips. The shop is in Madison Heights, about 8 miles from the middle of Southfield in a straight line.

Question 10

Why do Southfield drivers come to Madison Heights for a ceramic coating?

Accepted Answer

Southfield drivers come to Madison Heights because the shop is about 8 miles from the middle of Southfield, in a straight line. Take I-696 east to exit 18, its junction with I-75, then I-75 north to exit 65, 14 Mile Road. The shop is at 436 E 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071. I-696 has exits in Southfield from American Drive (exit 7) to Greenfield Road (exit 13). The install is at the Madison Heights shop, not a mobile stop in Southfield. Hours, parking and how to book are in Visiting the shop, further down this page.

Question 11

Which coatings are used on a Southfield car?

Accepted Answer

Choose the prep before you choose the bottle. Office miles on the Lodge and Telegraph leave film a coating makes easier to wash, and they do not stop chips. Gtechniq, Gyeon, CarPro and P&S are the coatings, and Rupes tools do the paint correction. The product-by-product list is further down this page. Coatings last 2 to 9 years, depending on the product.

Question 12

How do I book a coating appointment from Southfield?

Accepted Answer

Leave the car at 436 E 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071. From Southfield the published way is I-696 east to exit 18, then I-75 north to exit 65. How long you are on I-696 depends on which Southfield exit you start from, American Drive (exit 7) through Greenfield Road (exit 13). Appointments are preferred, and walk-ins are welcome when possible. We're open Mon–Fri 10:00 AM–6:00 PM and Sat 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, and closed Sunday.

Question 13

Which ceramic coatings does Elite Auto Lab use?

Accepted Answer

We use professional-grade coatings from Gtechniq, Gyeon, CarPro and P&S. Our coatings last 2 to 9 years, depending on the product, and they need proper maintenance. More in how long ceramic coating lasts.

Ask	Our answer
What happens to the paint first?	A hand wash, foam cannon treatment and clay bar, then paint correction if the paint has swirls, haze or oxidation, because the coating seals in the finish, defects included
How long does a coating last?	2 to 9 years, depending on the product, and it depends on how the vehicle is cared for
How long will I be without the car?	Up to 3 or more days for correction plus a coating
What care does it need?	No washing for 7 days, then a pH-neutral shampoo, no harsh chemicals or automatic car washes, a booster spray every 3 to 4 months and an annual maintenance detail
What won't it do?	A coating does not stop physical damage such as rock chips

Ceramic Coating for Southfield, MI Drivers