It can be difficult to keep paint on a car in flawless condition with it constantly being exposed to harsh environmental conditions like strong UV rays, dirt, and grime from roads. For decades, drivers would combat this issue by applying a coat of wax, but this can wear off quickly making frequent applications necessary. Automotive ceramic coating can last between three to five years and leaves a gleaming lustre. It can protect your car from UV damage, bird droppings, acidic contaminants, road grime, and even light scratches.
Ceramic coated vehicles are easy to maintain since you won’t have to continually apply polish or wax; however, no coating is completely foolproof. The finish will prematurely degrade if neglected or improperly cared for.
Maintenance
As soon as you have ceramic coating applied to your vehicle, park it in direct sunlight for 24 hours to speed up the curing time and help harden the coating. Try to keep the surface dry but, if water does get on it within the first 24 hours, gently dry it off before it dries to prevent water spots from developing. Avoid washing with soap for the first five days and never use an automatic car wash as it can damage the finish. Make sure car dealers and service centres only wash your vehicle by hand.
Home Washing
When washing your car at home, start by rinsing heavy dirt off with a hose before applying car wash cleaner. This will ensure large particles don’t scratch off the finish during washing. Always wash downwards in a straight line from the top of your car to prevent abrasion from particles trapped in your wash solution. If scratches are produced from a vertical swipe, it will only be visible if the light hits it at a certain angle while circular scratches can be seen from any angle. Don’t forget to rinse your washcloth frequently, especially if your vehicle is exceptionally dirty. The more often you rinse, the less likely you will rub abrasive, sand, dirt, or grime particles against the paint. Use a plush microfibre towel to pat – not wipe – your car dry to further reduce the risk of scratching the coating. Using delicate washing methods will extend the life of your ceramic coating.
There are several benefits to applying a ceramic coat to the exterior of your vehicle:
Protects
No matter how careful you are with your car, it is impossible to protect it from tiny particles that it will come in contact with from regular use. Ceramic coating keeps the original coat of paint in pristine condition without sacrificing too much of your time.
Lasts Longer
Because this coating is fused to the surface of your car, it does not easily wear off from daily use. It is a long-term solution for protecting the exterior of your car.
Stays Clean
Ceramic coating creates a seamless barrier on top of your car’s paint making it almost impossible for dirt to adhere to the surface.
Throw out the Wax
Waxing used to be the best way to keep vehicles clean and scratch-free, but this requires a lot of effort and time. A single coating of ceramic can last for years with little maintenance between servicing.
Cost Effective
Ceramic costs more upfront than a wax treatment, but because it does not need to be done as frequently it can save you money in the long run.