How to wash your car after a ceramic coating

A ceramic coating makes washing easier, but it doesn't remove the need for maintenance. How the car is washed in the months and years that follow directly affects how long the protection lasts. Here are the practices we recommend to our clients in Quartier DIX30 and across the South Shore.

Wait before the first wash

A ceramic coating keeps curing for a few days after application. During that time, avoid soap washes and long exposure to rain when possible. We tell you the exact waiting period for the product applied when you pick up your vehicle.

The method: by hand, with two buckets

• Rinse thoroughly to remove sand and salt before any contact
• One bucket of soapy water and one rinse bucket, with a clean mitt
• Wash from top to bottom, rocker panels last
• Dry with a soft microfibre towel, without pressing hard

Products and habits to avoid

• Brush tunnels, which create micro-scratches even on protected paint
• Degreasing or highly alkaline soaps, which wear the coating faster
• Washing in direct sun on hot panels, which leaves water spots
• Leaving bird droppings, sap and insects to dry for days

Touchless car washes are less risky for scratches, but their chemicals are often harsh. Handy once in a while, they shouldn't become a coated vehicle's only way of being washed.

How often should a coated car be washed?

In winter, about every two weeks, underbody included, since salt and calcium build up quickly. The rest of the year, every two to four weeks depending on use. An exterior hand wash takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, from $100 before taxes.

Have the protection inspected

A yearly inspection checks that water still beads and allows decontamination when needed. If the protection weakens, maintenance or a new layer may be recommended after evaluation. Our ceramic coatings come in 1 year (from $295), 3 years (from $895) and 5 years (from $1,095), before taxes and depending on the vehicle's condition.

To sum up

Hand washing, gentle soap, microfibre drying and regular inspection are what make a ceramic coating last. Chic Lave-Auto Écologique welcomes you by appointment in the underground parking at Le Square, Quartier DIX30 in Brossard.