I applied a 5-year ceramic coating to a black Corvette. The lighting in my shop was bad. When the customer took it into the sun, there were “high spots” (streaks of un-leveled coating) everywhere. He demanded I sand it off and repaint the car because “you ruined the clear coat.”
Key Takeaways
- Workmanship Error: Leaving high spots is “Faulty Workmanship.” As discussed, standard insurance excludes the cost to fix your own bad work.
- Polishing vs. Repainting: High spots can usually be polished off within 24-48 hours. If you let it cure for a week, you might need wet sanding. Wet sanding burns are Garage Keepers claims; high spots are warranty claims.
- Warranty Insurance: Some ceramic coating manufacturers (like Ceramic Pro or Gtechniq) offer Warranty Programs backed by third-party insurers. These cover coating failure, but usually not application error.
- Surety Bonds: A “Voluntary Property Damage” bond can sometimes pay for these small rectification costs to keep the customer happy.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Your Product” Exclusion
The policy excludes damage to “Your Product” (the coating) and “Your Work” (the application).
If the car paint underneath is fine, but the coating looks bad, insurance says: “Re-do it. That’s on you.”
If you burn the paint trying to fix the high spots, that might be covered under Garage Keepers (accidental damage), but it’s a risky path.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked how to fix a bad coating job.
1. Garage Keepers
- Verdict: Denied. “High spots are not physical damage; they are unfinished work.”
2. The Fix (Labor)
- Cost: 5 hours of polishing ($500 value).
- Insurance: No coverage for lost time.
3. Customer Demand (Repaint)
- Verdict: If the customer sues for a repaint, your GL carrier might defend you to prove a repaint is unnecessary (only polishing is needed), but they won’t pay for the repaint itself.
Comparison Table: Coating Issues
| Issue | Solution | Who Pays? |
| High Spots | Polish off | You (Labor) |
| Coating Fails Early | Re-apply | You / Manufacturer Warranty |
| Burned Paint during fix | Repaint Panel | Garage Keepers (Maybe) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inspect in Sunlight: Never deliver a car without checking it with a diffused inspection light or natural sun. High spots are invisible in the shade.
- Fix Immediately: High spots are easy to level in the first hour. They are a nightmare after 24 hours.
- Manage Expectations: Your contract should say: “Minor high spots may appear after curing. Return within 7 days for a free complimentary leveling wash.” Frame it as a service, not a mistake.
- Don’t refund instantly: Offer to fix it first. A refund implies you destroyed the car.
FAQ
Q: Does the coating manufacturer pay for this?
A: No. They warranty the chemistry, not the installer’s hand.
Q: Can I sand it off?
A: Only if you are experienced. Wet sanding removes clear coat. Too much removal = permanent damage.
[IMAGE: Photo of “High Spots” (rainbow streaks) on black paint under an inspection light.]