Five Days of Specialist Preparation, Paint Correction & Complete Exterior Ceramic Protection at Custom Car Care Wagga
Brand new doesn’t mean perfect. And ceramic coating is only as good as the preparation beneath it.
When a brand-new 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse arrived at Custom Car Care Wagga for comprehensive new-car preparation and Modesta ceramic protection, we knew it was going to be a particularly rewarding project.
Finished in Ford’s extraordinary Blue Ember Metallic, the Mustang had travelled just under 1,600km since new.
Its owner wanted the vehicle properly prepared, the paintwork corrected and the complete exterior professionally protected for the years ahead.
What followed was a five-day process involving extensive decontamination, two full days of specialist paint correction, wheels-off preparation, glass polishing, multiple Modesta ceramic coating systems and controlled infrared curing.
This wasn’t simply a matter of washing a new car and applying a ceramic coating.
And as our initial inspection revealed, there was a very good reason for that.
Blue Ember Metallic — A Paint Finish That Changes With the Light
One of the most distinctive features of this Mustang Dark Horse is its remarkable Blue Ember Metallic paintwork.
Developed as a signature colour for the Dark Horse, Blue Ember uses special-effect pigments to create dramatic changes in appearance depending on the lighting conditions and viewing angle.
In subdued lighting, the finish can appear a deep, smoky metallic blue.
Move the vehicle into direct sunlight and the paint comes alive, revealing shades of purple, magenta, pink, copper and warm amber-orange.
As the viewing angle changes, so does the colour.
It’s a striking finish that needs to be seen in natural sunlight to be fully appreciated.
But like any sophisticated metallic paint finish, its appearance can be compromised by surface defects, fine scratches, contamination and poor preparation.
The ceramic coating doesn’t create those extraordinary colour shifts. They’re already part of the paint. Our job is to properly correct and refine the surface so the finish can be appreciated at its best.
And on this particular Mustang, achieving that result required considerably more work than you might expect from a brand-new vehicle.
New Car Paintwork Isn’t Always Perfect
When the Mustang arrived at our workshop, it was heavily covered in road grime and insect contamination accumulated during its first 1,600km.
Before we could properly assess the condition of the paintwork, we carried out a comprehensive chemical and mechanical decontamination wash.
Once the vehicle was thoroughly cleaned and dried, we inspected the paintwork under specialist workshop lighting.
Despite being virtually new, we identified several issues:
- Light scratches across numerous painted panels.
- Residual manufacturing and transport adhesives bonded to the paintwork.
- Insect contamination and staining across the front bumper and leading edge of the bonnet.
- Deeper insect etching that required specialist correction techniques.
These issues aren’t necessarily unusual on a new vehicle.
Between manufacturing, transport, dealership handling and the first few kilometres on the road, paintwork can accumulate defects before the owner has had much opportunity to enjoy the vehicle.
This is why we don’t assume that a new vehicle is ready for ceramic coating simply because it has just left the dealership.
Every vehicle is inspected and assessed according to its actual condition.
A ceramic coating is designed to protect the surface beneath it. It isn’t a substitute for proper paint correction.
If scratches, contamination or other defects are left in the paintwork before coating, they’ll still be there afterwards.
That’s not the standard of preparation we aim to deliver.
Two Full Days of Specialist Paint Correction
Following our initial inspection, we carried out an intensive two-stage machine paint correction process utilising Modesta’s C-02 compound & Micro-wool system.
This occupied two full working days.
The objective was to remove the identified defects, refine the paint finish and create the best possible foundation for the Modesta ceramic coating system.
On a colour as complex as Blue Ember Metallic, the quality of the paint finish is particularly important.
Fine scratches and other surface imperfections can interfere with the clarity of reflections and detract from the appearance of the metallic finish.
Correcting these defects allows the paint’s natural depth, gloss and colour-changing characteristics to be appreciated without unnecessary surface imperfections.
Correcting Deeper Insect Etching
One of the more demanding aspects of this project involved the front bumper and leading edge of the bonnet.
Insect contamination had caused staining and etching that extended beyond what could be resolved through conventional polishing alone.
These areas required additional specialist attention.
During the correction process, we used controlled heat cycling on the affected sections to help bring deeper insect staining to the surface.
The process involved carefully heating the affected areas, polishing, inspecting the results and repeating the procedure as necessary.
This was performed progressively until the deeper etching and staining had been corrected.
It’s time-consuming, specialist work that requires patience, experience and careful assessment throughout the process.
And it’s precisely the sort of work that can make the difference between simply making a new vehicle look shiny and properly correcting its paintwork before protection.
By the end of the two-day correction process, the Mustang’s paintwork had been extensively refined and was ready for the next stage of preparation.
Secondary Wash, Surface Preparation & Modesta P-01A Primer
Once the paint correction was completed, the Mustang underwent a second thorough wash and drying process.
This removed polishing residues and contamination generated during the correction work.
The vehicle was then carefully re-masked, and the paintwork prepared for the Modesta coating system.
We applied Modesta P-01A Primer as the foundation for the BC-X ceramic coating application.
P-01A is an important component of our professional Modesta installation process, providing a dedicated primer layer beneath the ceramic coating.
The preparation, primer application and subsequent coating installation are carried out as part of a carefully controlled process.
Because achieving a high-quality ceramic coating result isn’t simply about the product applied. It’s about the condition of the surface, the preparation beneath it and the way the complete system is installed.
Modesta BC-X Ceramic Coating — Professional Paint Protection
With the paintwork corrected, refined and primed, we applied Modesta BC-X Ceramic Coating to the exterior painted surfaces and bonnet decals.
BC-X is a professional ceramic coating designed to provide a durable protective layer while enhancing the appearance and maintainability of properly prepared paintwork.
For the Mustang’s Blue Ember Metallic finish, the objective was to preserve the clarity and appearance of the corrected paintwork while providing protection against everyday environmental exposure.
The benefits of a professionally installed ceramic coating include:
- A protective barrier against everyday environmental contamination.
- Improved water-repellent properties.
- Easier routine washing and maintenance.
- Reduced adhesion of dirt and road grime.
- Preservation of the corrected paint finish when properly maintained.
A ceramic coating doesn’t make paintwork scratch-proof or eliminate the need for proper washing.
What it does provide is an additional layer of protection that helps owners maintain the finish more easily over time.
Following application, the coating underwent controlled infrared heat-lamp curing as part of our professional Modesta installation process.
Wheels-Off Preparation & Dual-Layer Modesta BC-06 Ceramic Protection
Complete exterior protection doesn’t stop at the painted bodywork.
All four wheels were removed from the Mustang to allow proper access to the wheel faces, inner barrels and surrounding components.
The wheels were thoroughly cleaned, decontaminated and prepared before receiving a dedicated dual-layer Modesta ceramic protection system.
The first layer consisted of Modesta BC-06 Ceramic Glass Coating, followed by Modesta BC-06 Hydrophobic Top Coat.
This system provides ceramic protection for the wheel surfaces, with additional water-repellent properties to help reduce the adhesion of brake dust, road grime and other contamination.
Removing the wheels allows us to properly prepare and protect areas that are difficult to access with the wheels fitted.
The brake calipers were also thoroughly prepared and coated with Modesta BC-06 Ceramic Glass Coating and BC-06 Hydrophobic Top Coat.
It’s an additional level of preparation that takes time, but it’s part of what distinguishes a comprehensive exterior protection service from a basic ceramic coating application.
Exterior Glass Polishing & Modesta EGC Glass Coating
The Mustang’s exterior glass received its own specialist preparation and protection.
Before coating, the glass was machine polished using a cerium-based glass polishing compound.
This process was performed to thoroughly prepare and refine the glass surfaces, removing bonded contamination and preparing them for coating application.
We then installed Modesta EGC Exterior Glass Coating.
EGC provides hydrophobic protection designed to improve water repellency and make exterior glass easier to maintain.
Just as with the paintwork and wheels, the quality of the preparation plays an important role in the finished result.
Rather than treating the glass as an afterthought, it was prepared and protected as an integral part of the Mustang’s complete exterior ceramic coating package.
Why We Choose Modesta — Japanese Ceramic Coating Technology Built Around Long-Term Performance
Modesta ceramic coatings originated in Japan more than 25 years ago and are built around premium-grade ingredients, refined application methods and professional-only installation.
The focus has always been genuine long-term performance, not marketing hype.
No shortcuts. No compromises. Just meticulous preparation, professional installation and a ceramic coating system designed to stand the test of time.
That philosophy closely aligns with the way we’ve approached professional vehicle detailing and paint protection at Custom Car Care Wagga since 2003.
We believe that a high-quality ceramic coating system deserves an equally high standard of preparation and installation.
The products themselves are only one part of the equation.
The condition of the paintwork, the quality of the correction, the surface preparation, the application methods and the curing process all contribute to the finished result.
Our relationship with Modesta extends well beyond simply purchasing and applying its coatings.
From 2015 until late 2025, Custom Car Care Wagga was also the Australian distributor for Modesta, giving us extensive experience with the products, technical training and professional installation practices.
We’ve undertaken international Modesta training in Japan and Europe and have worked with these coating systems for many years.
Today, we continue to install Modesta ceramic coatings in our own workshop, applying that experience directly to the vehicles entrusted to us.
We choose Modesta because its approach to professional paint protection reflects our own commitment to quality, preparation and long-term results.
Controlled Infrared Curing — Part of Our Professional Modesta Installation Process
At Custom Car Care Wagga, controlled infrared curing is an important part of our professional Modesta ceramic coating installation process.
Our purpose-equipped workshop includes specialist paint inspection lighting, vehicle lifting equipment and infrared curing lamps.
These facilities allow us to perform extensive correction work, wheels-off preparation and ceramic coating installation in a controlled environment.
Infrared curing is incorporated into the coating process according to the requirements of the Modesta system being installed.
It’s one of the many stages that customers may never see when looking at photographs of a finished vehicle.
But the work performed before, during and after coating application is fundamental to the standard of service we provide.
A professional ceramic coating installation should be assessed on the complete process, not simply the brand of coating or the number of years advertised.
Five Days of Preparation, Correction & Protection — No Shortcuts
From arrival through to final inspection, this Mustang Dark Horse occupied five working days in our workshop.
The complete process included:
- Initial chemical and mechanical decontamination.
- Detailed paintwork inspection under specialist lighting.
- Intensive two-stage machine paint correction over two full working days.
- Controlled heat cycling and repeated correction of deeper insect etching.
- Secondary wash, drying and careful re-masking.
- Modesta P-01A Primer and BC-X Ceramic Coating application.
- Wheels-off preparation and dual-layer Modesta BC-06 & BC-06 Hydrophobic Top Coat
- Exterior glass polishing and Modesta EGC application.
- Controlled infrared heat-lamp curing.
- Final inspection and presentation.
Every stage had a purpose.
And every stage received the time and attention required to achieve the finished result.
When the Mustang was finally brought outside into natural sunlight, the extraordinary characteristics of its Blue Ember Metallic paintwork were on full display.
Deep metallic blue transitioned into purple, pink, copper and warm orange highlights as the sunlight and viewing angles changed.
The paintwork had been properly corrected and refined, and the complete exterior was now protected with professional Modesta ceramic coating systems.
The result wasn’t simply a glossy new Mustang. It was a vehicle that had been thoroughly assessed, professionally corrected and comprehensively protected for its owner to enjoy for years to come.
Why We Take This Approach at Custom Car Care Wagga
We live and breathe this kind of work.
Since establishing Custom Car Care Wagga in 2003, we’ve built our reputation around professional vehicle detailing, specialist paint correction and high-quality vehicle protection.
Our experience with ceramic coatings extends back more than 14 years.
We don’t believe every new vehicle requires two days of paint correction.
We don’t believe every vehicle needs the same ceramic coating package.
And we don’t believe the quality of a ceramic coating service should be judged solely on its advertised price or warranty period.
The correct approach depends on the vehicle’s condition, the owner’s expectations and the preparation required to achieve the desired result.
That’s why we begin by assessing the vehicle, not simply asking which package the customer wants to purchase.
Whether it’s a new performance car, a family SUV, a four-wheel drive or a cherished vehicle requiring extensive restoration, the same principles apply.
Proper assessment. Proper preparation. Skilled workmanship. No unnecessary shortcuts.
Considering Ceramic Coating for Your New Vehicle?
If you’ve recently purchased a new vehicle and are considering ceramic coating, it’s worth understanding exactly what is included in the service you’re comparing.
A lower-priced coating package and a comprehensive multi-day preparation and protection service aren’t necessarily offering the same level of work.
The difference may involve the amount of paint correction, the preparation methods, the coating system, the inclusion of wheels and glass, or the curing procedures used.
At Custom Car Care Wagga, our professional new-car ceramic coating packages start from $2,000, with more comprehensive exterior protection packages available for owners seeking additional paint, wheel and glass treatments.
The final investment depends on the vehicle’s condition, the level of correction required and the protection systems selected.
We encourage customers to have their vehicle properly assessed so we can recommend the most appropriate level of service.
Because the best ceramic coating result starts long before the coating is applied.
Custom Car Care Wagga
For Vehicle Owners Who Want It Done Properly.
Properly assessed. Properly prepared. Properly priced. Never rushed.
Professional Vehicle Detailing, Paint Correction & Modesta Ceramic Coatings Since 2003.
Wagga Wagga, NSW