Introduction
Many car owners know ceramic coating is popular to protect a car from external damages and enhance the lifespan of car paint. But maintenance of ceramic coating is also important, many of us don’t know. In this article we will explain why ceramic coat maintenance is important?. And how to maintain the ceramic coating?. So let’s start.
Why is Ceramic Coat Maintenance Important?
By maintaining ceramic coating you can enhance the life of the protective layer which it provides. Ceramic coatings have no self-cleaning or healing properties. So, by regular maintenance Its life expectancy increases and provides better protection to your car in the long run.
Maintaining ceramic coating also saves your money in the long run.As we know its a costly investment. If you maintain it on a regular basis it protects your investment. Otherwise, reapplication of coating is needed to make a huge impact on your pocket.
It’s a crucial task to maintain your car’s glossy shine after ceramic coating application. By regular maintenance of this protecting shield. You can preserve its brilliant shine and make your car brand-new for a long time.
How Regularly Should You Wash a Ceramic-Coated Car?
To maintain ceramic coating shine and its protection capabilities. You need to make a regular washing schedule. Regular washing not only preserves your car’s glossy shine. But also enhances the effectiveness of ceramic coating shields.
Expert guidelines
According to the experts’ recommendations, washing a ceramic coated car once every two weeks is necessary in normal condition. But if you are living in a harsh and extreme environment such as sandy or dusty areas such as coastal regions or areas having harsh weather, then it’s necessary to wash your car once a week.
Regular car washing prevents surface contaminants, road salts and chemicals that bond with ceramic coating and causes damages for paint work.
After regular car washing it’s important to address and clean some other damages like bird droppings, tree saps, water spots or acidic rain etc. These substances are harmful for both ceramic coating and car paint. If you leave them for a long time they can etch to layer and lead to significant damage.
Rules for Maintaining a Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a blessing for car lovers to maintain its brand-new condition for a long time. But its maintenance is more important than its application. If you are able to maintain this protection film. It will save your investment and your car both for a very long time. Some maintenance tips and experts recommendations are given below to help you alot to save your car condition.
Regular car washing: wash your car regularly at least once in every two weeks. This will remove all dust, contaminants and road salts from the coating. And use high quality products like PH-neutral car shampoo. It prevents stripping the ceramic coating.
Avoid automatic car wash: automatic car wash is highly risky for coating. Because it can be abrasive and damage the coating. Always use hand wash to maintain coating integrity.
Two-bucket method: use two bucket methods to wash your car. Because it prevents the risk of scratches on ceramic coating. One bucket for soapy water and another one for rinsing your wash.
Dry thoroughly: User soft and clean microfiber towel to dry your car. It avoids scratches.
Avoid air-drying: Avoid air-drying to clean and dry your car. Because it can lead to water spots which can damage the coating.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Don’t use products having harsh chemicals as they can damage coating. Always use products or cleaners designed for ceramic coating.
Use ceramic booster: use ceramic coating cleaner or booster after every few months to maintain and enhance the durability of the protecting shield.
Park in a shaded area: Try to park your car in a shaded area and prevent coating from UV rays or bird dropping. Because it degrades coating over time.
Avoid trees: whenever possible try to avoid trees. Don’t park your car under trees. Because tree saps and bird-dropping can damage the coating. If you find any containment, remove it as soon as possible.
Best Products to Wash a Ceramic-Coated Vehicle
When you are maintaining ceramic coating it’s important to use the best products that boost ceramic coating effectiveness. Here are some experts recommended soaps, shampoos and tools:
Chemical Guys CWS_110 Honeydew Snow Foam – It is a Ph-neutral foam creating thick foam which provides scratch free wash. It has a pleasant smell and is safe for all surfaces.
Meguiar’s G7101FFP Gold Class Car Wash – its a premium soap design for cleaning the protecting shields. It Has rich foam and is good for ceramic coating.
Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo – It’s a PH-neutral shampoo famous for lubrication to minimise the risk of scratches.
Griot’s Garage Brilliant Finish Car Wash – it provides effective cleaning for ceramic coating. Easy to rinse and provide streak free finish.
Some recommended tools to wash ceramic coating are below:
Foam Cannon – it’s an attachment for a pressure washer. It sprays thick foam which lifts dirt without scratches. And save your car surface.
Microfiber Wash Mitt – it’s a soft, absorbent mitt which helps to prevent scratches while car washing.
Two bucket systems – one bucket for soap and other for cleaning cars. It helps to reduce the risk of reintroducing dirt.
Grit guard insert – placed this insert at the bottom of the bucket to keep dirt away from washing mitt.
Drying towels – soft microfiber towels to dry your car without streaking and scratches.
Does Getting a Ceramic Coating Mean You Never Need to Wash Your Car?
Ceramic coating provides a protection to your car from external damages like dirt, contaminants and scratches etc. But it has no self-healing and self-cleaning properties. It requires care and wash to enhance its effectiveness. Although it makes the cleaning process easier, it requires washing at-least once in every two weeks.
Regular washing also helps to maintain the hydrophobic properties of coating. Which makes the surface slick.
What Happens If You Don’t Regularly Wash Your Ceramic-Coated Car?
Applying ceramic coating never means you are not washing your car or never maintaining it. If you don’t wash ceramic coating it gets worse after a few years. Below mentioned points help you to keep your car coating maintained.
- With time ceramic coating degrades and causes your car to lose its shine. If you don’t wash or maintain it regularly.
- Ceramic coatings have a lifespan between 2-3 years. If you are not maintaining it, it loses its effectiveness in a very short time. But you can enhance its life and make it more effective for a longer run by maintaining it.
- Ceramic coating protects your car from UV rays, dust and road salts. If you don’t wash the ceramic coating or not maintain it. It will lose its effectiveness to protect your car.
- Ceramic coating is famous for its hydrophobic properties which means bead up water and roll off the surface. But if this protecting shield is not maintained properly it may affect its properties which lead not to repel dirt and contaminants from car surfaces.
Signs Your Car Needs a New Ceramic Coat
Ceramic coating is a popular option to maintain your car shine and overall surface safety. However, the coating also has a lifespan. When it reaches its lifespan. You must need to replace it no matter how durable this protective shield is. Below some signs are mentioned that your car needs a new ceramic coat.
Loss of water beading: Ceramic coating has hydrophobic properties which means bead up and roll off the water from the surface. But if you find that water no longer beads up effectively. It is an indication to change ceramic coating.
Dull Paint: Ceramic coating enhances the shine of your car like brand new. But if the paint starts to look dull or faded after maintenance of the coat. It is a sign of a layer worn off.
Dirt and grime buildup: it’s easier to clean ceramic coating. Because dirt and grimes do not stick to the surface for a long time. But if you find your car is getting dirty quickly and it’s hard to clean, the coating needs to be replaced.
Oxidation: Ceramic coating protects your car from oxidation. If you find rust and oxidation it’s a clear indicator that the coating needs reapplication.
Water Spots: if water spots are more visible and it’s hard for you to remove. It could be a clear indication the coating lost its effectiveness.
Chemical stains: If you find bird droppings, contaminants are leaving behind stains or etch marks. It is a sign to replace the coating.
Conclusion
Final thoughts, maintaining ceramic coating is very important to preserve your car appearance and effectiveness of this protective shield. Regular washing, proper care, and reapplication on time will ensure your car in its original and lush look for years and years.
You can get very important points in the above article on how to maintain ceramic coating and save your car and investment for a long run.
FAQs
How often should you recoat ceramic coatings?
Ceramic coating usually stays for 2 to 3 years and sometimes more. It depends on your care. If you recoat after 3 years, it will ensure that your can retains its glossy shine for a long time period.
Does ceramic coating need maintenance?
Yes, ceramic coating requires maintenance to perform well and retain its effectiveness to protect your car.
Does washing your car once a week preserve the finish?
Washing your car once a week definitely preserves the finish. It also maintains ceramic coating hydrophobic properties which resist dust and stains to maintain surface.
Are touchless car washes safe for ceramic coating?
Yes, touchless car washing is safe for coating. Because it does not include brushes and chemicals that cause scratches on coating and remove coating from the surface.
