What maintenance does a ceramic coating need?
Quick answer: Wash by hand with a pH-neutral shampoo and soft mitt; pre-rinse/snow-foam first, then rinse and dry to prevent spots. Avoid automatic brushes, caustic TFRs and abrasive polishes. Decontaminate (tar/iron) only when needed and top up with a compatible maintenance spray every few months. After application, keep it dry and don’t wash for about a week while it cures.
Very little. You still wash the car, just not as often and with less effort. Use a decent pH-neutral shampoo, a soft wash mitt, and dry with a towel or blower. Avoid “brush” car washes. If bird droppings or bug splatter land on the paint, remove them promptly, coatings buy you time, not immunity.
Top-ups?
Optional. A proper ceramic doesn’t need monthly potions, that defeats the point. If you want to keep protection at its peak, use a quick ceramic topper now and then, or have us apply the manufacturer’s top-up annually or towards the end of the warranty.
A simple plan we recommend
- Wash when it’s dirty - no fixed schedule; use common sense.
- Deal with harsh contamination quickly (birds, bugs, tar).
- Once a year: a “spring clean” - professional check, fix any chips or scratches, deep clean, and (if you fancy) apply a topper.
That’s it! No drama, no rituals. The whole idea of a ceramic is low maintenance that keeps the car looking better for longer.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 14/10/2025 15:18