Ceramic Coating Aftercare
Your ceramic coating is applied. Coated paint is easier to keep clean, but it still needs the right care to keep protecting your paint and beading water for its full lifespan, whether you chose the 1-year, 4-year or 8-year coating.
The one rule that matters most
Keep the car dry and don’t wash it for 7 days.
First 7 days
Let it cure. No washing, and no waxes, sealants or quick detailers.
Every 1–2 weeks
Hand wash with a pH-neutral car soap so contamination doesn’t build up on the coating.
Every wash after
Dry completely with a clean microfiber towel. Water left to dry can spot the coating.
01
The first days
Keep the car dry and don’t wash it for 7 days. If it gets wet, gently pat it dry with a clean microfiber towel.
Don’t apply waxes, sealants, quick detailers or any other products while the coating cures.
If a bird dropping or sap lands on the car, rinse it off with water and blot it dry. Don’t scrub.
02
Washing a coated car
so contamination doesn’t build up on the surface. Every one to two weeks works for most cars. A coated car is much easier to wash gently, because dirt releases more readily.
Rinse off loose dirt and grit, then let a foam pre-soak dwell on the car to loosen and lift dirt before anything touches the coating.
and clean microfiber mitts.
One bucket of soapy water, one of clean rinse water, ideally with grit guards at the bottom, so the mitt is rinsed clean before it goes back on the car. Work from the top down so the dirtiest panels are washed last.
Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting.
with a clean, soft microfiber towel. Tap water contains minerals that can leave spots on the coating if left to dry.
03
Why pH-neutral soap matters
The soap you use decides how long your coating keeps working. Use a pH-neutral car soap every time you wash.
A pH-neutral car soap lifts dirt without wearing down the coating.
Harsh, high-pH and acidic chemicals wear the coating down, so it beads less and holds onto dirt sooner. Touchless car washes rely on exactly these kinds of strong chemicals.
Dish soap is made to strip grease, and it can strip the protection on your car too.
The minerals in ordinary water leave water spots, and those spots can etch into the finish if they’re left to dry. We wash with pH-balanced, filtered water because it doesn’t wear the coating down the way alkaline water and harsh chemicals do.
04
Avoid
Automatic brush or tunnel car washes
Touchless automatic washes, which rely on strong chemicals
Dish soap and household cleaners
High-pH, acidic or harsh degreasing chemicals
Abrasive polishes, compounds and scrubbing pads
Old towels and squeegees, which drag leftover grit across the surface
Letting bird droppings, sap and bugs sit and dry
05
Good to know
A yearly ceramic booster is required to maintain your warranty.
Book it once a year to keep your coating protected and your warranty valid.
It protects against contamination, UV and staining. For impact protection, see paint protection film.
need the same gentle care if they’re coated.
06
When to call us
Call us if the coating stops beading water the way it did, or if you notice spots or marks that won’t wash off. We’ll take a look.
Want it washed the right way every time?
Our detailing memberships are done in our indoor wash bay with pH-balanced, filtered water.
Indoor wash bay
Filtered water
pH-balanced
For more, read are car washes bad for your paint?
More aftercare guides