What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
So you've finally gone and got the car coated, or maybe you're thinking about it. Look, a lot of blokes reckon once it's on, you never have to wash the car again, but that's a load of rubbish. If you want that water beading to stay sharp and the paint to stay protected from our brutal UV rays, you've gotta look after it properly. This guide's for anyone who wants to keep their daily driver or weekend toy looking like it just rolled out of the detailer's shop.
The Truth About Ceramic Coatings in Australia
The Gear You Actually Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Setting the Scene
Find the Shade
Never, ever wash a coated car in direct midday sun. The water and soap will dry in seconds, leaving nasty water spots that are a nightmare to get off ceramic. Wait for the arvo or do it early morning.
The Touch Test
Put your hand on the bonnet. If it's too hot to touch comfortably, it's too hot to wash. Hose it down with cold water first to drop the panel temp.
Set Up Your Buckets
Fill one with soapy water and one with clean rinse water. This 'two-bucket method' is the only way I trust to prevent swirls.
The Maintenance Wash Step-by-Step
Wheels First
Always start with the wheels. They're the dirtiest part. If you do them last, you'll splash brake dust and grime onto your clean panels. I use a non-acidic cleaner because most high-end wheels have their own finish to worry about.
The Pre-Rinse
Give the whole car a good blast with the pressure washer. You want to knock off as much loose dirt and red dust as possible before you even think about touching it with a mitt.
Snow Foam (The Fun Part)
Chuck some snow foam on and let it dwell for 4-5 minutes. This softens up the bugs and dirt. Don't let it dry, though! If it's a hot day, rinse it off a bit sooner.
The Contact Wash
Dip your mitt in the soapy bucket, wash a panel (start from the roof and work down), then rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket. This keeps the dirt out of your soap.
Dealing with the 'Wildlife'
If you've got bug guts or bird droppings that didn't come off, don't scrub hard. Use a bit of bug remover and let it sit. I once saw a customer try to scrub a bat dropping off a coated Tesla with a kitchen scourer. Ruined the coating and the clear coat. Don't be that guy.
Final Rinse
Give the car a thorough rinse. If your coating is healthy, you'll see the water sheet off and leave very little behind.
Drying
Lay your large microfibre drying towel flat across the bonnet and pull it towards you. Don't rub. Let the towel do the work. If you've got a leaf blower or a dedicated car dryer, use that for the mirrors and badges to stop those annoying drips.
Applying the Booster
Every 3-4 washes, I reckon it's worth using a ceramic-infused quick detailer. Spray a little bit on a fresh microfibre, wipe on, and buff off. This 'feeds' the coating and keeps it slick.
Glass and Tyres
Clean the glass with a proper glass cleaner and chuck some tyre shine on. Just don't get the tyre shine on your paint, it can be a pain to get off ceramic if it slings while you're driving.
Watch Out
The Decontamination Secret
Watch Out
Long-Term Thinking
Common Questions I Get Asked
Can I polish my car if it has a ceramic coating?
Do I still need to wax my car?
How soon can I wash my car after it's been coated?
Is it okay to use a pressure washer?
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