Contaminants on Ceramic Coating

[Speedy!]

You guys know the car was professionally ceramic coated back in 2017 and the installer used Gtechniq Crystal Serum. It's SUPER slick, shiny, and practically nothing would stick to it. Dust would literally blow off as I drove down the road. It made the finish scratch resistant as well.

For the past 5 years I've mainly driven the car through a touchless car wash and blow it dry with a cordless blower. My goal is to avoid rubbing on the paint as much as possible. I probably use the touchless car was 3 or 4 times a year. In between I use Ech20 mixed 1:20 with water as a detail spray just to touch it up with a super soft micro fiber towel. The installer recommended this product as it would help preserve the ceramic coating. I might hand wash it 2 or 3 times a year using a foam cannon, two bucket wash method, and rinse with CR Spotless filtered water. This has all worked great.

After ChallengerFest I was giving GoManGo a good detail like I always do after the event getting it ready for summer cruises. Racing is over for me pretty much until fall, so this is one of the times I really clean it up good. I noticed as I was wiping off the few drips that remained after blowing it off that the microfiber towel wasn't gliding across the surfaced as smoothly as I was used to. I grabbed a plastic bag and did the "bag test" and DAMN the top of the car feels rough. Sides are still very slick, but all horizontal surfaces are rough.

I suspect pollen and other fallout has gotten on the ceramic to the point it's stuck on it somehow. I've been doing some reading and it doesn't sound like you're supposed to clay bar a ceramic finish. I did test a small spot by claying and sure enough, slick as glass afterward so that confirmed contaminants have gotten on the ceramic.

I've got an email off to Gtechniq to ask them how to solve it, but what are you guys doing with yours? To look at it you'd never know. It still looks super slick and shiny and water beads great, but it definitely needs something to bring that slick feel back. I'm wondering if I need to do a decontamination wash with some IronX fallout remover.

 

[jonx96]

I haven't run into this issue since Ceramic coatings on my vehicles. But I had this once from my work parking lot. I still to this day not know what it was. Either sap or pollen.

I've used iron remover before on my coatings. I'm curious what they say to do. The problem is you don't want to hit the coating with something that will ruin it and at the same time you need to use something strong enough that removes the issue without rubbing it in and causing scratches. What about a bug remover meant for ceramic coatings? I know adams has this but I've never used it. Adam's Bug Remover | Easily Remove Bug Guts & Love Bugs From Cars - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)

I think the ceramic my dealership used is junk because it has never been as silky smooth as wax. It has had decent gloss but the ceramic is already needing to be redone and it has only been a few months. Last time I had it redone after a month. They use their own ceramic. Not a fan. I

 

[MiHiHemi]

Just had mine ceramic coated so will be following this one...also did a color sanding.

 

[Magnified]

Interesting. Could be industrial reside too. Watching (even though I do not have a ceramic coated car anymore)

 

[BULL]

I did the CSL version (myself). While I don't have "grit" issue, what I have noticed is that after a wash, it is NOT slick, until I follow up the wash with a detail spray. Almost as if the soap isn't fully rinsing off.

I get plenty of beading otherwise, and haven't notice any contaminates, but of course mine doesn't see a lot of miles either.

I was getting ready to do a claybar, just because of the road trip miles, I'm glad you mentioned not to do that.

 

[EricG]

One of the local detailers in town almost requires a 6-month maintenance on any car he ceramic coats, meaning you have to come back and pay a little to have him clay bar it. I was always under the assumption that you do have to clay bar ceramic-coated cars from time to time...

 

[DavidKFla]

I will say that the soap used in the touchless car washes is very caustic. It could be etching your coating?

 

[Speedy!]

If bird poop won't etch this ceramic coating I can't imagine car wash soap being on it for 2-3 minutes doing anything to it. Also, if it were any product related issue the entire car would have the roughness. This is strictly limited to the hood, roof and trunk. Sides are still slick and pass the baggie test no problemo.

It for sure could be some kind of industrial fallout from the air. The car is garaged but I do drive it almost weekly.

You can see from the picture I posted the finish "looks" great. It's just the feel.

 

[DavidKFla]

If bird poop won't etch this ceramic coating I can't imagine car wash soap being on it for 2-3 minutes doing anything to it. Also, if it were any product related issue the entire car would have the roughness. This is strictly limited to the hood, roof and trunk. Sides are still slick and pass the baggie test no problemo.

It for sure could be some kind of industrial fallout from the air. The car is garaged but I do drive it almost weekly.

You can see from the picture I posted the finish "looks" great. It's just the feel.

I'm not an expert but this is what I was told by a top detail guy. If it will dissolve bird shit, different kinds of grime it will do the same to your paint protectants.

 

[MiHiHemi]

 

[Speedy!]

I'm not an expert but this is what I was told by a top detail guy. If it will dissolve bird shit, different kinds of grime it will do the same to your paint protectants.

Normal wax that's true, it definitely shortens the life. Not ceramic though.

 

[jroyk]

Sounds like tree sap mist which I’d never heard of until I parked under some trees at this time of year. I used a clay bar, but car isn’t ceramic coated.

 

[DavidKFla]

Normal wax that's true, it definitely shortens the life. Not ceramic though.

It's not car wash soap. It's a caustic chemical.
If the car wash doesn't get it clean then they are using a cheap substitute.
Many say that it will etch your paint if you continue running your car through it.
I'm no expert but I listen to people who are.

 

[MikeD1]

There's a reason this is built into their 'warranty' !!

Note: To uphold your Gtechniq guarantee you must visit the Gtechniq Accredited Detailer who applied your original coatings every 12 months during the period of you guarantee – unless you have changed address, if this is the case please email technicalNA@gtechniq.com. This is so that they can inspect your vehicle’s finish and give you advice on the maintenance of your car. This inspection is free of charge and can be arranged at a time convenient to you.

I got to know an installer pretty well and he said you can expect the 'annual recommendation' be they 'refresh' the detail & coating for $300+.
If you refuse the service or skip the annual check-in, good luck getting them to honor the warranty.

One of the reasons I never bothered with any of this stuff on my cars !

 

[Paladin06]

You guys know the car was professionally ceramic coated back in 2017 and the installer used Gtechniq Crystal Serum. It's SUPER slick, shiny, and practically nothing would stick to it. Dust would literally blow off as I drove down the road. It made the finish scratch resistant as well.

For the past 5 years I've mainly driven the car through a touchless car wash and blow it dry with a cordless blower. My goal is to avoid rubbing on the paint as much as possible. I probably use the touchless car was 3 or 4 times a year. In between I use Ech20 mixed 1:20 with water as a detail spray just to touch it up with a super soft micro fiber towel. The installer recommended this product as it would help preserve the ceramic coating. I might hand wash it 2 or 3 times a year using a foam cannon, two bucket wash method, and rinse with CR Spotless filtered water. This has all worked great.

After ChallengerFest I was giving GoManGo a good detail like I always do after the event getting it ready for summer cruises. Racing is over for me pretty much until fall, so this is one of the times I really clean it up good. I noticed as I was wiping off the few drips that remained after blowing it off that the microfiber towel wasn't gliding across the surfaced as smoothly as I was used to. I grabbed a plastic bag and did the "bag test" and DAMN the top of the car feels rough. Sides are still very slick, but all horizontal surfaces are rough.

I suspect pollen and other fallout has gotten on the ceramic to the point it's stuck on it somehow. I've been doing some reading and it doesn't sound like you're supposed to clay bar a ceramic finish. I did test a small spot by claying and sure enough, slick as glass afterward so that confirmed contaminants have gotten on the ceramic.

I've got an email off to Gtechniq to ask them how to solve it, but what are you guys doing with yours? To look at it you'd never know. It still looks super slick and shiny and water beads great, but it definitely needs something to bring that slick feel back. I'm wondering if I need to do a decontamination wash with some IronX fallout remover.

Ceramic coatings do have a life span. I've always had Ceramic Pro done to my vehicles. They have a 2 or 5 years guarantee depending on which application you purchase. The chemicals used from a bucket or a brushless car wash can impact the life of the coating.

 

[Paladin06]

Normal wax that's true, it definitely shortens the life. Not ceramic though.

Sorry, not true.

 

[GBLWRMR]

I use a Chemical Guys After Wash during drying. Yes. I use two high quality micro drying towels. One for the After Wash and one for final dry. If I see that ANYTHING has left a mark on the car, sap/bugs/tar, I use Carpro EliXer detailer. Used on my black 18' with great results for several years and now using on my 22'.

 

[Speedy!]

It's not car wash soap. It's a caustic chemical.
If the car wash doesn't get it clean then they are using a cheap substitute.
Many say that it will etch your paint if you continue running your car through it.
I'm no expert but I listen to people who are.

Sorry, not true.

You guys must be missing the part where I stated the sides of the car are no problem and that the slick feel came back with claying a test area. C'mon guys reading comprehension is a thing

The guy who installed the ceramic is the one who suggested I use the touchless. He's been in the Dupont Registry so I think he knows his stuff. I was waiting to her from Gtechniq first just to see what they say, but I plan to ping him as well. Real good dude.

Considering this is how I've mainly washed all the cars for 5-6 years I think my experiences are proven compared to what someone told you.

 

[Magnified]

Sounds like tree sap mist which I’d never heard of until I parked under some trees at this time of year. I used a clay bar, but car isn’t ceramic coated.

Sap must is real. When out in NM 40 years ago I found out firs and pines produce this in great quantities. Hence my steel garages

 

[Speedy!]

I try not to ever park under a tree, but around here sap will definitely blow around in the air certain times of the year. I might try a test area with some goo gone or something to see if it comes off.