The first 7 days are the most important
A ceramic coating needs 5-7 days to fully cure after application. During that window: no car washes, no rain if you can help it, no parking under trees. After 7 days, the coating is bonded and durable — you can wash normally.
Use the 2-bucket wash method (or a touchless wash)
The #1 thing that damages coated paint isn't UV or salt — it's improper washing. Automatic car washes with rotating brushes introduce micro-scratches that dull the coating's slickness. Either hand-wash with two buckets (one soapy, one rinse), a clean microfiber mitt, and a grit guard — or use a touchless automatic wash only.
Use a pH-neutral shampoo
Dish soap, household cleaners, and aggressive car wash shampoos can strip a ceramic coating over time. Use a pH-neutral car shampoo labeled 'coating-safe.' Meguiar's Gold Class, Chemical Guys Mr. Pink, and Gyeon Bathe are all fine choices.
Dry with a clean microfiber or blower
Water spots are the enemy of coated paint. Don't let coated paint air-dry — either blow-dry with a leaf blower (seriously, this works great) or dry with a clean, fluffy microfiber towel using the 'drag technique.'
Apply a spray sealant boost every 3-6 months
A maintenance spray like IGL Quartz+, Gyeon WetCoat, or CarPro Reload adds sacrificial protection on top of the ceramic coating. This doesn't replace the coating — it extends the effective lifespan by protecting it from environmental damage.
Schedule an annual maintenance inspection
Come back to your installer once a year for a coating inspection. We check for high spots, reduced slickness, or damage, and decant a maintenance spray. For IGL-certified coatings with registered warranties, this annual check keeps the warranty valid.
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