It can be intimidating to wash your car after applying a ceramic coating. You want to ensure you do it right and don’t damage the coating — which will help protect your car and keep it looking great. Here are some tips for caring for your vehicle after a ceramic coating application.
Car Washing Basics
When you’re washing your car, there are some basic rules to follow:
- Use non-abrasive, gentle materials such as microfiber towels and pH-neutral soap.
- Avoid any high-pressure washes, as they can damage the ceramic coating.
- Use a two-bucket method when washing (one with soap and water, one with clean water) to prevent dirt from being rubbed back onto the car during wiping.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the step-by-step of washing your car after getting a ceramic coat applied to your car.
Step-By-Step
Aftercare for a ceramic coating consists mainly of proper hand washing and drying techniques. While it might be tempting to take your car through the car wash, it can have a negative impact on the quality of your ceramic coating or paint protection film. Touch drive-through car washes, touch-less car washes, and even a poorly done hand carwash can and will damage your paint by causing scratches, swirl marks, fading, and so on. So, here’s the proper way to do your own hand car wash at home:
Collect Your Supplies
want to collect the proper products and equipment. Here are the basics of what you need:
- Power washer or garden hose
- Two clean buckets
- PH neutral car wash soap with no additives or wax
- Microfiber wash mitt
- Soft, edgeless microfiber towels
- Optional: Foam Cannon
If you want to do a high-pressure wash, you will need an electric or gas power washer. Otherwise, you can use your garden hose and a spray nozzle attachment.
Wash Your Car In The Shade
Try to wash your car in the shade or at least pull it into the shade or your garage to towel dry. This will prevent the sun from baking in any remaining water and soap residue, which can cause spots or stains on the paint.
Start by Wetting Down Your Car
Before you begin washing your car, wet it down with a power washer or your garden hose nozzle. This will help remove any loose dirt and reduce the risk of scratching the surface during hand washing.
Gently Wash Each Panel With Soap
Use the two-bucket method, which says to fill one bucket with soapy water and the other with clean rinse water. Dip your wash mitt in the first bucket and start at the top of the car, then work your way from left to right and then up and down movements to really clean your car. Rinse out your mitt as necessary to remove any debris or grit that may scratch your paint. Make sure to wring it out and soak it often. Thoroughly rinse the car when finished.
Gently Dry With A Set Of Drying Towels
Once you’ve completely rinsed your car, gently dry it with a set of large drying towels. The drying technique should consist of laying the towel on the car and pulling it across each panel.
Wrapping It Up
Caring for your car after a ceramic coating application is essential to protect the paint and keep it looking great. Following the steps above will help you take the best care of your car and ensure you get the most out of your ceramic coat.
For brand and product recommendations, please ask the car detailing specialists at Tintix or sign up for maintenance washes with us, and we will do everything for you. Make sure to check out our website for more information and tips on keeping your car in tip-top shape. Thanks for reading!
