Should You Wax Your Ceramic Coating?

Take care of your coating, and it will take care of you. Here’s what to do.

Waxing is the traditionally accepted way to add a layer of protection on top of your vehicle’s clear coat. It’s best to wax an untreated vehicle every 3 months or so, but at the absolute least your vehicle needs to be waxed twice a year, once before summer and once before winter.

Maintaining A Ceramic Coating

If you’ve decided to have a professional ceramic coating installed on your vehicle, it’s obvious that you are interested in the highest quality gloss and protection available. After installation, the next logical questions is, “how do I maintain this for as long as possible?”

Your vehicle’s paint is more than just part of its overall look, it is the first line of defence against the elements. Some detailing companies will tell you to add a layer of carnauba wax on top of your ceramic coating to slightly enhance the gloss and protect the coating (which is protecting the clear coat and paint).

HOWEVER, here at Island Detail, we have a better suggestion. As exclusive partners of EPIC Ceramic Coatings, we are able to provide our customers with EPIC Ceramic Refresher. This unique formula is designed to work with EPIC Ceramic Coating systems. EPIC Ceramic Refresher is an easily applied spray that will rejuvenate the ceramic coating, keeping it durable and vibrant.

Simply spray the EPIC Ceramic Refresher onto the clean surface of your vehicle and work it in with an ultra-soft edgeless microfibre. You can do it yourself, but if you bring your vehicle in for an exterior wash, we will apply a coat of refresher for you. You should avoid washing your car for 7 days after the application of a treatment (don’t worry about rain, just no soap or scrubbing).

When Should I Treat?

You don’t want to deprive your ceramic coating of maintenance, but you also don’t want to waste your time and effort. Here are our best tips to help you find the proper balance.

Time of Year

Your vehicle is most susceptible to rain, snow, salt, and dirt. That means that the refresher treatment needs to be reapplied more often in the winter than in the summer. The mild temperatures and low levels or precipitation during the summer mean that a single EPIC Ceramic Refresher treatment can last longer. We recommend treating your car every 6 months.

Location

A car that is parked outside under trees will need to be sprayed more often than a car stored in a dry garage. Tree sap, salt, UV rays, and smog are all environmental factors that will degrade any protective layer. Consider where your vehicle spends most of its time, and how that location affects its exterior.

Age and Condition

If your car has just received a ceramic coating, that means that its exterior is in the best shape of its life. The good news is that it’s much easier to maintain a surface that is in good condition and has been well cared for than an old one that is dull and scratched. (That’s it… no bad news!)

Still on the fence about whether or not ceramic coatings are right for you? Check out our services page where we break down what you need to know, or just give us a call and have a chat. We’re always happy to talk about your vehicle’s welfare.