What to Expect After Ceramic Coating: Care Tips & Common Misconceptions

Callum Foster

What to Expect After Ceramic Coating: Care Tips & Common Misconceptions

Investing in ceramic coating is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle’s finish and keep it looking like new. Whether it’s a 5-year or 9-year coating, you’ve made a solid investment in protecting your vehicle’s finish and making maintenance easier. But what happens next? Let's break down what you should expect, how to look after your coating, and clear up some common myths along the way.


First Things First: What Ceramic Coating Does (and Doesn’t Do)

Ceramic coating chemically bonds with your paintwork and forms a durable, invisible layer that resists dirt, water, and light swirls. It gives your car that glossy, showroom like finish and makes washing easier - but it’s not bulletproof.

👉 What it does:

  • Repels water and dirt
  • Adds UV and chemical resistance
  • Makes the paintwork more swirl-resistant
  • Helps maintain a deep gloss

🚫 What it doesn’t do:

  • Prevent deep scratches, stone chips, or dents
  • Make your car maintenance free
  • Remove the need for washing


Aftercare Tips: Keeping That Coated Look

Ceramic coating simplifies car care, but it’s not a “set it and forget it” solution. Here's how to keep it looking its best.



1. Wait Before Washing

After coating, we recommend waiting at least 7 days before doing your first wash. This gives the coating time to fully cure and bond with your paint.

2. Use the Right Wash Methods

Stick to using pH-neutral products along with microfibre cloths and towels. Avoid drive through car washes, especially ones with brushes as they can still cause swirl marks.

3. Top-Ups Help

We offer ceramic coating maintenance treatments to boost the coating’s performance over time. Think of it like an annual health check for your car’s finish.

4. Dry Properly

Always dry your car after washing to avoid water spotting. A clean, soft microfibre drying towel or air blower works best.

5. Watch for Bird Droppings & Tree Sap

Yes, ceramic makes these easier to remove, but don’t let them sit. Remove contaminants as soon as possible to avoid etching the coating, or worse, the clear coat beneath.


Common Misconceptions About Ceramic Coating

❌ “I’ll never have to wash my car again.”

Dirt won’t stick as easily, but washing is still needed to remove road grime, salt, and other contaminants. The good news is that washing is much faster and easier.

❌ “It protects against all scratches.”

Ceramic coating helps resists light swirls, but it won’t stop deeper scratches or stone chips. For that, you’ll want to look into Paint Protection Film (PPF).

❌ “It lasts forever.”

While high end coatings (like our 5-year Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light and 9-year Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra options) are built to last, they’ll only perform at their best with proper maintenance and occasional inspections.

Final Thoughts

Ceramic coating is one of the best ways to protect your car’s appearance, keep it cleaner for longer, and make washing less of a chore. Just remember: the better you care for the coating, the better it will care for your car.

Got questions about aftercare or looking to book your ceramic top up? Drop us a message or pop into one of our locations, we’re happy to help.

How We Decontaminate Your Paint Before Coating: A Step by Step Breakdown

By Callum Foster • October 27, 2025
At Spotless Detailing, when customers book in for ceramic coating, one of the most common surprises is how much prep goes into the process before the coating even touches the paintwork. Why? Because ceramic coating is only as good as the surface it bonds to. You can have the best coating in the world, but if it’s applied over embedded contaminants or minor paint defects, it won’t perform or last the way it should. That’s why our team puts such a huge focus on prep work and paint decontamination before every ceramic job. Here’s a breakdown of how we make sure your car’s paint is in prime condition before protection begins.

Ceramic Coating vs. PPF - Which Is Right for You?

By Callum Foster • October 21, 2025
When it comes to protecting your car’s paint, there are two standout options: ceramic coating and paint protection film (PPF). Both are designed to help preserve your vehicle’s finish, but they work in very different ways and choosing the right one depends on your car, your driving habits, and your long term goals. At Spotless Detailing, we offer both options at our Perth and Elgin studios, and we’re often asked which is “better.” The truth is, it depends. Here's what you need to know.

Autumn/Winter Car Protection: Why Now’s the Best Time to Act

By Callum Foster • October 14, 2025
As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, it’s easy to forget what’s happening to your car’s paintwork under the surface. But if there’s ever a time to protect your vehicle, it’s right now, before the salt, grime and winter abuse kicks in. ❄️ Why Protect Now, Not Mid Winter Once the roads are covered in grit, mud and salt, your car is already on the back foot. Applying protection before exposure helps seal the paintwork while it’s still in good condition, not after the damage is done. Salt and grit wear down gloss and increase the risk of corrosion Cold temperatures make contaminants harder to remove once embedded Rain, sleet and frost reduce the visibility of fine scratches until the sun comes out again in spring, and all is revealed

🚘 Alpine A290 Protected!

By Callum Foster • October 1, 2025
Wee cars get the Spotless treatment too

Keeping That “New Car” Feeling Alive

By Callum Foster • September 22, 2025
There’s nothing quite like that new car feeling. Glossy paint, spotless wheels, and a fresh interior make every drive feel special. The challenge, of course, is keeping that look and feel long after the day you pick it up. The good news? With a few simple habits, you can keep your car looking sharp week after week, preserve its value, and maintain that sense of pride every time you walk up to it.

The Future of Car Protection: Where Detailing Is Headed

By Callum Foster • September 17, 2025
Car care has come a long way from the days of hand waxes and polishing. Today, technology is reshaping how we protect, maintain, and enjoy our vehicles, and it’s only accelerating. At Spotless Detailing, we see these innovations first hand in our Perth and Elgin studios, and it’s clear that the future of car protection is smarter, more durable, and more sustainable than ever before. So, where is detailing headed in the years to come?

Fresh 75-Plates, Fresh Protection at SD Group

By Callum Foster • September 11, 2025
It’s been an exciting start to September here at Spotless Detailing Group , with our workshops in both Perth and Elgin buzzing as customers collect their brand new 75-plate cars . There’s nothing quite like that new car feeling, and we love helping owners make it last.

SD Group - Our 5-Star Reuptation

By Callum Foster • September 4, 2025
At SD Group, we take pride in delivering high quality work and exceptional customer service. Thanks to our amazing customers, we’re proud to hold a 5-star rating on Google🌟 We’ve been fortunate enough to work with some amazing people who trust us with their vehicles, whether it’s a full paint correction, ceramic coating, or paint protection film. Their feedback tells the story of high quality work, attention to detail, and a team that always goes the extra mile. 

Think We’re Too Far Away? SD Group Has You Covered

By Callum Foster • August 26, 2025
At Spotless Detailing, we know that being without your car while it’s in for paint protection or correction can sometimes be inconvenient. That’s why we offer courtesy cars are at both our Elgin and Perth branches, to make our services even more accessible and stress free for our customers.

Is Glass Coating Worth It?

By Callum Foster • July 21, 2025
Living in the UK means dealing with unpredictable weather, rainy commutes, and winter grime - all of which take a toll on your visibility behind the wheel. While most people focus on paint protection like ceramic coatings and PPF, one of the most overlooked upgrades is glass coating, and it might just be the game changer your driving experience needs.