How to maintain Ceramic Coating [Full Maintenance Guide]
What is Ceramic Coating and its Benefits?
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that is applied to the surface of a vehicle to provide a layer of protection. It forms a strong and durable bond with the surface, creating a barrier that repels water, dirt, and other contaminants.
The invention of ceramic coating is relatively new and in this blog post we bring you the latest cutting edge ceramic car coating maintenance tricks and products.
It forms a strong and durable bond with the surface, creating a barrier that repels water, dirt, and other contaminants.
Many a professional detailer will tell you this is all they use these days and its seems the same amongst most car enthusiast too.
The Benefits of Ceramic Coating are:
- Greatly increased Protection: The ceramic coating provides an extra layer of protection against scratches, chips, and other forms of damage. You are basically putting a whole layer of protection over the clear coat of your car.
- UV Resistance: Ceramic coatings help protect against UV rays, which can cause fading and discoloration. If you live in a sunnier climate then good UV protection is essential, even if you vehicle's surface is protected by parking in a shaded area you still need a good coated surface or protective layer to reduce the risk of you paint fading.
- Improved Hydrophobicity: After ceramic coating is applied to the surface of the vehicle the surface has more hydrophobic properties, meaning water will bead and roll off more easily, keeping the surface cleaner. And everyone loves a good bit of water beading! This also helps reduce water spots if your local water has excess mineral deposits that form hard water spots.
- Enhanced Gloss: Ceramic coatings provide a high-gloss finish that enhances the appearance of the vehicle. I'm sure this is why we are all attracted to having a ceramic-coated vehicle. As it appears to be the modern fast answer to having a superb looking car for every season of the year!
- Ease of Maintenance: The protective properties of the ceramic coating make it easier to clean and maintain the surface of the vehicle. Again on the "Modern Life" theme time always seems to be in short supply. So, the best way to reduce time spent on washing a car is have a ceramic coat!
The Do's and Don'ts of Ceramic Coating Maintenance
Do's:
- Firstly as with any cleaning method, wash your vehicle regularly to remove dirt and debris. I personally still use the old two-bucket method, with grit guard to minimise the risk of swirl marks.
- It is essential to use a gentle, pH-neutral soap when washing to avoid damaging the coating. We cover these in great detail in our Ceramic Coating Shampoos Post
- Try to keep human contact to a minimum to avoid damage to the coating. Use a microfiber cloth or soft sponge to wash your vehicle.
- Avoid using high-pressure water to wash your vehicle. Try to hose the car down with a gentle hose to reduce the risk of a high pressure jet damaging the coating. Or use a Foam Cannon
- Apply touch-up coatings as needed to maintain the durability of the ceramic coating. As you wash down the vehicle take a look for any small damaged areas where you can use touch- coatings.
Don'ts:
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your ceramic coated surface. Once your car is ceramic coated and the curing process is complete then you should avoid harsh, abrasive cleaners as the have great potential to weaken your coating.
- Don't park your vehicle in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Even though ceramic coating is the best option for most car owners I would still use a car cover if my car was parked in direct summer sunlight for a long time
- Try to avoid wax or polish your ceramic coated surface, as it can damage the coating. And after all isn't this why you got a ceramic coating to avoid the time consuming polish and wax process?
- Don't neglect regular maintenance, such as washing and touch-up coatings, as this will reduce the effectiveness of the ceramic coating.
How to Clean and Protect Your Ceramic Coated Surface:
By following these steps, you can help keep your ceramic coated surface looking new and protected against damage. Regular cleaning and touch-up coatings will help ensure that your ceramic coating remains effective for years to come.
In an ideal world your ceramic coating is good for five to seven years. But a lot depends on the climate where you live any acid rain and the quality of the ceramic coat.
Regular Washing
This has to be the most important step in maintaining ceramic coatings.
A regular wash process using a normal wash bucket and microfiber mitt has to be the starting point of all maintenance. Try to avoid commercial rotary brush type car washes and take your time over the wash.
Be PH Neutral!
It is essential to use a pH neutral car wash soap when washing ceramic coated vehicles. Avoid any aggressive products that are of an acidic nature as the main ingredient and always use clean water with ideally a dedicated car wash product such as Gyeon Quartz Q2M Foam
Microfiber Miracle!
Use clean microfiber towels not a soft sponge: To avoid scratching your ceramic coated surface, use a microfiber cloth when washing your vehicle. Gone are the days of using the yellow brick type sponge as these just harbour road grime and drag it across your car surface causing scratches and swirls marks.
Another idea can be to use a foam cannon on a pressure washer to give an ample coating of foam to initiate the grime removal from the surface of your vehicle
A good microfiber wash mitt will simply remove and deposit dirt into bucket if your using the two-bucket system for proper maintenance. And definitely not an automated car wash!
Touch up Coatings
Touch-up coatings are an essential part of the Ceramic Coating routine maintenance process. Touch-up coatings can help maintain the durability of your ceramic coating, so be sure to apply them as needed. A good general inspection of the coating as you wash it will reveal any areas needing touch up treatment.
The Importance of Touch-Up Coatings
This area is of special care to the good condition and longevity of a Ceramic Coating.
Regular Touch-Up Ceramic Paint Coatings will greatly maintain the look of the overall coating.
They will cover up any minor scratches and chips that could weaken the ceramic layer on vehicle surfaces.
This will prevent any corrosion or rust developing at a microscopic level, as if it did start at this level it could soon spread and weaken the whole ceramic-coated car. This is also applicable to a car with paint protection film
A major benefit of regular Touch-Up Coatings is the advantage of resale of your car is greatly increased, the coating will continue to give the best results and annual inspections of the car will show must less depreciation.
The Best Ceramic Coating Maintenance Products.
Here is a list of the best ceramic coating products and dedicated car wash products that will help you get the best results from the first wash to selling the car.
PH NEUTRAL SHAMPOO
For this we recommend THIS SHAMPOO as it contains no damaging contaminants and offers additional protection with its super qualities. Such as the world enououned MR PINK
MICROFIBER WASH MITTS
TOUCH UP COATINGS
The main difference between the old wax coating and ceramic coatings is the touch up process. Here are the best car ceramic touch up coatings for you to choose from for long term success.
Conclusion
Maintaining your ceramic coating is crucial in order to prolong its lifespan and retain its protective and aesthetic qualities.
Regular washing and drying, as well as touch-up coatings for minor damages, can go a long way in preserving the integrity of the coating.
Try to do touchless car wash process to avoid any scratch-prone contaminants.
Additionally, avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasion, and avoiding parking in direct sunlight for extended periods can also help maintain the coating's durability.
By taking good care of your ceramic coating, you can enjoy a long-lasting, beautiful surface for years to come.