Gentle Washing Is What Makes a Coating Last
After a ceramic coating goes on, give it time to cure, keep it dry and free of soap for as long as the product calls for, then wash it gently by hand with a pH-neutral shampoo. Avoid brush washes and harsh chemicals. Ask us at pickup about the cure time for your coating.
Most coating trouble comes from the first few weeks or from how the car is washed later, not from the coating itself.
While the Coating Cures
Keep it dry and clean
A fresh coating is still hardening. Try to keep rain, sprinklers and washing off it for as long as the maker recommends, and do not apply any other product on top.
Deal with droppings quickly
Bird droppings and tree sap are acidic. On a new coating, remove them gently with water and a soft microfibre as soon as you see them, without scrubbing.
Park with care
If you can, park under cover or away from trees for the first while. It saves you from cleaning the coating before it has fully set.
How to Wash a Coated Car
Rinse first
Rinse the car well to lift loose grit before anything touches the paint. Most swirls come from dragging grit across the surface.
Two buckets and a soft mitt
Use one bucket of soapy water and one of plain water to rinse the mitt. Wash from the top down, and leave the lower panels and wheels for last, with a separate mitt if you can.
Dry with clean microfibre
Pat or blot dry with a clean, soft towel, or blow the water off. A coated car sheds water quickly, so drying is easier than it used to be.
Watch the beading
Tight water beads mean the coating is doing its job. If water starts to sit flat on the hood and roof, the surface may need a decontamination wash or a refresh. Ask us to take a look.
Common Questions
How soon can I wash the car after coating?
Coatings need time to cure, and the wait depends on the product and the weather. Ask us at pickup what applies to the coating on your car.
Do I need special soap?
A pH-neutral car shampoo is the safe choice. Strong degreasers and harsh detergents wear a coating down faster.
Can I use a car wash?
Avoid brush washes. A touchless wash is gentler when you need one, but a careful hand wash is best for a coated car.
Do I still need to wax?
No. The coating does that job. Adding wax on top can hide the coating's water beading and is not needed.
Related Pages
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