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COMPLETE GUIDE TO CERAMIC COATING CARE AND MAINTENANCE
This guide will walk you through what to avoid and how to care for your car's ceramic or graphene coating in the first 24 hours after application, during the first two weeks as it cures, and throughout the year so that you maximize the coatings performance and durability for years-to-come.
Coating your vehicle with a ceramic or graphene coating is one of the best decisions you can make to improve the appearance of your car and protect your investment. With superior durability, performance, and appearance enhancement compared with any conventional wax or sealant, a ceramic coating is the ultimate form of protection for your cars finish.
But without proper care and maintenance, a ceramic or graphene coating will degrade faster and its benefits will disappear sooner - plain and simple. Follow this guide to maintain your coatings performance long-term.
THE CURING PROCESS
THE FIRST
The first 24 hours after coating your vehicle are critical for the curing process. Your vehicle is safe to drive, but the new coating is still rapidly hardening. It's important to avoid all of the following...
Hard mineral water
Abrasives or washing
Automatic brush washes
High or Low pH Soaps (pH Neutral only)
Avoid parking under trees or other locations where bird droppings or tree sap may fall on the coating
If your coating comes in contact with any of the above, gently lubricate the coated surface with a Sio2 or Graphene based sealant sealant and wipe the surface with a clean, unused, high-pile microfiber towel - a 460 GSM microfiber is ideal for this kind of job.
THE NEXT
For the next fourteen days, your ceramic coating will be actively curing to reach its full 9H Hardness potential. It's recommended that you attempt to continue avoiding the same items listed above during this time period.
In the event that your vehicle has any dust, pollen, bird droppings, tree sap, or contaminant build-up, immediately rinse with clean water and a gentle hand wash using a pH-Neutral dry completely using a high quality microfiber detailing towel. It's important that you continue to avoid any products containing detergents or unbalanced pH levels during this period to avoid breaking down the coating.
FULLY CURED COATING CARE AND MAINTENANCE
EVERY
Maintenance Washing
Everyone washes their car with varying degrees of frequency but it's recommended to perform a maintenance wash by hand at least every 2 to 4 weeks to maintain your ceramic coating's deep shine and hydrophobic properties.
One of the great benefits of a ceramic or graphene coated vehicle is the ease of washing because of its self-cleaning effect. Here are some basic ceramic or graphene coating maintenance wash rules of thumb...
Schedule your maintenance wash with
COATING MAINTENANCE WASH METHOD:
Hand wash using the "Two-Bucket Method" - a wash mitt with one bucket that has clean water and a separate bucket with your soapy water. Both should have a grit guard on the bottom to prevent hard contaminants from causing abrasions.
Use only pH-neutral soaps. Using a soap that isn't pH-neutral exposes your coating to harsh detergents that can break it down and decrease its lifespan
You can use a pH-neutral soap containing silica additives to revitalize the hydrophobic properties of your coating in the short-term but avoid soaps with wax additives. The wax will not adhere to the coating.
Avoid washing in direct sunlight to prevent water-spotting and streaking effects
If you don't have the time or desire to wash the car yourself, avoid automated high-volume brush washes. Stick to hand wash or touchless car washes only.
When drying, avoid using drying towels that may cause abrasion. Use a few high-pile, edgeless microfibers. Alternate between one to absorb most of the water, and a second to dry the car completely. Avoid using excessive pressure, let the towel do the work.
EVERY
Seasonal Maintenance
Giving your coating seasonal maintenance every 3-4 months will ensure maximum performance and durability long-term. After a maintenance wash using your pH-neutral soap, apply a spray sealant as a coating topper to enhance and rejuvenate the protection, appearance, and performance benefits of your graphene or ceramic coating.
Schedule your maintenance wash with
EVERY
Decontamination
As your coating heats up during regular use and exposure to the sun, microscopic contaminants such as metallic particles and other environmental particles can become embedded in the cars surface over time. This negatively affects your coatings appearance and its ability to repel water, dirt, and other contaminants. At least once a year, you should decontaminate the surface of your car.
Use a pH-Neutral Iron Remover on your vehicle surface to draw out and break down the metallic contaminants in your paint. Just spray it on and after 3-4 minutes, give your car a maintenance wash using pH-neutral soap and the two-bucket method.
DO NOT use a clay bar on the coated vehicle. Clay bars are an abrasive and will break down the coating.
Warranty terms
Element 119 warrants that with the proper application of System X™ Paint Protection by an Element 119 approved installer; your vehicle’s paint finish will remain protected against:
Oxidation
Loss of gloss
UV Damage
Acid rain
Paint chalking
If any treated paint is shown to be adversely affected from exposure to these conditions or through normal use, as evidenced by a visible loss of paint gloss and providing that all of the terms of this warranty have been met, then such conditions will be remedied free of charge by Element 119, regional distributor and / or its authorized installers, who reserve the right to attempt repairs through professional surface reconditioning / polishing before repainting the damaged area.
General conditions
Warranty coverage is only valid if the Approved Applicator has issued a Warranty Card and which has been registered within 30 days of application.
The vehicle must remain registered, for the entire duration of the warranty, for legal non-commercial road use.
Only vehicles registered as passenger vehicles will be warrantied. Commercial vehicles of any kind will not be covered.
Vehicles over 3 months old are required to have a machine polishing carried out by an approved applicator prior to application. Newer vehicles may also require a machine polish if advised by the approved applicator.
In the event of damage / repair to the surface (i.e. accident repair) the vehicle must be taken to an approved applicator for retreatment to the repaired area, at the owner’s expense, within 30 days.
Warranty is registered in the name of the vehicle owner and cannot be transferred.
Should a product reapplication be required (e.g. vehicle accident) you or your insurer are liable for a reapplication fee, determined by the approved applicator.
The vehicle exterior paintwork must be maintained and washed regularly, to Element 119’s recommendations, to prevent contamination build up (bi-weekly). After washing insure that no water is left to dry on the coated surface, particularly within the first two (2) weeks after installation. In the event that your vehicle is exposed to high mineral-content water (“hard” or “soft” water) like that from some automated car washes, sprinkler systems or tap water in some areas, then all coated areas need to be dried as soon as possible with a microfiber cloth. Any water that is left to dry may form visible ringlets, which should be wiped off with vinegar until the mineral deposit is removed, as soon as possible.
Successful registration must have been completed with true and accurate data, and a confirmation number must be saved.
Exclusions
Where the owner has deemed to have been careless, negligent or failed to maintain the exterior painted surface in the correct manner.
Pre-existing damage to the painted surface or any other treated part of substandard specification, materials or workmanship by vehicle manufacturer, their dealership, third-party supplier or modifier, or professional detailers not authorized by Element 119.
Damage to the coated surface by incorrect manual wash techniques, automatic car washes, brushes or contaminated wash tools that may cause abrasion or damage caused by a third party not authorized by Element 119.
Swirl marks, marring, scratches, scuffs, scrapes, chips to the painted surface.
Water spots – Water spots are caused by hard water (mineral deposits), which when left to dry on the paint may leave a stain, water spotting is not covered.
Failed Clear Coat – Peeling, Hazing and Fading or any claim for matters which are covered by vehicle manufacturers’ warranty.
Damage caused by collision, accidental damage, vandalism, malicious damage, fire, hail, flood, stones, collision, surface rust, rail dust, physical damage, paint overspray, water etch or vehicle manufacturer’ defects, or defects which may be covered under a manufacturers or dealerships protection plan.
Areas that have not been retreated after a paint repair.
Any loss of time or use of the vehicle while it undergoes inspections or treatments.
Touch-less car washes only. Never use a car wash with brushes.
Annual Inspections
Annual Inspections must be carried out by an approved applicator, within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the last service to maintain the warranty.
Failure to undertake an annual inspection within the required period will void the warranty.
A fee determined by the approved applicator will be charged for the Annual Inspection, which includes – Exterior Wash, Decontamination, Crystal or Topcoat, and Inspection.
Annual inspections must be recorded within 30 days on SystemX.com
Limit of Liability (Claims)
Damage that may be covered under this warranty must be made aware to an approved applicator within 30 days, failure to comply will result in the warranty being terminated.
Claim determination is at the sole discretion of Element 119, either approving the repair / retreatment by an approved applicator or refunding the application cost to the vehicle owner at a maximum of $1000 and terminating the warranty, whichever is less.
Any dispute arising under these terms and conditions shall be governed by the law of Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA. The involved parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of that State.
Email reminders for annual inspections are a courtesy and not receiving one is not an acceptable reason for missing your inspection.
Definitions
Approved Applicator – An independently owned and operated business / company that has been approved by Element 119 or authorized distributor to apply Element 119 products, such as Tig from
To make a claim contact your installer or submit a request on SystemX.com