Caring For Your Coating

You've invested in premium ceramic coating protection. Now let's make sure it lasts the full 9 years with proper care and maintenance. The good news? It's easier than you think.

The First 48 Hours Are Critical

After your ceramic coating is applied, it needs time to fully cure and bond with your paint. During the first 48 hours:

DO NOT:

• Wash or wet your vehicle
• Park in direct rain or snow
• Touch the coated surfaces
• Allow any contaminants to sit on the paint
• Park under trees (bird droppings, sap)

Keep your vehicle garaged if possible. If you must park outside, choose a covered area. This curing period ensures maximum hardness and durability.

The Right Way to Wash

Proper washing technique is the foundation of ceramic coating maintenance. Here's our proven method:

Two-Bucket Method

Setup: Fill one bucket with pH-neutral car soap and water, another with clean rinse water
Rinse: Pre-rinse your vehicle with water to remove loose dirt
Wash: Use a soft microfiber wash mitt, working from top to bottom
Rinse Mitt: After each panel, rinse your mitt in the clean water bucket
Final Rinse: Thoroughly rinse all soap from the vehicle
Dry: Use a clean, soft microfiber drying towel or air blower

Pro Tip

Thanks to the hydrophobic properties of ceramic coating, you'll use less soap and water dries off much faster. Water literally beads up and rolls off, taking dirt with it.

What Products to Use (And Avoid)

Use These:

• pH-neutral car shampoo (6-8 pH)
• Soft microfiber wash mitts
• Microfiber drying towels
• Dedicated wheel cleaners
• Distilled water for spots

Avoid These:

• Dish soap or household cleaners
• Automatic car wash brushes
• Abrasive sponges or towels
• Wax or polish products
• High-alkaline cleaners

Dealing with Contaminants

One of ceramic coating's best features is how it repels contaminants. But some substances still need prompt attention:

Bird Droppings

Remove within 24 hours. Spray with water, let soak briefly, gently wipe with microfiber cloth. The coating protects the paint, but acidic droppings can etch if left too long.

Tree Sap

Spray with detail spray or warm soapy water. Let sit for a minute, then gently wipe. Don't scrape or use harsh chemicals.

Road Salt (Michigan Winters)

Rinse your vehicle weekly during winter months. The ceramic coating protects against salt damage, but regular rinsing prevents buildup.

Bug Splatter

Spray with bug remover or soapy water, let dwell for 2-3 minutes, rinse off. The coating makes this much easier than unprotected paint.

Washing Frequency

How often should you wash? It depends on usage and conditions:

Daily Driver: Every 2-3 weeks
Weekend Car: Monthly or as needed
Michigan Winter: Weekly rinses, full wash bi-weekly
After Road Trips: Within a few days

The ceramic coating makes washing optional, not mandatory, in most cases. Your car stays cleaner longer, so you wash when convenient, not out of necessity.

Optional Maintenance Boosters

While not required, some owners like to use ceramic coating maintenance sprays annually. These products:

Refresh the hydrophobic properties
Add extra gloss and slickness
Make subsequent washes even easier
Extend the coating's life marginally

These are optional. Your 9-year protection doesn't require them, but some enthusiasts enjoy the extra shine boost.

Signs Your Coating Is Working

You'll know your ceramic coating is performing well when you see:

Tight water beading – water forms perfect spheres and rolls off
Deep gloss – paint looks wet even when dry
Slick surface – smooth to the touch, almost glass-like
Stays cleaner longer – less frequent washing needed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using automatic car washes with brushes – These can scratch and degrade the coating over time
Applying wax or polish – These sit on top of the coating and reduce its effectiveness
Letting contaminants sit – While the coating protects, prompt removal is still best practice
Using dirty wash mitts – Always start with clean tools to avoid swirl marks
Skipping the rinse bucket – The two-bucket method prevents reintroducing dirt to your paint

The Bottom Line

Caring for your ceramic coating is straightforward: wash it properly when needed, address contaminants promptly, and avoid harsh products. That's it.

The coating does the heavy lifting—protecting your paint from UV damage, chemicals, and environmental contaminants for 9 years. Your only job is basic maintenance, which is easier than maintaining unprotected paint.

Follow these guidelines, and your ceramic coating will look and perform like new for the entire warranty period. No gimmicks, no special products required—just common sense care.