Ceramic coatings have become a popular choice for vehicle owners seeking long-lasting protection and a brilliant finish. As a professional detailer, educating your clients on proper ceramic coating maintenance is essential to ensure their investment stays protected and their vehicle looks its best.
This guide covers everything you need to communicate to your clients, from daily care tips to recommended products and repeat service opportunities for your business.
What to Tell Clients Before AND After Install
As you sell a ceramic coating service, set clear expectations for what it is—and what it’s not —after the service is completed. It’s a durable layer of protection, not an invincibility shield.
Explain that with proper care, ceramic coatings can:
- Resist UV rays, bird droppings, and light scratches
- Stay glossy and hydrophobic for years
- Require less maintenance than wax, but still need attention
Let them know that routine care is still required, and walk them through their first wash and beyond.
The First Week: Curing, Water, and What to Avoid
Even professional-grade ceramic coatings need time to fully cure. During the first 7-10 days, advise clients to:
- Avoid getting the vehicle wet, if possible
- Do not wash the car
- Avoid touching the paint or wiping off dust
- Stay out of the rain and avoid tree-covered parking areas
If it does get wet early on, recommend rinsing and gently drying the vehicle with a clean microfiber towel to avoid water spotting.
Ongoing Maintenance: Wash Routines and Product Use
Once cured, the coating still needs upkeep. Share these ongoing ceramic coating maintenance tips with clients:
Wash Every 1–2 Weeks
- Use a pH-balanced car shampoo designed for ceramic coatings
- Avoid household soaps or heavy degreasers
- Stick to the two-bucket method with grit guards
- Wash in the shade or early in the day to prevent water spots
Avoid Automatic Washes
- Especially tunnel washes with brushes, as these can mar the coating and paint
- Recommend hand washes or touchless washes as the safer options
- If going through a touchless automatic wash, avoid any protection or “shine” options after cleaning
- If going somewhere for a hand wash, let them know NOT to apply any wax, spray shine, etc., and avoid any additional protection products if hand washing at home (unless ceramic compatible)
Dry Properly
- Use plush microfiber drying towels (not chamois or bath towels)
- Blot and wipe gently to avoid swirl marks
Upsell Opportunity: Maintenance Sprays and Toppers
Between washes, ceramic-safe sprays help maintain gloss and extend protection. This is a great upsell after install or at the first wash visit.
Recommend clients apply a ceramic maintenance spray or topper every 6-8 weeks. This quick application is great for removing fingerprints, dust, or bird droppings. Instruct them to use clean microfiber towels for the best results.
Detail King’s ceramic-safe sprays boost hydrophobic performance and add slickness without layering too much product, ideal for ongoing DIY upkeep.
Tip: Include a 16-oz bottle in a ceramic care kit with a couple of microfiber towels and a maintenance guide branded to your business.
Add Value With Express Wash Plans or Monthly Touch-Ups
For clients who want their vehicle to stay looking perfect, but don’t want to do the work, offer a monthly maintenance service designed just for coated vehicles.
Package options might include:
- Ceramic wash + topper spray + interior wipe-down (20–30 minutes)
- Subscription pricing for monthly or bi-monthly treatments
Remind clients that coatings perform best when contaminants are removed early, especially things like pollen, sap, bug splatter, and road salt.
Products to Recommend
Recommending the right tools helps clients care for their investment — and subtly builds product loyalty with your brand.
Essentials include:
- pH-balanced car wash soap (ceramic-compatible)
- Ceramic maintenance spray
- Plush microfiber drying towels
- Color-coded microfiber cloths (wheels, glass, paint)
Bundle them into a post-coating maintenance kit. Offer it when your customer picks up their vehicle or build it into the cost of the ceramic coating service.
Educated Clients Become Loyal Clients
Ceramic coating is a premium service, and premium care should follow.
When you take the time to teach your clients how to maintain their coating (and give them the tools to do it), you position yourself as the expert they trust. You also increase the likelihood they return for future services, maintenance, and additional work.