Contents
- 1. Determine The State Of Your Car Paint Before Applying The Ceramic Coating
- 2. Consider Weather Conditions Before Applying the Ceramic Wax
- 3. Wash Your Car Thoroughly
- 4. Make Use Of A Clay Bar
- 5. To Remove Defects, Polish, Polish, Polish!
- 6. Use A Shampoo Made Specifically For Coatings
- 7. NEVER Use An Automatic Car Wash
- 8. Determine How Often Should You Apply The Ceramic Car Wax
- 9. Don't Forget To Let Your Ceramic Wax Cure!
- 10. Caring For Your Ceramic Wax Coating
- Conclusion
Ceramic coating spray is just what you need if you're weary of your vehicle wax breaking down now and then. The liquid polymer or quartz binds to the paint of your car and provides a long-lasting shine. It's also simple to maintain, doesn't require as many visits to the car wash, and provides superior protection for your vehicle.
However, choosing to use a ceramic wax coating is not a choice to be taken lightly. While today's DIY ceramic coatings are easier to apply and maintain than ever before, they are not for everyone. In reality, employing a ceramic coating product is often more hassle than it's worth — and we're not talking about nonstick cookware here.
We'll provide you ten effective ceramic wax DIY tips in the information below, so you'll be able to avoid costly mistakes, make confident purchases, and evaluate whether a different paint protection solution is better for your specific application.
#1- Determine The State Of Your Car Paint Before Applying The Ceramic Coating
Before buying any paint protection solution like ceramic wax, the first step is to assess the condition of your car's paint and the car's surface. One of the most common misconceptions regarding ceramic car coating is that it enhance or repair the paint. Wrong! A ceramic coating enhances the paint's current state.
When the ceramic coating dries, it forms a thin but durable layer of ‘glass' that preserves the paint and clear coat. This effectively serves as a magnifying glass.
So, if your vehicle has paint damage like dents, scrapes, swirl marks from frequent car washes, or fading paint from direct sunlight, you might want to put off getting a ceramic coating.
#2- Consider Weather Conditions Before Applying the Ceramic Wax
You should be aware of the areas you're working in before putting a ceramic coating. It should be:
- Devoid of dust
- If possible, keep the temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Humidity is moderate to low.
- It's well worth using your garage or indoor storage place if you have one.
Otherwise, make sure it's not a windy day or will not rain so dust and debris don't end up on the paint.
It's also crucial to think about the weather forecast for the following 24 hours. You don't want the ceramic wax coating to become wet during this time since it will damage its durability.
We understand that weather forecasts aren't always accurate, so it isn't easy to predict. But make an effort to pick a good day.
#3- Wash Your Car Thoroughly
Begin your ceramic coating by washing the area with clean water. This initial cleaning is intended to eliminate any dust or dirt that may have accumulated on the surface. It also ensures that you won't grind the surface road grit into the paint finish while soaping the car.
And while we're on the subject of soaps, don't make the error of using whatever you have on hand. Or dishwashing liquid (Come on!), which is a popular option among car owners. When you don't use a professional soap, you're pulling essential oils out of your car's finish, reducing its life.
Another error we see car owners make another error while preparing for a DIY ceramic coating by washing their vehicles with a sponge. The issue with a sponge is that they help trap and keep dirt in their pores, scratching the paint as a result. As any expert vehicle detailer will tell you, a microfiber towel is far better since it lets the grit come out when you rinse.
#4- Make Use Of A Clay Bar
After cleaning your car, several experts recommend applying a clay bar treatment for ceramic wax your car care. Make sure you're using the right lubricant. Clay bars aid in bonding the ceramic coating to the vehicle's surface, ensuring that it lasts longer and looks faultless! This technique might also help eliminate any remaining pollutants after you've finished washing.
#5- To Remove Defects, Polish, Polish, Polish!
When it comes to removing fine defects, DIY ceramic coatings are ineffective. It may temporarily conceal some flaws, but it will not make them disappear. Fine scratches, swirl marks, wet spot pitting, spots from bird droppings, and spots from UV rays are all examples of defects that you need to watch out for.
You'll need a mild polish to fix these problems. Polishing the surface before applying the ceramic coating makes a significant impact, so don't skip it. You may use a dual-action polisher instead of the high-speed buffers that expert vehicle detailers use. These revolve slower and oscillate as they spin, reducing the risk of scorching the paint if left in place too long. They're fantastic for any beginning DIYer, and you can pick up polishing in a matter of minutes.
#6- Use A Shampoo Made Specifically For Coatings
You should use a PH Neutral shampoo at the very least and avoid strong cleaning solutions at all costs; they will dramatically reduce the life of your ceramic coating. CarPro Reset, for example, is intended particularly for use with ceramic coatings and provides a gentle cleaning action that is suitable for your protection. For car ceramic coating, we recommend using a Sio2 infused shampoo to extend the life and performance of the wax coatings. They're pH-neutral, and because they include Sio2, they'll also eventually serve as a "top-up" protective layer for your ceramic coating. We can attest that they make a significant difference in the paintwork's hydrophobic nature.
Regularly use Sio2 enriched ceramic spray as a drying aid or to top-up your coating.
There is a variety of “Ceramic Spray” or Sio2 infused fast detailer products, like spray coating on the market that may help you extend the life of your ceramic wax coating and improve its performance. Sio2 spray coating will supplement the current protection, restoring the coating's remarkable water-repellent (hydrophobic) properties.
#7- NEVER Use An Automatic Car Wash
If you have a wax coating on your car, whether it's nano-ceramic wax or conventional wax, you're undoubtedly worried about having it scratched. Automatic washes employ extremely abrasive brushes that trap all scratch-causing impurities from prior washing. So even if your car is "9H," it will have a micro-marred covering after going through one. When you use a touchless car wash, the only items that come into contact with your vehicle are soap and high-pressure water. Your car is first washed with water, then a coating of soap is applied, and lastly, the soap is washed away using high-pressure water streams.
#8- Determine How Often Should You Apply The Ceramic Car Wax
Wax coating is the final thing you put on the paint of your car. So, how often you should do it is all dependent on how often you drive your car and the damage your car's paint receives. For general-use vehicles stored in a garage or covered, a reasonable rule of thumb is once every 4-6 weeks using ceramic car wax. However, if you reside in a location with very harsh weather, or if your car spends most of its time parked outside in the elements, you should increase the frequency.
Ceramic car wax shine (pun intended) in terms of strength and protection durability. It depends on what type of coating you pick and the circumstances your car is exposed to, but a ceramic wax coating generally provides 3-4 months of protection! When compared to a conventional wax, that's more than double the time. Some wax coatings even claim to provide years of paint protection, but they can be more difficult to apply, so we recommend contacting an expert if you go this route.
#9- Don't Forget To Let Your Ceramic Wax Cure!
Although enthusiastic detailing aficionados may ignore the need for curing time, it is a vital stage in any DIY ceramic wax coating.
Curing is the time it takes for a ceramic wax coat to bind with the clear coat. The amount of time it takes for the coating to cure is determined by the product, the manufacturer's recommendations, and the climate in which it is applied. For example, the drying period might be extended or shortened if the temperature is excessively hot or cold.
It can't preserve your clear wax coat adequately until the ceramic coating has 'dried' or bonded correctly with it. So while the drying process begins right away, it's preferable to let your car sit for one to two days following application. This ensures that the coating has fully adhered to the surface.
#10- Caring For Your Ceramic Wax Coating
Once cured, most high-quality ceramic wax coatings are extremely durable. They do, however, require some periodic maintenance and care to make them last longer and shine brighter.
You may be able to conduct touch-ups as needed over time, depending on the kit or materials you choose.
Whether you drive your automobile frequently or only occasionally, to avoid an excessive build-up of pollutants, it's suggested that you wash it every other week. A DIY ceramic coating won't make you forget to wash your car, but it will let you go longer between washes. So wash your automobile every two to three weeks if you want your ceramic wax coating to stay as long as possible.
Also, avoid parking your vehicle in direct sunlight if possible. One of the most powerful opponents of ceramic coating is excessive heat. Therefore, when washing your automobile at home, do so early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its lowest, which will help you avoid wet stains.
Conclusion
If you read this article carefully, you should now distinguish if your ceramic wax coating is effective.
Allowing a professional to handle this task may appear attractive, but it does come at a cost. For some customers, choosing professionally applied products is a no-brainer. Others may like to save money or enjoy the process of applying for a job.
If you're interested in giving a DIY ceramic coating a go, make sure you choose a high-quality, easy-to-apply product. It should also have a strong hydrophobic impact and come from a reputable manufacturer with excellent customer service.
Suma Performance has a wide range of top-tier products for car care that you can do in the comfort of your own home without your wallet suffering!
Remember the essential elements we discussed before purchasing any item and conduct thorough research. You should choose a coating that provides the most protection for the least money. At the same time, stay away from the cheapest option.
We hope this article has helped you understand what a DIY ceramic wax coating is and what it can and cannot accomplish. Please contact us if you have any more queries!