How to maintain ceramic coating?

[DFB5.0]

I'll say this...........................

Ceramic Coatings, as in proper resin delivered coatings and not Si02 "ceramic" spray sealants, are just as if not more work to maintain as any other last-step-product (wax, sealants). The difference is the ease cleaning and higher chemical resistance, which means you can do more with chemical treatment and reduce contact with the paint. You can't just have a coating applied and think that means never having to wash it. That will kill a coatings performance as it becomes more and more "clogged" with contamination which you may or may not actually see.

Wash on a regular basis with a pH neutral soap, how often that is will depend on vehicle use. Dry with a leaf blower and towel. Either use a drying aid while towel drying to keep the coating topped off, or apply a coating topper every 2 months. Product suggestions below -

DFB'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DETAILING - UPDATED AUGUST 2024 | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com

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[DougS550]

I'll say this...........................

Ceramic Coatings, as in proper resin delivered coatings and not Si02 "ceramic" spray sealants, are just as if not more work to maintain as any other last-step-product (wax, sealants). The difference is the ease cleaning and higher chemical resistance, which means you can do more with chemical treatment and reduce contact with the paint. You can't just have a coating applied and think that means never having to wash it. That will kill a coatings performance as it becomes more and more "clogged" with contamination which you may or may not actually see.

Wash on a regular basis with a pH neutral soap, how often that is will depend on vehicle use. Dry with a leaf blower and towel. Either use a drying aid while towel drying to keep the coating topped off, or apply a coating topper every 2 months. Product suggestions below -

DFB'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF DETAILING - UPDATED AUGUST 2024 | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com

My detailer recommended this for washing

 

[DFB5.0]

My detailer recommended this for washing

I would personally reserve that for occasional decon washing or if the vehicle is very dirty. The pH of that soap is about 12.0, which is very high alkaline. Pronlonged frequent usage will start to jack up your unpainted black plastic and rubber trims.

If you want to stay in the Gyeon ecosystem, then Bathe is going to be your regular pH neutral wash soap. (Avoid Bathe+ as its more of a wash-n-wax for ceramic coatings and doesn't really perform well on the cleaning front). Otherwise, I also default to Carpro Reset, which was designed for ceramic coatings from the get-go and actually cleans better than its pH neutral formulation would suggest, easily the best soap on the market. Bathe or Reset can be used for bucket washing and foam cannons.

GYEON Q2M Bathe Car Shampoo – Car Supplies Warehouse
CARPRO Reset Car Wash Shampoo – Car Supplies Warehouse

 

[Therealmattlex]

Most of my cleaning that I need to do is just cleaning the dust off from regular driving. I'll just use the carpro reset when I wash it and one of the Si02Drying aid detailers.

If I'm just cleaning the dust off from sitting in my garage is it best to just wipe it with the ceramic detailers?

 

[DFB5.0]

Most of my cleaning that I need to do is just cleaning the dust off from regular driving. I'll just use the carpro reset when I wash it and one of the Si02Drying aid detailers.

Perfect!

If I'm just cleaning the dust off from sitting in my garage is it best to just wipe it with the ceramic detailers?

This is pretty much my situation, but I never feel comfortable water-less washing like that.

In that situation, I will either just jump in and do a proper wash, but over the last few years I've using a modified rinse-less method (yes, water-less and rinse-less are different).

I wash the wheels as I normally would, after which I will rinse the car down, then commence a rinse-less wash to remove anything remaining and dry the vehicle. It takes a bit to get comfortable with rinse-less, but its a good skill to have as it gives you options.

 

[Lorne34]

What is the proper way to maintain ceramic coating?

do I still use something like wizards mist and shine or a ceramic quick detailer? Or do I just rinse with water and dry?

I’ve always used conventional wax a few times a year. Do I still want to wax it occasionally or does the ceramic coating take car of that?

I have the gtechniq Ultra Ceramic applied by a certified detailer. 10 year warranty. I go in once a year for a "booster" application and review.
Car looks fantastic after 5 years of ownership.
I have two wash methods
1. Rinseless wash with ONR and Big Red Sponge
2. Full wash with Griots Foam wash, foam cannon and a bucket of soapy water.
I blow dry with a leaf blower and then use a quick detailer or drying solution to spritz it down and wipe with a drying towel.

The DYI ceramics will vary in quality, longevity ,etc. The appearance is also highly dependent upon the paint correction done before the ceramic is applied.

 

[Stage_3]

I have the gtechniq Ultra Ceramic applied by a certified detailer.

I think that is the same ceramic coating that I am looking into. I can't remember off the top of my head.
But, I know for sure that the hardness is a 10H and it is baked on.

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

Absolutely nothing special needed to maintain. My wife’s SUV has had cquartz on it for 4 years and it’s still on there, only thing I’ve done is wash it when it gets filthy.

 

[NickStangBlue]

I just got my car ceramic coated today. It's a daily and I unfortunately don't have a garage or carport to keep it in. This thread's already helped me out with some research; thanks for the info!

 

[kilobravo]

Let us know what coating they used and we can be more helpful. Odds are most any decent ceramic topcoat will do the trick but most like to stick with the same brand as the coating.

 

[tomservo92]

Following. I plan on getting mine ceramic coated soon. The place I plan on using uses Jax Wax ceramic coating. I don't know much about it so I'm hoping somewhere has some experience with it.

 

[NickStangBlue]

It was XPEL Fusion Plus. If you need more specific, I can ask the folks who did the work.

I'm not familiar with Jax Wax.

 

[kilobravo]

It was XPEL Fusion Plus.

Didn't know Xpel has a top coating and I'll be surprised if it's nothing more than some other outfit's topcoat rebranded.

FWIW, the topcoats I've used and liked very much:

CarPro Reload (used on CP's previous CQuartz coating)

Amplify from Armour Detail Supply - (used on ADS's "Pro" coating current)

I think Reload lasts a bit longer than Amplify but it requires more application elbow grease than Amplify and, I think Amplify yields a better gloss.

 

[fiveoboy01]

Best way to maintain and keep your coating is 2 easy steps.
1. Don't get it dirty.
2. Don't ever wash it.

Washing it removes the coating over time. I bought a "3 year" coating from a reputable detail shop years ago, it was gone within a year. It did work well though when it was on. I just think they lie about how long it lasts though.

Sounds like the shop wasn't reputable.

That said, hopefully they explained to you that coating longevity depends on many factors:

Miles driven
Environment driven
Maintenance practices by the owner or the detailer
Quality and competency of the installer(I'm betting this was the issue or possibly #3)

If they didn't explain all of that prior to doing the work, then they did you a disservice.

 

[Samiamthemustangman]

I use a one year ceramic coateing. Because of the sun in the South the hood, roof, and trunk has to be coated again during the summer.
One thing to mention that nobody has touched one is how to know if it needs recoted. After it rains or washed and wet the the coat has one obvious sign. The water will bead up. The smaller the beads of water on your paint the higher percentage of ceramic is still protecting it. You will notice over time the water will be bigger and bigger round spots. That is a less protective coat. I reacoat before it becomes where the water runs away. I reacote mine before it gets this bad off.

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