Question 1

Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?

Accepted Answer

Appointment only. We take one car at a time so it gets our full attention and nothing gets rushed — that's the whole point of how we work. A quick detail you can usually get in within a few days; for PPF or a ceramic coating, book a week or two ahead so we can order the right film and block off the bay.

Question 2

Where are you located and what are your hours?

Accepted Answer

We're at #3, 239 61 Ave SE, Calgary, AB — a proper climate-controlled shop in the SE, not a driveway operation. Hours are Sat–Thu 9am–5pm · Closed Fri. Yes, we're closed Fridays and open weekends, which is backwards from most shops but works out great for people who can only drop off on a Saturday.

Question 3

How do I pay, and do you take a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Credit, debit, or cash, due when the car's done and you've looked it over. For the bigger jobs — PPF, ceramic, anything multi-day — we take a deposit to hold your date and cover the film we cut specifically for your car. It comes off the final total.

Question 4

Which parts of Calgary do you serve?

Accepted Answer

All of it — NE, NW, SE, and SW, plus Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, and the surrounding towns. The shop sits just off Calgary's SE core near 61 Ave, so we're an easy hop from downtown, Deerfoot, and the south communities. If you searched "detailing near me" and you're anywhere in the Calgary area, you're in range.

Question 5

Do you offer mobile car detailing in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

For detailing, yes — we bring the mobile setup to your driveway or garage for a lot of interior and exterior work. We just need access to power, water, and a safe, level spot to work. Paint correction, PPF, and ceramic coating stay at the shop, though — those need controlled temperature, dust control, and proper lighting to do right, and no driveway gives you that.

Question 6

How long does a car detail take?

Accepted Answer

A standard interior or exterior detail runs about 2–4 hours. A full interior-and-exterior combo is usually 4–6 hours. Paint correction and ceramic coatings are a different animal — plan on 1–3 days, because the coating needs time to cure properly before the car goes back out into Calgary weather.

Question 7

Can you actually get old stains and smells out of my interior?

Accepted Answer

Most of them, yes. Steam, extraction, and proper enzyme cleaners lift the vast majority of stains, pet smells, and ground-in grime. I'll be straight with you though: some things — permanent dye transfer, bleach marks, burns, or a stain that's been baking in the sun for years — won't come fully back. We'll tell you what we can and can't fix before we start, not after.

Question 8

My car is really rough inside — pet hair, mud, the works. Is that a problem?

Accepted Answer

Not a problem, but it might be an add-on. Heavy pet hair, caked mud, mould, or anything biohazard takes real extra time, so we'll quote it up front rather than surprise you on the invoice. Send a couple of photos when you book and we'll tell you straight whether it's a standard detail or a bigger job.

Question 9

Do you clean engine bays?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as an add-on. We cover the sensitive electronics, degrease and rinse carefully, then dress the plastics so it looks clean without that greasy over-shine. It's the kind of thing that quietly helps at resale, too.

Question 10

How often should I get my car detailed in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

Honestly? A full interior detail once or twice a year keeps most daily drivers ahead of the mess. For the exterior, the bigger deal here is winter — road salt and magnesium chloride brine sit on your paint and undercarriage for months. Regular maintenance washes through the cold season matter more than one big detail. If your car's ceramic-coated, those washes get a lot easier.

Question 11

What's the difference between PPF and ceramic coating?

Accepted Answer

PPF (paint protection film) is a thick urethane film you can feel — it physically takes the hit from rock chips, scratches, and road debris so your paint doesn't. Ceramic coating is a thin liquid layer that bonds to the paint for gloss, UV resistance, and easy-clean water beading. Here's the short version for Calgary: PPF stops rocks; ceramic makes the car easier to keep clean and look wet. They do different jobs, and a lot of people end up wanting both.

Question 12

How much does PPF cost in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

At Obsidian Auto, PPF starts at $399 for partial coverage on the leading edges, and full front coverage — hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, headlights, wrapped edges — starts at $1,499. Full-vehicle coverage starts at $3,999 and includes ceramic on top. My honest take: if you're on Deerfoot or Stoney most days, or the car's new, the full front is the one worth paying for — that's where the vast majority of chips actually land.

Question 13

How much does ceramic coating cost in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

Ceramic coating starts at $899 and moves up with durability and the number of correction stages we do first. A quick, cheap "spray coating" isn't the same thing — a real multi-year coating means we correct the paint properly before we seal it, because whatever swirls are there when we coat get locked in. We'll match the tier to how long you're keeping the car and how you drive it, not to the biggest number.

Question 14

How long does a ceramic coating last?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the package and, honestly, on how you look after it — anywhere from about a year for an entry coating to several years for the higher tiers. None of them are truly maintenance-free; they're low-maintenance. Wash it properly (no automatic brush tunnels), and top it up when we suggest, and it'll go the distance. Neglect it and salt-spray it all winter, and any coating fades faster.

Question 15

Can you put PPF over existing rock chips?

Accepted Answer

We can, but the film contours to whatever's underneath, so an existing chip is still faintly visible — just sealed and protected from getting worse. For a clean result we'll touch in any chips first. On a brand-new car this is a non-issue, which is exactly why getting PPF on early is the smart move.

Question 16

Is PPF permanent? Can it be removed later?

Accepted Answer

It's not permanent. Quality film comes off cleanly when a trained installer heats and peels it, leaving your factory paint untouched underneath — assuming it was installed properly and the paint was sound to begin with. That's the beauty of it versus a respray: protect the car now, peel it later with no commitment to the paint.

Question 17

Should I get PPF or ceramic coating first?

Accepted Answer

PPF first, ceramic second. Put the film on the front end where the rock chips land, then lay ceramic over the whole car — including on top of the film. The coating adds gloss and makes both the film and the bare paint easier to wash. If your budget only stretches to one right now, protect the front with PPF; you can always add ceramic later.

Question 18

Do you use XPEL, or which films do you install?

Accepted Answer

We're 3M Canada Certified and install 3M, STEK, SunTek, and GSWF — STEK and 3M are our featured films. XPEL is a fine brand you'll see around town; it's just not what we run. What matters more than the label on the box is the install: digitally cut patterns, wrapped edges, no blades near your paint, and a warranty that actually gets honored. That's the part cheaper shops skip.

Question 19

Do you do window tinting, and is it legal in Alberta?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we install STEK and 3M carbon and ceramic tint, starting at $249. Alberta does regulate how dark you can go on the front side windows and the windshield, but the rear windows are wide open. We'll tell you exactly where the legal line is and keep you on the right side of it — a ticket and a re-tint costs way more than doing it right the first time.

Question 20

Can you change my car's colour without a permanent respray?

Accepted Answer

Yes — colour-change and satin PPF let you switch up the look and protect the paint in one layer, and because it's film, we can peel it off down the road with your factory paint untouched underneath. It's a smarter move than a permanent respray if there's any chance you'll sell the car. Full-body colour change runs from $3,999, ceramic included.

Question 21

What warranty comes with your work?

Accepted Answer

Two layers of coverage. The film or coating carries its full manufacturer warranty — 10 years on our premium PPF (12 on SunTek Reaction) — against yellowing, cracking, and peeling. On top of that, we back our own installation with a lifetime workmanship guarantee. If our install ever fails, we make it right. Simple as that.

Question 22

Why should I choose Obsidian Auto over the cheaper shop down the road?

Accepted Answer

Fair question — cheaper is tempting. Here's the case: 705+ reviews at 4.9 stars, four straight Consumer Choice Awards, 3M Canada Certified, and a climate-controlled shop that installs year-round instead of shutting down every time it snows. But the real reason people send their friends is that we tell them the truth — including when they don't need the expensive package. Do it once, do it right, and don't pay for protection your car doesn't need.

Calgary Detailing & PPF, Answered Straight.

Booking & Location

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The Work.

Obsidian Auto

Calgary Detailing & PPF, Answered Straight.

Booking & Location

Didn't See Your Question?

Come See The Work.

Obsidian Auto

Come See
The Work.