CoaterZ Founder Interview PPF vs Ceramic Coatings. Everything You Need to Know.

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CoaterZ , a six-bay automotive shop in Palm Harbor that specializes in the application of paint protection products on mostly high-end vehicles, is humming. Corey Eberhardt, 40, is out in the shop overseeing a number of ceramic coating and paint protection film installations. His wife Piper, 45, is in the office, fielding phone calls and scheduling new jobs.

It would seem to be just another busy day at a successful local business. But the path that got the Eberhardts to this point was anything but predictable. Or easy.

“We both had spent most of our adult lives working for others,” Corey said. “We were living day-to-day and paycheck-to-paycheck. I had dreamed about having my own auto-related business, but it hadn’t happened, and as I got close to 40 I didn’t think it ever would.” At one point in his past, Corey was trained in the application of automotive ceramic coatings – a polymer solution that bonds to a car or truck’s paint and protects it from ultraviolet rays and oxidation.

“I’d dream about that shop,” Corey said. “I’d think about the cars and trucks that people would bring to me, and I’d dream about other products and services that we could provide. I knew the name of the shop almost from the beginning – CoaterZ.” Other than the name, Corey had little in the way of assets that could lead to the establishment of a new business.

He had no money, no car, no tools and no driver’s license – it had been suspended when he got behind on his child support payments. In spite of all that, he found a single-bay garage in a run-down row of commercial spaces. It didn’t offer much, but it did have two advantages; it was close to where he was living so he could walk to work, and the rent was affordable – just $100 a month.

“I had to borrow that $100, plus some more money for tools,” he said. With those humble beginnings in place, CoaterZ was born. The first month was tough.

In the first year of operation, CoaterZ grossed just $45,000, barely enough to cover rent, equipment, supplies, and sometimes a small paycheck. Even so, before that first year was over, Corey was looking for a bigger location. He found it about two miles away, just over the line in Palm Harbor.

The new shop had six bays, an actual office, and some the original one-bay shop didn’t have – a bathroom. “The other thing it had was a big rent number,” he said. The old shop cost me $100 per month.

The new shop was more than 10 times that. But I knew if we were going to survive and grow, we would need a good facility on a main highway where potential customers could see us. And we were going to need room for employees.” He was right about the visibility provided by the new shop’s location on Alt.

19. Several thousand cars drove by every day. Some of those drivers would see the exotic cars in the CoaterZ lot and drive in to see what was going on in the space that previously had served as a used car lot.

With $45,000 in sales in the first year at the old shop, gross sales grew to around $500,000 in the second year. The year after that, sales topped $1 million. Owners of high-dollar exotic cars and $150,000 pickup trucks began to take notice, and CoaterZ reputation for quality work spread.

“We use the best products, we hire the best people we can find, and we don’t cut corners,” Corey said. “We stand behind everything we do. If a customer is dissatisfied, we’ll fix it or do it over and do whatever we have to do to make it right.

That has paid off – right now we have around 300 five-star reviews on Google. And one clinker, from a customer that we just couldn’t please no matter what we did.” For ceramic coatings, CoaterZ uses Feynlab products, a leader in the automotive ceramics industry and the supplier that Corey believes is the best. In just the second year of CoaterZ’ operation, the shop became Feynlab’s biggest applier of ceramics in the country.

Both Corey and Piper have worked hard to make CoaterZ a success. Corey oversees everything, directs the crew of six people, and is usually up to his elbows in one project or another. Piper works the phones, contacts existing customers about new projects, answers calls and manages the work schedule.

The next step that Corey and Piper foresee is a big one – franchising the CoaterZ business. “We’re going to offer individual franchises as well as territories and provide the roadmap that franchisees can follow to emulate our success,” Corey said. “We’re going to concentrate on Florida, and once we get that going, we’re going to offer franchises throughout the South and then, later, nationwide.

“There’s a lot of people out there like me who love cars and trucks and want to find a good pathway to financial success,” he said. “We want to help those people find their destiny.” So, exactly what are the services that CoaterZ provides? The two primary ones have the same aim – protecting auto and truck finishes and keeping those vehicles looking better than new.

Two popular options for achieving this goal are ceramic coating and paint protection film (PPF). While both options offer protection against scratches and damage, they differ in their application, durability, and overall effectiveness. What is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that is applied to a car’s exterior to provide a protective layer that repels water and environmental contaminants. It is a clear coat that is designed to bond with the car’s paint to create a hydrophobic barrier that helps prevent damage from UV rays, bird droppings, tree sap, and other substances that can harm the car’s finish. Ceramic coatings are often applied by professional detailers, and the process typically involves several steps.

Once the coating has been applied, it takes several hours to fully cure, and the car should not be exposed to water or contaminants during that time. Ceramic coatings can last up to five years and beyond, depending on the quality of the product and how well the car is maintained. What is Paint Protection Film?

PPF, also known as clear bra, is a thin, clear film that is applied to a car’s exterior to provide protection against scratches, rock chips, and other damage. The film is typically made from a clear thermoplastic urethane material that is cut to fit the contours of the car’s exterior is often applied by professional installers, and the process typically involves using a computerized cutting machine to cut the film to fit the car’s specific make and model. Once the film has been applied, it is nearly invisible and provides a protective barrier that can last up to 10 years, depending on the quality of the product and how well the car is maintained.

Differences between Ceramic Coating and PPF Application One of the main differences between ceramic coating and PPF is the application process. Ceramic coating is applied as a liquid, typically by professional detailers. It can take several hours to apply, and the car must not be exposed to water or contaminants during the curing process.

PPF, on the other hand, is a film that is applied to the car’s exterior in a process that typically takes several hours. The film is cut to fit the specific make and model of the car, and it can be applied to any part of the car’s exterior, including the hood, fenders, and doors. Durability Another key difference between ceramic coating and PPF is durability.

Ceramic coatings can last up to five years or even longer, depending on the quality of the product and how well the car is maintained. PPF, on the other hand, can last up to 10 years, making it a more long-term solution for protecting a car’s exterior. Both options require regular maintenance, including washing and waxing??, to maintain their effectiveness.

Effectiveness While both ceramic coating and PPF provide protection against scratches and damage, they differ in their overall effectiveness. Ceramic coating is designed to repel water and environmental contaminants, while PPF provides a physical …