The Ultimate Vehicle Maintenance Guide
Congratulations! Your vehicle is now protected with an industry leading Ceramic Coating, Paint Protection Film, or an Ultimate Armor Service! This Guide will walk you through exactly how we would recommend maintaining your vehicle!
Welcome to the Ceramic Pro Daytona Family!
Congratulations on investing in the best protection for your vehicle at Ceramic Pro Daytona! Now you are a part of our growing family of vehicles, and vehicle enthusiasts! To ensure you get the most out of your ceramic coating, paint protection film (PPF), window tint, or Ultimate Armor, regular maintenance is key. This guide will walk you through why maintenance is essential, what steps you should follow, what products we recommend, and some tips and tricks to keep your vehicle looking as good as it does right now for as long as you own it.
Why Maintenance is Needed
Maintaining your vehicle’s protective layers is crucial to extend their life and effectiveness. Whether you got a Ceramic Coating, an ION Coating, Paint Protection Film or an Ultimate Armor Package these services act as a sacrificial layer that still needs to be maintained, think of it like a screen protector for your vehicle. Environmental factors like UV rays, road salts, pollutants, and natural wear and tear can degrade these protections over time, if they are not properly maintained. Regular maintenance helps preserve the integrity and appearance of these coatings and films, ensuring they continue to provide the maximum benefit and of course the maximum shine.
How DO I Maintain a Ceramic Coating?
A Ceramic Coating is a Sacrificial Layer that is applied on top of your vehicles clear coat, trim, wheels, calipers, & glass.
Ceramic Coating Maintenance Schedule
Regular maintenance of your ceramic coating is essential to preserve its protective qualities and high-gloss finish. Ideally, we recommend washing and maintaining the vehicle when it gets dirty. There is no set schedule and this will vary on how often you drive it, how far you drive it, and where it is kept when you aren’t utilizing your vehicle. If you want to have a schedule for washing your vehicle I would recommend every 2 weeks or so. Things like Water Spots, Bugs, Tar, & other Harsh Contaminants can still damage a Ceramic Coating and we recommend washing and maintaining as soon as these things happen to protect the Ceramic Coating.
How to Wash Your Ceramic Coating
Maintaining your Ceramic Coating is straightforward and doesn’t require many products or any specific methods. We do however Recommend a couple products and techniques.
Steps To Wash Your Ceramic Coated Vehicle:
1. Find a Shaded Spot or Wash it In the Mornings/Evenings To Limit Sun Exposure
2. Rinse The Vehicle With a Low Powered Pressure Washer (Under 2,000 PSI) or a Garden Hose
3. Use a Foam Cannon To Soak The Exterior in Car Soap, Or Use A Wash Bucket With Car Soap and Water in it
4. Use The 2 Bucket Method To Wash Your Vehicle (More on the 2 Bucket Method in FAQ Below)
5. Rinse The Soap off the vehicle
6. Spray the wet vehicle with a drying aid
7. Dry the Vehicle with a Premium Microfiber Drying Towel
8. Use a Leaf Blower/Air Compressor to Get Water out of the cracks/crevices.
Recommended Products
There are a ton of different products and chemicals you can use on your Ceramic Coated vehicle. Here are some of the ones we recommend from our expert experience:
Car Wash Soap
Drying Aids/Quick Detailers
Wash Mitts/Towels
What Not To Do To Your Ceramic Coating
Proper care of your ceramic coating ensures its longevity and effectiveness, but there are specific actions you should avoid to maintain its pristine condition:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Strong acidic or alkaline cleaners can break down the ceramic coating prematurely. Always choose pH-neutral cleaning products designed specifically for automotive care.
Steer Clear of Abrasive Tools: Brushes, rough sponges, and any abrasive cleaning tools can scratch the surface of the coating. Use only soft, gentle wash mitts and microfiber towels for washing and drying.
Beware of Automatic Car Washes: While convenient, many automatic car washes use aggressive cleaning methods and harsh chemicals that can damage your ceramic coating. These facilities often employ stiff brushes or cloths that could potentially scratch and degrade the coating.
Don’t Apply Waxes or Sealants: Ceramic coatings are designed to repel water and contaminants on their own. Adding waxes or sealants over the coating can interfere with its hydrophobic properties, reducing its effectiveness and leaving the surface prone to smudging and staining.
How DO I Maintain my Paint Protection Film?
Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a clear, durable film applied to a vehicle’s exterior to protect its paint from scratches, chips, and contaminants.
Paint Protection Film Maintenance Schedule
Regular maintenance of your Paint Protection Film (PPF) is crucial to maintain its protective capabilities and clarity. It’s advisable to clean your vehicle when it appears dirty; the frequency will depend on how often and how far you drive, as well as where the vehicle is parked. If you prefer a regular schedule, washing every two weeks is recommended. Immediate washing is crucial when exposed to water spots, bugs, tar, and other harsh contaminants to prevent potential damage to the PPF and ensure its longevity. PPF is the best protection you can get on your vehicle, but even though it is Ceramic Coated it can still be stained and water spotting can happen. It is the absolute best protection but it can still suffer from staining and water spots if not properly maintained.
How to Wash Your Paint Protection Film (PPF)
The steps for washing your Paint Protection Film (PPF) equipped vehicle are identical to those recommended for ceramic coatings, which include finding a shaded spot, using a low-powered pressure washer, applying soap with a foam cannon, employing the two-bucket method, and using a drying aid and microfiber towel for drying.
Key Differences for PPF Maintenance:
While the washing steps are similar, it’s crucial not to direct high-pressure water at the edges of the PPF. High pressure can cause the film to lift, which compromises the protective layer and is not covered by warranty. Care should be taken to ensure that the edges of the PPF remain intact and well-protected, maintaining the film’s effectiveness and appearance over time.
What Not To Do To Your Paint Protection Film (PPF)
To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your Paint Protection Film (PPF), it’s important to follow these care guidelines:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of strong acidic or alkaline cleaners, which can damage the PPF. Opt for pH-neutral products specifically designed for automotive surfaces.
Be Cautious with Automatic Car Washes: Many automatic car washes use stiff brushes and harsh chemicals that might scratch or lift the PPF. Consider hand washing to maintain its integrity. PPF Is Self Healing but over time with abrasion from Car Washes it can degrade the self healing top coat layer.
Avoid Waxes or Sealants: PPF is designed to be hydrophobic without additional products, which can cloud the film’s appearance and reduce its effectiveness.
Careful with Pressure Washing: When using a pressure washer, keep it at a safe distance and below high pressures to prevent lifting the edges of the film. Avoid direct spraying at the edges to ensure the film remains intact.
Following these guidelines will help protect your PPF from potential damage and keep your vehicle looking great.
Annual Maintenance Service
At Ceramic Pro Daytona Elite Dealer, we offer an Annual Maintenance Wash designed to uphold the quality and longevity of our PPF and Ceramic Coating services. This service, essential for maintaining the warranty on our Ceramic Coatings, includes a comprehensive wash and wheel cleaning, chemical decontamination using an Iron Remover, treatment with a Synthetic Clay Bar, and application of a ceramic topper on the paint, trim, wheels, and glass. Priced at $249.00, this maintenance wash is highly recommended for all protected vehicles, especially those with PPF. While not required for PPF, this service enhances its hydrophobic properties and cleans the pores of the PPF, adding an extra layer of ceramic coating to ensure continued ease of maintenance and effectiveness throughout the life of the coating.
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