Park your car in the shade to wash it to prevent water spots and residue.
Avoid regular rags and towels since they can scratch the paint. It’s best to hand-wash so you can be meticulous; any debris left on the surface can affect how well the ceramic coating bonds to the surface.
If the clay bar gets stuck on the surface, just apply a little more lubricant spray. Avoid rubbing in a circular motion since this could scratch your paint job.
A medium-duty compound will get the job done for most cars. If your car is used and has some scratches on it, go with a heavy-duty compound instead. Even if your car is new and you don’t see any visible scratches, go ahead and polish it. Not only will ceramic coating enhance your paint job (which magnifies imperfections), but even light scratches can interfere with bonding.
An IPA spray is an isopropyl alcohol solution formulated to remove lingering oils and residue from a vehicle’s exterior. Professional detailers often use it ahead of ceramic coating to ensure a strong bond. [7] X Research source
