The Ultimate Ceramic Coating Maintenance Guide

Never work on a ceramic-coated surface that is hot to the touch. In 40°C+ weather, you must work inside a garage or under a high-quality carport. Use an infrared thermometer to ensure panel temperatures are below 30°C. If the panels are hot, the chemicals will flash (evaporate) too quickly, potentially causing permanent chemical staining or 'high spots' on the coating.

Perform a visual inspection. Look for 'orange' speckling (iron fallout), white crusty circles (calcium/water spots), or 'sandpaper' texture on the lower sills (bonded red dust/tar). Identifying the specific contaminants allows you to tailor your chemical selection—for example, using more iron remover if you live near a railway or port.

Measure your chemicals precisely using a measuring cup. For a standard maintenance wash, dilute your pH-neutral shampoo at a ratio of 1:400. If the car is heavily soiled with red dust, prepare a 'pre-wash' solution in a pump sprayer at a 1:10 ratio of APC (All Purpose Cleaner) to water, but only if the APC is verified coating-safe.

Always prepare to wash wheels first. This prevents water from drying on the paintwork while you are scrubbing tyres. Fill a dedicated wheel bucket with 10L of water and a double dose of shampoo to provide extra lubrication for brake dust removal.

If the vehicle is covered in fine red dust or sand from a coastal breeze, use a leaf blower or compressed air to remove loose particles before applying any water. Adding water to heavy dust can create a 'mud paste' that increases the risk of scratching during the contact wash phase.

Apply iron remover to cool, dry wheels. Allow to dwell for 3-4 minutes—it will turn purple as it reacts with brake dust. Agitate with a soft boar's hair brush, ensuring you reach the inner barrels where salt and grime accumulate. Rinse thoroughly with high pressure.

Apply a thick layer of snow foam to the entire vehicle, starting from the bottom and working up. Leave for 5 minutes, but do not let it dry. This step encapsulates grit and allows it to slide off the ceramic surface without mechanical friction. Rinse from the top down.

After rinsing the foam, spray a dedicated iron remover onto the wet paintwork. In Australia, industrial fallout and rail dust are common. Let it dwell for 3 minutes. You will see purple streaks where the chemical is dissolving embedded iron. Rinse extremely thoroughly. This 'unclogs' the coating's pores.

Use the Three-Bucket Method: one for soapy water, one for rinsing the mitt, and one for wheels. Use a high-quality microfiber mitt. Wash one panel at a time using straight-line motions—never circles. Start at the roof and work down to the bumpers, rinsing the mitt in the rinse bucket after every panel.

If you notice water spots (common in areas with 'hard' bore water), apply a dedicated water spot remover to a microfiber applicator. Wipe on the affected area, let dwell for 30-60 seconds, then wipe off and rinse. This dissolves the calcium deposits that the ceramic coating has prevented from etching the paint.

Perform a final rinse using a flood-flush technique (removing the nozzle from the hose) or a high-pressure washer. The hydrophobic nature of the coating should cause most of the water to sheet off instantly. If water 'pools,' the coating is either clogged or depleted.

Use a large, clean twisted-loop drying towel. Lay it flat across the horizontal surfaces and pull it toward you, allowing the weight of the towel to soak up the water. For vertical panels, pat dry. Avoid 'scrubbing' the paint. Use a blower to clear water from window seals and light housings.

To maintain the 'slickness' and UV resistance, apply a ceramic maintenance spray (topper). Mist 2-3 sprays per panel onto a fresh microfiber cloth, wipe on, then immediately flip the cloth to a dry side and buff to a high shine. This adds a sacrificial layer that takes the brunt of the UV radiation.

Clean the exterior glass with a dedicated glass cleaner to remove any ceramic topper overspray. Apply a trim protectant to any unpainted plastics. Ensure all door jambs are wiped dry to prevent salt crusting in the hinges.