How to Maintain and Wash a Ceramic Coated Car
In this article we are going to cover everything you need to know about what makes a ceramic coating a great way to protect your car, why it is important to look after your car even after it has been ceramic coated and the best way to go about maintaining your ceramic coating.
What is a Ceramic Coating, Why is Maintenance Important and How Exactly Should You Wash a Ceramic Coated Car?
Ceramic Coatings are one of the best choices you can make if you are serious about taking care of your car. No matter if your ceramic coating was a weekend project or applied by an expert detailer, the maintenance required is all the same and crucial for preserving both the quality and longevity of your ceramic coating.
When it comes to maintaining your ceramic coating, alongside a safe maintenance wash method there are a few steps you can take to ensure your car stays looking its best. Keep reading to learn more about our recommended process with some pro tips along the way.
At Just Car Care we are a Gyeon Partner Studio. This means we have the top level of accreditation for both the installation, maintenance and warranty upkeep of Gyeon's professional 'Certified Only' Ceramic Coating and PPF range. This means not only can we provide the products you need to maintain your car, but also work with them on a daily basis.
What is a Ceramic Coating?
In technical terms, the primary component of a Ceramic Coating is Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). Formulations vary between manufacturer but they typically comes in Glass or Metal packaging as a liquid, which then hardens upon application upon curing.
Again formulations for Ceramic Coatings all vary based on what they are designed for in terms of protection properties and duarability ratings. The main advantages to look out for in a good ceramic coating are Water Repellancy (hydrophobic abilities / beading), Chemical Resistance, UV Protection and Gloss Retention.
Why is it important to Maintain a Ceramic Coating?
One of the most common questions we are asked: 'Is it important to maintain a ceramic coating?'. To answer the question, well, yes. When it comes to Ceramic Coatings they are a fantastic way to both protect your car and make its upkeep significantly easier. However like most things in life they still require a little care and attention to get the best out of them.
Our recommendation is to avoid the cheap £5-£10 'Wash and Go' services, stay well clear of petrol station 'Automatic Washes' and don't let the dealership wash your car during service check-ups. Instead either follow our Maintenance Safe Wash guide or hire the services of a professional detailer.
When it comes to a Maintenance Wash we always say this is dependant on the mileage your car covers and the conditions it is exposed to, but in most cases, either once a week or once a fortnight is usually enough.
How Do I Wash & Maintain a Ceramic Coated Car?
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Maintain a Clean Surface: This comes through regular maintenance washing, as we've mentioned above typically once every week or every fortnight is typically enough based on an average of 150 miles a week.
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Follow a Safe Wash Process: This is documented in great detail online across various sources, however the top and bottom of it is that for proper upkeep of a ceramic coating whilst minimising the risk of paint swirls and scratching you should carry out a proper pre-wash stage using pH neutral 'Citrus Pre Wash' and 'Snow Foam'. Follow the 'two-bucket method' with the use of grit guards. Use high quality, clean microfibre wash mitts, with separate mitts for bodywork and wheels and finally dry the car using a premium, plush microfibre towel.
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Use the Correct Car Shampoo: Again when it comes to car shampoo, pH Neutral is the way forward for Ceramic Coated vehicles. The use of high alkaline shampoos and washing-up liquid has the potential to drastically reduce the lifespan of your ceramic coating and can ultimately result in being back to square one. Wax based shampoo or 'Wash and Wax' type products are also a no-go for ceramic coatings as the wax properties within these will clog up the SiO2 layer, resulting in diminished performance over time.
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Using SiO2 Boosters: Ceramic Sealants and SiO2 Boosters are a great way to enhance the water repellency or 'hydrophobic effect' of your ceramic coating and keep the car easy to dry. With these types of product you aren't going to get the same UV protection or chemical resistance that comes with a proper ceramic coating, however they are quick, easy to use and particularly helpful for coatings towards the end of their advertised lifespan. Durability varies between products but you can typically expect 8-12 weeks between uses.
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Correct Drying Technique: This is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of washing a car. As it is the final contact you make with the vehicle within a wash process it is just as important you are using the right tools and techniques. We recommend using a large, clean, Plush Microfibre towel. Work from the top of the vehicle downwards, starting with the roof, windscreen and bonnet. Work the towel in straight lines, a single pass with a clean towel should collect all of the water on a Ceramic Coated vehicle. An optional step for drying is to employ the use of a Car Blow Dryer such as a Blo-S, Blo-RS or Blo-GT. These are extremely handy for drying wheels and getting that hard to reach water out of grilles and other tight spaces.
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Maintaining Clean Equipment: This applies to all of your tools such as buckets, brushes, wash-mitts and drying towels. Clean these between washes and ensure they are clean before use. Always use grit-guards in your buckets and rinse them out after use. When it comes to towels and wash-mitts, these can be cleaned with a dedicated 'microfibre wash' or simply your run of the mill laundry detergent. Same as the towels in your house, it is important not to use softeners, fabric conditioners or scent boosters that can add waxy layers into the towels fibres.
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Don't cheap out on shortcuts: We've briefly touched on this above, but petrol station style 'Automatic Washes', dealership valets (no matter the brand) and the cheap drive up 'Wash and Go' Services are best avoided at all costs. For dealerships it's all about getting the job done as fast as possible. We have lost count of the amount of customers we've spoke to that have been left with heavily swirled cars following a dealership valet, with these a polite notice not to wash the car during its visit is usually enough for peace of mind. When it comes to Wash and Go services and Automatic Car Washes, they will typically use unsafe acid and alkaline based chemicals to speed up the cleaning process, alongside abrasive brushes that will heavily damage your vehicles paintwork, again these are best avoided.
- Decontamination Washing: Regular maintenance washing is the perfect way to ensure your vehicle stays looking its best, however every now and then a deeper clean goes a long way to freshen up your coatings. This includes a few more wash stages with the use of products like 'Iron Fallout Remover', 'Water Spot Remover' and 'Tar and Glue Remover' to fully decontaminate the vehicles surface. We recommend carrying out a Decontamination Wash every 3 months (based on an average of 150 miles a week). If this isn't possible, every 6 months at a minimum.
Conclusion
Choosing to Ceramic Coat your car is a great decision if you're serious about maintaining both it's appearance and value. If you're going down the self-application route, refer to this guide for how to maintain your freshly ceramic coated vehicle and feel free to ask us any other questions you come across.
If you are planning to use the services of a professional detailer, be sure to ask them what type of coating they are installing as well as any advice they have on how to best maintain the coating. Our advice is universal but every detailer worth their salt should have the answers to these questions.
If you're a customer of ours, we're always just a message, phone call or visit away and happy to help with any maintenance questions whether it's pre or post service!