How to Wash a Ceramic-Coated Car

Washing a ceramic-coated car is simple: use a gentle, pH-neutral soap and the two-bucket method, avoid automatic brush washes, and dry the car to prevent water spots. That's really it — a coated car is far easier to maintain than uncoated paint, and the right routine keeps it slick, glossy, and protected for the life of the coating.

Here's the method we recommend to every customer.

Use the two-bucket method

The two-bucket method keeps grit off your wash mitt so you don't drag dirt across the paint:

1. Fill one bucket with soapy water and one with clean rinse water.
2. Load your mitt from the soap bucket and wash one section.
3. Rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket before reloading with soap.
4. Repeat, working top to bottom so the dirtiest lower panels come last.

This simple habit prevents the swirl marks that casual washing causes.

Choose the right soap

Use a pH-neutral car shampoo. Harsh, high-alkaline soaps and heavy degreasers can wear on the coating over time. A pH-neutral soap cleans effectively while preserving the coating's slickness and hydrophobic properties.

Rinse and dry properly

• Pre-rinse to knock off loose dirt before you touch the paint
• Wash with the two-bucket method, then rinse thoroughly
• Dry the car with a clean microfiber towel or a gentle blower — even on a hydrophobic surface, minerals left when water dries can leave spots

Drying is easy on a coated car because water sheets off, but don't skip it.

Washes to avoid

• Automatic brush and tunnel washes — the brushes are abrasive and cause swirls and premature wear
• Harsh chemicals and strong degreasers
• Washing in direct sun on a hot panel, which can cause spotting

Touchless automatic washes are fine occasionally, but hand washing is always best for keeping the coating performing and the warranty valid.

How often to wash

Every couple of weeks works for most drivers, plus an extra wash after heavy rain, road salt, or contamination. Because a coating keeps the car cleaner longer, you'll wash less often than you would uncoated paint. For the broader maintenance picture, see keeping your warranty valid.