Ceramic Coating Maintenance: Do’s and Don’ts

Ceramic Coating Maintenance: Do’s and Don’ts

There's a popular myth that once a car is ceramic coated , it's invincible, no more washing, no more worrying. While it’s the toughest protection you can get, the reality is a little different. To keep that stunning gloss and water-beading magic going strong, your coating needs a bit of basic care. Forget the myths; here are the simple facts and essential rules for maintaining your coated car.

The Do's

Do: Wash Your Car Regularly (and Correctly!)

This is the most important part of caring for your ceramic coat. A common misconception is that you don't need to wash a coated car. While it is true that it may not require washing as frequently, regular washing can help reduce the amount of environmental contaminants that can diminish your coating's hydrophobic performance.

• The Two-Bucket Wash: Use one bucket for your soapy water and the other bucket for rinsing your wash mitt. This prevents you from dragging dirt and grit back onto your car, which can lessen the possibility of putting swirl marks into the finish.
• Use a car shampoo that is pH-neutral:  Avoid using harsh soaps, acidic or alkaline, as they can strip away the coating's protective barrier. Choose a high-quality, pH-neutral car shampoo.
• Be gentle: Use a soft microfiber wash mitt. Avoid anything abrasive; brushes or sponges can scratch the coating and cause micro-scratching.
• Remember to dry your vehicle: While you may be tempted to let your vehicle air dry, the last thing on your wash list is air drying. When your car dries by air, it may leave water spots. Instead, take the right approach and dry the surface using a clean high-quality microfiber drying towel, or an air blower until it is completely dry.

Do: Use a Ceramic Coating Booster or Sio2 Sealant

This is like a top up for your ceramic coating. Every few months, applying a ceramic coating booster or a spray sealant with Sio2 will rejuvenate its hydrophobic properties and enhance its gloss. This is a simple step that goes a long way in prolonging the life of your initial investment.

Do: Remove Contaminants Promptly

If bird droppings, tree sap, and bug splatters sit for too long they are acidic and can etch into your ceramic coating. Thankfully, with the coating, they are much easier to remove.

• Act Quickly: The quicker you can remove the contaminants the better.
• Gentle Removal: Use a soft microfiber towel and a bug & tar remover or a gentle car shampoo solution. Don't scrub aggressively.

The Don'ts: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't: Use Automatic Car Washes

Those spinning brushes used in automatic car washes are extremely coarse and can leave fine scratches and swirl marks on an otherwise perfect finish. While a "touch less" car wash is better, the best and safest method of wash for a ceramic coated car is always a careful hand wash. 

Don't: Wash in Direct Sunlight or Hot Surface

Washing your car on a hot surface can cause the water and soap to dry before you get to rinse it off or leave water spots and streaks that are difficult to remove. Always ensure you are washing your car in the shade or cooler parts of the day.

Do not: Use Waxes or Old School Sealants

The biggest advantage to a car body coating such as ceramic is that you don't have to wax it. When you put a traditional wax or sealant over your ceramic coating, the surface will never bond correctly and you will lose the hydrophobic properties of the coating. Always go with Sio2-based maintenance sprays. 

Do not: Rush the Curing Time

Ceramic coatings need some time to fully cure and harden, after the initial application. Curing time for your coating depends on the product and environmental conditions and can range from 24 hours all the way to a few days. During the curing time, you must:

• Avoid washing the car.
• Keep it protected from rain and extreme weather if possible.
• Avoid parking under trees where it might be exposed to sap or bird droppings.

Investing in Your Car's Future

Regular maintenance not only gets rid of dirt and stains while also helping keep your car looking immaculate, but it'll also let you maximize your investment on your car overall. To put it simply, the ceramic coating is seen as an initial expenditure to the overall beauty and protection of your vehicle over time. By implementing these do's and don'ts, you will benefit from the value of extended longevity of your coating, and you can really enjoy that showroom shine for years to come and stay impressed with its lasting capabilities. 

Furthermore, if there's ever a time that you're not clear on a maintenance step or you need a professional touch up on your coating, googling " car ceramic coating near me " or "automotive ceramic coating near me", will lead to qualified experienced detailers in your area, that can take care of the work. At Carheroz we've invested in efforts to make sure that you can keep your ride on top form to be hero-worthy.