Preparing Your Car for Professional Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coatings can provide incredible gloss and protection for your vehicle’s exterior, but only if properly prepped and bonded first. With professional ceramic coating services ranging from $1000-5000, taking steps to ensure optimal paint condition beforehand maximizes this investment. Read on to learn what you can do to set your car’s paintwork up for ceramic coating success.

Thoroughly Wash Exterior Surfaces

While it may sound obvious, thoroughly washing your car is a critical first step. Professional detailers will wash again themselves, but cleaning off loose dirt beforehand allows them to see the condition of the paint and address flaws more easily. Use quality car wash products and microfiber cloths, changing them frequently to avoid swirls. Getting surfaces as clean as possible allows detailers to focus on decontamination and correction.

Debadge and Remove Exterior Equipment

Detaching any antennas, roof racks, spoilers or decals provides more complete access for the ceramic coating Singapore application process while also allowing damaged paint or clear coat underneath to be addressed. Carefully heat badge adhesive and fishing line to remove without damaging paint. Mask holes or residual adhesive until professional refinishing if needed. Store removed parts safely for reinstallation following coating.

Inspect for Body Damage Needing Refinishing

It’s smart to check for chips, cracks or scratches in the body panels needing professional repair or repainting and take care of this prior to the coating appointment. Even tiny areas needing touch up paint or clear coat blending will undermine ceramic coating bonding and performance. Ensuring flawless bodywork provides the best foundation.

Remove Oxidation and Surface Contaminants

Mild oxidation or etching and contaminants embedded in the clear coat prevent max ceramic coating adhesion. Using a quality clay bar kit to manually pull out bonded grime followed by a machine polish stages the paint for coating acceptance. DIY paint correction takes considerable skill however, so leave intensive paint correction to the professional detailer.

Pro Tip: Avoid Washing for 1-2 Days Pre-Appointment

Even with a thorough wash afterward, it’s best not to clean your car for a day or two leading up to the professional ceramic coating appointment. This allows any lingering surface dirt or dust to become visible so all contaminants can be effectively removed, preparing an optimally clean slate for ceramic application.

Pre-inspection, thorough washing, debadging and paint correction prep before professional ceramic coating allows detailers to fully evaluate and address paint condition for longest lasting results. Investing a little pre-appointment effort sets up your vehicle coating for maximum shine and protection payoff.