How to Maintain a Ceramic Coating

Complete guide to ceramic coating aftercare

Ceramic coatings need to be maintained using the correct products and techniques in order to preserve the finish and surface characteristics.

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Guide to Maintaing a Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coatings certainly make it easier to maintain the appearance of the vehicle, but they still need to be looked after properly in order to preserve their performance. This includes both routine washing, and periodic chemical decontamination to prevent clogging and the loss of its water and dirt repellent properties. In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly wash and maintain a ceramic coating to keep the car looking immaculate for years to come. 

Rules When Washing a Ceramic Coating

Before we dive into the details, we first need to address the basic rules of washing a coated car to prevent damage, and preserve its surface characteristics.

Do:

  • Wash the car often – ideally every couple of weeks.
  • Pre-wash the car with snow foam and a pressure washer (held at a safe distance).
  • Use a pH neutral pure car shampoo.
  • Wash the car using either the two bucket or multi-mitt wash method.
  • Use high-quality microfibre wash mitts and drying towels.
  • Dry the car after washing using a soft microfibre towel.

Don't:

  • Don’t take a ceramic coated car to an automatic or roadside car wash station.
  • Don’t use sponges or brushes to wash the vehicle.
  • Don’t use caustic chemicals or household cleaners.
  • Don’t use clay bars or any other abrasives e.g. polishes and compounds.
  • Don’t scrub at the paintwork with your mitt. 
  • Don’t wash the car in direct sunlight or when the panels are warm/ hot.
  • Don’t wash the coating for at least one week after installation.

The First 24 Hours

When a ceramic coating has been freshly applied, it is at its most vulnerable. Over the first 24 hours, the coating will begin to harden, but will be fairly soft to begin with. That’s why it’s recommended to keep the vehicle stored indoors for the initial 12-24 hours after installation, to allow the coating to begin to harden before exposing it to the elements where it may become contaminated with water spots, traffic film, pollen, tree sap and bird droppings.

The First Week

During the first week after installation, the coating will continue to cure and will typically only have reached its maximum hardness after 7 days. Within this first week, the coating should not be washed or exposed to any chemicals. This is because chemical exposure can damage a partially-cured coating. 

The only issue you may encounter, is if any tree sap or bird droppings land on the coated surface within that first week. In this case, the safest thing you can do is to rinse the car with deionised water. The unfortunate downside is that not many people have access to this. If your coating becomes contaminated with bird droppings or tree sap within the first week, call your coating installer and they will be able to advise. Also, avoid parking under trees to reduce the risk of this happening. 

How to Wash a Ceramic Coated Car

Once the first week has passed, most coatings can be washed normally. Speak to your coating installer to check this though, as some coatings require a 14-day cure period.

It’s important to either follow “safe wash techniques” if cleaning the vehicle yourself, or leave the process to a professional detailer to prevent damage. Never take a coated car through an automatic or roadside car wash station. These places use harsh chemicals and tools which will permanently stain and scratch the coating. 

In this next section, we’ll take you through the ideal wash routine, and some mistakes to avoid. 

Pre-WASH THE PAINTWORK

The first thing that you should do to the paintwork, is give it a thorough pre-wash. The idea of the pre-wash stage, is to soften as much dirt as possible so it can be easily rinsed away with a pressure washer before contact is made using a wash mitt. This drastically reduces the risk of inflicting swirl marks, and is a stage that should never be skipped. 

The most common way to pre-wash the car is to apply snow foam (using a foam cannon) onto the cool, dry surface. It should then be left for around 5 minutes, but should never be allowed to dry out. It can then be rinsed with a pressure washer thoroughly (at a safe distance) to remove the snow foam and traffic film build-up.

Use a Safe Wash Method

Now that the car has been pre-washed, it’s time for the contact wash stage. It’s important to use what’s called a “safe” wash method during this stage, in order to reduce the risk or swirl marks and marring. Here are two of the most common wash methods to choose from:

  • Two bucket method: this involves having one bucket filled with shampoo solution, and another filled with clean water. Every time you wash a section or panel, the mitt should be rinsed in the bucket of clean water before it’s dipped back into the shampoo bucket. This reduces the amount of dirt build-up on the mitt.
  • Multi-mitt method: this involves having a separate wash mitt for each panel and a single bucket filled with shampoo and water. Using a separate mitt for each area of the car eliminates that risk of dirt build-up.

Use the Right Shampoo

Never use household cleaners or dish soaps to wash the car, as these will stain the surfaces and degrade the coating. Instead, you should use a car shampoo from a reputable detailing brand. A good example of a coating-safe shampoo is Gtechniq GWash. Avoid using any car shampoos which have waxes or gloss-enhancers in the formulation. These may sound like a good idea, but will actually clog and mask the coating, reducing its performance significantly. Instead, stick to a pH neutral “pure” shampoo, which is free from additives. 

Use the Right Tools

When washing and drying any car, you should use high-quality microfibre wash mitts and towels. These do not cause scratches and swirl marks when used properly. Never use sponges or brushes to clean the car, and never use bath towels, chamois leather or squeegees to dry the vehicle. These tools are abrasive and will mar and scratch the coated surface.

Dry the Car Properly

Once you’ve rinsed away the shampoo, it’s very important that you dry the car, and don’t just leave it to air dry. Tap water contains minerals which will be deposited on the surface when the water evaporates. Not only do these water spots look unsightly, but they can also chemically etch the coating, permanently damaging the surface. Always use a good-quality microfibre towel after washing. 

Using a “patting” technique, rather than dragging the towel across the surface also reduces the risk of any potential towel marring. Alternatively, you can use a car dryer for a completely contact-free drying method.

Wash the Car Frequently

In order to reduce contamination build-up which can inhibit the coating’s true performance, the vehicle should be washed regularly. For most cars, this is approximately every fortnight. It’s best to keep on top of the wash routine, otherwise the coating will become clogged, and won’t last as long. 

Remove Bird Droppings & Tree Sap as Soon as Possible

If you notice any bird droppings or tree sap, it’s important to wash these away as soon as possible, using the safe wash methods we described earlier in the article. If left to sit on the surface (especially in direct sunlight), they will permanently etch the coating. If you’re out and about, and unable to wash the car safely, then take it to a hand car wash station and pressure wash as much off as possible. Never use the brush though! And never take it through an automatic tunnel wash. 

More Important Wash Tips

Here are some other key wash tips to keep in mind:

  • Always wash the car from top to bottom. The lower sections are the dirtiest so should be cleaned last to prevent dirt build-up on the mitt.
  • Always use separate tools (buckets, mitts and towels) for the wheels to avoid cross-contamination. The wheels are contaminated with abrasive brake dust which will mar the coating if the same tools are used.
  • Never wash the car in direct sunlight or when the panels are warm or hot to the touch. 
  • Move the wash mitt in straight-lines, and avoid using circular motions when cleaning the vehicle. 
  • Always use very light pressure with your mitts and towels, avoid pressing down and scrubbing on the surface. 

Deep Cleaning a Clogged Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coatings should be chemically decontaminated when the water sheeting and beading starts to diminish. This typically should be done every 6 months or 5000 miles on most coated cars. This involves using iron fallout remover, tar remover and either an acidic shampoo or water spot remover to address mineral deposit build-up. After the chemical decontamination process, the water behaviour should be restored. Never use a clay bar (or synthetic clay mitt) on a coated car, as this will cause marring. 

Topping Up a Ceramic Coating

Applying a “topper” to a ceramic coating is often unnecessary, and regular washing and chemical decontamination should be sufficient to maintain the performance. However, if you do want to top-up the protection, it’s important to use a compatible product and ideally stick to the same brand. For example, if you have a Gtechniq coating, then it’s best to use a Gtechniq spray sealant or quick detailer to maintain it. Ask your coating installer for recommendations of compatible products for your car’s ceramic coating. 

Ceramic Coating Specialists in Cheshire

If you are interested in having your vehicle protected with a premium ceramic coating, get in touch with our team. Here at MuffWash in Cheshire, we have several different packages available, and are the region’s Gtechniq accredited partners, giving us access to professional-only coatings.