Helpful Information For Those That Just Had Their Car Ceramic Coated (Or About To)

Rodney Tatum

3 months ago

Each coating is different and there is long term and short term (basic washing) maintenance needed. The frequency of this care is often based somewhat on the level of coating used and what the vehicle will go through. For those that have inflated expectations about ceramic coatings, there is much more to getting the value out of your investment than you realize. But for those that are willing to exercise some care and have realistic expectations, it is MUCH EASIER than you think! Depending on which of those two categories someone belongs to often differentiate the person that loves or feeling lukewarm having their car ceramic coated. Also, the lack of information about maintenance and what a coating can do can lead to both camps disliking the experience.

Honestly many of these topics should be explained by the representative(s) of the company who is detailing your car. If receiving this kind of information is a significant challenge from your detailer, I find it to be somewhat of a red flag. For my business, expectation management is very important. That even means communicating certain points which ultimately lose business from being honest.

Each Coating Is Different

All coatings are somewhat like a newborn baby. As uniquely strong and durable as they are relative to wax and sealants, they are most vulnerable immediately after application. That gradually changes over time, often up to the first month. What makes many coatings different from others is the time before it can be released or wet, the time before it can be gently washed, the time when perhaps slightly more aggressive soaps are okay, and the time a topper may be necessary in the early window from waterspots. These are gradual steps of progression.

For the record this is not much different than a paint sealant, except a longer-term coating may need more time to harden.

Scratch Resistance

It is uniquely different with each car, but it is often the most misunderstood and somewhat most irresponsibly marketed aspect of a coating. Most of the scratch resistance is an indirect consequence of dirt having a difficult time sticking to your car. With the top tier coatings, it does provide some resistance from being a harder surface. But it is only slight. The ease of cleaning, which also varies based upon the quality of coating provides the most assistance. On both accounts, it helps keep the swirls (micro scratches) to a minimum. But if you do the SAME things that led to the swirls, you will get the SAME results.

The Problem With The Pressure Wash And Dry Method

Your car will take longer to get dirty and will be easier to clean. A contact wash at least periodically will be necessary. Not using a wash mitt or some wash media in a contact wash means road film and some grime may not be completely removed. Over time this becomes embedded onto the surface, and you will have some of the qualities of a coating muted. This can be typically fixed with a deeper cleaning with alkaline or more acidic wash. But this can realistically be minimized by regularly washing your car at least once a month.

Annual Deep Cleaning

Think of coatings as an extreme wax or sealant. You still have contamination happening where perhaps you will use a claybar and/or all in one polish with chemical cleaners to remove caked on grime every few months. Coatings, it happens. It does not happen as severely barring neglect and not as frequently barring long term neglect.

An advantage to top tear coatings here. But typically, with entry to moderate level coatings in that 9 to 12 month range, you want to do a slightly more aggressive chemical cleaning than your basic PH neutral gentle soap.

Some people may think their coating failed when it is merely caked on grime. Often approaching the year mark the coating may need a deeper cleansing to unlock the hydrophobic properties. We should know that though a car does not get dirty nearly as quickly, it still gets dirty. Yet the same concept applies with contamination. Regardless a good once a year iron remover cleansing is good for your coated car.

Like the overall durability and active durability, it really will vary based upon the coating, maintenance, and how the car proverbially lives.

Talk To The Company

As mentioned before these topics should be brought up prior to and immediately after a professional detailing. You should be proactive about this. If there is a problem or you think there could be a problem with your car, instead of asking random people on the internet, discuss your concerns with the company who ACTUALLY detailed your vehicle. If that is an issue, it begs the question why did you entrust that business with your car for a premium service. Also in that consultation experience, be open to hearing things counter to what random people on the internet told you.