Can you apply ceramic coating in the cold?
Quick answer: It’s not a good idea to apply ceramic coating in the cold. Low temperatures slow flash-off and curing, and moisture or condensation can spoil the finish. Because timing is critical, we apply coatings indoors in a controlled environment - if it’s too cold, we won’t apply it.
It is not a good idea to apply ceramic coatings in the cold, and for the same reasons it is difficult to apply a wax or any other product when it's cold.
The cold will retard drying times and could take a long time to flash off. Any chemical reactions that a product undergoes are also retarded by cold temperatures, and so cure times are affected. In very cold weather, you may also have to contend with moisture and condensation, which could affect the finish.
With a product like a wax, you can battle through this. It may be a lot more work by the finish will probably be much the same, but with ceramic coatings, timing is critical and there isn't much room for error. This is why when we apply ceramic coatings, we do it inside with a controlled environment. Even so, if the weather is so cold that it causes temperature fluctuations inside, we won't apply a ceramic coating.
Reputable ceramic brands don’t just hand out badges – they insist their accredited installers have the right environment. That means a clean, dust-controlled, dry workshop with stable temperature and humidity, proper lighting and sensible airflow. Getting this right is a big part of accreditation on top of the training – suppliers audit the site, check the process, and only sign you off when you can deliver the same result day-in, day-out.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 20/10/2025 15:04