Why Your Car Should be Polished Before Being Ceramic Coated
"My car is brand new. Does it really need to be polished?
"My car is brand new. Does it really need to be polished? Can't I save a little money and slap a ceramic coating on it and call it good?"
The short answer is yes, you can, but I don't recommend it. It may be counterintuitive, but new cars really should be decontaminated and polished before applying a ceramic coating. Why? There are several crucial reasons...
Factory Imperfections: New cars don't roll off the assembly line with "perfect" paint. During manufacturing, vehicles can acquire:
- Dust and Overspray: Tiny bits of dust or paint particles can settle on the clear coat in the factory.
- Light Scratches and Swirl Marks: These can occur from robotic arms, wiping during assembly, or even from the protective plastic film applied for transport.
- Water Spots or Fallout:
Cars sit on open lots waiting to be transported or sold. They are exposed to rain, industrial fallout (tiny metallic particles from train tracks or factories), and other environmental contaminants.
Transportation and Dealership Prep: This is a big one, this is where most of the bigger more visible damage occurs.
- Road Grime and Contaminants: During transit from the factory to the dealership, new cars may be on a cargo ship for weeks, travel by rail or travel on an open car hauler (or all three). The car is exposed to a varitey environmental contaminants that adhere to the paint. Not to mention the number of times it's bumped and scuffed while being moved.
- Dealership "Detailing": Many dealerships perform a quick wash when they receive the car and another before delivery to you. These "details" are often rushed, use improper washing techniques (dirty wash mitts, automatic car washes), and can actually inflict more swirl marks and scratches. And the longer the car sits on the dealer's lot, the more washes it receives.
Ensure Optimal Bonding and Durability: Your coating is supposed to last for 3-5 years or more. Let's make sure it does!
- Cleanliness is Key: Ceramic coatings need a surgically clean surface to bond effectively. Any contaminants on the clear coat (residue, dirt, grease, oils, existing waxes and sealants) prevent the coating from adhering properly. Poor adhesion leads to reduced durability, and a significantly shorter lifespan for the coating.
- Smooth Surface: Polishing removes micro-scratches, swirl marks, and other imperfections from the clear coat, creating a perfectly smooth and uniform surface. This allows the ceramic coating to lay down evenly, enhance the gloss and depth of the paint, and maximize its protective qualities. If these imperfections are not removed, the coating will "lock them in."
Maximize Aesthetic Benefits:
- True Clarity and Depth: Polishing refines the paint, bringing out its true color, clarity, and gloss. A ceramic coating amplifies this existing shine. If you apply it over a less-than-perfect surface, the "new car" shine won't be as impressive, and the coating's full aesthetic potential won't be realized.
The Proper Coating Prep Process:
- Thorough Wash: To remove loose dirt and grime.
- Chemical Decontamination (Iron Remover): To chemically dissolve embedded iron particles.
- Clay Bar Treatment: To remove bonded contaminants that washing and iron removers can't, leaving the surface smooth to the touch.
- Polishing (Paint Correction): This is the crucial step to remove any swirl marks, light scratches, and other defects in the clear coat, creating a perfectly smooth and reflective surface.
- Panel Wipe/Surface Prep: A final wipe down with an alcohol-based solution to remove any polishing oils or residues, ensuring the paint is absolutely bare and ready for the ceramic coating to bond properly.
Decontaminating and polishing a new car before it's ceramic coated is about creating the ideal canvas. It ensures the coating adheres as intended, provides maximum protection, and truly enhances the vehicle's appearance for years to come.
Want the best for your vehicle? Book your detail with Chris at Octane Detailing. The San Fernando Valley's most trusted detailer. Professionally trained, Licensed and Insured.
