Question 1

How long does a ceramic coating take?

Accepted Answer

Standard ceramic coating jobs are drop off at 9:30 AM with pick up the following day at 11:30 AM. Vehicles requiring extra work such as heavy paint correction may take additional time — we will let you know upfront. All services are by appointment only.

Question 2

How long does a maintenance wash take?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance washes typically take 1.5 to 2 hours. All services are by appointment only — call or text us at 808-216-4525 to schedule.

Question 3

How much does ceramic coating cost?

Accepted Answer

Our packages start at $700 for the DuraSlic 4-Year, $900 for the 5-Year Ceramic, and $1,200+ for the Obsidian 7-Year Graphene Coating. Our C6 Permanent Coating starts at $2,200. We also offer Fabric Guard ($80+) and Rust Proofing ($300+) as add-ons. The best way to get an accurate number is to bring your vehicle in — condition and size affect pricing.

Question 4

What's the difference between the coating packages?

Accepted Answer

The main differences are durability, hardness, and warranty coverage. The DuraSlic 4-Year includes a 4-year warranty registered with Carfax. The Obsidian 7-Year Graphene is our flagship — 9H–10H+ hardness (34% stronger than standard ceramic), better heat dissipation, dramatically less water spotting, and a 7-year Carfax-registered warranty. The C6 Permanent Coating is our lifetime option for owners who want the absolute best.

Question 5

Do you do paint correction before coating?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and it's not optional if your paint needs it. Coating over damaged or contaminated paint permanently seals that damage in. Every vehicle gets a full decontamination wash, clay bar treatment, and panel inspection. If correction is needed, we do it before any coating goes on. Most shops skip this step. We don't.

Question 6

How do I take care of my vehicle after coating?

Accepted Answer

Do not wash your vehicle for the first 14 days after coating. After that, wash in the shade and dry immediately to avoid water spots — Hawaii's water has high mineral content. Full cure takes 2–3 weeks. We recommend a professional maintenance detail every 3–4 months to keep the coating performing at its best.

Question 7

Does ceramic coating prevent water spots?

Accepted Answer

Not completely — nothing does. What it does is make water spots significantly easier to remove. The Obsidian Graphene coating goes further by reducing water spot formation thanks to better heat dissipation, which prevents mineral deposits from baking onto the surface in Hawaii's sun. Washing in the shade and drying immediately is still the best practice.

Question 8

Does ceramic coating protect against rock chips?

Accepted Answer

No. Ceramic coating is a chemical protection layer — it protects against UV, oxidation, bird droppings, acid rain, and salt air. For rock chip protection, you need Paint Protection Film (PPF). If you're concerned about chips, we're happy to refer you to a PPF installer.

Question 9

Why does ceramic coating matter more in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii is one of the hardest environments on vehicle paint in the country. Year-round UV radiation near the equator accelerates oxidation and fading. Ocean salt air speeds up corrosion. Vog (volcanic smog) deposits mild sulfuric acid on your paint surface. Hard irrigation water leaves mineral deposits. Acid rain is a real concern. A quality coating creates a barrier against all of these — without it, unprotected paint deteriorates faster here than almost anywhere else.

Question 10

What does the warranty cover?

Accepted Answer

The DuraSlic 4-Year comes with a manufacturer limited warranty valid for 4 years or 48,000 miles, covering blistering, bubbling, cracking, delaminating, and peeling of the coating — applied by Kolu as a DuraSlic Certified Installer. The Obsidian 7-Year Graphene includes a 7-year warranty covering bird dropping etching and acid rain etching. Neither warranty covers paint chips, scratches, or mechanical damage. Regular maintenance every 6 months is required to keep the DuraSlic warranty valid.

Question 11

Do you offer discounts for multiple vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Coating a second vehicle gets you $150 off. Third vehicle and beyond is $300 off each. A great way to protect the whole family fleet.

Question 12

What services do you NOT offer?

Accepted Answer

We specialize in paint protection coatings — we don't do rock chip repair, full carpet or seat extraction, or full paint resprays. For collision repair or full repaints, we refer customers to Oka's Auto Body or Kuroda Auto Body in Waipahu. For deep interior extraction, we can point you to a full-service detail shop.

Question 13

Who applies the coating?

Accepted Answer

Every coating is applied by Kolu or Darrol — both certified and experienced applicators. Kolu has 30 years in the automotive industry and Darrol brings over 14 years of hands-on experience. Every vehicle is handled from prep to final inspection by one of them personally. One vehicle at a time, properly prepared and properly protected.

Question 14

Do you offer free estimates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Come in for a quick 15-minute inspection and we will assess your paint, walk you through the options, and recommend the right package for your vehicle and budget. No pressure, no obligation. Call or text 808-216-4525 to schedule.

Question 15

Do I need to do anything before dropping off?

Accepted Answer

Nothing at all. Just bring your vehicle in at your scheduled drop-off time and we handle everything from there — full decontamination wash, clay bar, paint inspection, and correction if needed. All prep is included with every coating service.

Question 16

Is the shop enclosed and climate controlled?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our shop is fully enclosed and climate controlled. Coatings are applied indoors in a clean, controlled environment — no wind, no dust, no direct sun during application. This matters for the quality and longevity of the final result.

Frequently Asked Questions