8 Common Ceramic Coating Errors to Avoid for Car Owners

Applying ceramic coating to your vehicle properly requires knowing what not to do. Here are common ceramic coating errors to avoid for car owners.

Did you know that tree sap works a lot like epoxy resin? It wants to bond to whatever surface it manages to fall onto. It acts as a protective shield by curing with the help of the hot sun. 

Once the sap hardens, it's a pain to remove it. If you park your car under a tree, it could ruin your nice paint job. 

Tree sap isn't the only contaminant that can do some lasting damage. Acidic substances such as bird droppings can take their toll as well. 



As long as you avoid common ceramic coating errors, putting that layer of protection on your car is the best way to keep tree sap away. Continue reading to learn what you should avoid doing. 

1. Neglecting to Do Prep Work 

There is some ceramic coating preparation work you have to do before you can dive in. The first step is washing your vehicle. If you leave any contaminants on the surface of your car, they'll get trapped under the coating and be free to eat away at your paint. 

A ceramic coating isn't right for every part of your vehicle. There are sensitive parts that shouldn't come into contact with the product. Cover your taillights, headlights, and trim with masking tape. 

2. Coating in Bad Temperatures 

Before you apply your ceramic coating, take a look at the weather channel. The conditions have to be perfect for the coating to adhere to the surface of your vehicle. 

If the temperature is below 40 degrees, wait until things warm up a little. The same goes if it's too hot out. Don't put a ceramic coating on your car until things cool off. 

3. Applying Too Much Coating 

When it comes to applying a ceramic coating, less is more. If you go overboard, it will appear as if you dunked your vehicle in grease. You won't get that sleek shine that you're going for. 

For the most part, all you need is a few drops of product to get the job done. Keep in mind that all coatings are different. Read the instructions to find out how much you should actually use. 

4. Ignoring the Law of Stacking

Wax and ceramic coatings can work well together as long as you use them in the right order. This is known as the law of stacking. 

The first step is always to wash your car. Once it's nice and shiny, you can go ahead with your ceramic coating. After you've given it time to adhere to your vehicle, you can go behind it with wax. 

Don't make the mistake of waxing before you apply the coating. If you do, it's not going to set. 

5. Exposing Your Car to the Sun Too Soon 

The best place to apply your ceramic coating is in your garage away from direct sunlight. Once you finish the job, don't drive your car out on your lawn. 

You'll need to give the coating 4-5 hours to cure before you expose it to the sun. Any sooner than that, and the chemicals won't be able to set. This will leave your car looking a bit distorted. 

6. Taking Your Vehicle for a Drive Too Soon

Don't apply your coating until you have a weekend away from work. The reason being is that you won't be able to drive it for a few days after the job is done. 

Some coating products can take weeks to cure. Of course, most people don't have weeks. Fortunately, you don't have to wait that long.

All you need is 48 hours. If you apply the coating on a Friday evening, it should be ready for you to drive come Monday morning. 

7. Applying Coating to a Warm Car 

We know that you're eager to coat your car as soon as you get home with the product. That eagerness would prove to be your downfall, however. 

If you apply a ceramic coating to a hot car, it won't set. So, drive your car into your garage and give it a few hours to cool down before you get to work. 

8. Not Making Changes to Your Car Washing Routine 

You can still make common ceramic coating errors long after you apply it to your vehicle. You've got to make the proper changes to your car washing routine, or all the work you put in would have been for nothing. 

First things first, dish soap is for getting rid of the stuck-on food and grease left on your dishes. It's too abrasive for a vehicle. Use PH-neutral car soap instead. 

Clay bars are perfect for removing tree sap and bug splatters. You shouldn't use them to buff scratches out of your ceramic coating, however. Nine times out of ten, it will only make things worse. 

Stick to using your old ripped t-shirts as dust rags. If you use them on your car, they'll only move the dirt and grime around and scratch up your coating. Microfiber towels are the better choice because they absorb dirt. 

Why buy multiple products to wash your car when you can get by with one? All-purpose cleaners are everyone's tried and true, but if you go overboard with them, they will stain your coating. 

Common Ceramic Coating Errors to Avoid 

A ceramic coating can protect your car from a wide variety of contaminants. Having one will also shield your car from the sun and prevent its rays from fading your paint job. 

As long as you avoid common ceramic coating errors, it will make your vehicle more durable as well. 

Reach out to Solar Shade Window Tint and contact us today to learn more about ceramic coatings, or make an appointment to have the experts apply one for you.