Editorial Team DMI • December 20, 2022

Should You Wash A Ceramic Coated Car Frequently?

Ceramic coatings are a popular method amongst vehicle owners to protect their vehicles while also providing a high level of shine to the paintwork. It’s important to maintain your ceramic coating in order to get the most from your investment. The methods used to maintain the coating will affect its lifetime. So, how can we take care of ceramic coating to keep it in pristine condition? How frequently should we wash a car with ceramic coating ? Infinity Auto Styling in Bismarck, ND, will tell you how to protect your car with ceramic coating in this article. So let’s get started!

An orange ford mustang is parked in a garage.

How Long Does It Take For Ceramic Coating Application?

Ceramic coating a car takes two to three days. Several variables may alter the time required to complete this operation.

What Is The Car’s Condition?

Typically, the older the car, the worse the condition. Most modern automobiles need just a single layer of paint correction prior to getting a ceramic coating. In contrast, older, more worn cars often have more paint damage and need more restoration. This takes substantially longer to complete.

How Big Is The Automobile?

The time required to fix and coat a vehicle increases with its size. For larger vehicles, this task takes longer because there is more surface area to cover. A huge SUV may need up to twice as much time as a tiny car.

What Type Of Ceramic Coating Is Being Applied?

The application of a ceramic coating takes many hours and is typically performed panel by panel. Frequently, a vehicle’s panel will be divided into pieces. Different ceramic coatings also have distinct curing durations. A ceramic with a lower hardness may take a few hours to cure, but a ceramic with a 10H hardness may require a minimum of 12 hours to cure properly after installation.

Ceramic Coating: How Frequently Should We Wash It?

Washing your vehicle every one to two weeks is an excellent way to eliminate harmful impurities. As you drive your car with a ceramic coating, its hydrophobicity prevents most water-based filth and smudges from adhering to its surface. However, the ceramic covering may become encrusted with dirt, stones, and other minor degrading elements. Without frequent cleaning, these substances erode the ceramic coating, causing it to lose its hydrophobicity over time. To safeguard and preserve your ceramic coating, you must wash your vehicle every one to two weeks.

Can We Wash Ceramic Coated Cars In The First Week After Application?

Ceramic coatings need time to dry and cure to give the appropriate level of paint protection. A ceramic coating is a significant investment, so you should not wash your vehicle for at least one week following its application. This gives enough time for the ceramic coating to cure thoroughly.

How To Keep Ceramic Coating In Pristine Condition?

Ceramic coating will protect the car’s paint from contaminants, so we should follow proper maintenance methods to prolong the lifetime of ceramic coating.

Avoid washing your vehicle in direct sunlight.

Water spots and streaks are more likely to form if you wash your vehicle in direct sunshine. Avoid this by washing your car under cover or in the garage to get a spotless exterior. Direct sunlight generates heat, which eventually causes your ceramic covering to break. Protect the car’s paint and your ceramic coating by washing it before sunrise, in the shade, or in the garage.

Follow the two-bucket technique.

The two-bucket procedure is the most effective way to avoid swirl marks caused by dirt and stones. One is for washing, while the other is for rinsing. After washing the mitt, it is dipped into the car wash bucket and utilized to clean another area of the vehicle.

Do not use an automatic vehicle wash.

Using brushes, an automatic car wash will clean your vehicle. These brushes may cause harm to your ceramic coating, however, degrading it over time. 

To maintain a high-gloss surface, a ceramic-coated vehicle must be washed every one to two weeks. Infinity Auto Styling in Bismarck, North Dakota, provides top quality ceramic coating services to protect your car from harmful environmental elements! To schedule an appointment with Infinity Auto Styling, please phone +1 701-426-6715 or bring your vehicle to 2049 71st Ave NE Unit 4, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503 in the United States.

5/5 - (9 votes)

Infinity Auto Styling Blog

Paint Protection Film Services
By SEO Team April 7, 2025
Learn how paint protection film (PPF) helps preserve your car’s resale value by preventing damage, fading, and wear over time.
Ceramic Coating Services
By SEO Team April 7, 2025
Explore the pros, cons, and costs of DIY vs. professional ceramic coatings to help you choose the best protection for your vehicle’s paint and finish.
By SEO Team March 5, 2025
When it comes to owning a car, we all want our vehicles to look as fresh as they did the day we drove them off the lot. However, that shiny finish can quickly fade due to relentless UV rays and environmental factors. If you're tired of seeing your car’s paint lose its luster, it’s time to explore Paint Protection Film (PPF) and some effective ways to reduce fading. In this article, we'll share essential tips to keep your vehicle's appearance intact and discover how these protective measures can save you money in the long run. Trust me; investing a little effort now will pay off later in keeping your ride looking sharp! Paint Protection Film (PPF) acts as a transparent barrier that not only protects against physical abrasions but also significantly reduces the harmful effects of UV rays on your vehicle's paint. By absorbing UV radiation, quality PPF materials help prevent oxidation and fading, thereby preserving the original appearance of your car's paint for an extended period. UV Protection for Car Paint Car paint suffers under the relentless assault of sunlight, leading to fading and oxidation that can dull its vibrant finish over time. If you're someone who parks outside regularly, shielding your car from these harsh conditions becomes critical. Here are some effective methods for safeguarding your vehicle against UV damage. Key UV Protection Methods First on the list are wax and sealants. While they serve as a temporary solution, they can effectively create a protective layer against UV rays. You’ll find that applying wax every two to three months can be both budget-friendly and straightforward. It’s almost like giving your car a spa day! Sure, it requires reapplication, but the gloss it provides makes the effort worthwhile and keeps your vehicle looking fresh. Moving on to more long-term options, we come to ceramic coatings, which are increasingly becoming the go-to method for enthusiasts wanting robust protection. Unlike wax, ceramic coatings bond at the molecular level with the paint surface, creating a durable shield that lasts significantly longer—up to five years when properly applied. Although this type of coating often requires professional installation and comes with a higher price tag, the investment pays off in the long run by reducing overall paint degradation due to sun exposure. And there’s yet another option that many car owners overlook: UV-protective car covers. Using a cover when parking outdoors not only protects against UV exposure but also shields against bird droppings, tree sap, and other environmental contaminants. These covers can be invaluable during those hot summer months when the sun is particularly intense. They act as an invisible barrier, ensuring your vehicle stays pristine inside and out. To give you an idea of the effectiveness of these methods, consider this: A test conducted by a leading automotive magazine revealed that cars treated with ceramic coatings exhibited 30% less paint fade after one year compared to those that were merely waxed. This statistic highlights the remarkable long-term benefits of investing in high-quality protective solutions.  As you weigh your options for UV protection, it's important to consider not just the immediate results but the enduring resilience of your vehicle’s paint over time. With all these strategies in play for maintaining your car's exterior beauty, let’s explore how specific protective films provide a shield against various forms of damage while extending the life of your vehicle's finish.
More Posts