ceramic coating
maintenance
Why Do Coatings Require Maintenance?
Although ceramic coatings are a superior way of protecting the exterior of your vehicle, build-up does occur over time. Driving countless miles through different terrains and a multitude of environments is harsh on your vehicle. Environmental contaminants can still stick to the coated surface just like an uncoated surface, however, the cleanup process is much faster and you will always achieve better results. Just like the pores of our skin, the coating has pores that eventually become clogged and need to be cleaned out in order to look and feel its best. We make sure to wash our faces every day to prevent build-up and skin damage and it is essentially the same idea as maintaining a ceramic coating. Once the dirt is gone from blocking the ceramic coating, the gloss and hydrophobic properties should look just as good as when it was applied.
How To Maintain A Ceramic Coating
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Most Important: Wash regularly (recommended every 2 weeks)
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On average, people drive about 500 miles within 2 weeks. This is a lot of time for dirt to build up on the surfaces of your vehicle
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Avoid automatic car washes
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They typically use harsh soap and aggressive brushes that can eventually lead to premature coating failure and TONS of paint imperfections. Gentle hand washes are a good option.
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Only use pH-neutral car shampoo with a microfiber wash mitt
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Avoid "wash and wax" soaps because these may interfere with the ceramic coating
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Schedule bi-annual or annual maintenance
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We strongly encourage this so that we can make sure the coating is performing its best and so that we could rejuvenate the coating in any spot that may need to be decontaminated and revived. We will also be using a ceramic coating topper, which is a spray sealant recommended by the coating manufacturer, to increase hydrophobicity, gloss, and protection.
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Never Wax Your Car Again
A typical carnauba wax is expected to last anywhere from a few weeks to 3 months on a daily driven vehicle. The purpose of waxing is to help protect the paint from UV ray damage and dirt while adding some gloss and shine to the paint. In order to maintain any paint protection on your vehicle, you would have to spend hours every few weeks washing and applying wax to just the painted surfaces of your vehicle. All of the windows and the trim are still left unprotected after all of the time spent waxing. Luckily, there is a solution. Ceramic coatings perform much better than a freshly waxed vehicle AND the protection left behind is much more durable. Waxing over a ceramic coating is completely unnecessary and will only cover some of the pores of the coating in the unlikely instance that it will bond to the slick surface.
A clear indication of a well-performing ceramic coating is that there is a super high surface tension, which is what causes the extremely tight water beads we all love so much. These water beads help carry dirt off the vehicle when it gets wet by rolling down the panels of the vehicle and collecting dirt. If the surface looks flat when there is water on it, the coating has either failed over time or is clogged and needs to be cleaned.
Why A Ceramic Coating?
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Improved protection: A ceramic coating acts as an extra barrier to protect the paint and clear coat from damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, rain, dust, and bird droppings.
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Enhanced shine: A ceramic coating gives the car a deeper, more vibrant shine that lasts longer than traditional waxing.
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Easy maintenance: A ceramic coating makes maintenance easier as it reduces the need for frequent washing and waxing. Dirt and grime will not adhere as easily to the surface, making it easier to clean.
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Increased resale value: A ceramic coating can increase the resale value of a car by maintaining its showroom appearance for longer.
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Cost-effective: Although the initial cost of a ceramic coating may be higher, in the long run, it can save money as it reduces the need for frequent waxing and other maintenance.