Ceramic coating packages explained: Sport, Bronze, Silver and Gold
Short answer
The four packages differ in how many layers of coating go on the paint and what else is coated. Sport is a single entry coating, Bronze adds the windshield and wheel faces, Silver adds a harder base layer, and Gold builds four hard layers. For a daily driver, APC recommends Gold.
Quick facts
| Sport | Ceramic Pro Sport on paint. 6-month warranty |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 1 layer Top Coat, windshield, wheel faces. 1 year (2 with maintenance) |
| Silver | 1 layer 9H + Top Coat, windshield, wheel faces. 2 years (5 with maintenance) |
| Gold | 4 layers 9H + Top Coat, windshield, wheel faces. 5 years (lifetime with maintenance) |
| Time in shop | One day or less, every package |
What prep comes with every package?
Every package starts with a wash, decontamination (a facial for your paint) and a single-stage polish. The polish gets paint to about 80% of perfect. It is not paint correction, which is a separate add-on only when needed. See paint correction before ceramic coating.
Sport: what is it, and is it a real coating?
Yes. Sport is Ceramic Pro Sport on the paint, the same topper used at annual maintenance. It sits just below Bronze's Top Coat in gloss, protection and longevity. It doesn't include glass or wheel faces. Warranty: 6 months.
Bronze: a starter package that's still a true coating
One layer of Ceramic Pro Top Coat on the paint, Ceramic Pro Glass on the windshield, and Wheel & Caliper coating on the wheel faces. Warranty: 1 year, or 2 years with annual maintenance.
Silver: who is it for?
One layer of Ceramic Pro 9H plus one Top Coat, with the windshield and wheel faces coated. Warranty: 2 years, or 5 years with annual maintenance.
Silver isn't recommended for daily drivers. A car used every day gets too dirty and takes too much abuse for this level of protection. It's a good fit for weekend cars, motorcycles, show cars and drivers who don't commute, such as retirees.
Gold: why is it the daily driver pick?
Four layers of Ceramic Pro 9H plus one Top Coat, with the windshield and wheel faces coated. Those stacked layers stand up to daily dirt and wear. Warranty: 5 years, or lifetime with annual maintenance.
Is all the glass coated?
No. Bronze, Silver and Gold coat the windshield only, not the side or rear glass.
What affects the cost?
The package you choose, the size of the vehicle and whether paint correction is needed. APC keeps current pricing on its ceramic coatings page.
How APC Auto Spa does it
These are APC Auto Spa's own packages, built with Ceramic Pro coatings and installed by certified installers at the Tukwila and Monroe shops.
APC recommends Gold for daily drivers. If the car is a weekend or show car, Silver can be a good match.
Frequently asked questions
- Which package should I get for my commuter car?
- APC recommends Gold for daily drivers, because four layers hold up best to daily dirt and wear.
- Does any package include paint correction?
- No. Every package includes a single-stage polish. Paint correction is a separate add-on, only when needed, billed by the hour.
- Do the packages include the interior?
- Interior coatings (Plastic, Leather and Textile) are separate. See the page on coating wheels, glass and interiors.
- Is annual maintenance required?
- No. It isn't required to keep the warranty valid. It extends the warranty to the longer term.
Reviewed by Heather Humphrey, co-owner of APC Auto Spa ยท Last updated October 2026
Heather leads customer education and training at APC's Tukwila and Monroe shops.