Ceramic Coating Aftercare

The first 14 days

Skylab cures each panel with infrared lamps before the car leaves, but GYEON still recommends not washing a newly coated car for at least 14 days. During that time, park away from sprinklers and trees where you can, and keep the car out of dusty work areas if possible.

If bird droppings, sap or a water spot land on the paint, do not scrub. Soften the spot with plenty of water and lift it with a soft, clean microfiber. Leaving droppings on the paint is worse than a careful spot clean.

How to wash a coated car

Rinse first to remove loose grit. Use a pH-neutral shampoo, two buckets and clean microfiber mitts. Wash from top to bottom and rinse often. Dry with a soft microfiber towel or air. Skip automatic tunnel washes, which XPEL warns can badly scratch a finish and IGL lists among the main causes of swirls.

Use separate mitts and towels for wheels and lower panels, which carry the most grit. Wash microfiber without fabric softener, which can leave residue. A coated car usually needs less effort to get clean, so let the shampoo and water do the work.

Hard water and sun

Modesto tap water is very hard. The city's 2024 water quality report lists average hardness at 185 parts per million, above the USGS line of 180 for very hard water. Wash in shade, never let the car air dry in the sun, and dry it quickly. A coating makes spots easier to remove, but minerals still stay behind when water evaporates.

Summer makes this harder. Average July highs reach about 95°F, so water dries on paint fast. Early morning or evening washes give you more time to dry the car properly, and working one section at a time in the shade helps too.

What to avoid

Avoid aggressive polishes and harsh cleaners on the coating. XPEL warns against using aggressive products to polish its coating or remove contamination. Do not wax over the coating unless your care guide says to. Never dry wipe a dusty car, which grinds grit into the surface. Use a pressure washer with care, from a sensible distance.

Be careful with household cleaners and dish soap, which are not made for automotive finishes. If something stubborn like tar or sap will not come off with a normal wash, call Skylab before reaching for something aggressive. A safe product used correctly beats a strong one used in a hurry.

Long-term maintenance

Over time the surface picks up bonded contamination that dulls the water beading. A decontamination wash usually brings it back. At Skylab, a yearly maintenance top coat, a $400 service, refreshes the coating and extends the GYEON Infinite warranty for life. It is also a chance to inspect the finish under studio lighting.

Keep the paperwork you receive at install. It lists what was installed, your warranty and the care guide, and it is what you need if a question about the coating ever comes up. Bring it along to your yearly maintenance visit so the service matches what was installed.