maintenance tps

Ah, the ceramic coating, one of the many glorious things about modern car detailing. It’s an absolutely great product that you can use to protect the paint on your car. Lots have raved about it and its many benefits. 

So when was the last time you washed your ceramic coated car? Did you ever apply a maintenance spray on it?

You should have easily answered those questions if you were well informed about the ceramic coating on vehicles. One common mistake car owners might think when they have ceramic coating is that their car is resistant to the elements.

The ceramic coating does protect your car and makes maintenance easier but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. The ceramic coating eventually degrades as it is exposed to harsh environments and your driving habits as well. That’s why you should still know how to maintain it.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Tip 1: Don’t Skip On Washing Your Car

Even if your car doesn’t easily get as dirty because of the ceramic coating, that doesn’t mean that you should stop washing your car. You should still have your car washed but there are a few considerations. 

First is to make sure that you don’t go to the drive through car washes especially if they have the trolling brushes or mop rags. Those can ruin your ceramic coating. 

Instead, you should use wash mitts or sponges that are of high quality. They are softer and will help prolong the ceramic coating. Remember that you don’t need to rub as hard because dirt is already easier to remove due to the ceramic coating. 

Also take note of the soap you use. The usual car wash soaps have a pH that could damage the coatings. Use those specifically formulated for ceramic coated vehicles. 

Tip 2: Wash In The Shade

If you have a canopy, it would be better to wash your car under it. If not, the next best thing is to wash your car when the sun is about to set or early in the morning. 

The heat from the sun is what you are avoiding when you wash your car in the shade. Sunlight could also dry up the soap you are using and create water spots in the process. 

Tip 3: Dry It Up

Even if the car surface is hydrophobic due to the ceramic coating, you should still dry it up. Drying it up will help make sure that watermarks are avoided. 

Make sure you always use a clean and soft microfiber towel to dry your car. Clean ones will help prevent introducing more dirt into your car. 

Tip 4: Use Separate Bucket For The Wheels

The wheels of the car are likely to be dirtier than the surface of your vehicle. You don’t want that dirt transferred to the surface of your car so you should opt for a different bucket for cleaning your wheels. 

Similarly, your wash mitt should be different too. All those tiny particles that could be made of metal or hard rocks. You wouldn’t want to wipe that on your vehicle and risk scratching it just because you are cleaning it.

Tip 5: Apply A Coating Spray

A coating spray is also ideal for ceramic coated cars. There are specific ones that are compatible with the ceramic coating. However, it is best not to use wax, polish or other sealants on top of the ceramic coating. 

It isn’t needed at all and it won’t really stick to the coated surface. Additionally, there may be some ingredients that could be abrasive for the ceramic coating. If you are to apply something on top of your ceramic coating, make sure they are compatible.