Get a ceramic coating when your paint is looking its best—or needs real-world protection. Ideal moments are right after a new-car delivery, following a paint correction/polish, before harsh seasons (summer sun or winter road salt), or if the car lives outside under trees and open skies. Dark colors that show swirls, daily drivers running through automatic washes, and work vehicles exposed to bird droppings, sap, bugs, and UV are prime candidates. The coating locks in a fresh finish and creates a sacrificial barrier before the environment gets a chance to damage your clear coat.