Maintain the Beauty of Your Ceramic Coating
Essential Aftercare Tips for Long- Lasting Protection and Gloss
Congratulations on your brand new System X® ceramic coating.
System X® ceramic coatings are designed to provide a protective shield against the elements, and to keep your vehicle looking new. To get the most of System X® and to ensure your investment is long-lasting, a few basic maintenance steps should be taken. With simple care, your coating will reward you for years to come and maintain your coatings warranty.
Yes, it really is simple to care for your ceramic coated car:
Be careful during Curing
Wash the car every other week
Dry the car
Remove water-spots and bird droppings
Get annual inspection and maintenance services
Curing Process
Your new System X® coating will take about 2-3 days, depending on environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature, to fully cure. Be careful during this time.
The coating will help prevent your clear coat from getting water spots, as it is hydrophobic; however, it can still get hard water spots. Be very careful during the curing process to prevent water spots, which may be costly to remove.
During the curing process:
Avoid parking under trees, especially if they are shedding. You don’t want tree sap on a fresh coating.
Don’t allow bird droppings, sap or pollen to sit on the car and bake in the sun.
Please handle with care and do not wash the vehicle for the first 2 weeks.
If you notice that your car gets water spots, bird droppings, bugs, tree sap, or other contaminants during the first few days, immediately remove it following our care instructions. Keep in mind the coating is still curing. Be gentle when working on the paint.
Washing the Car
Wash on a bi-weekly basis to avoid excessive contamination build up. This is most important, even for non-coated cars, to ensure that contaminants do not bond and start to damage the surfaces of your car.
Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting.
Wash from the top down leaving the dirtiest sections for last to avoid cross contamination.
Use the “two bucket” method – one bucket for rinsing your sponge/mitt and one for soapy water. Use pH neutral mild soaps.
Use separate soap and sponge/mitt for wheels. Your ceramic coated wheels and tires should not need anything more than pH neutral mild soap to wash them. Use a soft brush, if needed, on the tires. If necessary, use a mild pH neutral wheel cleaner for stubborn brake dust; however, washing bi-weekly will eliminate this need.
Avoid high volume brush style car washes.
Washing methods
Standard home washing
Use a foam gun (optimal) or microfiber wash mitt to soap down the car. Rinse it off with a pressure washer (optimal) or hose. Dry with clean microfiber towels.
Spray ‘n wash self car washes
Select the high-pressure soap. Soap the car down (never use the provided brushes especially on the paint!). Rinse car off with the high-pressure rinse. Dry with clean microfiber towels.
Automatic Car washes
Always go to a touch-free wash! Never use a car wash with brushes! Using an automated car wash with brushes will void your warranty. Never select the “spray wax” option.
After washing, do not use wax or sealant on the coating, many products contain solvents and abrasives. System X Renew™ is the recommended maintenance and aftercare product. Ask us about purchasing System X Renew™.
Drying the car
Always dry completely and never leave to air-dry. Tap water contains minerals that may leave deposits creating water spots. Use quality microfiber towels for best results and avoid aggressive wiping, allowing the material to absorb the water.
System X Renew™ is a great drying aid. Using Renew™ and one damp microfiber to first dry the vehicle then follow by using the second microfiber to finish drying. This process will give you the best results.
Removing Contaminants
System X® is extremely slick, this means most things will dissolve and be pulled off by System X’s self-cleaning effect. Use water or a little vinegar to remove bird droppings, bugs, and tree sap. Followed by wiping it off with a soft edge-less microfiber towel.
Never use aggressive products to polish the coating or remove surface contamination.
Never use excessive force to remove spots.
Bird droppings, tar, sap, etc. should be removed as soon as possible to avoid temporary staining or hardening on the coating. Any staining left behind from bird droppings will break down over a few days without affecting the coating.
Trim and Tires
Your exterior vinyl trim and tires have been coated with special ceramic coatings to provide UV protection to eliminate fading, restore deep color, and long lasting. Do not apply any protectant to these surfaces as it will not adhere, can reduce the effectiveness of the coating, and is not needed. Wash both bi-weekly along with the rest of your car using pH neutral soaps and the methods listed above to ensure they last longer.
Annual Inspections
Annual Inspections are the recommended process, and required to maintain the warranty, for ensuring the coating is maintained and care for the vehicle is properly executed. Annual inspections are to be carried out within 30 days of the anniversary date of the last service to ensure peak performance and warranty validity. Although durable and long-lasting, annual inspections ensure maximum gloss and protection from System X® coatings.