What not to do after coating?

Whether you choose an entry-level Ceramic Pro Sport coating or a Gold Package, taking care of any ceramic-coated vehicle follows a simple six-step process.

Step 1: Always wash your coated car or vehicle every two weeks. With a ceramic coating, you must remove surface debris every few weeks. You can occasionally use a foam cannon and high-pressure hose to rinse and wash a ceramic-coated vehicle.

Step 2: Use the Two Bucket car wash technique. We strongly recommend completing a hand wash using the two-bucket car washing method at least once monthly. This will remove stubborn debris and contaminants, like bird droppings, tree sap, industrial toxins, pollen build-up, and more. These substances can lead to cross-contamination, reducing ceramic coatings’ hydrophobic properties.

Step 3: Use the Right Ceramic Coating Aftercare Soap. Americana Global Ceramic Aftercare shampoo is specifically formulated to maintain ceramic-coated vehicles. The key is not to use car soaps with wax or petroleum distillates or have high or low pH levels. You can use a foam gun or pressure washer and foam cannon for weekly standard home washing.

Step 4: Avoid washing direct sunlight or warm to the touch surfaces. Car washes should always be completed in the shade or early in the morning – late in the afternoon. The key is NOT to wash any warm or hot vehicle to the touch.

Step 5: Use a dedicated microfiber drying towel. Once washing the vehicle, use a dedicated microfiber drying towel to remove all standing water. This will help to reduce water spotting.

Step 6: Always follow up with annual inspections. Each Ceramic Pro coating package – including our Bronze Package, Silver Package, and Gold Package – and the new Ultimate Armor package will require an annual inspection completed by a certified Ceramic Pro auto detailing installer.

This allows them to complete a detailed decontamination wash, removing debris from the surface that can ‘clog the coatings.’ They’ll also be able to inspect the coating and apply a ceramic coating boost to improve the self-cleaning effect.

This guide will walk you through what to avoid and how to care for your car's ceramic or graphene coating in the first 24 hours after applying the coating, during the first two weeks as it cures, and throughout the year so that you maximize the coatings performance and durability for years-to-come.

Coating your vehicle with a ceramic or graphene coating is one of the best decisions you can make to improve the appearance of your car and protect your investment. With superior durability, performance, and appearance enhancement compared with any conventional wax or sealant, a ceramic coating is the ultimate form of protection for your cars finish.

But without proper care and maintenance, a ceramic or graphene coating will degrade faster and its benefits will disappear sooner - plain and simple. Follow this guide to maintain your coatings performance long-term.

THE CERAMIC COATING CURING PROCESS

THE FIRST

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS

The first 24 hours after coating your vehicle are critical for the curing process. Your vehicle is safe to drive, but the new coating is still rapidly hardening. It's important to avoid all of the following...

• Hard mineral water
• Abrasives or washing
• Automatic brush washes
• High or Low pH Soaps (pH Neutral only)
• Avoid parking under trees or other locations where bird droppings or tree sap may fall on the coating

If your coating comes in contact with any of the above, gently lubricate the coated surface with a sealant such as our Boost Spray and wipe the surface with a clean, unused, high-pile microfiber towel - the 460 GSM microfiber is ideal for this kind of job.

THE NEXT

FOURTEEN DAYS

For the next fourteen days, your ceramic coating will be actively curing to reach its full 9H Hardness potential. It's recommended that you attempt to continue avoiding the same items listed above during this time period.

In the event that your vehicle has any dust, pollen, bird droppings, tree sap, or contaminant build-up, immediately rinse with clean water and a gentle hand wash using a pH-Neutral soap such as our S2 or S3 Soap and dry completely using a high quality microfiber detailing towel. It's important that you continue to avoid any products containing detergents or unbalanced pH levels during this period to avoid breaking down the coating.

FULLY CURED CERAMIC COATING CARE AND MAINTENANCE

2-4 WEEKS - 

Ceramic Coating Maintenance Washes

Everyone washes their car with varying degrees of frequency but it's recommended to perform a maintenance wash by hand at least every 2 to 4 weeks to maintain your ceramic coating's deep shine and hydrophobic properties. 

One of the great benefits of a ceramic or graphene coated vehicle is the ease of washing because of its self-cleaning effect. Here are some basic ceramic or graphene coating maintenance wash rules of thumb...

Coating Maintenance Wash Method:

• Hand wash using the "Two-Bucket Method" - read our complete step-by-step post on how to hand wash a car using the two bucket method.
• Use

  only

  pH-neutral soaps like GP's S2 Soap. Using a soap that isn't pH-balanced exposes your coating to harsh detergents that can break it down and decrease its lifespan
• You can use a pH-neutral soap containing silica additives like the S3 Soap to revitalize the hydrophobic properties of your coating in the short-term but avoid soaps with wax additives. The wax will not adhere to the coating.
• Avoid washing in direct sunlight to prevent water-spotting and streaking effects
• If you don't have the time or desire to wash the car yourself, avoid automated high-volume brush washes. Stick to hand wash or touchless car washes only.
• When drying, avoid using drying towels that may cause abrasion. Use a few high-pile, edgeless microfibers like our 460 GSM microfiber. Alternate between one to absorb most of the water, and a second to dry the car completely. Avoid using excessive pressure, let the towel do the work.

Giving your coating seasonal maintenance every 3-4 months will ensure maximum performance and durability long-term. After a maintenance wash using your pH-neutral soap, apply a spray sealant as a coating topper to enhance and rejuvenate the protection, appearance, and performance benefits of your graphene or ceramic coating. 

You can expect GP's Boost Sealant to offer up to 3-6 months of added protection!

As your coating heats up during regular use and exposure to the sun, microscopic contaminants such as metallic particles and other environmental particles can become embedded in the cars surface over time. This negatively affects your coatings appearance and its ability to repel water, dirt, and other contaminants. At least once a year, you should decontaminate the surface of your car.

Use a pH-Neutral Iron Remover on your vehicle surface to draw out and break down the metallic contaminants in your paint. Just spray it on and after 3-4 minutes, give your car a maintenance wash using pH-neutral soap and the two-bucket method.

DO NOT use a clay bar on the coated vehicle. Clay bars are an abrasive and will break down the coating.

Once decontaminated and washed, you can apply our Graphene Spray Coating for added protection or to rejuvenate any portions of the coating exposed to excessive wear and tear. 

GOOD LUCK!

Follow this guide to enjoy all of the benefits that a coated vehicle has to offer for years-to-come. If you have any questions, just contact us and one of our in-house experts will be happy to help out.

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