QA

Question: Can You Clay A Ceramic Coating

Yes you can clay a coating. Coatings are tough. Use a light clay and lots of lube. There is clay out now being marketed as for ceramic coated vehicles.

Can you clay bar ceramic coating?

You shouldn’t use a clay bar, mitt, or cloth on a ceramic coated car because it will break down the coating, or cause swirl marks. You can use an iron fallout and tar remover instead to safely remove contamination without using clay.

Will Clay Bar hurt ceramic coating?

Because using a clay bar or polishing your coating can damage the coating itself, the best way to go about this is using a chemical fallout remover.

Can you mess up ceramic coating?

Yes, it is possible to mess up a DIY ceramic coating application. Improper application may cause high spots, streaks, cloudy reflections or hazing. A lot of vehicle owners may not be able to tell if they’ve sanded off enough of the cured ceramic coating, which is what makes this procedure so risky for DIYers.

What can damage ceramic coating?

Although ceramic coatings can prevent against minor scratches, it does not provide adequate protection from rock chips. Due to the force, speed and unique dimensions of rock chips and road projectiles, they can damage the ceramic coat and create damage in the protective coat.

How do you strip ceramic coating?

Since the ceramic coating is a physical layer, polishing is the only surefire way to remove it 100% and expose the clear coat underneath. In fact, many of the high-grade professional ceramic coatings claim the only way to remove them is through machine polishing.

Can you clay bar over PPF?

Can I use detailing clay on the film? Yes, detailing clay is similar to the regular paint. Here you can use soapy water as lubricant and then rub the surface with a clay bar. To remove stubborn insects, hard water strain and bird dropping, use Simple Green as lubricant.

Is clay Bar safe for clear coat?

Clay bar is made to mechanically remove contaminants without damaging the car’s paint. So, with that said, the clay bar does not damage your car’s clear coat. When removing contaminants, the clay bar is gentle enough to remove them without damaging the clear coat.

Does polishing compound remove ceramic coating?

Most professional detailers swear by using a polishing compound and orbital polishers as the best way to remove a newer ceramic coating. Essentially, this means they’ll start with a medium-grit cutting compound, then step down in grit percentages – until the coating is fully removed.

How can you tell if ceramic coating is bad?

Most will think that when it fails, it’s going to fail like a clear coat, separating from the base coat. When a Ceramic Coating fails, just like when wax fails, you’re not going to see it peeling. It simply just wears away and you’re going to see water beading and the dirt shedding qualities decline over time.

What happens if ceramic coating gets wet?

If it’s rain water or tap water, the impurities present in both will destabilize the cross link bonds before they can fully form. That can lead to premature coating failure in many instances. That’s why washes and driving in the rain are not recommended during the first week after application.

Does ceramic coating scratch easily?

A ceramic coating is scratch resistant, not scratch proof. While it will offer some protection against finer scratches, swirl marks, and wash marring, it will not eliminate the risk of your paint being scratched. Your vehicle can and will be scratched by many of the same objects even if it’s coated.

How long do ceramic coatings last?

Q: How long does ceramic coating last? With proper care and maintenance, a layer of ceramic coating will keep your car looking new for two to five years. Some professional ceramic coatings can last the lifetime of the car.

Can you go through a car wash with ceramic coating?

Ceramic-coated cars should not be driven through an automatic car wash. Most automatic car washes use recycled water and unmaintained brushes. The friction of the unmaintained brushes scrubs dirt over the coating, damaging it in the process. Ceramic-coated cars should be maintained by hand washing.

Does iron remover remove ceramic coating?

Ceramic coatings can withstand an iron remover much more – in fact it’s often a great way to bring back any lost water beading on a ceramic coated car. The biggest downside to using an iron remover too often is simply the cost.

Can you ceramic coat over PPF?

Here are the main reasons some of our clients opt to get a ceramic coating applied over top of their PPF. Ceramic coatings are hydrophobic, so they stay clean longer because water just falls right off. Makes it easier to clean off bug splatter, bird poop, and other sticky contaminants.

Can PPF be polished?

Re: Can PPF be polished? Yes. Just use a white pad and light pressure. Remember it does have a clear coat finish but don’t go trying to “correct it” with pressure or heat as you’ll burn through it.

How long does PPF take to cure?

It may take several days (at least 48 hours) for the protection film to settle and cure. Try to avoid touching the film for about a week after installation. Don’t worry about some bubbling during that period. It should go away once curing is complete.

Does clay bar remove clear coat scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car’s paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.

Does Clay Bar damage car paint?

What Is an Automotive Clay Bar? Clay bars used by professionals will be more “aggressive” in their ability to cut contaminants from auto finishes, but they can also cause damage to paint in the wrong hands.