Trusted advice from your trusted professionals at Prestige Auto Armor
Ceramic Coating Maintenance Guide
Maintenance Washing
Routine washing is crucial. We recommend that customers maintain a wash routine that consists of a proper hand wash at least every two weeks (sooner if required). As your coating becomes covered with dirt and contamination, you will notice a decrease in hydrophobic properties (i.e. water beading & sheeting). It is important to remove these surface contaminates often.
Using a specially formulated shampoo like XPEL Wash Solution or XPEL Foam Soap will help to effectively clean your coating and it rinses away easily without leaving behind gloss enhancers or other surfactants. This is an ideal coating maintenance shampoo and what we use at our installation shop.
You will notice that your vehicle will be very easy to wash because the dirt will wipe away trouble-free from the coating and your wash mitt will slide effortlessly across the surface. Likewise, drying is also much easier because the majority of the water can be easily sheeted from the surface. We recommend using the Master Blaster or an electric leaf blower to quickly blow the remaining water from the surface.
Water Spots & Decontamination
Water spots are always a potential hazard. Hard water spots are a common occurrence if water is allowed to dry on the vehicle’s surface and is not washed shortly afterwards. Sometimes the mineral deposits can become so tough that even a thorough washing will not remove them. Be sure to always wash your vehicle in a cool shaded area to eliminate the potential of water spotting. If water spots occur please contact us to consult.
Coatings resist bonded contamination (dirt, fallout, etc...) better than most traditional forms of protection, however they can still become contaminated over time. Luckily, this contamination can be easy to avoid by washing your vehicle correctly and safely by following the guidelines that were provided to you.
In most cases certain products will remove the majority of bonded contaminants from the surface of your coating, but it is possible that your vehicle may also require more aggressive methods to remove these. Again, you can contact us to consult if this is the case. We are fully prepared to handle these issues as they arise. Please change the above to the following:
We typically recommend a quick decontamination at least once every six months. If you'd like we can schedule this added on service to maintain your vehicle every six months or sooner if desired.
Additional Protection
Many people are interested in applying additional protection on top of the coating. It is important to remember that when you are topping your coating with another product, you are covering or masking some of the properties of the coating.
For example, if you apply a wax on top of your coating, you will be observing the properties of the wax until it wears off and the coating is exposed. If you choose to top your coating you will still have a great base layer of protection beneath your “topper” since the coating will still be present, but the beading, sheeting, dirt/dust attraction and other properties that you observe will be characteristic of whatever product you have used to top the coating with.
While a typical spray wax may work fine, there are other products that tend to perform much better on top of paint coatings. Our personal go to is XPEL Ceramic Boost. This product is silica-based, therefore is an excellent choice as a “coating topper” because its properties are very similar to the coating that is beneath it once applied.
When used on top of your coating XPEL Ceramic Boost will provide additional protection, slickness, amazing hydrophobic properties, and best of all – is extremely quick and easy to use! If you decide to top your coating this product can be used as often as you’d like, but we typically suggest application every one to two months.
Other Important Factors
- Avoid high volume brush style car washes, and high PH detergent style cleaners.
- Use only recommended mild PH neutral soaps such as "XPEL Wash Solution" or "XPEL Foam Soap" shampoo.
- Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting and only wash when the vehicle's surface is cool to the touch.
- Wash starting at the roof and eventually working downwards, leaving the dirtiest sections last to avoid possible cross contamination. If needed use more than one mitt when washing depending on how dirty your vehicle may or may not be.
- Always dry vehicle with the recommended "Dreadnought Drying Towel" or an air blower such as the Master Blaster. Or we recommend using an electric or battery powered leaf blower (not gas operated) to prevent gas and oil fumes from falling onto the vehicle's now clean surface.
- Never use aggressive products to polish the coating or to remove surface contamination. If the surface of the vehicle loses its hydrophobic effects normally there is a reason. Contact us for support.
2 Bucket Method:
- It is strongly suggested to use the 2 bucket washing method with "grit guards". You can read more about how to use the 2 bucket washing method below.
- 2 buckets are used during the wash process to help minimize the chance of wash scratches by “flushing out” the dirt picked-up by the previous wipe.
Here are the steps:
- Bucket #1 is filled with Shampoo and water (use a grit guard in this bucket).
- Bucket #2 is filled with only water
- The wash mitt from bucket #1 is used on the paint and collects dirt.
- The now dirty wash mitt (after every panel) is dunked in bucket #2 and shaken to release the trapped dirt from the mitt.
- The now clean wash mitt is dunked in bucket #1 again to reapply the soap.
- REPEAT this process for every panel.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Does Pittsburgh's winter road salt affect ceramic coating performance?
Road salt and winter grime can accumulate on ceramic-coated vehicles, reducing their water-repellent performance until the contaminants are removed. Ceramic coating helps make cleaning easier, but it doesn't eliminate the need for winter maintenance. Pittsburgh drivers should avoid letting salt residue sit on their vehicles for extended periods. Regular washing with a coating-safe shampoo helps remove buildup and maintain the coating's protective properties throughout colder months.
2. How can I tell whether my ceramic coating needs professional maintenance?
A noticeable change in your vehicle's appearance or water-repellent behavior may indicate that professional maintenance is worth considering.
However, reduced water beading doesn't necessarily mean the coating has failed.
Watch for these signs:
- Water no longer beads or sheets away as effectively.
- The paint feels rough even after washing.
- Mineral deposits remain after regular cleaning.
- Certain areas collect dirt more easily than before.
Prestige Auto Armor can assess these concerns and recommend appropriate maintenance.
3. Can Prestige Auto Armor help if my ceramic coating has stubborn water spots?
Yes. Prestige Auto Armor provides guidance and maintenance services for ceramic coatings affected by water spots and bonded contaminants. Some mineral deposits remain attached to the surface even after a careful hand wash. Attempting to remove them with aggressive polishing products may compromise the coating. Instead, contact Prestige Auto Armor to discuss the condition of your vehicle. The team can help determine whether professional decontamination or another appropriate cleaning approach is needed.
4. Is professional ceramic coating maintenance worth it if I already wash my car regularly?
Professional maintenance can be worthwhile because routine washing may not remove every contaminant that bonds to a ceramic-coated surface. Prestige Auto Armor recommends periodic decontamination to address buildup that ordinary washing cannot easily remove. For Pittsburgh drivers dealing with road grime, seasonal contamination, and frequent outdoor parking, this additional care can help maintain coating performance. Regular hand washing remains important, but professional maintenance provides another option when the finish needs extra attention.
5. Where can I schedule ceramic coating maintenance near Pittsburgh, PA?
Prestige Auto Armor provides ceramic coating maintenance guidance and professional decontamination services for drivers throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Whether your coating has lost some of its water-repellent behavior, developed persistent water spots, or needs periodic maintenance, the team can help you determine the appropriate next steps. Located in Valencia, PA, Prestige Auto Armor also works with XPEL ceramic coating products and maintenance solutions. Contact Prestige Auto Armor or call to discuss your vehicle's coating maintenance needs and request a quote.
