One of the top questions we receive here at our West Kansas City Ceramic Pro Elite Dealer is how to maintain ceramic coating in Kansas City. Ceramic coatings are a fantastic way to protect your car’s paint, giving it a glossy finish that turns heads wherever you go. However, to keep that look pristine, regular maintenance is key.
Living in the Midwest comes with big-bug debris, pollen, tree sap, and birds that love to target your freshly ceramic coated cars. Overtime, those natural toxins – along with brake dust and industrial fallout can stick to your coated surface. This not only results in a dirty appearing vehicle, but it takes away that hydrophobic surface – so it appears the coating has failed.
All of this can be avoided with the right maintenance techniques and using the correct products.
In the information below, we’re going to provide you with the definitive guide to maintaining your ceramic coated car in Kansas City. Whether you’ve got one of our ION Packages or you have a DIY coating, the tips below will help you keep that coating in great shape.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Before we dive too deep – let’s clarify what we mean when talking about ceramic coating maintenance. In this case, a ceramic coating is defined as a liquid polymer that chemically bonds with the factory paint of your car, creating a layer of protection.
This coating shields your car from environmental contaminants, minor scratches, and UV rays while making it easier to clean. It’s a product that utilizes nanotechnology to bond and secure to a porous surface. As the coating cures, it forms a covalent bond to the substrate – meaning it shares electrons with the substrate to form a chemical bond.
Other products that are labeled ceramic coatings – or say on the label that they contain ceramic ingredients are nothing more than lab-created wax products or sealants. These products are often sprayed on and wiped off. As they cure, they sit on top of a substrate – or form a mechanical bond.
So – for purposes of this article, the ceramic coatings we’re talking about are those that utilize nanotechnology to cure to the surface.
Professional vs DIY Ceramic Coating
While you can purchase DIY ceramic coating kits, it is recommended to have a professional apply the coating for optimal results. The main reason for this is that any ceramic coating is going to amplify the condition of the surface in which it protects and is installed.
This means that if you have minor, hardly noticeable swirl marks and imperfections, they will be more visible after the coating cures.
Here are some reasons why it makes sense to have a professional detail shop in West Kansas City handle your ceramic coating prep and installation.
- Expertise: Professionals have the necessary training and experience to properly prepare your car’s surface and apply the coating evenly.
- Quality Products: Professionals use high-quality ceramic coatings that may not be available to consumers.
- Warranty: Many professional ceramic coatings come with a warranty, providing added protection and peace of mind.
- Time: A good ceramic coating takes time to install correctly. However, it takes more time to prep the surface prior to coating. This includes completing decontamination car washes (which can take a few hours to do correctly), and paint correction (up to 8 hours or more depending on the paint damage).
The Importance of Regular Ceramic Coating Maintenance
Without proper care, even the best ceramic coating can degrade over time. Regular maintenance ensures your coating remains effective, providing the protection and shine that makes your car stand out.
Here are some tips for maintaining your ceramic coated car:
- Wash Regularly: Frequent washing removes dirt, debris, and other contaminants before they have a chance to bond with the coating.
- Use Proper Products: Only use pH-neutral or ceramic-safe car wash soaps. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the coating.
- Avoid Automated Car Washes: The brushes and detergents used in automated car washes can scratch or strip away the coating.
- Dry Thoroughly: Water spots left by air-drying can etch into the coating. Use a microfiber towel to dry your car completely after washing. You can also use a clean leaf blower to remove most standing water off the surfaces and those tight seams.
- Apply Boosters/Topcoats: Over time, the coating may lose its hydrophobic properties. Applying a booster or topcoat can help rejuvenate and maintain the coating’s effectiveness.
Steps to Correctly Maintain Ceramic Coating
To start – let’s address the elephant in the room.
Not all ceramic coating customers are blessed with professional detailing supplies, skills, or desire to work that hard on washing a car.
The reality is that every vehicle owner has their own reasons for investing in ceramic coating. And they all have different experiences or time restrictions that lead to their car washing process. So – with that all said, we’re going to do you all a huge favor and split this section in two.
Ceramic coating maintenance guide for the DIY enthusiasts & the average vehicle owner.
Let’s start with how the team at Ceramic Pro Elite West Kansas City would maintain our own vehicles – which is an easy-to-follow guide for the DIY’er.
How NOT to Wash Your Ceramic Coated Car
Explaining the Three Bucket car Wash System
This video below was created by Esoteric Garage, one of the BEST professional detailing YouTube channels. It will explain how the three bucket car wash works.
Option 1 – Wash Your Car Using the Hybrid Three-Bucket Method
Why it Matters: While most detailers and ceramic coating manufactures focus on the self-cleaning benefits of their products, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to manually wash your coated vehicle. In fact, failure to hand wash – or complete a contact wash at least once per month can cause contaminants to stick to the coated surface.
When this occurs, the flat, hydrophobic surface now becomes jagged or rough. As such, water, dirt, and other debris will stick to the coating – and make it appear that the coating has failed.
So – what is the hybrid three-bucket method? It’s simple:
- Step 1 – Pre-Rinse and Foam Cannon Non-Contact Wash
- Step 2 – Three Bucket Hand Wash (we’ll explain this below)
- Step 3 – Air Dry & Detail Spray
In a Perfect World Situation Supplies You Need:
- High Pressure Hose
- Deionized & Filtrated Water Supply
- 32oz Foam Cannon
- Encapsulating Technology Ceramic Coating Safe Foaming Shampoo (we’ll dive into this below)
- Ceramic Coating Maintenance Shampoo
- Two Microfiber Wash Mitts
- Three Wash Buckets (5-gallon preferred)
- Multiple Plush Microfiber Towels
- Wheel & Tire Cleaner – along with brushes for your specific type of wheels
- Garage or covered parking area. DO NOT WASH VEHICLE in Direct Sunlight or if any surfaces are warm to the touch.
How to Do It:
- Fill Three Wash Buckets: Two with clean water and one with a pH-neutral car shampoo. Clearly mark one of those clean water buckets as (WHEELS & TIRES ONLY).
- Rinse Your Car: Use a hose or pressure washer to remove loose dirt on the entire exterior – including wheels & tires.
- Spray a Wheel & Tire Cleaner: After the vehicle is pre-rinsed, use a dedicated wheel and tire cleaner to soak your rims and tires. We recommend Americana Global’s Wheel & Tire Cleaner. Let the product dwell for a few minutes and move onto the next step.
- Use a Foam Cannon to Apply Pre-Wash: This step is highly suggested to help remove standing debris. It’s often called a touchless car wash, as the soap used will encapsulate dirt and debris, lift it off the surface, and rinse off with ease. We’d recommend foam cannoning the entire vehicle – including the wheels and tires.
- Wash Tires & Wheels: Using dedicated wash media for wheels and tires, and that freshwater bucket for them, agitate the soap and cleaners to remove debris. Complete this step while the foam soap is dwelling.
- Rinse Off Entire Vehicle: After the wheels & tires are cleaned, rinse everything. Start with your wheels & tires to avoid cross contamination. If any residue comes off the wheels (like brake dust), you’ll be able to remove it while you’re rinsing the paint off.
- Start Your Two Bucket Wash Using a Different Mitt: Dip your second wash mitt in the shampoo bucket, wash a section of the car, then rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket before reloading with shampoo. Stick to small sections, like one door at a time, then rinse off.
- Complete a Final Rinse
- Dry – Air Drier & Microfiber Drying Towel: This is where a lot of detailers differ – but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. By using a leaf blower or professional air dryer to remove your standing water, you’ll be able to significantly reduce the use of multiple drying towels. Plus, it helps reduce water spotting and scratching.
- Use Americana Global Detail Spray for Final Wipe Down: If you want that ceramic coating to last longer, consider using a high-quality detail spray that contains a little SiO2. Americana Global’s detail spray is a great final product to apply to your professional coated or DIY coated vehicle. Consider this a sacrificial layer on top of the sacrificial layer.
Time Washing Schedule
Regular maintenance washes like this should be completed at least once per month. You can get away with non-contact washing – but make sure to do this once per week to avoid debris sticking to the coated surfaces.
We also recommend using the Detail Spray after your contact wash. But you can also use this product in between your maintenance washes for spot cleaning.
Option 2: Follow the Basics of Ceramic Coating Maintenance
Now we’re going to speak to most vehicle owners who opt for a professional shop to install their ceramic coatings. If you’re not inclined to invest money, time or effort in washing your vehicle as we described above, there are some basic “best practices” that you should always follow.
Step 1 – Stay Away from Touch Industrial Car Washes
First and foremost – avoid the drive-thru car washes that use automated brushes. These places exist because of convenience – not quality or best practices. The brushes, pads and general material used in touch industrial car washes can literally strip your vehicle’s ceramic coating over time. Even worse, they WILL create swirl marks on the surface of the coating.
Additionally, the soap used in these facilities is industrial level detergents – typically a pH level above 10 – which will strip the coating.
Step 2 – Opt for Hand Washing
Ceramic coating best practices strongly guide customers to hand wash – or have their vehicle hand washed by a detailer at least once per month. If you have 30 minutes on an early morning or early evening one day during the month, and you have a place to wash it, follow these basic tips.
Step 3 – Use pH-Neutral – Wax Free Shampoo
Why it Matters: Harsh chemicals can degrade the ceramic coating. While professional grade coatings cure exceptionally hard, they are prone to damage when exposed to acidic or alkaline-based chemicals.
To avoid this issue, use a pH neutral car shampoo. Any product between 5.9 and 8.9 on the pH scale will fall within this category.
Our Recommendation:
- Look for shampoos specifically labeled as pH neutral.
- Avoid products with wax or gloss enhancers that can leave residues.
- Our recommendation is Americana Global Ceramic Aftercare Soap or Vinyl & PPF Soap. Both are easy to use and great for coatings.
Step 4 – Wash the Car in Low Light Conditions
When the sun is out and shining on a vehicle, it heats up the surface. However, it also accelerates evaporation. So, since you don’t want car soap to dry on the coated surface, always wash the vehicle in low light hours. But it’s more important to wash a vehicle that is cool to the touch.
Step 5 – Hire a Mobile Detailer or Take the Car to Hand Washing Facility
If you’re not comfortable washing the car yourself, it makes sense to have your car professionally washed at least once per month. Typically, a standard exterior hand wash costs between $35 to $50 – and is money well spent. Plus, most facilities or mobile detailers offer monthly specials – that include light interior detailing as well.
Here are a few key items to look for with anyone washing your ceramic coated car.
- Make sure they know it’s ceramic coated – and which manufacturer of product.
- Make sure they do NOT use wax-based detail sprays on coated surfaces.
- Look for consumer reviews. Make sure they have expertise in detailing professionally installed coatings.
Wrapping it Up
When you invest several hundred dollars or more on a ceramic coating installation in Kansas City, staying on top of proper maintenance is essential for keeping it in top condition. By following these steps, you can ensure your car remains protected and looks great for years to come.
For personalized advice, feel free to reach out to our team of experts here at Ceramic Pro West Kansas City. We’re always here to help you get the most out of your ceramic coating!
