DetailerGildeTreatment
Glass coating. The Dutch word, and what you actually get
Glass coating is the term Dutch detailers use for what the rest of the world calls a ceramic coating: a liquid silicon dioxide layer that cures onto the clear coat. If a Dutch quote says glascoating, this is what is being offered.
- From
- € 999
- Up to
- € 1.800
- Time without your car
- 2 to 3 days
- All prices
- excl. VAT
How it works
Glass coating: what happens step by step
- 01
Read the quote before you read the price
A Dutch quote that says glascoating should state how many layers, which product, and whether correction is included. Those three decide the figure far more than the brand name does.
- 02
Paint inspection
Every panel assessed under an inspection lamp for swirls, holograms and etching. This is what decides whether correction is needed first, and how much.
- 03
Deep cleaning and iron removal
Fallout, tar and industrial deposits are dissolved chemically rather than rubbed off. Anything left behind gets sealed under the coating for years.
- 04
Correction and degreasing
Machine polishing to remove what the lamp showed, then all polishing oils stripped with an IPA solution, including the shuts. Without that last step the coating will not bond.
- 05
Application and curing
The coating goes on panel by panel and is levelled at the right flash time, then cures in a dust-free, temperature-controlled room.
What it costs
Glass coating prices: what it costs at each level
Every level includes the one before it. The difference in price is not margin, it is the number of steps. All amounts exclude VAT.
- New carfrom€ 999to € 1.398
For a car just collected from the dealer, with the paint still intact. Two layers are included at this price.
Takes 2 days - With paint correctionfrom€ 1.299
For a used car where swirls and scratches need to come out first. Most of the difference is polishing labour, not the coating.
Takes 2 to 3 days - Multi-layerPriced in consultation
For a car you intend to keep, where the layer has to last for years. Priced in consultation, because the number of layers and the type of coating decide the figure.
Takes 4 to 5 days
Frequently asked
Is glass coating the same as ceramic coating?
Yes. Glascoating is the word that stuck in the Netherlands, ceramic coating is the international term, and both describe a silicon dioxide layer that cures onto the clear coat. Neither word tells you anything about quality; the number of layers, the product and the preparation do.
Why do Dutch detailers call it glass coating?
Because the cured layer is silicon dioxide, which is chemically what glass is made of. The name describes the material rather than the effect. It is not a different or lesser product, and it is not a marketing invention.
How much does glass coating cost in the Netherlands?
On a new car with intact paint it starts at €999 excluding VAT for a compact car and €1,199 for a saloon, with €199 extra for a large SUV, MPV or estate. That price already includes two layers. On a used car that needs correction first it starts at €1,299.
What should a Dutch quote tell me?
How many layers, which product, whether paint correction is included, how long the car stays, and what the warranty covers. A quote that only names a brand and a price is not comparable to anything.
How long does it last in the Dutch climate?
Three to five years for a single layer under normal use. What shortens it here is not the rain but what sits in it: tree sap along the canals and in the older suburbs, and bird droppings underneath the same trees. Both eat through a top layer if they are left on.
Does it protect against stone chips?
No, and be careful with anyone who says it does. A coating is chemical protection measured in microns. Against a stone at motorway speed only paint protection film does anything.
Can I have it done if I do not speak Dutch?
Yes. Mention it in your request and we match you with a specialist who works in English. Most detailers around Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Eindhoven do.