How to Wash and Care for a Car with PPF and Ceramic Coating
Preparation: Gather the Right Tools and Products
Get the necessary equipment and materials before you start washing your car to prevent harming the ceramic coating, or PPF. You will require:Tools and Products
- Two Buckets: One bucket for soapy water and another for rinsing. This prevents the reintroduction of dirt onto the car's surface.
- Microfibre Wash Mitts and Towels: Soft and non abrasive, they protect the car's surface from scratches.
- pH-Neutral Car Shampoo: Ensure the cleaning agent wouldn't harm the PPF ceramic coating.
- Foam Cannon (Optional): Lets you apply pre-wash foam that loosens dirt before actual cleaning.
- Grit Guard: Placed in the bottom of the bucket, the grit guard catches dirt and keeps it from getting back onto the wash mitt.
- Soft Detailing Brushes: Use delicate detail brushes for cleaning edges, trims, and difficult areas like symbols.
- Blower or Air Dryer: Especially useful for PPF and Ceramic Coating, blower or air dryers assist to dry the car free of damp marks.
Products to Avoid
- Harsh Detergents or All-Purpose Cleaners: These can degrade the protective layers.
- Abrasive Sponges or Brushes: They can just damage the surface, thereby affecting both PPF and ceramic coating.
- Wax-Based Soaps: These can compromise the hydrophobic nature of the ceramic covering.
Washing a Car with Paint Protection Film (PPF)
PPF is durable but must be only gently washed to prevent damage. Here's how to properly wash a car with PPF:Step 1: Remove loose dirt and trash by first washing the automobile with a hose or pressure washer. Steer clear of immediately running a high-pressure setting right on the margins of the PPF since it will cause the film to rise over time.
Step 2: Use a pre-wash foam cannon. Applying a thick coating of foam to the automobile using a foam cannon is the best approach to dislodging dirt without making direct contact. If you lack a foam cannon, substitute a pH-neutral pre-wash spray. This stage reduces the chance of washing-related scrapes.
Step 3: Using a two-bucket strategy, fill one bucket with car shampoo and water; the other with fresh water for rinsing. Wash a section of the car, dip your microfibre wash mitt into the soapy water, then rinse the mitt in the bucket of fresh water. Till the car is spotless overall, keep repeating. Protecting the PPF from swirl marks and scratches, the two-bucket approach stops pollutants from being reintroduced to the surface of the automobile.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly; Wash the automobile, then give it a good water rinse. Make sure any soap residue is eliminated, particularly in places where PPF is used as soap left to dry might produce streaks or water stains.
Step 5: Drying the car with a blower or microfibre cloth helps avoid wet marks. Keep away of excessively aggressive surface rubbing, as this can compromise the PPF. Since a blower removes the requirement for physical interaction with the surface of the automobile, it is a safe choice.
Washing a Car with Ceramic Coating
Excellent hydrophobicity of ceramic coating helps cleaning an automobile simpler. Still, it's important to steer clear of anything that can undermine its protective qualities.
Step 1: Like with Paint Protection Film (PPF), start by carefully cleaning the automobile to eliminate loose dirt and grime. For best results, use a pressure washer; nevertheless, be careful not to harm delicate parts such as emblems, trimmings, and seals by high pressures.
Step 2: Using pH-neutral vehicle shampoo will help. Ceramic coatings are sensitive to pH variations. An automotive shampoo with a pH-neutral formula ensures the coating's integrity. Foam the car with the shampoo using a foam cannon or wash mitt, and be sure to wash in straight lines rather than circular strokes to avoid swirl marks.
Step 3: Ceramic coating requires the two-bucket approach for maintenance. Regularly washing the wash mitt in the clean water bucket helps to reduce the possibility of contaminating the coated area again.
Step 4: Completely rinse the automobile, then dry the surface with a blower or soft microfibre cloth. Because most of the water will bead and glide off the automobile, Ceramic Coating's hydrophobic qualities speed up the drying process.
Caring for PPF and Ceramic Coating Between Washes
While cleaning is vital, preserving PPF and ceramic coating between washes is just as vital.- Use no strong chemicals or household cleaners on PPF or ceramic coating. Products include powerful solvents or ammonia can destroy the layers of protection.
- Spot clean light dirt, bugs, or bird droppings between washes using a microfibre cloth and a fast detailer spray. Early removal of pollutants reduces staining and peeling on both PPF and ceramic coating.
- Be cautious of automatic car washes, particularly those using brushes, as they can ruin ceramic coating as well as PPF. The abrasive brushes can provide even lift of the PPF edges or swirl marks.
- Try to find covered or shaded parking in Melbourne, where sunlight is strong. Though less damaging to covered cars, UV rays can nevertheless cause fading or damage over time.
Protecting PPF and Ceramic Coating from Damage
There are certain extra steps you may take to safeguard your PPF and ceramic coating investment even with appropriate maintenance:- Avoid pressure washing PPF's edges. As high pressure might raise the film over time, direct the nozzle away from the edges when using a pressure washer.
- Many detailers recommend using a ceramic coating booster spray in between washes to enhance the ceramic coating. These sprays extend the life of the coating and improve its hydrophobic qualities.
- Stay cautious of goods with wax or sealants. These can provide an uneven surface, therefore compromising the hydrophobic qualities of the ceramic coating and generating a loss of clarity in the PPF.
