CERAMIC COATING aftercare: answering the most common questions about coated cars! | Podcast #63

If you've invested time or money into getting your vehicle ceramic coated, you might now be wondering how to properly take care of your ride. If so, this is the podcast for you. Keep in mind, we also have how-to videos demonstrating best practices -- but this video is all about rapid-fire answering of questions that we get all the time.
Like...how to wash coated car? Do I need a special soap? Can I take it through the car wash? What about adding protection after I wash -- does that "mess" with the coating? And many more!
Find our products here: diydetail.com/
#autodetailing #diydetail #yvanlacroix #podcast

[@neilwalker5041]

Excellent tips and tricks and as Yvan has taught me a real coating does not require layers of protection. DIY coatings are real! Here in Nashville I use All Clean diluted 15:1 and spray on the lower portion of the car and possibly the hood and trunk. This removes road film which starts to clog coatings.

[@diydetailofficial]

Great tip!

[@Rich--J]

Hello fello TNean.

[@quattljl1]

Your Facebook group and Brian's Apex Detail Facebook group have to be two of the best in terms of helpfulness and not having those keyboard warrior bullies. Much appreciated!

[@diydetailofficial]

We agree! Thank you

[@timmckusker]

So the one area dealing with ceramic coating that I have not seen addressed, is when you get to the end of your 3/5/8 years of the ceramic life, what comes next? Do you start over with a polish and prep and apply a new coating of whatever is the latest improvements on the coating landscape? I have not done a coating application as of yet, so just doing some research. After watching Yvan and Chelsea apply the 5 year coating to a BMW, this is something I can handle.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you. If well maintained, you may not ever need to replace it.

[@T-BoneTodd]

Great video guys! I’m applying my 3 year coating tomorrow. I’m super excited, after watching your videos and listening to your podcasts, I’m not hesitant one bit! Going to be a great day! Thanks guys!

[@diydetailofficial]

Excellent, let us know how it goes

[@ih8chz]

how'd that go bro?

[@T-BoneTodd]

@@ih8chz Awsome! It was soo easy! 1st time doing a coating! Thanks for asking!👍🏼

[@Starriddin]

@@diydetailofficialI finished my second car with the 5 year coating. Both were Honda Accords, 2022 and 2023. Both were simple quick and easy to apply. My only complaint was the amount in the bottle was just enough to do the paint, no glass. This was true on both cars and I was being careful not to over apply. So if you have a large truck or SUV you may need 2 bottles especially if you want to do the glass too. I just used Ceramic Gloss on the glass.

[@abdullah79195]

Love the podcasts as always. I know you’ve been saying that car washes arent that bad. Would love to see a dedicated podcast on whether, after all, does a decent quality tunnel wash actually scratch and swirl paint? We’ve all seen those black cars on the road with endless swirls and we just seem to think it’s because they go through those car washes.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you, here’s a look at what a years worth of weekly washes looks like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZjTeWVthtOrhJosi=BqMyB-xxyfpjMKdv

[@maryhoffman2547]

Thank you diy detail for having these videos. Have a wonderful weekend!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you! You too!

[@JimmyMusignac]

Excellent tips and advice. Thanks.

[@diydetailofficial]

thank you for spending time with us and watching!

[@gunnsteinnjonsson9166]

You guys answered most of the questions l had. Grest episode 😊

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@user-ri3bf4or5y]

Another great video that covers many people's questions. How much is too much or not enough. I've heard Ivan say that he can keep a ceramic coating last for years & years with proper care, so this video grabbed my attention. I have a 5 year graphene coating on and often wonder what products I should use to prolong my coating. Do I need to use a graphene spray topper etc. or can I use an SiO2 based formula like ceramic gloss? Nick seems to love it and uses it on all your coatings. I'm sure Ivan is going to say that I'm over thinking it.

[@diydetailofficial]

Both DIY Detail Quick Beads And or DIY Detail Ceramic Gloss will maintain your coating.

[@steveclark2426]

Great informative video as usual. I’m buying a new truck with a gel coat fibreglass service body. Which of your coatings would be best? I have been using the 5 year and love the gloss.

[@diydetailofficial]

5 or 8 year

[@jeffmcclure932]

Great video. What about using All Clean as a pre treat on a coated car?

[@diydetailofficial]

No problem.

[@kendelc1973]

Great video, explaining alot of important stuff. How long do your coatings last after opening a bottle if you don't use all at once? Does it expire? I know some manufacturers it doesn't last long. Thanks

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks! Roughly 4-6 months after opening

[@stephent9990]

Nick, what you said at the 7:30 mark is exactly where I am at...lol.. I just want a list of what I do on a bi weekly maintenance wash, what should be done maybe once a quarter then the every six months full detail... I have watched about 20 of your videos to try and piece that together.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@johnhernried2401]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you. My ceramic coating manufacturer now has a recommended topper for periodic maintenance. Would you use QuickBeads and the topper? If so, which would you apply first?

[@diydetailofficial]

Use one or the other

[@kevind_53]

Here to learn🤓🤝

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@itc9251]

Well explained. But when your ceramic is at the end of its life do you recommend polishing anything remaining away or just a good decon and reapply the new ceramic

[@diydetailofficial]

Light polishing

[@ericanderson9544]

Thank you. Is there an issue placing graphene over the 5 year, SiO2 coating? Further more, can the 3 year coating, graphene, be placed on the 5 year for more winter/snow and salt protection? Thank you. 0:15

[@diydetailofficial]

You can stack them, and yes there are benefits. The 3 year can be applied 2-8 hours after the 5 or 8 year has been applied.

[@jsclayton]

Once a car is coated, how much, is at all, does chemical compatibility matter? Is there any benefit at all to stick with products from the coating’s brand?

[@diydetailofficial]

No need

[@specsbundy1392]

if you use the DIY clay towel and the iron remover as lube will the iron remover weaken or strip the Ceramic coating or Ceramic Gloss ?

[@diydetailofficial]

No it will not harm either

[@jont5320]

Can i blow dry the rinseless off with a leaf blower on the 5 years ceramic coat? Or can I spray ceramic gloss on first then blow dry it? Love your products btw!

[@diydetailofficial]

Rinseless Washing works best using a towel to dry

[@patoriq345]

i have a 3m protective film on the front 1/3 of the hood and quarter panels(as well as side mirrors) ..what do you suggest to "enhance" the polish look on this....do i use your ceramic coating on it? i literally just received your coating and was gonna [polish this weekend and now i am unsure about the 3m protective film

[@diydetailofficial]

You can polish the film and apply the coating on it.

[@patoriq345]

ty so much@@diydetailofficial

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you for the question.

[@Theseones]

I was wondering, about coating maintenance, I like using spray sealants regularly to have as a sacrificial layer on top. My questions is, does it have to be a ceramic based sealant or can a polymer based sealant be used? The gloss, slickness and hydrophobicity is not, to my eyes, being diminished at all.

[@diydetailofficial]

you can totally use a polymer based sealant for maintenance washes/protection

[@MrChuckwagon55]

I just got a brand new car, yet I don’t want to polish. When you say decontaminate do you mean the iron remover or the towel? Is one bottle enough ceramic coating for a Lexus GX460 (black)? I just bought one kit but want to know if I should buy a second 8 year bottle. Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Correct, here’s a video featuring a no polish coating prep and installation. One bottle is more than enough to coat your new car. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3zZZZqNjrRrerssi=7Ato19RGm3nZJQ0i

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@diydetailofficial - Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you for the questions

[@antoniou5]

Can i use a different ceramic spray topper other than the diy ones for the 3 year graphene? Cause i already got some sprays on my shelf😂

[@diydetailofficial]

Sure, just wait a week after you’ve coated the car to put anything else on…. and then use what you like for the aftercare washes:)

[@beeslandscaping]

Will it harm it if I use that special salt remover in the winter time

[@diydetailofficial]

No harm

[@user-er8nc4wb9r]

At what point would you coat over the 5 year ceramic with the 3 year graphene? Right away or after a certain cure time?

[@diydetailofficial]

Between 2-8 hours

[@DMCnME]

If you top the 3 year with Ceramic Gloss, are you diminishing the graphene water spot prevention? Asking because I have the 3 year for the wife’s car but would like to use Ceramic Gloss on multiple vehicles.

[@diydetailofficial]

Very slightly

[@user-wt3do7bm4o]

What if your truck already have ceramic coating from detail, but it was bad job. Could you add another ceramic coat on top of it?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, you will need to lightly polish it, then apply the new coating.

[@NortonTech]

I have a vehicle with paint protection film on the hood, can I polish and ceramic coat the film or should I remove it before coating the car?

[@Theseones]

You should be careful when polishing wraps and PPF but it can be done, and yes you can ceramic coat them.

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes you can coat the film

[@untitbonhomme]

Thank we will try to "revive" the coating of my brother's car. Can I apply a ceramic coating over a glaze? I have a car with swirls and want to do a glaze to minimize that. But I would like to have a coating over.

[@diydetailofficial]

Unfortunately applying a coating over a glaze will lead to poor results. A coating requires a clean surface.

[@aaronolsen8787]

Does the 5+3 year stack have better hydrophobic properties and gloss than the 8+3 year stack? Or is the 8+3 year stack better in pretty much every way other than potentially gloss? Thanks.

[@diydetailofficial]

The 8/3 is the best for everything.

[@haroldcottam8174]

Will the decon towel remove wax or sealant?

[@Theseones]

It will/could weaken it, so it is a good idea to apply some more afterwards

[@diydetailofficial]

No, it’s non abrasive.

[@boseman8372]

Where do you get your clear wash buckets? Also, I just applied the 5 year Ceramic coating on a new black Jaguar F-Pace. It looks great, even after a rain. I put a no name Amazon brand on another car and the DIY Ceramic was much slicker and looks better.

[@diydetailofficial]

Excellent, we get the clear buckets from a local restaurant supply.

[@snsum2853]

Whats your view on Esoteric saying a coatings 'effective life' is more important than the high years they advertise, eg by year 5-8 on a daily driver living outside, by then most of the self cleaning abilities are diminished and dont account for much because some of the key reasons of getting a coating is not there.

[@diydetailofficial]

To each his own. A coatings longevity it tied to how it’s maintained.

[@snsum2853]

@diydetailofficial Yep it is affected by how it's maintained and the environment it lives in, but would your 5 year coating - washed weekly/fortnightly on a car that lives outside 24/7 with no toppers applied still be atleast beading/sheeting at a fairly noticeable level towards the end of its life? Or does it need toppers to help keep those characteristics towards the end?

[@diydetailofficial]

No toppers required, simply an occasional decontamination.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Ready to roll

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@KingRockets]

So you can use a clay towel/ sponge on a ceramic coating without marring it? How about a regular clay bar?

[@diydetailofficial]

Our perforated synthetic Decontamination towel yes, others especially clay bars, no.

[@samuelsachs8606]

Applied my 3 year coating today and it started raining about 3 hours after. Any tips on if I should do anything to help the coating when it stops raining?

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s good after 1 hour, so no problems or worries

[@samuelsachs8606]

It’s covered in water spots now(black car in Florida). Should I do a quick rinseless or let it go until the week ends

[@diydetailofficial]

A quick Rinseless wash may be in order

[@julianmartinez6658]

Any chance of coming out with a wax. I still like waxing. I also like ceramic. Thanks.

[@Theseones]

They said that they might produce a pastewax, that has fillers to improve the look of the paint, but when it will be ready is something I can't answer.

[@diydetailofficial]

A wax is in the works.

[@bmakel]

Where is the video you all mentioned about the white truck that was taking through the car wash on a daily basis?

[@diydetailofficial]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3zZZZqNjrRrers

[@diydetailofficial]

there ya go:)

[@MTD90]

Should use ph neutral car soap though. Otherwise some soaps can break down the coating.

[@diydetailofficial]

That’s a myth, coatings are more chemical resistant than paint.

[@stevewhite5756]

Would love to see that white RAM in 3 or 4 months if it could be arranged.

[@diydetailofficial]

We will try

[@ashton1808]

Is dishwashing soap good for taking off waxes and sealants or is it bad for paint?

[@diydetailofficial]

They do not remove waxes or sealants, they mask them by leaving a hydrophilic residue.

[@renedamblade6008]

have you a distributor in FRANCE

[@diydetailofficial]

Not yet

[@ganfija2383]

Nick you are not a mustache guy lol.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks

[@02reaper]

I'm thinking about ceramic coating my truck. I have a setup at home that uses rainwater for a water source with a filter so there's no drying and no water spots. I also use a touchless car soap that I will list below that can cut washing a extended cab truck down to around 15 minutes. My pressure washer puts out way less psi than in the video, but I still get the same results. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6nThJ97h7tgibc

[@diydetailofficial]

Good plan

[@CVMarius]

Nick is the only one who gets bullied but it's his own fault

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s the Mullet