Congratulations on your new ceramic coating! Many of my customers like to maintain their vehicles themselves and that is great. However, proper maintenance is essential when it comes to ceramic coating. It will determine the longevity of your investment. Many of my clients ask how do I wash my vehicle properly and what products to use? Follow these simple steps for do it yourself home car maintenance.
DO NOT SPRAY WAX OR WAX YOUR COATING Spray wax and wax can actually wind up clogging your coating. One of the reason you got a ceramic coating was so that you never have to wax it again NO TUNNEL WASHES...EVER Not only can the brushes from a tunnel wash destroy your car but the soap that they use is very high alkaline based. This soap overtime will damage your coating or any protectant that you decide to put on your car. After you get your coating wait 2 weeks before washing This will allow your coating the time needed to fully cure. When we coat your vehicle we will ask you to bring your car to us for its first wash. This allows us to check over the coating after it has cured and make sure a proper bond was formed. Maintenance checks Most detailers will tell you to come back either for a maintenance wash or boost. This is because they want to confirm the coating is performing the way that it should and if required boost the coating usually after 6 months to 1 year.
PRODUCTS THAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO IT YOURSELF I am an amazon associate. I do make commission off of qualifying purchases from the links in this article.
2 WASH BUCKETS-I like this one from chemical guys because it comes with the grit guard (to catch the dirt) a wash mitt and lid so you can store all your washing products when you are done. However any 5 gallon bucket will do just make sure one of your buckets has a grit guard
The PH in the soap balances out the water and removes the impurities from the water. Some soaps are wax or sealant based so you want to make sure the soap you use is good for ceramic coating. This one from Ethos Car Care - CERAMIC CAR SOAPis what we use and recommend.
I can not stress enough to ensure every mitt, towel, microfiber rag that you use on your cars exterior is new or extremely clean. It takes one spec of dirt on your wash mitt or rag to scratch the life out of you car. So be sure to always grab a clean mitt and or rag. The most efficient and cheap microfiber rags that we have found Members Mark Microfiber rags .If you have a Sams Club membership they are much cheaper through them.
DRYING TOWELS- My favorite drying towels are on the more expensive side but you can get ones that you like and are super absorbent there really is no right or wrong answer here.
ETHOS RESIST DETAIL SPARY - Excellent product for your coated or uncoated vehicles. Offers insane protection and gloss.
JENKO- Whether your car is coated or NOT you need this in your arsenal of cleaning products. Removes bugs, water spots, built up dirt in door jambs. I literally use this product on everything.
TIRE DRESSING- What we use in our shop and one of the easiest to use is untouchable.
NOW THAT YOU GOT YOUR PRODUCTS TOGETHER LETS GET TO WASHING TIP 1- Always wash your car in the shade. Washing it in the sun will cause it to dry way too fast and ultimately leave you with water spots.
FILL both buckets with water a little more than half way. Add soap to one bucket and just plain water in the other. One bucket is for washing, the other bucket is for rinsing.
RIMS FIRST- Grab your rim brush and a microfiber rag. Wash thoroughly . DO NOT USE THAT MICROFIBER RAG ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. Once you are done with the rims you are DONE with that rag. Make sure before you dip your brush back into the wash bucket you are rinsing it off completely.
RINSE- Rinse off your rims and then your car. If its a very hot, humid day you may only want to rinse off half your car at a time to avoid water spots etc.
WASH- Grab your wash mitt and start from the top and work your way down until you have completed one side. Rinsing off your rag in the bucket that doesn't have soap to remove all the dirt and debris from your mitt/rag.
DRY- Take your drying rag and spray 4-5 sprays of the IGL Gloss enhancer (or detailing spray of your choice). Dry glass first then paint. The spray also acts as a drying agent to help dry the car quicker. TIP 2-If you dont have an compressor at home you can also get a leaf blower to help aide in completely drying the car, getting in all the cracks and crevices to remove water so you dont wind up with water marks when you start driving your clean shiny car down the road.
Grab a microfiber rag and spray about 3 times with the IGL Gloss enhancer and spray one panel about twice, then dry to completely finish each panel.
Use Jenko to remove the stuck on bugs and to clean your door jambs.
Dress your Tires with untouchable. Quick, easy, flawless look.