Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid While Applying Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coating can be a nice addition to your car paint. If you want the dazzling color remain all the same even after years, you should opt for this coating, not temporary solutions.

But applying a ceramic coating can be a hectic job. If you hire a professional, you’re safe. But that’ll cut a chunk of money out of your pocket. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, then you can try applying it on your own.

But you must know the common mistakes beginner DIY applicators do and avoid them. Doing a bad job will ruin your pain and set it up for further damage. So if you must do it, do it properly.

Here are the top 10 mistakes people usually make while applying the ceramic coating.

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid While Applying Ceramic Coating

1. Not Prepping Your Car

Prepping your car before applying ceramic coating is important. It’s a coat, not a polish. So any contaminant you left on the surface will stay under and become permanent.

Wash your car properly, and wipe it with a microfiber towel. Do not apply ceramic coating under rough weather conditions. Avoid applying it under scorching sun, rain or freezing temperature. This will mess up with the curing time and coating quality.

If your car is under the sun for too long, park it under a roof or shadow. Let it cool first. Make sure the car body is completely dry and clean. Always apply the coating by hand.

2. Using Clay Bars

You need to get rid of any previous dirt or scratches accumulated on your car surface. Applying a coating over them will make the scratches rather permanent. But often people mistake clay bar as a scratch remover.

That’s actually not true. Clay bars are meant to remove tree sap, dirt and bird droppings. Using a clay bar for scratches can worsen the condition and increase the number of scuffs.

3. Applying Dish Soap

People often substitute car shampoo for regular dish soap. They think since both of these washes stain and oil, generate suds and looks alike, they have the same application.

Truth to be told, that’s a bad idea. Dishwashing soaps contain acidic elements that might be too harsh for your car. That can mess with your car paint and make it dull and thin. Always try to use a pH neutral car shampoo to wash coated cars.

4. Using Regular Clothes

Well, it’s normal to not distinguish between clothes when it comes to your cars. I mean, car exteriors should withstand any cloth used for cleaning and wiping, right?

Wrong. Your old t-shirt might be good for wiping your furniture, but cars need closer attention. Using regular clothes might damage the ceramic coating of a car, especially when you’re using it right after applying the coat.

Use microfiber towels instead. They have buffing capability. They are soft and absorbs dirt in the fiber instead of rubbing them against the coat. This protects the car from scratches. Go for 80:20 or 75:25 polyester and pyramid fiber ratio.

5. Applying Purpose Cleaners Indiscriminately

People love all-purpose cleaners. Because, well, they’re all-purpose. As the manufacturers claim, they can cover for every car parts. So instead of using different cleaners for different parts, you can just buy one.

They’re great for the car, but here’s the catch. You need to be careful while cleaning the car with them. Spraying too much purpose cleaner might result in setting the excess foam on the coating.

This will form stains and wrinkles on your car exterior. That’s not a good sight, is it? Just apply the right amount and be done with it, don’t go overboard.

6. Not Using The Right Tools

Be it applying a coating to your car or detailing it, do not just use what you get near hand. Using the right equipment makes sure you do the process safely and that too without damaging the coat.

There are different products customized for specific uses. You should replace a microfiber towel with a t-shirt, or a car shampoo with a regular dishwasher. Do not use some random clothes to apply the coating instead of the coating sponge provided by the manufactures.

Also, always make sure you clean the bucket, brushes and microfiber towel right after you’re done the washing. This way, these products will stay in tip-top condition for further use and won’t mess with the coating.

Read Also: Color N Drive 9H Ceramic Coating Review

7. Applying Ceramic Coating On Wrong Areas

Ceramic coating is great for your car, and it protects the paint. But don’t take it as an all-purpose sealant for every part of your car. They have a property that chemically bonds with the car paint and stays there for a long time.

While you’re applying the coat, make sure sensitive areas of your car like trim and headlight are covered. You can put a masking tape of the areas just before the application process starts.

It’s not that there aren’t ceramic coatings for headlights and taillights. There are Nano-glass ceramics that come with a high-solids formula that protect your car headlight without obstructing the clear view. Know which one to use for which part.

8. Using Dirty Polishing Pads

Polishing pads are used to keep the sheen and glossiness of the car paint and coating intact. You might need less of these pads if you use ceramic coatings. People using wax and sealant will need to use them to keep the car aesthetic top notch.

However, make sure you clean the polishing pads after use. They absorb dirt, residue, wax, and compounds while in work. They need to be cleaned before the next usage cycle otherwise these absorbed elements will be toughened. This will damage your paint and coating during the next use.

Read Also: Migliore Strata Coating Review

9. Cleaning Wheels Last

A common notion is cleaning wheels last, right after the whole body is cleaned and washed. But that’s probably a wrong strategy.

You see, wheels are the parts of a car that comes in touch of most dirt and contaminants. If you clean them last, they sprinkled water will sit on the coating you just cleaned.

You’ll have to wipe the body over and over every time that happens. This will increase the total washing time. Clean the wheels first and finish with the body, and you’ll be able to cut the process short.

10. Not Protecting Yourself

It’s only normal to get overly passionate and jump right into the coating process. After all, you’re working on better sheen and aesthetics of your car.

But remember, purpose cleaners, washing shampoo, ceramic coating all are chemicals. And they’re made for car surface. While they work wonders on the car body, they don’t necessarily as magnanimous to your skin and eyes.

That’s why, before you start, equip yourself first. Make sure you have appropriate goggles, apron and hand gloves on you. Wearing appropriate footwear that can drain water is also important. If you’re feeling irritation on your skin or eyes, stop the application process immediately and make sure you’re okay.