Can I use white vinegar on a ceramic coating?
Quick answer: Not for routine washing - white vinegar is acidic and can dull hydrophobics over time. For stubborn mineral water spots a weak dilution can be used sparingly, then rinse thoroughly and apply a ceramic-safe maintenance spray. Prefer a dedicated water-spot remover as these are formulated or the task, so there's no guessing.
You probably can use white vinegar on a ceramic coating to remove water-spots, but we would not recommend it.
White vinegar is acidic, and ceramic coatings are quite resistant to acid. But the only good reason to use white vinegar is to remove substances that can be dissolved by acid, such as mineral deposits or water spots. The reason we would not recommend using vinegar is that there are so many purpose made products on the market designed for precisely this issue. They may be considerably more expensive than a bottle of white vinegar, but it's relative and are still fairly inexpensive at £10-£20. They are formulated to be safe and likely to do a much better job without making your car smell like a fish and chip shop.
If you live in an area where you get water spots, it is likely to be a reoccurring problem so although you will save a few pounds by mixing a solution of diluted vinegar, it is far more convenient to buy a big bottle of spot remover in a handy spray bottle, that you can use regularly. It will also have the benefit of coming with instructions for best use.
As a side note, whatever you do, never use wire wool to remove hard water spots. It should go without saying, but some people do.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 24/10/2025 13:31