Gloved hand wiping a ceramic-coated black car
Ceramic Coating 5 min read

How to Maintain Your Ceramic Coating

A properly maintained ceramic coating can last for years and keep your car looking incredible. Here are the essential tips to get the most out of your investment.

Foam from a pH-neutral shampoo running off a coated car
A pH-neutral shampoo cleans without stripping the coating.

1. Use pH-neutral products

Coatings are chemically resistant, but strong alkaline or acidic cleaners slowly wear down their hydrophobic top layer. Stick to a dedicated pH-neutral shampoo and avoid all-purpose cleaners, dish soap and cheap "wash & wax" products that leave a film over the coating.

2. Wash with the two-bucket method

Most swirl marks come from dragging grit across the paint. Use one bucket with shampoo and one with clean rinse water, each with a grit guard, and rinse your wash mitt after every panel. Work from the roof down so the dirtiest areas are washed last.

3. Dry gently

Never let the car air-dry in the sun, as minerals in tap water leave spots that can etch into the surface. Use a plush microfiber drying towel or a filtered air blower, and pat or glide rather than rub.

4. Avoid automatic car washes

Brush-type washes are the fastest way to dull any finish. If you're short on time, a touchless wash is acceptable occasionally, but a careful hand wash every two weeks keeps the coating performing like new.

5. Inspect and top up regularly

When water stops beading as tightly as it used to, the coating is usually just contaminated, not worn. A decontamination wash and a ceramic booster spray every few months restore the gloss. We also recommend a yearly inspection at the studio to keep your warranty valid.

Need a coating top-up?

Book a maintenance wash or inspection and we'll keep your finish at its best.

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