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  2. Car Paint Protection
  3. How Ceramic Coatings Work
  4. How does a car with a ceramic coating stay clean?

How does a car with a ceramic coating stay clean?

Quick answer: The coating makes the paint smooth and hydrophobic, so dirt has little to stick to and rain beads off, carrying grime away - your car even cleans up in the rain.

A car with a ceramic paint protection will stay clean because it is so shiny, slick and smooth. Dirt has little to stick to, and when it rains, and because ceramic coatings are hydrophobic, the water will bead up and roll off, taking dirt with it. Your car will actually get cleaner when it rains. 

Beyond just slickness and hydrophobic behaviour, a good ceramic coating forms a semi-permanent bond with the clear coat at the molecular level. That means it isn’t just a film sitting on top, it becomes part of the finish. Because of that bond, the coating resists chemical etching and contamination that would normally grab onto paint pores. In practice, that means the usual nasties such as tree sap, bird droppings, road grime, have a much harder time adhering, and when they do, they release more easily during gentle washing.

Another big help is how a coating changes how water behaves on the surface. Instead of sheeting off in a thin film where residues stay behind, a coated surface forces bead formation. These beads act like little rollers, dragging contamination off the panel as they move. In rainy weather, this means your car might literally clean itself. The dirt gets rinsed away instead of smearing out over the paint. Of course, this isn’t perfect or total, heavy grime, brake dust, or tar doesn't always come off just with rain. But when combined with smart washing practices, a ceramic coating dramatically reduces how often you need to clean.

We have had many repeat customers for ceramic coatings, some have had their whole family's cars done, and it's certainly not uncommon for people to pay to have their parent's car coated, the reason being that the car needs washing far less frequently. For all the claims you can make about ceramic coatings, this is by far the biggest selling point.  

Written by . Last updated 26/09/2025 14:09