Your car has now been fully cured after being covered with ceramic coating. What follows? How can I take care of the coating that I spent countless hours and possibly thousands of dollars having installed on my car? What if I make a mistake? How to maintain coated cars is the most frequent question we get from both DIYers and clients. Surprisingly, the ideal technique to achieve this isn’t included in a lot of simple information.
The way we maintain and protect our vehicles has been changed by ceramic paint coatings. There are a lot of alternatives available when deciding which system or brand is ideal for you and your car. Research is the greatest way to pick the right one for you because each one has a distinctive twist even though they all appear to deliver a comparable performance.
When kept up with, ceramic coatings offer many years of protection. To wash, clean, and preserve your ceramic or graphene covering, however, how precisely do you do it? This article will lead you through the procedures of how to maintain a car with a ceramic coating properly. Read on!
What is Ceramic Coating?
It’s helpful to first consider the most popular paint-protection products in order to comprehend ceramic coatings.
The most economical and organic option is wax, which is also available in a variety of formats, from an antiquated paste to an easy-to-use spray. For many years, maintaining a car’s new-car appearance has been referred to as “waxing” it. Unfortunately, wax isn’t all that durable, so it needs to be reapplied several times a year. Although some businesses assert to the contrary, even a harsh soap and environmental toxins can easily pass through that thin wax barrier.
Contrarily, sealants are made of synthetic materials and are designed to last for several months. Despite not often providing the same deep shine as a high-quality wax, they are simple to apply.
A coating made of ceramic is superior to both. Hand-applied silica-based liquid polymer cures into a protective layer that, with careful maintenance, can last for several years.
In more detail, it is a chemical polymer solution that is applied to the exterior of your car to shield the paint from damage caused by the elements. It is normally applied by hand because it melds with the paint of your car to give another layer of hydrophobic defense.
The benefit of being resistant to breakdown in typical atmospheric circumstances like heat or rain is another benefit of ceramic coating. This makes it the perfect option for folks who wish to spend a lot of money all at once on their car. The level of protection that the solution can provide will also vary depending on how the ceramic coating recipe differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.
How to Maintain Ceramic Coating?
Now that you have a basic knowledge of ceramic coating for your cars, the question now is how do you maintain it. We have listed a few tips and tricks that every car owner should know and be aware of when it comes to maintaining your car’s ceramic coating;
Avoid washing your car for at least seven days after ceramic coating.
Ceramic coatings take some time to cure and give your paintwork the essential protection. Since a ceramic coating is quite an expensive investment, you shouldn’t wash your car for at least a week after it is applied unless you want to flush it all down the drain. This period of time enables the ceramic coating to thoroughly cure.
Clean off contamination from your painted surfaces right away.
Acidic contaminants like tree sap, bug spatter, and bird droppings can damage your ceramic coating. This means that you should remove them right away if any of them get on your ceramic-coated paint. Recall to blot rather than wipe to prevent pollutants from spreading across your paintwork.
Keep a schedule for car washing
The addition of a protective coating does not render your car impervious to contaminants or dirt. Although less frequently than when it merely had the factory clear coat, it still needs to be washed regularly. Following are some pointers for washing an automobile with a ceramic coating:
Wash your car every one to two weeks.
The hydrophobicity of your vehicle’s ceramic coating prevents most water-based smudges and debris from adhering to its surface while you’re driving. However, the ceramic coating becomes embedded with dirt, stones, and other small deteriorating elements. These substances wear away the ceramic coating over time without routine cleaning, causing it to gradually lose its hydrophobicity. It is crucial to wash your car every one to two weeks in order to preserve and protect your ceramic coating because of this.
Avoid washing your car in the sun.
Water spots and streaks are likely to develop on your car if you wash it in direct sunshine. To avoid this and get a spot-free surface, wash your automobile in the garage or under cover.
The heat from direct sunshine causes your ceramic covering to break over time. Cleaning your ceramic coating in the morning, in the shade, or in the garage will preserve its integrity.
Wash the car in sections, from top to bottom.
Washing your car should be done in sections, working your way down from the top. To prevent cross-contamination, wash each component with a separate wash mitt that has been dipped in the washing solution. When cleaning any region, and before moving on to another, rinse the mitt frequently.
Avoid using an automatic car wash.
Your automobile is cleaned by brushes in an automatic car wash. Your ceramic coating could be harmed by these brushes, which would eventually cause it to deteriorate. If you must wash your automobile, choose a touchless car wash.
Clean off contamination from your painted surfaces right away.
Acidic contaminants like tree sap, bug spatter, and bird droppings can damage your ceramic coating. This means that you should remove them right away if any of them get on your ceramic-coated paint. Recall to blot rather than wipe to prevent pollutants from spreading across your paintwork.
To Sum it Up!
Ceramic coatings are not impenetrable. There are numerous techniques to maintain its luster and general functionality, as was covered in this post. Keep your investment from being a waste!
If you follow all the maintenance advice, your ceramic coating will perform as needed.
