A Step-By-Step Guide on Applying Ceramic Coating to Your Car Correctly

Window Kote Blogger • March 17, 2020

Do you want to give detailing your own car a shot? Here's a step-by-step guide on applying ceramic coating to your car safely and correctly.

It could happen at any point.

You drive a little too close to that hedge as you're pulling into a driveway and your car suddenly has a long scratch in your otherwise perfect paint job. That means you have to shell out both money and time to fix the problem.

No matter how careful you drive, you're bound to wind up with a scratch or two at some point. That's why investing in a ceramic coating is so worthwhile.

But you shouldn't rush into this job if you don't know what you're doing.

We've put together this guide to help you learn how to apply a ceramic coating to your car the right way.

So let's get started!

How to Prep Your Car

Ceramic coatings bond with the substrate of your car, so you need to start by giving your car a detailed cleaning. If it's covered in dirt and other debris, the coating might have trouble sticking.

Depending on the type of ceramic coating you use, the prep work might vary slightly. You should always check the instructions and recommendations on the ceramic coating packaging.

However, the basic process will include the following steps.

Wash

Start by washing your car with soap and water. Do you best to get all the dirt, dust, bird droppings, etc. off the surface during this step.

But don't panic if there are a few stubborn spots. You can take care of those with a clay bar.

Clay Bar Cleaning

A clay bar is exactly what it sounds like: a bar made of clay. Many clay bars also contain some form of car shampoo that helps it remove small debris and other contaminants still left on your car after the wash.

All you have to do is rub the clay bar over the surface of your car.

The clay will get into the tiny pores in the paint and clear out any debris. It'll also fill those pores with clay, which creates a completely flat covering over the paint. This will help the ceramic coating adhere to your car and give it a smooth appearance.

Paint Touch-Up

If your car has any chips in the paint or scratches, you need to fix those now. Ceramic coatings last about two years, so once you apply it, you won't be able to touch up the paint.

Remember, a ceramic coating protects your current paint job. It doesn't fix minor paint flaws.

Polish

Give your car a final polish before applying the ceramic coating. This will make the ceramic coating look as good as possible and will remove any last contaminants.

How to Apply the Ceramic Coating

Before you start applying the ceramic coating, make sure you park your car in a protected area, such as a garage. You'll want to keep it out of the sun and protected from dirt or dust while you work. If you don't have a garage, at least park it in a shaded area.

Make sure the surface temperature of the car is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need to let your car "cool down" for a few hours if it was out in the heat when you washed it.

Have all the right supplies on hand before you start. Here's a list of what you'll need:

ceramic coating
gloves
a sponge (or several)
microfiber cloth
silica spray (which should come with your ceramic coating package)

Once you have these items gathered and your car is ready, you can start the application process.

Paint the Coating on the Car

Soak your sponge in the ceramic coating solution—make sure you're wearing the gloves! Then rub the solution over the car.

Make sure you paint the ceramic coating on the car in both vertical and horizontal swipes. This will ensure you don't miss a spot and give you an even coating.

If the solution begins to dry and harder on your sponge, throw it away and get a new sponge. Otherwise, you may end up with a sloppy application.

Let It Sit

Let the coating sit on the car for about five minutes. The wait time may be longer or shorter depending on what solution you use, so read the recommended time on the ceramic coating instructions.

But don't wait too long.

If you wait too long, the solution will dry and harden before you can finish the next step.

Wipe Down the Coating

Once you've waited the right amount of time, take your microfiber cloth and wipe down the coating. This will give it a smooth and glossy finish.

Don't panic if the solution still feels slightly wet. This is normal. In fact, if it's too dry, you run the risk of ruining the coating.

Apply the Silica Spray

The silica spray will add a protective and water-resistant covering over the ceramic coating. This not only makes the solution look even more glossy, but it also prevents water spots from forming on the surface.

Wait about an hour before you apply the silica spray, and don't spray it directly on the car. Instead, spray some on a microfiber cloth and wipe the car down by hand.

Keep the Car Parked

Let your car sit in the garage for at least one full day after you finish the application. This will give the coating a chance to finish adhering to the surface and setting.

Let the Coating Cure

The ceramic coating will then take about two to three weeks to cure, depending on the outdoor temperature and humidity levels.

But this doesn't mean you can't drive your car during this time.

You can still use your car, but you do have to be careful. You should always keep a close eye on your coating and remove any debris right away.

Avoid leaving your car parked outdoors or in the sun for long periods of time, and don't wash your car until the curing process is finished.

Applying a Ceramic Coating to Your Car the Right Way

Applying a ceramic coating to your car is a tricky job, and if you don't do it right, you could end up with something that looks messy. Make sure you follow the steps on this guide closely if you plan to try doing this on your own at home.

If you don't have experience with this type of job, you may want to leave it to the professionals.

Not sure who to get in touch with? Window Kote of Largo has got all your ceramic coating and window tinting needs covered!

Make sure you click here to learn more about our ceramic coating services.

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