How to Properly Prep a Car for Ceramic Coating

How to properly prep a car for Ceramic Coating, the unsung hero, has become a game-changer in paint protection and auto detailing. This revolutionary application takes car paint protection and shine to a car show level. However, achieving the perfect result is as much about the preparation as the application. How does Car Bath Mobile Detailing ensure your beloved vehicle is optimally prepped for this ultimate guardian shield? Car Bath Mobile Detailing, an auto detailing expert in Arcadia, California, and the entire San Gabriel Valley area and the detailing industry, aims to shed light on this process. This comprehensive guide will guide you through the meticulous six-step prep routine that readies your car for a successful ceramic coating application. Each step is pivotal, from cleaning the wheels and tires to the final polish removal. You'll understand why these steps are vital as we cover each step. These tips provide insight into how the pristine finish and durable protection are achieved.

Step #1 Cleaning the Cars Wheels and Tires

The first step is cleaning your vehicle's wheels and tires. These areas often have substantial road grime and fine dust from your brake pads, which can significantly affect the ultimate look and longevity of the wheel's finish. At Car Bath Mobile Detailing, we employ high-quality wheel cleaners that are tough on dirt but gentle on your wheels and tires. Car Bath meticulously cleans every inch of the tire and wheel surfaces. We remove any stubborn gunk embedded in the crevices, leaving your wheels sparkling clean. This first step is crucial because it ensures that the areas around your car paint are free from any dirt and dust that could interfere with the later steps. Starting with clean wheels and tires sets the correct basis for an efficient and successful outcome.

Step #2 Hand Wash the Car Paint

Diving into the second preparation phase, our focus shifts towards manually washing your car paint. At Car Bath Mobile Detailing, we swear by the power of a high PH car soap for this particular process. Its powerful stripping qualities are excellent for removing waxes or sealants and preparing the surface for decontamination.

Our gentle yet efficient washing techniques remove grime and dirt particles without damaging your car's paintwork. We use multiple super absorbent 500 GSM microfiber towels, each measuring 16 inches by 16 inches. These towels are folded into quarters, and each quarter provides a clean side for every individual panel of the vehicle. This attention to detail helps prevent further marring of your car's paint.

Through extensive testing and experience, we've found that this hand-washing method far surpasses the traditional two-bucket system. It guarantees cleanliness without causing any scratches, making it a better. Every wipe reveals a spotless, smooth, and ready-to-embellish surface, setting the perfect stage for the subsequent steps.

Step #3 Decontaminate the Vehicle's Paint

In this third and critical step, we work towards decontaminating your car's paint to prepare it for the Paint Correction. The car's surface may often contain microscopic contaminants, including iron particles and industrial fallout, that can interfere with the Coating's bonding.

Our decontamination phase deploys a two-step approach. First, we apply a specialized iron remover to the car's paint. This product efficiently dissolves iron particles and industrial pollutants, lifting them away from the surface. An iron remover enhances the bond between the clear coat and Coating, preventing early coating failure.

The second part of this phase involves using a clay bar. Beyond surface cleaning, clay barring removes embedded contaminants that regular washing cannot reach. This step provides a deep cleanse, enabling smoother paint correction. This step is like exfoliating human skin, like a facial. Following these steps, your car's paintwork is transformed into a perfect, uncontaminated candidate primed for longevity.

If the process stopped at this point, this step would be considered an exterior detail in addition to the previous steps.

Step #4 Paint Correction & Polishing

Now that the vehicle's paint is thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated, we proceed to the fourth step, paint correction and polishing. The paint's clear coat thickness is measured with a paint thickness gauge to ensure it is thick enough for paint correction. This process ensures any remnants of scratches, swirls, and defects caused by automatic car washes and improper washing of your car's paint over time are addressed.

At Car Bath Mobile Detailing, we take paint correction seriously. As a professional detailing company, we use top-of-the-line polishing machines (FLEX 3401), premium compounds, and pads to eliminate surface flaws. Depending upon the condition of the paint and the customer's budget, this step could be a multi-stage process. We carefully work out every swirl, scratch, and defect to reveal a smoother surface with a perfect finish, no matter how minor.

Polishing enhances the paint's appearance and prepares it for the last step. It ensures the paint's surface is perfect, preparing it for coating bonding.

By the end of this stage, your car embodies a show car shine, better than a brand-new vehicle out of the showroom. This is the longest step in the process.

Step #5 Compound and Polish Removal

The fifth step in preparing your car is removing the compound and polish residue. This step is crucial as it clears the way for ceramic Coating, ensuring a squeaky-clean surface.

At Car Bath Mobile Detailing, we utilize our in-house top-grade microfiber towels with a solution specifically for this step. Their high absorbency and soft texture make them excellent for gently wiping off all residue without damaging or scratching the finely polished surface.

Moreover, we take special care to remove residue from every edge, crevice, and gap, leaving no room for inconsistencies. This level of detail brings out the brilliance of the freshly polished paint, creating a pristine, mirror-like surface.

Compound and polish removal is not just a step; it's a process of detail, care, and professionalism. It sets the stage for the final act, promising an astonishing transformation that brings the vehicle to its highest potential and protects your beloved car.

Step #6 Ceramic Coating Application

When we arrive at the final step of the preparation process, it's time for the actual application. At this stage, the vehicle has been diligently cleaned, decontaminated, corrected, and polished to ensure it's optimal for the application.

We at Car Bath Mobile Detailing apply the liquid glass meticulously and precisely. We take our time to ensure the layer forms a powerful bond with the vehicle's paint. This layer provides an invisible shield over the car's surface, safeguarding it from UV damage, chemical stains, heat, and even minor scratches.

The final result is more than visual, even though the glossy finish draws you in. It's also about the extended durability and protection your vehicle gains. This innovative solution helps retain your vehicle's showroom-like luster and visual appeal for years. It is a testament to a job well done and an apparent reward for following the detailed process that preceded it.