Ceramic Coating changed my car washing life

[LosAngelesR1S]

Yes of course.

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[SwampNut]

You should also know that you are about to hear from at least six other people who will disagree with me.

 

[LosAngelesR1S]

You should also know that you are about to hear from at least six other people who will disagree with me.

Ha! I'm sure.... I know automatic carwashes are sacrilege.

 

[rogersmj]

If I apply a ceramic coating, can I still take it through the automatic car wash?

I mean, you can take it through the automatic wash, but the ceramic coating won't last as long if you do. If it's getting hit with harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes more often, it's going to wear out faster.

 

[SwampNut]

I mean, you can take it through the automatic wash, but the ceramic coating won't last as long if you do. If it's getting hit with harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes more often, it's going to wear out faster.

about the same as washing it more often by hand. Obviously, since I have the subscription wash and I don’t have to spend a lot of time on it. I do three washes a week. If I had to do it by hand, I would be doing much less so yes, less wear. after 18 months of this, my ceramic was still so intact that it had to be removed at great expense in order to apply PPF.

 

[Swezey]

...by hand, less often, is less wear simply by the lower frequency. Yes.


But ALSO:
1. your hand washing, most likely, is less harsh (mechanically speaking) vs an automatic car wash's brushes
2. your hand washing, most likely, has less contamination on your rags vs the car wash's brushes
3. your hand washing, using the recomm. supplies for your coating, will keep the coating protected and last longer
4. your hand washing: typically you only need to "hand wash" spots of the car. Car washes can't spot clean. your entire coating is getting slowly worn away for no reason

Sure you can do it. Is it more effective? Meh. Dependent on the person's priorities and time

I will pop in a do a touchless, manual spray clean in a bay when I'm in a rush. <$10
I do enjoy the process of getting my supplies and power washer out, at home. Then doing it by hand. It's therapeutic for me.

As long as bird doesn't immediately shit on it from the tree above...

 

[Bullwinkle]

The clay bar part really is a minimum, but so very easy with a modern clay-equivalent synthetic mitt.

The synthetic clay mitts and pads make it super ez. You do need to use a lubricating spray with them. Many iron removers are decent at lubricating the car for this purpose--this lets you do two important steps together. Wash the car and while it is still wet, lightly scrub all paint with the clay towel using iron remover. Then rinse and dry. It is a good idea to use something like Gyeon Prep before applying your ceramic coating. My favorite ceramic is Gyeon Can Coat. It only lasts a year and some products claim longer, but I do the whole process once a year anyway.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I mean, you can take it through the automatic wash, but the ceramic coating won't last as long if you do. If it's getting hit with harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes more often, it's going to wear out faster.

Automatic brush car washes are not good, but I think an occasional contactless automatic car wash is OK. I reapply Gyeon can coat annually anyway.

Sponsored