Does a ceramic coating make a car easier to clean?

A ceramic coating makes your car far easier to clean. This is because the finish is hydrophobic and super-slick, meaning it repels water and dirt has nothing to cling to.

As water touches the car, any dirt, dust and grit is more likely to stick to the water than the car, and as the finish is hydrophobic and repels water, it will roll right off the paintwork, dirt and all.

This effect has sometimes been described as self-cleaning and is especially noticeable on a white car. Dirt will settle on your car, but when it rains, it can wash the majority of it off, making your car clean everywhere except when the rain didn't reach.

To avoid water-spots, we do recommend drying your car, but even this is easier because of the hydrophobicity of the coating, there will be less water left on your car after washing. 

What “easier to clean” really means

When a car is coated, washing does not become optional, but it does become quicker, lighter work. The coating keeps dirt sitting on the surface instead of bonding hard to the paint, so a sensible wash routine with mild shampoo is usually enough to bring the car back to “freshly detailed” without heavy scrubbing, harsh chemicals or hours of effort.

How a coating changes the way you wash the car

• Less stuck-on grime: Road film, dust and bug splatter have less to bite into, so they soften and rinse away more easily.
• Faster rinsing: Hydrophobic behaviour means rinse water carries more of the loosened dirt off the panel in one go.
• Smoother wash passes: Wash mitts glide with less resistance, so you need fewer passes to get each section clean.
• Quicker drying: Because less water clings to the panels, drying with a towel or blower is faster and less fussy.

Where you notice the biggest difference

• Light coloured cars: White and silver cars usually look grubby very quickly when unprotected; with a coating, they stay presentable for far longer between washes.
• Daily drivers that live outside: Cars parked on the drive or street pick up dust, pollen and fallout constantly. Coated cars are simply easier to bring back to “smart” after a long week.
• Wheels and lower panels: When wheels and sills are coated as part of the package, brake dust and winter grime rinse away with far less scrubbing.
• Busy owners and fleets: If time is tight, the ability to wash a car or van properly in minutes rather than hours is a very real, everyday benefit.

What it cannot do, even though cleaning is easier

• Cannot stop the car getting dirty: You still pick up road film, dust and bird mess – they just do not bond as aggressively.
• Cannot make watermarks impossible: If tap water is allowed to dry on the car, some spotting is still likely, especially in hard water areas.
• Cannot replace good tools: Old sponges, stiff brushes and dirty cloths will still mark a coated car, even if the dirt comes off more quickly.
• Cannot fix poor washing habits: Automatic brushes and harsh TFRs will shorten the life of the coating and can mar the finish just as they would bare paint.

What can go wrong – and how to avoid it

• Relying on rain to wash the car: Rain can freshen a coated car but will not remove all traffic film. Leaving it dirty for months still lets grime build up.
• Using strong cleaners unnecessarily: Heavy degreasers and roadside “snow foams” can chip away at the coating. Mild, coating-safe shampoo is all you usually need.
• Ignoring contamination: Tar, iron fallout and limescale can clog a coating over time. Occasional decontamination keeps water behaviour and easy cleaning at their best.
• Stacking random products: Layering cheap “ceramic” or wax products from marketplaces can mute beading and make behaviour patchy. Stick to conditioners and toppers recommended for your coating system.

Best-practice checklist for genuinely easy cleaning

• Use a gentle, pH-neutral shampoo and a good wash mitt, so the coating can do the heavy lifting.
• Wash in the shade where possible and rinse thoroughly so shampoo and dirt are not left to dry on the panels.
• Dry with quality microfibre towels or a blower to reduce water spotting and make the most of the hydrophobic finish.
• Schedule occasional decontamination and a quick health-check with your installer, especially if the car lives outside or does high mileage.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 25/11/2025 14:57