The Truth About Maintaining Your Ceramic Coating

You made it to the right place if you’ve already invested in a ceramic coating or…you’re looking to do this and wondering what you’re getting yourself into.

A ceramic coating is an excellent tool for protecting your surfaces from the elements, making them easier to keep clean and increasing shine. It’s a worthy investment if you value cleanliness, your surface’s condition, and the time you’ll spend NOT cleaning. So what are we missing…?

The truth is…

The truth is a ceramic coating isn’t as bulletproof as it can be marketed to be. With some products advertised for 10+ years and even a “lifetime,” it’s easy to believe a coating can last for years without specific care and maintenance. The truth is maintenance plays an integral part in a coating’s efficacy and lifespan. This applies to all ceramic coatings. As an often overlooked component, it’s common for a coating to lose its hydrophobic properties and overall effectiveness when the coated surface is left dirty for long periods of time. A 5-year coating can easily end up lasting only a year or less when not appropriately maintained - a punch in the face to your coating investment.

That being said, we believe two things can be true…

A ceramic coating is made to be chemical and abrasive-resistant….it’s not so fragile either.

Ultimately, it’s up to the quality of the ceramic and how you would like to maintain your coating. Read on to find out how to adequately care for your investment.

During the curing process

The first twenty-four hours

After applying your ceramic coating, the first 24 hours are important as it makes its way to that 9h hardness we all hear about. During this time, it’s important to avoid the following:

• Water or rain

• Washing & abrasives

• High or low-pH soaps and chemicals

• Animal mess, tree sap, or pollen

If your surface is exposed to the above, gently spot-clean the area with a silica/detail spray and a high-quality soft microfiber. If professionally installed, immediately contact your installer and ask how they would like to address the situation.

The next fourteen days

The curing time for most ceramic coatings is 7-14 days, depending on environmental conditions, such as humidity, temperature, and sun exposure. Your coating is still on that journey to reaching its full potential, so it’s recommended to continue avoiding the same items listed above during this time.

In the automotive space, avoid parking around sprinklers or under trees. Pay attention to rain in the forecast to prevent water and other contaminants from sitting on the coated surfaces. It may help to coordinate your installation date with this in mind.

Proper care during the curing stage gives your coating a solid foundation that can last for years.

Coating Care and Maintenance

Every two to six weeks

While your coated surfaces will take longer to get dirty, they are not invincible to the dirt and contaminants of the world. Your coated surfaces should be cleaned every 2-6 weeks to maintain your coating’s hydrophobic and attractive visual properties. A dirty surface may eventually “clog” your coating, decreasing its efficacy and longevity.

Additionally, addressing contaminants that can sit on your paint as soon as possible is best. Bugs, bird droppings, irrigation water, and even harsh city rainfall can cause damage fast when coupled with exposure to hot sun, causing permanent staining or etching on your paint. A ceramic coating will give you more time to address the issue than an uncoated vehicle, but it cannot prevent damage.

Your installer may offer regular maintenance wash subscriptions to take advantage of - every two weeks is best, with four weeks as the next best option. This way, you’ll ensure your initial coating investment is honored, as each professional maintenance wash will rejuvenate your coating and give you peace of mind that it will continue performing throughout its intended lifespan.

How to clean your coated surfaces

• On cars, it’s best to hand wash using foam or rinseless high in lubricity. Use wash mitts, plush microfibers, or rinseless sponges. On all other applications, use soft and clean microfibers.

• Touchless car washes are OK - while these often combine high and low-pH soaps to compensate for the lack of brushes, a good coating is made to withstand these pH extremes.

• Use only recommended silica/sealant products to rejuvenate your coating each wash.

• Avoid washing in direct sunlight to prevent streaking and water-spotting. In general, ensure your surfaces are fully dry after any wash.

• It’s preferred to avoid automatic car washes that use brushes - however, if this works best for you, your coating will protect your car from the harsh soaps for a while. Make sure to pick the option WITHOUT wax/sealants - you already have better protection. Note that the abrasion from dirty brushes can easily exceed what your coating can protect you from, possibly decreasing the coating’s lifespan.

Every three to four months

Every 3-4 months is the minimum recommended professional maintenance interval. A thorough wash, chemical decontamination, and silica spray make an excellent combination for this wash if it’s not already being done more regularly.

Every six months to a year

Your coated surfaces are going to repel a lot of contaminants throughout the coating’s life. However, because we know a coating isn’t invincible, we know there will be a slow build-up of contaminants depending on the environment and care.

Your coated surfaces should be decontaminated at least once a year. An iron remover will draw out and break down contaminants on your surface. It’s important to note that it’s generally not recommended to clay a coated vehicle unless done by an experienced detailer.

After washing and decontamination, you can use any recommended spray sealants and toppers, just like in the previous maintenance washes.

At this point, your coating may have reached its intended lifespan - congrats! It made it this far because of proper care and maintenance. Consult with your installer to see how much more life you may get from your coating, or schedule a reapplication if the performance isn’t up to your needs.

Every 18-24 months

Concerning automotive applications, paint correction may have been done before your ceramic coating installation. Depending on a car’s use, a paint enhancement may be desired every 18-24 months to address swirls and light scratches. This ultimately depends on the owner’s perception. A ceramic coating must be reapplied to any polished areas, and the process starts over.

Good luck!

We believe every car should have a coating, especially with new vehicles' thinner and thinner paint systems. Whether professionally maintained or hardly washed, it comes down to the owner deciding how to treat their investment. We hope you can maximize your coating investment by knowing the maintenance needed to ensure your coating lasts. You can consult your favorite installer to find the right ceramic product for your needs and determine a maintenance plan that fits your lifestyle.