Advanced Ceramic Coating Maintenance and Longevity Guide (Jan 2026)

Ensure the vehicle panels are cool to the touch. In Australian summer, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C. Attempting to wash a hot car will cause chemicals to flash-dry instantly, leading to chemical etching and streaking that is difficult to remove from a ceramic layer. Move the vehicle into total shade for at least 60 minutes before starting.

Prepare your solutions according to the ambient temperature. For snow foam, use a 1:9 ratio in the foam cannon. For your wash bucket, use approximately 20ml of pure shampoo per 10L of water. If the car is heavily contaminated with red dust, increase the shampoo concentration by 10% to provide extra lubrication.

Always clean wheels first. This prevents dirty brake dust water from splashing onto clean paint later. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner and brushes. Ensure you rinse the wheel arches thoroughly to remove salt and mud buildup that can trap moisture against the chassis.

Inspect your microfibre mitts and towels for any trapped debris. A single grain of sand from a previous beach trip can cause catastrophic scratching on the coating. Use a 'comb' or your fingers to check the pile of the microfibre before it touches the paint.

If the vehicle is covered in loose red dust, use a leaf blower or dedicated car dryer to blow off loose particles before adding water. Once done, rinse the vehicle from the top down using a 40-degree nozzle, keeping it at least 30cm from the surface to emulsify and move dirt away.

Apply a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam. Let it dwell for 5-7 minutes, but do not allow it to dry. The foam encapsulates larger dirt particles and 'lifts' them. In high heat, you may need to mist the foam with a light water spray to keep it active and prevent drying.

Rinse the foam thoroughly. Focus on window seals, door shuts, and badges where red dust accumulates. At this stage, 90% of the dirt should be gone, significantly reducing the risk of swirl marks during the contact wash.

Using the two-bucket method (one with shampoo, one with clean rinse water), wash one panel at a time. Use straight, overlapping lines—never circular motions. Start with the roof and work down. Rinse your mitt in the 'Rinse' bucket after every panel to ensure you are always using a clean tool.

Every 3-6 months, apply an iron remover to the wet paint. Spray it on and wait 2-3 minutes for the 'bleeding' effect (purple reaction). This dissolves embedded metallic particles from brake dust and industrial fallout that a normal wash cannot touch. Rinse extremely thoroughly.

If you notice water spots on the horizontal surfaces (bonnet/roof), apply a water spot remover to a microfibre applicator and gently wipe the affected area. This dissolves the calcium and magnesium carbonates left behind by rain or tap water. Rinse immediately.

Remove the nozzle from your hose and let a low-pressure stream of water 'sheet' over the car. A healthy ceramic coating will shed 95% of the water, leaving very little for the drying towel to do. This 'sheeting' technique minimizes physical contact with the paint.

Drying is where most scratches occur. Use a large twist-loop towel. Instead of rubbing, lay the towel flat across a panel and 'pat' it or slowly pull it towards you. Use a cordless blower to remove water from mirrors, grilles, and lug nuts.

Apply a silica-based maintenance spray. Spray 2-3 mists onto a clean microfibre towel (not the car) and wipe a panel. Immediately flip the towel to a dry side and buff to a high shine. This replenishes the hydrophobic top-layer and adds a sacrificial barrier against UV radiation.

Clean the door jambs with the damp drying towel to remove any hidden dust. Use a dedicated glass cleaner for the exterior windows. Note: Do not use the Si02 topper on the windscreen as it may cause wiper chatter; use a dedicated glass sealant instead.

Apply a water-based tyre dressing. Avoid solvent-based 'slingy' dressings which can attract dust and potentially degrade the coating on the lower rocker panels if they splash while driving.