How to Maintain Your Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a popular way to protect your vehicle's paint and keep it looking new. It also helps reduce the amount of time you spend washing your car, and prevents harmful UV rays from oxidizing your car's paint.
However, it is important to understand how to maintain a ceramic coating properly. This article will discuss some of the most important tips.
Washing
Whether you had your ceramic coating applied professionally or did it yourself, washing the vehicle correctly is imperative to maintain your car’s finish. Using pH balanced, mild cleaning products is one of the most important things you can do to keep your ceramic coating in good condition. Some people may think that you need to stick with the soap from the brand of ceramic coat you got but this is not always true.
Most ceramic coatings can be safely washed with normal automotive shampoo. It’s recommended to wait about a week after application before you wash the vehicle for the first time to give the ceramic coating a chance to fully cure. After that, regular cleaning is a must.
It is also a good idea to use grit guards (especially in the front) and premium microfiber wash mitts while washing. Washing your vehicle with a high-quality mitt will reduce the chances of scratching and damaging your ceramic coated paint. Using safe washing techniques like car foam, the two-bucket wash method and a soft microfiber towel while drying is crucial to maintain your ceramic coating.
Overtime your ceramic coated car will begin to accumulate contaminants that start to hide its hydrophobic properties. Performing a liquid decontamination, once or twice per year can help eliminate these contaminants.
The quickest way to ruin your ceramic coating is to take it through a drive-through car wash that uses brushes. These are very harsh and can scratch your ceramic coating. You should only wash your vehicle at home or if you do have to go through a commercial carwash, try to find one that is brush-free.
It is also a great idea to add an infused Quick Detailer into your maintenance routine after every few washes. This will help boost the performance of your ceramic coating, making it more durable & often improving gloss, slickness and water-beading. These can be used in place of your normal wax, but they do not need to be used every single wash.
Polishing
Keeping your ceramic coating clean is the best way to prolong its life and performance. Just like a painter prepares a canvas before painting, you need to properly clean and decontaminate your car to ensure that the ceramic coat bonds seamlessly with your vehicle’s surface.
This starts with washing your vehicle. Use a wax-free soap that is pH neutral and will not strip the ceramic coating or the paintwork below it. Avoid using abrasive brushes or sponges, and always rinse thoroughly to ensure that no residual soap is left behind.
Next, polishing your ceramic coating is important for reducing high spots, water-spots, and other blemishes. If these are not corrected, they can etch through the clear coat and into the paint, and can leave unsightly scratches and scuffs. If you notice any of these, a light polishing with a microfiber cloth is all that’s needed to level them out. Be sure to use a reputable brand and follow the directions for the specific product you choose. It’s also a good idea to use a quick decontamination spray before and after polishing, as contaminants can leave streaks and spots on your paint.
Finally, keep in mind that ceramic coatings are not bulletproof. They will protect your paint from chemical attacks and UV rays, but they are not 100% resistant to mechanical damage. If you are going to be driving your car on the highway, you will likely get dirt and dust kicked up off of the road by passing vehicles. And while the ceramic coating will help reduce swirls and scratches, you’ll still want to wash your car with safe washing techniques and avoid commercial car washes that agitate the paintwork.
In addition, it’s a good idea to apply an additional layer of protection to your paintwork every few months to keep it looking great and feeling smooth and slick. We offer a range of quick and easy to use products for this. Just spray and wipe and you’re done!
Sealing
Ceramic coating is the newest trend in automotive detailing and surface protection. If you look at any social media club for nearly any car, you’ll see members posting up “before and after” images of their cars with and without ceramic coating applied.
The benefits of ceramic coating are numerous. It protects the paint from damaging UV rays, chemical stains caused by acidic contaminants in the air and other environmental threats. It also makes your car easier to wash, as it repels water and dirt. In fact, the ceramic coating helps your car hold a shine for longer and prevents the swirl marks, oxidation and dirt buildup that can damage your paint job.
Getting a ceramic coat applied to your vehicle is no small investment. A professional will charge up to $1,000 or more for a high-quality ceramic coating. It’s a more permanent solution than waxes, which can be washed off. However, DIY kits are available for less than $100.
Before you apply a ceramic coating yourself, make sure the vehicle is cool and dry. This is important as the temperature and humidity will impact the product’s ability to bond properly. Typically, the product should be applied between 50 and 80 degrees. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid direct sunlight.
Once the application process is complete, let the ceramic coating dry for 24 hours. During this time, you should not drive the car or expose it to moisture or water.
When using a ceramic coating kit, it’s important to follow the directions precisely. If you’re unsure of how to use it, visit a reputable shop that provides this service. It will be worth the investment, as it will help protect your car for a long time and save you money in the long run.
It’s also important to know how much ceramic coating to apply. You don’t want to apply too much, as it could create a buildup that will degrade the product. Also, it’s important to apply it to the entire vehicle. The areas that are most susceptible to wear and tear, such as the front bumper, wheel wells and fender trim, should be given more attention than other areas.
Inspection
A ceramic coating is one of the best ways to protect your car from the sun’s harsh UV rays and from damaging contaminants that can bond into paint. Chemical stains from things like bird droppings and road grime, as well as acidic contaminants that come in contact with your vehicle through air pollution, can also eat away at the paint job over time. However, a properly applied ceramic coating can make all these things simply slide right off your paint.
When the experts apply a ceramic coating, they often start with a clay bar and perform a paint correction polish on the car before they begin. This eliminates the majority of swirl marks and scratches, so that they do not show through the protective layer. However, even with a professional application, there is no guarantee that your ceramic coated vehicle will be free of scratches and swirls forever.
As with all things, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the longevity of a ceramic coat. Depending on your specific situation, this may mean a weekly wash or fortnightly wash if the vehicle is parked outside. In the case of a weekly wash, it is important to allow at least a week for your ceramic coating to fully cure.
The quickest way to ruin your ceramic coating is to take it through a drive through car wash. Many of these use brushes and those curtain-looking mop-type cleaning rags that are abrasive to the paint, and can cause major damage to your vehicle. Even professionals warn that ceramic coated vehicles run through a car wash can be susceptible to micro scratches and swirls on the paint surface, although most car owners are not aware of this at the time.
In addition to proper washing methods, it is also important to regularly use a ceramic coating maintenance product. These products are easy to use and can be applied as a final wipe down or drying aid after each wash. They will reload the ceramic coating with SiO2 and boost its performance with increased gloss, slickness and water-beading.
Ceramic coating is a popular way to protect your vehicle's paint and keep it looking new. It also helps reduce the amount of time you spend washing your car, and prevents harmful UV rays from oxidizing your car's paint. However, it is important to understand how to maintain a ceramic coating properly. This article will…