How-To l Maintain a Coated Car
by James MelfiGlass coatings like 22ple VX Pro 2 and Cquartz UK have changed the way we protect our cars. They have given us unmatched levels of durability, gloss and ease of maintenance. They allow us to drive more and clean less, and isn’t that the ultimate goal? But no product is bulletproof and some care has to be given in order to keep your car looking great year round. Here is a simple and effective system for washing your coated car and getting the most out of your protection.
I like to start my wash process by taking care of the dirtiest part first; the wheels. Now because there are wheel specific coatings, such as 22ple VM1 Rim and Metal Coating, wheel cleaning has become extremely easy. First, start by grabbing some pH-neutral shampoo and put a few capfuls in your wheel cleaning bucket along with your brushes. Use the pH-neutral soap to do most of the cleaning, that way the coating isn’t being diminished by any harsh cleaners or degreasers.
After the wheels are taken care of, rinse the car down heavily to knock off any loose grime. The goal should always be to get as much dirt off the car first, before ever touching the paint with your wash media. Then proceed with a foam down of the vehicle with a foam cannon and a shampoo like CarPro Reset. Choosing a shampoo without any wax or gloss enhancers will ensure that the properties you are seeing on the surface (water beading/dirt repellence) are not affected. Let the foam dwell and loosen up the road grime after which you will be ready for a rinse followed by the traditional wash method.
Ok your back, now it’s time to talk about drying. Drying off your car will never be easier after it is coated, and using a tool like the Metro Master Blaster Revolution will make quick work of any remaining water. Once the vehicle is mostly dry, grab a DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel and a sealant like 22ple VS1 or CarPro Reload and spray lightly into the towel as you move around the vehicle picking up the remaining water. This method will not only be great in reducing any marring during the drying process but it will also seal the coated surface and act as the sacrificial layer between the elements and the coating. This will improve the water sheeting properties, add gloss, slickness and prolong the life of the coating.
One of the downsides to amazing water beading are dreaded water spots. Always be aware of any standing water on the paint and act fast to avoid permanent damage. Using a product like CarPro Spotless will rid your paint of any water spots and keep the surface looking great.
I normally end my wash process with an application of non-sling tire dressing such as CarPro Perl and inspect my work.
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Thanks James, great article.
Thanks Steve
This is quite insightful. It is the best way to protect your coated seat I have ever read and seen.
Thanks James for this car detailing guide!
Thanks Jim
James, pleasure meeting you. The blog is very informative. I plan to purchase theses products, as I want the Stingray to maintain the pop you gave her…!!!!
Thanks Tom, pleasure meeting you as well, hope you enjoy your beautiful car, its now one well protected one. If you have any questions on maintenance please let me know. Cheers
James-
Great info, thanks for sharing! My wife thinks I need a challenge in life so she ordered a sapphire black X1 M sport. I was really into washing cars and such 10 years ago and now I’m getting back into it. When I left, the best was still pinnacle souveran wax, or something equal. Now I see all these sealants and coatings and it’s got me interested. My concern is that the black will get small scratches after a bit and I’ll need to polish on them to get them out. Is this often true? Once out, I’ll need to recoat the area but it seems many of the GREAT products don’t last on the shelf and will require a new vial at $100+ just for a small area. Am I completely wrong about this? My next thought was to use just a sealant like Wolfgang or equivalent that lasts 6 months. This way I can polish the fine swirls and recoat.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about using your wash method here! I’m a realist and I know in January my wife will take a trip through the automatic wash. Any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
Thanks for sharing your maintaining tips with us. This is a quite tough job for me.
Hi James, this is one of the best tips to maintain the coated car. Keep sharing such information.
The blog is very informative. This is one of the best tips to maintain the coated car.
Great article about maintaining coated car. Just got some new tips about it. Many many thanks for sharing with us.