The Professional Guide to Ceramic Coating Maintenance (Jan 2026)

Place your hand on the bonnet. If it is too hot to touch comfortably, you must wait. Applying chemicals to a hot surface in summer causes flash-drying, which can lead to permanent chemical spotting on your ceramic coating. Ideally, work in a garage or under a carport during the early morning hours.

If you are using bore water or reside in a 'hard water' area (common in regional towns), you must be prepared to work faster. High mineral content in the water will leave white spots on the coating as it evaporates. Consider a de-ionising filter if water quality is poor.

Dilute your snow foam and shampoo according to the manufacturer's 'maintenance' ratio. For most professional soaps, this is 1:10 in a foam cannon or 30ml per 10L of water in a bucket. Using too much concentrate can leave a film that masks the coating's hydrophobicity.

Always clean wheels first. This prevents brake dust and harsh wheel cleaners from splashing onto the paintwork after it has been cleaned. Use a dedicated bucket for wheels to avoid cross-contamination of metallic shards to the paint maintenance bucket.

Thoroughly rinse the vehicle from top to bottom. Pay specific attention to window seals, door shuts, and wheel arches where red dust accumulates. The goal is to remove 90% of loose grit via water pressure alone before any foam or mitt touches the surface.

Apply a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam to the entire vehicle. Allow it to dwell for 4-5 minutes, but do not let it dry. The foam encapsulates remaining fine dust and pulls it off the coating. In 35°C+ heat, you may need to rinse sooner to prevent drying.

Using the two-bucket method, wash one panel at a time starting from the roof. Use very light pressure; the coating's slickness should allow the mitt to glide. Rinse the 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 after the contact wash. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes. You will see purple 'bleeding' as it dissolves sintered brake dust. This is crucial for maintaining the smooth 'glass' feel of the coating. Rinse thoroughly.

Look for 'ghosting' or circular mineral rings on the bonnet and roof. If present, apply a dedicated water spot remover to a microfiber applicator and gently wipe the affected area. This is a common requirement for vehicles parked near coastal salt spray.

Remove the nozzle from your hose and use a gentle stream of water to 'flood' the panels. On a well-maintained coating, the water will sheet off almost entirely, leaving very little behind for the drying towel. This reduces the risk of towelling-induced swirls.

Use a large twisted-loop microfiber towel. Instead of rubbing, lay the towel flat across a panel and pat it or pull it slowly toward you. This 'touchless' drying approach preserves the coating's finish. Use a cordless blower for mirrors, badges, and fuel caps.

Once dry, apply your Si02 maintenance spray. Mist 2-3 sprays onto a clean microfiber towel, wipe onto a 50x50cm section, then immediately buff with a second dry towel. This 'sacrificial layer' takes the brunt of UV and bird droppings, protecting the base coating.

Wipe down all door shuts and apply a UV protectant to rubber seals. Red dust often infiltrates these areas and can act like sandpaper against the coated metal if not cleaned regularly.

Clean exterior glass with a dedicated glass cleaner. If your glass is also ceramic coated, use the same Si02 topper used on the paint to maintain water beading performance during summer storms.