Cleaning a ceramic-coated car is not as easy as some might think, especially when you consider that the cleaning will directly impact how well the coating will perform and how long it will keep its appearance. With that said, today, we are going to talk about how to wash a car after ceramic coating and provide some advice you will find very useful.
Many people live with the delusion that this type of coating somehow makes their car maintenance-free. However, this is certainly not the case, as these coatings love the proper and regular treatment, so the cleaning should still be your priority, especially if you want this layer to serve you for a long time. We did some digging and came up with some efficient methods to do so. We have a lot to discuss, so let us begin.
First Wash Is Very Important
Ceramic coatings are considered one of the most effective methods for keeping your car clean for longer periods, as it repels dirt and water. However, as we mentioned earlier, this does not mean you should stop cleaning your car altogether; in fact, how you treat your car after adding this ceramic layer is crucial in how well it will serve you.
Once your car is coated, it is recommended to wait at least seven days before you wash it for the first time. By doing so, you will allow the coating to fully cure on the vehicle’s surface and get applied the way it is supposed to. After the period of seven days passes, it is advised to clean your vehicle at least two times monthly to prevent any type of contaminants from building up.
Why Is It Essential to Maintain Ceramic Coating?
Despite this protective layer’s “self-cleaning” attributes, maintenance and cleaning is highly important. The first thing you absolutely need to know is that this layer does not clean itself. It is exceptionally flat once it hardens, which is what makes the top layer highly slippery.
Generally speaking, this provides a hydrophobic effect, which makes water, dust, dirt, tree sap, and any other debris slip off almost effortlessly. However, this process does not completely clean your car, as any type of contaminant can still get stuck on the coating surface.
As time passes and you leave this untreated, more and more particles will get stuck and start layering, which will ultimately make your car dirty. With that said, you can see that maintaining and washing your vehicle is still very important after adding a ceramic layer, not only for the visual appearance but for the effectiveness of the coating as well.
How to Wash a Car After This Coating Is Applied?
After you have waited the recommended seven days period after applying the ceramic layer, it is time to start maintaining it. In the section below, you will find some simple washing and maintenance tips that will ensure the coating you have added keeps its shine and protective properties long after it is applied.
1. Clean the Top Layer of Coating Frequently and Regularly
Just because you have added a new shiny ceramic layer on top of your car does not mean you should clean it any less. In order to keep the performance of the coating on top of its game, you should wash it regularly and ensure that debris does not get stuck and pile up on it.
If you want to keep everything neat and well-performing, you should wash your vehicle at least once a week. It is understandable that not everyone can take the time to wash this frequently, but at least one wash every two weeks is something that you should seriously consider.
2. Consider Implementing Safe Wash Methods
People that apply ceramic coating usually add some type of paint correction to their vehicles. In case you are not aware, it is important to note that when you wash and dry your car, you run the risk of inflicting swirls and scratches on your paint, which is something everyone wants to avoid.
Needless to say, you want to spare yourself from this experience, especially if you have already gone to the effort and cost of paint correction and ceramic coating. Luckily, there are methods you can use to reduce the risk of damaging the paint when cleaning your vehicle. In the section below, we have listed some of the most effective ones.
- Purchase and apply some type of pre-wash or snow foam before coming in physical contact with the paint.
- Try using a two-bucket wash method – one bucket of shampoo wash solution and one bucket with plain water for rinsing.
- Make sure to get a high-quality microfiber wash mitt.
- Use grit guards.
- Use a dedicated detailing towel or blower when drying your vehicle.
- Avoid automated car washes as much as you can.
3. Purchase a Shampoo Made for Coatings
When choosing a cleaning solution, it is essential to avoid using any type of harsh products, as they will certainly shorten the lifespan of your coating at a much higher pace. You should look for cleaning products that are specifically designed for coatings, as they grant a gentle cleaning action, which is much safer for these protective layers.
You should look for some sort of Si02-infused shampoo for ceramic-coated cars, as they are proven to prolong the life and performance of various coatings. They are pH neutral, and they act as a “top-up” protective layer for your ceramics protection. Many users have tried this method and stated that it does wonders for the hydrophobicity of the paintwork.
4. Opt For SI02-Infused Sprays as a Drying Aid Regularly
Finding these sprays is not hard, as the market is jam-packed with different Si02-infused quick detailer products. They also act as a top-up for the protection you already use, and they enhance or bring back water-repelling properties to it.
The brand you decide to opt for is entirely up to you, but if it is possible, we recommend you go for the same brand as the ceramic coating you are using. For example, you can find a Car Pro Reload spray that works perfectly with a Car Pro ceramic coating, and they work in perfect synergy.
What Happens if You Do Not Maintain Your Coating?
The first thing you need to know is that if you do not maintain the ceramic protection you have applied to your car regularly, it will start losing its attributes over time, and it will not look shiny and beautiful as it was from day one.
One of the reasons why people opt for this coating is its hydrophobicity. It makes water, mud, dirt, and any other debris fall from it in an instant. This is something that will deteriorate over time and lose its properties from UV and pollutants if you do not maintain it properly.
Secondly, cars with this type of coating shine brighter than those that do not have it. If you do not clean and maintain your car the right way, the coating will start losing its appearance. Avoid this by cleaning and washing your car regularly and doing so by using the right cleaning solutions.
Final Words
Adding a ceramic coating can improve the appearance and cleanliness of your favorite vehicle for a very long time. However, this will be the case only if you take care of it and make sure it is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis with appropriate cleaning products.
We update our website on a regular basis and are always here to provide you with fresh content about care maintenance and everything related to it. If you want to find out more about grace for vets and what it stands for, check out our main page, where we break down the essentials of what the car wash for veterans is all about.