I have one goal – education. The process of proper education eliminates all fears you may have about Ceramic Coating Installation and especially from what to expect once dropping your vehicle off for a Ceramic Coating service at Kings Valet.
This initial walk through is intended to show Lifetime Ceramic Coating application to only paint without Paint Correction needed. Later in the post I will cover time added for various options available. 
The first round of excitement usually happens when you pick your appointment date. Drop off for your Lifetime Ceramic Coating is where the next round of excitement typically happens!
Upon arrival, Stephen or I will walk your vehicle with you. This is called the initial inspection. We will address any concerns you have about the vehicle. We then will make any service suggestions we notice. This includes questions like “Do you want the dealer sticker removed?” We will also briefly review what add on packages you had already selected or might be interested in. This is not a “hard sale” conversation. It is meant to make sure you are aware of what you were quoted for and what is available. It is your vehicle; not ours. Your needs will ALWAYS be placed ahead of our bottom line.
Exterior Detail (8-9:30am)
Now the work begins! Kings Valet has 26 steps to their exterior detail. Even on new vehicles we use an iron-decontamination spray, clay barring, 3 separate washes, heated dry and much more! This exterior detail removes any existing wax, polish and contaminants.
Paint Condition Review (9:30-10am)
Kings Valet never quotes paint correction prior to your appointment. Why? Wax and sealants can hide scratches and swirl marks. Post detail, the grease, wax and contaminants are removed. This would show the true picture of the current paint condition. Stephen will take pictures under LED inspection light to show swirl marks and scratches currently in your clear coat. We will then perform a polish and 1-step correction and take similar photos.
All 3 pictures will be sent through our appointment software. You will receive a link to easily view said photos. We ask you to view these 3 pictures promptly. Once you have viewed them we ask you to simply respond if you want to stick with the included polish OR upgrade to a single step of paint correction.
Polish (10am-12pm)
A buffer applied polish is applied to all exterior Paint. This polish accomplishes two things. First, it adds a great level of floss before applying the coating. The second reason for polishing is to provide a better surface for adhesion of the Ceramic Coating. If you elected to have more extensive correction done this when it would be performed as well. Per additional level of correction add 2-3 hours.
Panel Prep (12-1pm)
Like the most crucial step of the entire process (pre-application). This step is done with isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Inch by inch every panel is given an alcohol bath and inspected another time prior to Lifetime Ceramic Coating installation. Proper prep is essential to getting the full life out of a Ceramic Coating.
Another text will be sent at this point in the process. We will let you know we have made it to the Ceramic Coating Installation stage. This text is to schedule your release for the next day. Should bad weather be in the forecast for the following day, other arrangements will be made. After installation, Kings Valet will store vehicles for 3 days in summer and 5 days in winter at absolutely no cost.
Lifetime Ceramic Coating Application (1-3pm)
The moment you have been waiting for has arrived. Kings Valet has completed all the preparation needed to install your Paint Protection! This process is done panel by panel in a cross hatch pattern across all paint. It is a tedious process that is very time sensitive; an example being, on a humid and hot day the coating can flash as fast as 30 seconds. Once applied excess is buffed off.
Wrap Up (3-4pm)
Final Inspection Time! Your vehicle is moved on a couple different angles, in shade and under cloud cover if possible. This is the best method to see high spots. We also take a pure white piece of cardstock, hold it perpendicular to the vehicle and move around the entire vehicle. This is another method for finding any missed spots.
After these two additional inspections – Your VIN and License Plate will be reported to Carfax. We then stuff your cup holder. Some informational items, some gifts and more! Finally we cover the vehicle with body shop plastic (very light weight material to keep dust from settling on coating overnight). Curing takes 8 hours at over 55 degrees fahrenheit.
Day of Release (30 Minutes Before)
Time to uncover and reveal your vehicle in all its glory! At this point we will do our final inspection of the vehicle. If you have been keeping up this is more than 5 inspections throughout the Lifetime Ceramic Coating installation process. After this final inspection tire shine is applied. Kings Valet uses a silicone free tire shine so that in the event of even the slightest sling (the throwing of tire shine off the rubber while driving) will not harm the freshly coated vehicle. The last step is to take final photos of your vehicle. Stephen and I take pride in the work we do. I would also bet that you saw a shiny car or two that we had done and it helped to sell you on using Kings Valet for your Ceramic Coating needs.
Stephen or I will walk the entire vehicle with you. We will review all the packages you had installed. We will also recover the subject of maintenance (if George was doing his job – this should have been covered prior to your Ceramic Coating installation). The basic rule of thumb for Kings Valet is 3-24-7. After application; 3 hours before the vehicle can be driven, 24 hours before the vehicle can get wet and 7 days before it should be washed.
Undercoating (1 Hour) Looking for warrantied protection against rust on the underside of your new vehicle? Kings Valet has partnered with Undercoating Near Me LLC to provide undercoating and rustproofing services to you. A clear, drip free and eco friendly layer of protection for all metal, plastics, rubber and more.
Paint Correction (2-3 Hours Per Step) As mentioned, paint correction may be suggested, but is not required. If you elect to have some deeper defects removed it will take about 3 hours per step of correction. If your vehicle will be a daily driver or even a “garage queen” – 99.3% of the time we have moved forward with only a single step of correction. Only 2 of our last 300 clients have gone beyond a polish or single step of Paint Correction.
Full Exterior Ceramic Coating (2 Hours) Plastics, glass, trim, chrome and rims are all coated with a Lifetime Ceramic Coating. No more headache of brake dust, water will fly off the windshield and plastic trim will look new for years to come.
Full Interior Ceramic Coating (5 Hours) Leather, Textile, Plastics and Cloth are all coated with Ceramic Coating. Spill a cup of coffee? You now have time to get to a gas station before cleaning up. Worried about cracking and fading leather seats or dashboards? No more!
Is there anything worse than being without your New car or truck for days to weeks? You read that right, Kings Valet promises only 25 hours for your Lifetime Ceramic Coating to be applied. That’s it! Drop off at 7:45 am on Monday – Pick up as early as 8:45 am Tuesday. You can have additional Paint Correction, A FULL Exterior and Undercoating applied and still expect to pick your vehicle up within this 25 hour window. The only instance where your Ceramic Coating installation will be over a 25 hour turnaround is when adding an interior coating. It is labor intensive to get into all nooks and crannies. This only extends your appointment by a single day and I will reiterate this when you book.
Suppose I Get Every Addon – What is the Schedule?
Here is a sample schedule for ALL options: Day 1: Drop Off (7:45am), Undercoating (8 – 9am), Exterior Detail (9 – 10:30am), Interior Detail (10:30 – 12pm), FULL Interior Coating (12 – 5pm)
Day 2: Single Step Paint Correction (8 – 11am), Polish (11 – 1pm), Panel Prep (1 – 2pm), Paint Application (2 – 4pm), FULL Exterior Coating (4 – 6pm), Wrap-up (6 – 7pm)
What if bad weather pops up for my release date?
Our goal is for you to leave with a shiny and clean new vehicle. Obviously we hope it will stay that way for at least a few days. As such Kings Valet will store after your vehicle after installation for up to 3 days in summer and 5 days in winter at absolutely no cost. If a blizzard pops up – we promise to revisit this. Don’t worry we won’t send you into the salt right away. I discuss release times during the midday text on the day of your appointment.
Early Drop Off?
Kings Valet has an overnight drop box available. It is located on the small door, by the 2 large bay doors on the front of the building. Standard warning here… Kings Valet is not responsible for any vehicle left overnight or dropped off early that morning. Once taken into our possession it will be stored inside for the remainder of your time with us.
Do You Stay Late for Vehicle Releases?
Yes, within reason and must be scheduled ahead of time. Our goal is to meet your needs, sometimes this means out of normal business hours.
Will Kings Valet Release a Car on Saturday?
Yes, within reason and must be scheduled ahead of time. Our goal is to meet your needs, sometimes this means out of normal business hours.
Will Kings Valet Install Ceramic Coating on Saturdays?
Short Answer – No. Stephen and I operate on a Monday to Friday schedule for installations.
So what is the long answer? At the time of writing this I have a 4 month old baby girl at home. Stephen and I started Kings Valet because it meant we would be able to have time with our families. There is nothing more important to us. However, if you want to treat us to a steak dinner after your installation, our loved ones become more flexible. We will open select Saturdays, but this will be at a $250 premium. This allows all 5 of us to enjoy a nice evening out (Stephen and I, our significant others and my daughter).
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