Ceramic Coating Aftercare: Make Your Protection Last

With proper maintenance, professionally applied ceramic coating offers years of shine and protection from the elements. 

Ceramic coating begins as a liquid and chemically bonds with your car’s paint to form a thin, hard layer of hydrophobic nanoglass. This new, high-gloss surface acts as a nonstick coating that protects against rust and UV damage while making it much easier to wash away dirt and grime. 

Drivers who care for their ceramic coating can expect 5-8 years of paint protection, but poor maintenance will dramatically shorten its lifespan. Here is what you need to know about getting the most from your ceramic coating. 

1. Layer Over Paint Protection Film (PPF)

If you really want to set your ceramic coating up for success, apply it over premium paint protection film (PPF). 

High-quality PPF goes on clear and seamless to form a self-healing layer that absorbs the minor scratches, dings, and scrapes that can mar your paint job. When used as a base for ceramic, it creates a smooth, porous surface that helps the coating lay evenly and form a strong bond. 

This added layer of protection is a great option for drivers who want to preserve their vehicle’s resale value without limiting their ability to use and enjoy it. 

2. Wash Every 2 Weeks

One of the main benefits of ceramic coating is that it removes a lot of rubbing and scrubbing from the wash process. However, allowing debris, brake dust, and animal droppings to linger for long periods of time will gradually erode your protection. 

Frequently removing caustic substances from your car’s surface keeps the ceramic’s barrier strong. For best results, wash your car when you notice visible grit and grime, or a minimum of every other week. 

3. Use Good Washing Techniques

Quality ceramic should have a high score on the Moh’s mineral hardness scale, but even very scratch-resistant ceramic coating can be damaged by careless washing. 

Keep your wash and rinse water separated using the two-bucket system. This makes it easier to remove abrasive particles from your washcloth before dunking it back into your wash water, effectively preventing you from accidentally scrubbing grime into your vehicle’s surface. 

To preserve your shine, avoid washing in direct sunlight. Ceramic’s hydrophobic surface can cause beads of water to dry very quickly on their own in the sun, leaving behind unsightly water spots. 

4. No Buffing or Polishing

Well-applied ceramic coating has a striking, mirror-like shine that eliminates the need for additional polishing. It’s not only unnecessary, but it’s also potentially harmful. 

Particularly when done mechanically, buffing a ceramic coated vehicle can wear down your protection and leave your paint vulnerable. Simply dry your car immediately after washing with a soft microfiber cloth for a brilliant finish. 

5. Choose Manufacturer-Recommended Products

Premium brands of ceramic coating are formulated to perform best when used with their specific product line. Mixing and matching different ceramic shampoos and boosters can harm your coating or even invalidate your warranty. 

Make sure your detailer uses a quality brand of ceramic coating and that they are a certified installer. A reputable shop will be able to explain their brand preference and direct you towards the right aftercare products. 

6. Avoid the Automatic Car Wash

For many of the reasons already stated, going through an automatic car wash is a risky move for drivers who have invested in ceramic coating. 

Not only is it impossible to control the speed and pressure of the automated mechanisms, there is also no way to prevent them from lifting grit off of other vehicles and scrubbing it into your paint. 

Schedule maintenance detailing with a professional shop or hand wash your vehicle to guarantee that the proper products and techniques are being used.