Lock in the gloss.
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that bonds to vehicle paint to create a hydrophobic, UV-resistant layer. Innovo offers two pro-grade systems — P&S Inspiration STOUT (paint-only, 5-year manufacturer durability, 107° hydrophobic contact angle) and STEK Formula Final Coat (advanced Carbon Nanotube technology, 9H hardness, 3-year warranty plus up to 5 years if maintained standalone; extends STEK PPF warranty to 12 years when applied over PPF). Mobile + shop across the 9-county Bay Area.
“P&S Inspiration STOUT is the standalone paint ceramic we install. SiO₂ high-solids chemistry delivers a 107° hydrophobic contact angle with 5-year manufacturer durability — single-layer application that performs like older multi-layer ceramics. STEK Final Coat is the Carbon Nanotube (CNT) technology companion for matte surfaces, wraps, and PPF topcoats — its CNT structure penetrates the substrate and extends the STEK PPF warranty from 10 to 12 years.”
No "call for a quote."
Most Bay Area ceramic-coating shops won't quote you a number until they've got your contact info. We publish the menu because the number doesn't change based on who's asking — it changes based on vehicle size and which product you pick. Three tiers (Small-Medium / Large / XL), two products (P&S STOUT or STEK Final Coat). See the math below; book in two minutes.
P&S Inspiration STOUT
High-solids professional ceramic. Single-layer formula performs like multiple traditional layers. 107° hydrophobic contact angle. 5-year manufacturer durability with maintenance. Compatible with paint, PPF, wheels, trim (not glass).
| Service | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| P&S Inspiration STOUT — 5 yr | $600 | $900 | $1,200 |
STEK Formula Final Coat
Premium ceramic coating formulated with advanced Carbon Nanotube (CNT) technology. 9H hardness. 99% UV protection. Primary use: PPF topcoat — penetrates STEK PPF\'s topcoat to create the molecular bond that extends warranty 10 → 12 years (registered at stekshield.com). Also standalone on matte / wrap / non-PPF finishes.
| Service | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEK Final Coat — standalone (matte/wrap/non-PPF) | $900 | $1,100 | $1,300 |
As PPF add-on: +$300.
Stout vs Final Coat vs CQuartz vs Gtechniq.
The four ceramic systems Bay Area buyers compare most often. Innovo carries two — STOUT for paint, Final Coat for PPF / matte / wrap — chosen because the engineering matters more than the brand name. Specs sourced from each manufacturer's published technical data.
| Spec | P&S Stout Innovo | STEK Final Coat Innovo | CQuartz UK 3.0 | Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry family | SiO₂ high-solids | Carbon Nanotube (CNT) | SiO₂ high-solids | SiO₂ + carbide ceramic |
| Hardness rating | 9H pencil (high-solids ceramic class) | 9H pencil | 9H pencil | 10H (Gtechniq marketing) |
| Water contact angle | 107° | — (STEK does not publish) | ~110° | ~115° |
| Application layers | Single-layer (high-solids — performs like multi-layer traditional) | Single-layer | Single-layer (UK 3.0) | 1-2 layers (Light / Ultra) |
| Manufacturer durability | 5 years | 3-yr warranty standalone (up to 5 if maintained); 12-yr when over STEK PPF | 2-3 years standalone | 9-year warranty (accredited-detailer install) |
| PPF-topcoat compatible | Yes — compatible with PPF + matte / wrap | Yes — designed for it (extends STEK PPF 10→12 yr) | Yes — paint-focused; not warranted as PPF topcoat | Yes — paint-focused; not warranted as PPF topcoat |
| Cure | Ambient — 2hr set / 3hr drive / 2-day first-wash | Ambient (controlled shop conditions) | Ambient | Ambient (24hr no-touch) |
| Innovo installs | Authorized installer | Authorized installer | No | No |
Competitor specs above sourced from each manufacturer's published product pages and technical data sheets. Specs marked "—" are values that company does not publicly publish in a directly comparable format. Innovo carries STOUT + Final Coat because they are the right tools for paint and PPF-over-paint respectively — not because they are the only options.
From dirty driver to coated.
Foam pre-soak + 2-bucket hand wash
Strip prior wax, prep panels for decon.
Iron + tar + clay-bar
Bonded contamination removed mechanically + chemically.
Paint correction prep
Surface is coat-ready. Light correction included; heavy correction priced separately.
Apply + cure
Application in controlled shop conditions. 2-hour set / 3-hour drive / 48-hour first-wash.
Ceramic FAQ
P&S STOUT vs STEK Final Coat — which one?
STOUT is the primary ceramic for paint — 107° hydrophobic, 5-year durability. Final Coat is for matte, wrap, or non-paint surfaces — and as a PPF topcoat that extends PPF warranty 10 → 12 years. If your car is regular gloss paint and you want long-term hydrophobic protection, STOUT. If you have a wrap, matte, or PPF on top, Final Coat.
What's included in the ceramic price?
Wash + iron/clay decon + paint correction prep + STOUT application + cure. Coating-ready surface is the prep, not the upsell. Interior detail is not included — quote separately if you want interior work done.
How long does it take?
Medium sedan — about 8 hours labor (4 hrs with a 2-tech crew). Large SUV — 9 hours. XL truck — 10 hours. Drive in clean → drive out coated. First wash in ~48 hours.
How long does the coating last?
P&S STOUT — 5-year manufacturer durability. STEK Final Coat standalone — 3-year warranty, up to 5 years if maintained. Both depend on regular pH-neutral washing and avoiding harsh chemicals.
Is the 9H hardness rating real?
Yes and no — depends what you think it means. STEK Final Coat is rated 9H on the pencil hardness scale, which measures resistance to scratching by graphite pencils of increasing hardness. 9H is the top of that scale — same rating most pro ceramic coatings carry. What 9H does NOT mean: 9 on the Mohs mineral-hardness scale (where 9 = corundum / sapphire). A 9H pencil-hardness coating still scratches against keys, automated brush washes, and gravel — it just resists the failure mode pencils represent (light marring + clear-coat-level scuffing). The honest framing: a 9H ceramic adds a hardness layer that resists wash-induced marring meaningfully better than uncoated clear coat. It is not scratch-proof, bullet-proof, or rock-chip-proof. For rock-chip resistance you want PPF (a physical 8-mil film), not ceramic.
Can you do ceramic on matte or wrapped finishes?
Yes — but with STEK Final Coat, not STOUT. STOUT is paint-only. Final Coat is rated for matte, wrap, and PPF surfaces — its Carbon Nanotube (CNT) technology is engineered to penetrate the substrate without altering the finish character.
Can ceramic be done mobile, or shop-only?
Either. Mobile across the 9-county Bay Area — we bring water + power. Shop at 3425 Ettie St Oakland.