How to Wash a Ceramic Coated Car

Best practices for washing a coated car

1. Park in the shade and let the panels cool. The paint should be cool to the touch. Soap, cleaners and water drying on hot paint leave spots that are harder to remove.

2. Do the wheels and tires first. Use separate brushes, mitts and a separate bucket, since wheels carry the heaviest grime and you do not want it splashed onto clean paint. Rinse them well.

3. Pre-soak to lift contamination (the safest option). Cover the vehicle with a pre-soak or foam, and let it work for the time on the label so the dirt loosens and slides off before you touch the paint. Rinse it off before it dries. A pre-soak does the job of a pre-rinse, so a separate rinse with plain water is not necessary. If you prefer to pre-rinse instead, rinse the whole vehicle from the top down to knock off loose dirt, salt and grit before anything touches the paint, but a pre-soak is the safest choice.

4. Treat bugs with a bug remover. Apply it to the front bumper, hood, mirrors and windshield area, let it dwell for the time on the label, and rinse.

5. Use an all-purpose cleaner (APC) on stubborn road grime. Spray a properly diluted APC on the lower doors, rocker panels and bumpers, where the heaviest film collects. Agitate gently with a soft brush if needed, then rinse thoroughly. Follow the label for dilution and dwell time, and use only a cleaner that is safe for coated paint.

6. Wash with the two-bucket method. One bucket holds soapy water and one holds clean water for rinsing your mitt after every panel. Grit guards at the bottom of each bucket help. Use a pH-neutral car shampoo and a soft microfiber or wool mitt, and work from the top down, one panel at a time, with the dirtiest lower panels last.

7. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse each section as you go if it is warm or windy, and make sure no shampoo or cleaner is left in seams, mirrors or trim.

8. Dry gently. Use a clean, plush microfiber drying towel or an air blower. Lay the towel on the surface and pull it lightly, with no pressure.

The most important rule is to never let anything dry on the paint. That includes the pre-soak, bug remover, APC, soap and rinse water. If something starts to dry, rewet the panel and rinse it right away. On a warm or windy day, work in smaller sections.

No hose, no shade, or not enough time? The steps above are the safest way to wash a coated vehicle, and cutting corners is how swirls and dull paint creep back in. If you cannot wash it this way, or you would simply rather not, the better choice is to let us do it. Our Exterior Detail Membership washes your vehicle the safe way on a regular schedule, so your coating keeps looking its best without the equipment, the time or the guesswork. If your car has one of our ceramic coatings, you can join right away. Book your plan online.

Most coated vehicles do well with a wash every one to two weeks. Wash sooner when paint is exposed to bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap or road salt, which is a real concern through Central New York winters.

Between washes: acidic contaminants such as bird droppings and bug guts can damage paint if they sit, so clean them off as needed. Spray a quick detailer on the spot and lift it off with a clean, plush microfiber towel, using no pressure. Only do this if the paint is somewhat clean. If the surface is dirty or gritty, rinse or wash it first, since wiping grit across the paint can scratch it. We sell Gtechniq quick detailer and plush microfiber towels at the shop if you need them.

Winter in Central New York: washing outdoors in freezing weather can freeze water in door seals, locks and trim, and road salt keeps building up on the paint. From November through April, the Exterior Detail Membership is the easy way to keep a coated car clean without washing it in the cold.