Car Care & Protection
How to Wash a Ceramic-Coated Car (and What to Avoid)
How to wash and look after a ceramic-coated car so the coating lasts: the right products, the right method, and the mistakes that wear it out faster.
A ceramic coating makes a car much easier to keep clean, but it is not a force field. How you wash the car makes a big difference to how long the coating keeps working. Here is the routine I recommend.
Before the first wash
A new coating needs time to cure. Your installer will tell you how long to wait before the first wash and what to avoid in the meantime. Follow that advice.
How to wash it
- Wash in the shade. In Queensland the sun dries water and shampoo on the paint very quickly, which leaves spots. Wash early or late, or under cover.
- Rinse first. A good rinse removes loose dirt and grit before you touch the paint.
- Use a pH-neutral shampoo. Strong, alkaline cleaners can wear a coating faster.
- Use two buckets. One with shampoo, one with clean water to rinse your mitt. It keeps grit off the paint.
- Use a soft microfibre mitt. Wash from the top down, and do the dirtiest areas, such as the lower doors and bumpers, last.
- Dry it properly. Use a clean, soft microfibre drying towel or an air blower. Don’t let it air-dry in the sun.
What to avoid
- Automatic brush car washes. The brushes can scratch the paint and wear the coating.
- Harsh degreasers and strong cleaners on the paint.
- Abrasive polishes and cutting compounds. These can remove the coating.
- Dirty cloths and dry wiping. Wiping a dusty car dry is one of the quickest ways to cause swirls.
Deal with droppings and sap quickly
Bird and bat droppings, bugs and tree sap are acidic and can damage paint in the heat. The coating gives you more time, but not unlimited time. Soften them with water or a suitable detail spray and lift them off gently.
Keep an eye on it
When water stops beading or sheeting off the way it used to, the coating may need a clean or a top-up. Ask your installer about maintenance products and a check-up, because many coatings last longer with a little maintenance.
Ceramic coating at Safeway
We arrange ceramic coating through our detailing partner, with the paint properly prepared first. Not sure if it is right for you? Read is ceramic coating worth it?
Quick answers
Can you take a ceramic-coated car through a car wash?
Avoid automatic brush washes. A careful hand wash is best, and a touchless wash is a better option if you must use one.
What shampoo should I use on a ceramic coating?
A pH-neutral car shampoo.
How often should I wash a ceramic-coated car?
Regularly, ideally every week or two, and sooner if there are droppings, bugs or sap on the paint.
How do I know if my coating is wearing off?
Water stops beading or sheeting off the paint like it used to, and dirt sticks more easily.
Want your car protected?
Request a ceramic coating quote for your car.
Continue with Safeway Auto
About Safeway Auto
Safeway Auto is a boutique used car dealership at 4 Ferry Road, West End, Brisbane. We select late-model vehicles with clear history and documented servicing, and we also help people sell, trade in, consign and source cars.
