Keep it dry first
Keep the vehicle away from rain, sprinklers, and standing water for the first 12 hours. Wait 7 days before the first full wash whenever possible.
OWNER CARE GUIDE
Keep the coating performing like it should.
A ceramic coating is low-maintenance—not no-maintenance. Follow this care plan to preserve gloss, water behavior, and protection for the full term.THE FIRST WEEK
Let the protection settle before putting it to work.
First 12 hours
Keep the finish dry and away from sprinklers, rain, or standing water whenever possible.
First 7 daysAvoid a full wash and do not apply waxes, sealants, toppers, polishes, or aggressive chemicals.
A coating can provide up to its advertised term only when the paint is maintained correctly. Climate, mileage, storage, wash habits, and contamination all affect real-world performance.Wash it safely
Hand wash every 2–4 weeks with a pH-neutral automotive shampoo, a clean microfiber mitt, and dedicated drying towels.
Remove contamination
Bird droppings, bugs, tree sap, road film, and hard-water spots should be removed quickly instead of being allowed to bake into the finish.
Skip harsh methods
Avoid brush car washes, abrasive polishes, clay bars, household soap, strong degreasers, and dirty towels unless the service is being performed professionally.
SAFE WASHING PROTECTS THE FINISH BENEATH THE GLOSS.
QUICK REFERENCE
What to use—and what to avoid.
- Use pH-neutral automotive shampoo
- Use clean microfiber wash and drying towels
- Wash from the top down and rinse thoroughly
- Dry the vehicle instead of letting water evaporate
- Contact Cole when beading or gloss changes noticeably
- Brush or tunnel washes
- Dish soap and household cleaners
- Clay bars, compounds, or polish over the coating
- Washing hot paint in direct sunlight
- Allowing bugs, bird droppings, sap, or minerals to sit
COMMON QUESTIONS
Simple answers for everyday coating care.
Can I use an automatic car wash?
Touchless washes are better than brush washes in an emergency, but a proper hand wash is the safest choice. Repeated brush washes can create swirls and shorten the coating's useful life.
What soap should I use?
Use a pH-neutral automotive shampoo made for coated vehicles. Avoid household dish soap, strong degreasers, and wash-and-wax products that can mask the coating's natural water behavior.
Why did the water beading slow down?
Road film, minerals, iron, and other contamination can temporarily clog the surface. A professional maintenance or reset wash can often restore the coating's water behavior without polishing it off.
Does a coating prevent scratches?
No coating makes paint scratch-proof. It helps with chemical resistance, gloss, water behavior, and easier cleaning, but safe wash technique is still essential.
PROTECT THE INVESTMENT