Ceramic Coating Maintenance

By Ally Hinton

The best way to protect a shiny coat of paint is by investing in a high-quality ceramic coating . While ceramic coatings offer a high level of paint protection, no coating is invincible or upkeep-proof. Ceramic coatings require regular maintenance to provide the highest level of lasting protection.

When viewed microscopically, car paint is not smooth or flat. It is a rough surface filled with pores and inconsistencies. Adding a ceramic coating provides an additional barrier of paint protection by using microscopic Si02 nano sized particles to fill in the discrepancies and overlay it with a smooth, glass-like surface. This smooth surface helps to guard paint against damaging elements like:

  • Bug splatter
  • Salt
  • Bird droppings
  • Mud and dirt
  • Rain
  • Snow and ice
  • Micro-scratches
  • UV rays
  • Tree sap
ceramic coating, coated vehicle, Fireball ceramic coating, protected by fireball,

Maintain Fireball ceramic coatings by following this guide:

Allow The Fireball Ceramic Coating to Cure

High-quality ceramic coatings require at least one week of cure time before withstanding the elements and the first wash. Washing a car too soon could prematurely interrupt the curing process of the coating, so we recommend waiting at least seven days after installation. After these seven days, you should follow our wash guide below.

Fireball Coatings Car Wash Guide

Dirt and other small debris have the potential to stick to ceramic coatings, so the owner must wash the vehicle to prevent long-term damage. Owners may notice that dirty ceramic coatings are less effective with water beading or sheeting, so it is vital to clean them consistently. 

How to maintenance a vehicle with a ceramic coating:

Wash Cars Regularly

After the Fireball ceramic coating has cured for at least seven days, it should be washed around once per week, at least every other week. On top of the maintenance washing, it is good practice to wash a vehicle any time it gets uncommonly dirty. A ceramic coating is the key to your car’s exterior looking like new. Regular washing keeps it clean and prevents dirt, debris or other contaminants from building up on the surface which can cause permanent damage over time. Washing regularly will also help to prevent water spots that are also damaging to the coating.
Never use a commercial car wash unless it is touchless, follow the recommended drying method listed in the “Avoid Water Damage” section below.

Choose Ceramic Coating Friendly Products

Selecting the correct supplies is an essential part of maintaining a ceramic coating. No matter how highly rated a car wash shampoo is, it can ruin a high-quality ceramic coating in just a few washes if it contains the wrong chemicals or high pH levels.

Fireball offers a complete line of applicators, ceramic sealants, ceramic waxes, cleaners, ceramic dressings, all pH shampoos, towels, and washing accessories on our website. Our expansive product line makes it easy to maintain a ceramic coating to its usual expectancy and beyond.

Use Fireball’s Three Bucket Method

At Fireball, we believe in creating a streamlined washing process that isn’t only effective but also enjoyable. It’s essential to stick to best practices like using a three-bucket car wash method, Wheels-Wash-Rinse, to reduce the chance of damaging a car’s paint or ceramic coating.
One bucket will be used for rinsing and will only contain fresh water, the second bucket will contain pH-neutral shampoo like Fireball Pearl Shampoo diluted to the recommended levels with water, and the third will contain a wheel cleaner, Fireball Pearl Shampoo and water. Use Grit Guards in the three buckets to filter and trap dirt, minerals, mud, and grime into the bottom of the bucket. Grit guards fit firmly into the bottom of each bucket to trap debris, help clean out wash mitts, and reduce scratching and swirl marks.
When washing, begin with the wheels first. Wheels and rims tend to contain more dirt and debris, so you don’t want to cross-contaminate your cleaning tools with the ones you use on a ceramic coating. And don’t forget to try Fireball’s tire-enhancing products like our Tire Booster paired with our Ceramic tire dressings to keep tires looking clean and new.
After the wheels are complete, start the wash at the top of the vehicle and clean one section at a time, dunking wash mitts in the rinse bucket after washing each panel. Cleaning mitts and other cleaning tools in the rinse-only bucket after each section will reduce the chance of damaging the ceramic coating from dirt, pebbles, or other debris.

Avoid Water Damage

Streaks, mineral deposits, and water spots are detrimental to ceramic coatings and can cause lasting issues. Before washing, the vehicle’s exterior should be cool to the touch. Do not wash the car in high temperatures or direct sunlight.
Cars with a ceramic coating should never be allowed to air dry or be dried by fans. It’s easy to avoid dangerous water spots and stains by hand drying the vehicle after each wash with a dedicated Twist Microfiber Drying Towel.
Other hazards to be aware of are local watering or sprinkler systems with automatic timers. The spray from these systems can cover a car with water spots and mineral deposits so pay close attention to parking areas. Mineral deposits left behind from dried water are hard to remove and can etch through a coating or clear coat after they dry.

Follow Warranty Terms

Most high-quality ceramic coatings will include a warranty that could span years. Be sure to follow all terms of these warranties, including yearly or bi-yearly visits to the certified installer.

Follow Warranty Terms

Adding a ceramic coating to any vehicle is a significant investment, so always choose the best. Fireball ceramic coatings is the industry leader offering the highest Si02 percentage in the world at 92%. Our dual-bonded Si02 molecules provide higher quality paint depth, clarity, finish, and integrity while utilizing Titanium for optimized scratch and UV resistance.
Fireball ceramic coatings are the only coatings on the market that undergo a Chemical Reaction, Synthesis Hard-shell Technology after application. This process takes ceramic coatings to the next level with results that increase surface integrity, increase hydrophobic properties, add durability, and reduce shrinkage. Purchasing and maintaining a high-quality ceramic coating from Fireball provides the most return on investment and preserves brilliance and integrity for years to come.

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