Ceramic Coating After Care — Original Car Detailing and Ceramic Coating

Congratulations on your brand new Ceramic Coating! On this page we will discuss how to care for your new coating.

Your Ceramic Coating is designed to protect your factory clear coat, to provide a protective shield against the elements, and to keep your vehicle looking new always. To maximize the effects and to ensure your investment is long-lasting, a few basic maintenance steps should be taken. With simple care, your coating will reward you for years to come.

Curing time is 2-3 days depending on environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature. Take special care during this time period. The coating will help prevent your clear coat from getting water spots as it is hydrophobic, however, it can still get hard water spots. Be especially diligent during the curing process to prevent water spots, which may be costly to remove.

During the curing process avoid:

Parking under trees especially if they are shedding. You don’t want tree sap on a fresh coating.

Allowing bird droppings, sap or pollen to sit on the car and bake in the sun.

Washing or abrading the paint.

If you notice that your car gets water spots, bird droppings, bugs, tree sap, or other contaminants during the first few days, immediately remove it following our care instructions. Keep in mind the coating is still curing. Be gentle when working on the paint.

Wash on a bi-weekly basis to avoid excessive contamination build up.

Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting.

Wash from the top down leaving the dirtiest sections for last to avoid cross contamination.

Use the “two bucket” method – one bucket for rinsing your sponge/mitt and one for soapy water.

Use separate soap and sponge/mitt for wheels.

Always dry completely and never leave to air-dry. Tap water contains minerals that may leave deposits creating water spots.

Use quality microfiber towels for best results and avoid aggressive wiping, allowing the material to absorb the water.

Never use aggressive products to polish the coating or remove surface contamination.

Never use excessive force to remove water spots.

Bird droppings, tar, sap, etc. should be removed as soon as possible to avoid temporary staining or hardening on the coating. Any staining left behind from the bird droppings will break down over a few days without affecting the coating.

For best results, clean all leather/vinyl surfaces bi-weekly.

Vacuum carpets regularly.

Immediately wipe off spills on leather, vinyl, or fabric.

Immediately absorb and clean stains on carpet.

Car washes: Don’t Use Automatic Washes That Touch The Vehicle

Don’t use Automatic towel washes

Don’t use dirty brushes

Home Washing: Don’t Use Dirty / Old Equipment

Don’t wash in direct sun

Don’t wax or polish

Don’t use abrasive towels

Car washes: Touchless Automatic Car Washes

Touchless Wash without additives like Hot Wax or Sealant

Home Washing: Use Quality Products

Mild Car wash soap without additives like Waxes or Sealants

Microfiber wash & dry

Wash in shade

Your new coating is extremely slick, this means most things will dissolve and be pulled off by its self-cleaning effect. Use water or a little vinegar to remove bird droppings, bugs, and tree sap. Followed by wiping it off with a soft edge-less microfiber towel.

For best results the car should be washed on a bi-weekly basis to avoid excessive contamination build-up. Use only recommended mild soaps. Avoid high volume brush style car washes, high PH detergent style cleaners, and bug/tar removers. Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting. Wash from the top down leaving the dirtiest sections for last to avoid cross-contamination. Use separate soap.

Standard home washing

Use a foam gun (optimal) or microfiber wash mitt to soap down the car. Rinse it off with a pressure washer (optimal) or hose. Dry with clean microfiber towels.

Spray ‘n wash self car washes

Select the high-pressure soap. Soap the car down (never use the provided brushes especially on the paint!). Rinse car off with the high-pressure rinse. Dry with clean microfiber towels.

Car washes

Touch-less car washes only. Never use a car wash with brushes! Never select the “spray wax” option.

Use a ceramic drying aid (we can help with this) and one damp microfiber to first dry the vehicle then follow by using the second microfiber to finish drying. This process will give you the best results.

Always dry completely and never leave to “air” dry. Tap water contains minerals that may leave deposits creating water spots.

Only use quality microfiber towels for best results and avoid aggressive wiping, allowing the material to absorb the water.

Never use aggressive products to polish the coating or remove surface contamination.

Never use excessive force to remove spots.

Bird droppings, tar, sap, etc. should be removed as soon as possible to avoid temporary staining or hardening on the coating. Any staining left behind from bird droppings will break down over a few days without affecting the coating.

Do not wax the coating, many products contain solvents and abrasives. A Ceramic Drying Aid is the recommended maintenance and aftercare product. We can help with this, and even offer you some of the same product we use, and / or, tell you where to find it!

Always go to a touch-free wash! Using an automated car wash with brushes will void your warranty. This rule of thumb applies to non-coated vehicles as well, it’s just a bad idea! Your Ceramic Coating takes 2-3 days to achieve full hardness. Please handle with care and do not wash the vehicle for the first 2 weeks.

Annual Inspections are the recommended process for ensuring the coating is maintained and care for the vehicle is properly executed. Annual inspections should be carried out by an approved applicator within 30 days before the anniversary date of the last service to ensure peak performance and warranty validity. Although durable and long-lasting, annual inspections ensure maximum gloss and protection from your ceramic coating that we installed. If you move, relocate, or are otherwise no longer able to come to us for annual inspections, that’s ok! We can recommend a certified installer for your specific coating in any area! Just give us a shout, we are more than happy to help you keep your coating and warranty intact, even if it’s not with us!